News release

Government Reaches Agreement to Deliver Canada-Nova Scotia Job Fund

Labour and Advanced Education (Jan. 2011 - Aug. 2021)

The province has signed a new skills and training agreement with the federal government that protects programs for vulnerable Nova Scotians and involves small businesses in a way they can afford.

The Canada-Nova Scotia Job Fund Agreement was signed today, June 30, by Kelly Regan, Minister of Labour and Advanced Education, and Peter MacKay, Justice Minister and Attorney General of Canada, on behalf of Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development.

Nova Scotia will get $13.4 million a year for six years for training and employment services under three funding streams.

The agreement will help unemployed Nova Scotians, and workers with a low level of skills, continue to benefit from effective programs and services.

"Without this funding, we would not be able to continue offering skills development and training programs which are, quite literally, a lifeline for our people," said Melanie Sack, programs manager with the Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre. "The clients we serve are often ill-prepared to make an attachment to the workforce, so without our services they simply couldn't succeed."

Small businesses are an important part of the Nova Scotia economy. The agreement will encourage employers to invest in the skills of their employees, while making sure their contributions are affordable.

"We've worked with the Nova Scotia government on several training projects to make sure our employees have the specialized skills they need to efficiently operate and maintain our machinery," said Sure Shot Dispensing vice-president Ian MacLean. "Instead of making our employees travel, we've been able to bring in experts directly from the equipment manufacturer, and that has saved us considerable time and money."

The Workplace Innovative and Productivity Skills Incentive Program will continue to support small businesses as the province's initiative under the Canada Job Grant stream.

"We worked hard to negotiate the best possible deal for Nova Scotians, one that our businesses could afford and that would preserve funding for proven programs that help our most vulnerable people," said Ms. Regan. "This agreement will allow us to move forward with training and supports that help Nova Scotians find and retain good jobs here in the province."

"Our government's top priorities are creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity," said Mr. Kenney. "The Canada Job Grant is part of our commitment to address the paradox of too many Canadians without jobs in an economy of too many jobs without Canadians. With employers' skin in the game, the Canada Job Grant will lead to a guaranteed job. Helping employers train Canadians for jobs that need to be filled will help their businesses grow and succeed. And that is good news for the Nova Scotia economy."

Under the Employer-Sponsored Training Stream, employers must make a contribution, financial or in-kind, to skills training, which leads to an available job.

The Employment Services and Supports Stream helps deliver programs so Nova Scotians can prepare for, find, and keep jobs. This includes programs for job readiness and employment counselling services, settlement services, literacy and essential skills training, and financial supports and benefits.

The Canada-Nova Scotia Labour Market agreement for Persons with Disabilities was also signed. With increased employer involvement, the new agreement, available through the Department of Community Services, will better connect Nova Scotians with disabilities to available jobs.

"This new agreement will improve the employment prospects for persons with disabilities and will help Nova Scotia businesses fill jobs," said Community Services Minister Joanne Bernard. "The full inclusion of people with disabilities in our community is one of my highest priorities. It will not only improve their quality of life, it will also help drive our economy and make Nova Scotia a stronger and more diverse province."

An agreement to continue funding the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers was also signed. The cost-shared program helps unemployed older workers in rural communities get the skills and training they need to re-enter the workforce.