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Action Plan: Creating Jobs and Growth |
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February 24, 2011 – Today, the Harper Government of Canada is celebrating that jobs and economic growth continue to be created by Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
“Our government’s top priority is the economy, which is why we are continuing to implement Canada’s Economic Action Plan,” said MP David Sweet. “The infrastructure projects funded throughout the Hamilton area have helped to create local jobs and stimulate economic growth in the region."
The Harper Government is demonstrating the job creation and benefits of Canada’s Economic Action Plan . Over 80 MPs and Senators attended events happening across the country today to highlight the progress.
The Harper Government is committed to stimulating the economy through the creation of jobs. Canada’s Economic Action Plan continues to create jobs and economic growth with more than 26,000 job-creating projects underway or completed from coast to coast to coast.
The results are clear: Since July 2009 Canada’s economy has created over 460,000 new jobs and the economy has grown for five straight quarters.
“The economic recovery is still fragile,” said Sweet. “That is why we must stay on track and continue to focus on the economy.”
Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides close to $16 billion to modernize a broad range of infrastructure including roads, bridges, public transit, parks and water treatment facilities, and to support home ownership, help stimulate the housing sector and improve housing across Canada.
To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca. |
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Supporting Students -- Serving Communities |
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Canada Summer Jobs is a Government of Canada initiative that provides funding to help employers create summer job opportunities for students. It is designed to focus on local priorities while helping both students and their communities.
About the Canada Summer Jobs program
Canada Summer Jobs:
- provides work experiences for students;
- supports organizations, including those that provide important community services; and
- recognizes that local circumstances and community needs and priorities vary widely.
Canada Summer Jobs encourages not-for-profit organizations, public-sector employers and small businesses with 50 or fewer employees to create jobs that not only meet their needs, but also benefit students looking to gain work experiences.
The application period for Canada Summer Jobs 2011 will be from February 1 to February 28, 2011.
Criteria
The criteria to assess the proposals focuses on:
- service to local communities;
- jobs that support local priorities;
- jobs that provide career-related experience or early work experience;
- jobs with a salary that contributes to the student’s income;
- employers who provide supervision and mentoring;
- project activities that are directed toward members of, and support the vitality of, an official language minority community; and
- employers who intend to hire priority students (students with disabilities, Aboriginal students and students who are members of visible minority groups).
Lists of locally defined priorities will be made available on February 1, 2011.
Canada Summer Jobs Applicant Guide
To support employers, the Canada Summer Jobs Applicant Guide will be made available on February 1, 2011. It offers information on eligibility requirements, assessment criteria and the rating scale.
Where to find more information
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"Plan Ahead for Safe Holiday Travel" - Minister Cannon |
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December 15, 2010 -- The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today reminded Canadians of the importance of careful planning for safe travel.
“During this holiday season, I would like to remind the many Canadians travelling abroad to plan ahead for a safe and healthy trip,” said Minister Cannon. “I invite Canadians to inform themselves by using the tools developed by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada to help them stay safe when travelling abroad.
“Our Essential information for Canadians abroad website provides comprehensive advice for a safe trip, including Holiday travel tips, Important contact information and Country insights. Our Travel reports and warnings include information on safety and security, local laws, health conditions and other important travel issues.
“Unfortunately, you can never predict when you might need support and assistance. We encourage Canadians to make use of our Registration of Canadians abroad service, which the department uses to contact and assist Canadians during emergencies in foreign countries.”
When Canadians do run into a problem abroad, whether a lost or stolen passport or something more serious, the nearest Canadian office and the department’s Emergency Operations Centre can help. The offices and the Centre, which can be reached at 613-996-8885 and accepts collect calls, stand ready to assist Canadians 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
“Our government has expanded services to meet the growing needs of Canadian travellers,” said Minister Cannon. “We are working to ensure that our network of missions abroad has the right people in the right places to help Canadians wherever they may find themselves. To better support our officers in the field, we are revamping our Emergency Operations Centre, which handled more than 114,000 calls this year, and we have recently opened more Canadian government offices abroad, chiefly in popular destinations, such as Mexico and the Dominican Republic.”
While most Canadians travelling or living overseas remained healthy and safe, last year Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada provided consular services in some 198,000 cases handled by more than 260 offices in 150 countries. For more information on consular services provided in 2009, please consult Statistics on Canadians abroad.
Canadians should remember that limitations on consular services exist. They should also remember that in foreign countries they fall under the jurisdiction of that country’s government and legal system, both of which may be very different from Canada’s. Canadian officials must seek the cooperation of officials in the host country. Local authorities will always be the first responders and in charge of any situation. Canadian consular officers depend on local authorities for information to provide assistance to Canadians.
Canadian officials provide assistance to Canadians only with their consent and with respect for their privacy. This applies, as well, to families and friends seeking information in times of crisis.
Safe and secure travel is primarily the responsibility of travellers. However, when travellers find themselves in situations beyond their control, they can make it easier for Canadian officials to help them by consulting the web pages above, registering before leaving and ensuring they have the information they need. |
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Red Tape Reduction Commission |
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January 13, 2011 -- Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced the creation of the Red Tape Reduction Commission, which will work to reduce the burden of federal regulatory requirements on Canadian enterprises, especially small- and medium-sized businesses.
“Small and medium-sized businesses are a critical driver of the Canadian economy,” said the Prime Minister. “This initiative will help ensure that they can grow, prosper and create jobs without being impeded by unnecessary government regulations.”
The Red Tape Reduction Commission, chaired by Minister of State Moore (seen in article photo), will help find effective and lasting solutions to support Canadian small- and medium-sized businesses. It will consult with Canadians and Canadian businesses to identify irritants that have a clear detrimental effect on growth, competitiveness and innovation. The Commission will also look at the cost associated with federal regulatory requirements that businesses face, and provide advice on permanent solutions for reducing the overall compliance burden.
“Canadian businesses spend billions of dollars each year adhering to regulations,” added Prime Minister Harper. “We need to look at where and how we can reduce these costs and this red-tape burden, especially on small businesses.”
The Commission will hold consultations with Canadians and Canadian businesses during a series of round tables later this month. An online consultation process will also take place (www.reduceredtape.gc.ca) before the Commission issues its recommendations to the Government in the fall of 2011. |
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