Ottawa needs to satisfy the provinces’ concerns if it wants to launch the program, said Ontario minister Brad Duguid.
“The fact of the matter is, the provinces and territories are very united on this,” said Duguid.
“We will not fund or support any program that funds a new federal program on the backs of our vulnerable workers. We’ve been very clear on that.”
Kenney said the federal government already spends billions of dollars on job and skills training programs for groups that are “under-represented” in the labour force, like aboriginals, youth, the disabled and older Canadians.
The Canada Job Grant could be used to provide training and jobs for some of those workers, he said.
“I hear the provinces in that respect,” Kenney said. “I don’t dismiss their concern, but my response is that there are other ways in which we address precisely those Canadians.”
Kenney said he’s willing to listen to their concerns about shaving $300-million from the existing Labour Market Agreement that expires at the end of March.
But he wouldn’t say whether he would budge on the figure.
He said he’s also willing to be flexible on the contribution ratios of the program, which the provinces complained would exclude small businesses who couldn’t afford it.
So long as a business puts in at least 15 per cent, the provinces could have more say in how to spread out the costs so small businesses won’t be left out, Kenney said.
It was a “full and frank” talk that will continue in the coming months to hammer out a deal before the end of March, he said.
New Brunswick minister Jody Carr said it was encouraging to finally have a face-to-face discussion with Kenney.
“We certainly feel that there is a new openness to continue discussions and to continue to look at flexible options so that we—provinces and the federal government—can jointly work together to meet the needs of our labour force,” he added.
But Quebec minister Agnes Maltais said there was no progress made at the table.
“We want a renewal of the Labour Market Agreement, the way it is now,” she said in French.
“We’re prepared to revisit the objectives with Mr. Kenney … but the money has to flow to Quebec and Quebec will run the programs.”
Editor’s Note:
Chosen excerpts by Job Market Monitor. Read the whole story at
via No agreement reached on contentious Canada Job Grant | Canadian Manufacturing.
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