News Release

MONCTON (GNB) – The Atlantic Workforce Partnership Secretariat hosted an Atlantic consultation roundtable today in Moncton with its Atlantic counterparts to discuss labour market transfer agreements in advance of the Forum of Labour Market Ministers meeting in Quebec City in October.

“Governments in our region strongly believe in the importance of skills training and solid employment programs to help provide people with the tools necessary to be a valuable and contributing member of the workforce,” said Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Donald Arseneault. “I am pleased to be working with my colleagues in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador through the Atlantic Workforce Partnership. We want to ensure that these agreements recognize the unique labour needs of the Atlantic region and that they support the growth of our workforce.”

Each year the federal government invests $3 billion in labour market transfer agreements that support the design and delivery of provincial-territorial programs and services for Canadian workers, persons with disabilities, older workers and employers.

To ensure these agreements continue to be relevant, flexible and responsive to current and emerging labour market needs and priorities, broad-based consultations will be held around Atlantic Canada over the summer months with stakeholders. Those include organizations representing employers, job seekers, service providers, under-represented groups, post-secondary and training institutions, and think tanks. This will allow the ministers to gather perspectives and inform current and future investments in employment and skills training programs and services.

“It is critical for the success and future of our region that we collaborate and work closely to ensure our priorities are clear, aligned and responsive to the labour force needs of the region,” said Arseneault. “I am pleased that we were able to come together today and focus on what is best for Atlantic Canada and our individual provinces.”

The Council of Atlantic Premiers established the Atlantic Workforce Partnership, comprised of senior officials from each of the four provinces, to discuss and develop strategies to help prepare the region and its workers for significant economic opportunities on the horizon and to address demographic and workforce challenges.

The partnership is responsible for enabling provinces to work together to improve skills training, promote apprenticeship opportunities, recruit and retain immigrants, and build on the strengths of the communities to meet new economic challenges and opportunities.