Return to UNEMPLOYMENT web site
(There are 3
pages in the original hard-copy letter)
Mr. Robert T. Chisholm
48 Anna Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario
KlZ 7T4
Dear Mr. Chisholm:
Thank you for your letter of
March 21, 1994, which included a training and job creation proposal.
It is heartening to know that
Canadians like you are looking for practical solutions to the employment
challenges we face in this country. As you point out in your proposal, new
approaches are needed to correspond with the changes that are occurring in
industry, labour markets, and family structures.
You will be pleased to note, I
believe that the government already has a number of initiatives in place
similar to the ones you suggest in your brief. For example, the Sectoral
Initiatives bring together employers and workers, along with educators and governments
to work in partnership on the human resource challenges facing industry. The
objective of these initiatives is to promote employment opportunities via the
development of a highly skilled workforce. Sector councils will be overseeing
research on future skills needs, carrying out skills upgrading, and studying
issues related to national occupational/skills standards. Your proposal has
been forwarded to Mr. John McWhinnie, Director General, Labour Market Services,
for his information.
For youth, "Creating
Opportunity" committed the government to establish work-based training
alternatives for young Canadians in new and emerging occupations and sectors
where few structured entry-level training opportunities currently exist. our
primary objective is to facilitate the transition from school to work.
To accomplish this goal, I
launched on April 15, the demonstration phase of a new youth internship
program, to be undertaken in partnership with the provinces and the private
sector, focusing on emerging areas such as environmental industries,
electronics and the software industry. We will test new youth internship models
during 1994-1995, so that full
.
. . /2
-
2 -
implementation of the program
can occur in 1995-1996. The intent is that the program would focus initially on
the 60% of young people who currently enter the labour market directly from
high school without any further structured education or training.
Officials at Human Resources
Development are engaged in discussions with a number of industrial sector
councils concerning design options that could be tested. We are pleased by the
enthusiasm of these private sector groups and will have demonstration projects
in place soon.
These demonstration projects
will not be directed to areas covered by the existing apprenticeship system.
The federal government will, however, be supporting the work of the provinces
to revitalize the existing apprenticeship system for the traditional trades.
Another important issue that
you raise concerns labour mobility and the transferability of qualifications.
In March 1993, federal, provincial and territorial governments launched a comprehensive
negotiation process to develop a more open and efficient internal market within
Canada. The objective of these talks is to reach a Comprehensive Agreement on
Internal Trade by June 1994, for implementation by July 1995, that will allow
goods, services, people and capital to be treated equally across Canada.
Finally, the suggestions you
make in your brief on Unemployment Insurance and Social Assistance raise larger
issues concerning the relationship between employment and Canada's income
assistance programs. These issues will be dealt with in the context of the
social security reform process, announced in the January Speech from the
Throne.
The federal government will
shortly issue a paper that will help people understand the issues surrounding
social security reform and examine potential solutions. Additional
consultations will follow, culminating in the tabling of a report in
Parliament. Ultimately, legislation for a new social security system will be
introduced that reflects the input of a broad cross-section of Canadians.
Within two years, Canada will have in place a revitalized social safety net -
one that offers Canadians hope and a renewed sense of security.
.
. . /3
-
3 -
Thank you once again for
bringing your ideas to my attention.
Sincerely,
Lloyd
Axworthy
cc:
John McWhinnie