What's New

The Government of Canada marks the International Volunteer Day by reminding Canadians that the Call for Nominations for Thérèse Casgrain Volunteer Award is open until February 1, 2007.

Human Resources and Social Development Canada releases the federal disability report, Advancing the Inclusion of People with Disabilities (2006).

On November 27, 2006, the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, introduced Bill C-36 "An Act to amend the Canada Pension Plan and the Old Age Security Act".

A message from Minister Finley recognizing National Child Day 2006.

In November 2006, the Task Force on Community Investments (TFCI) published a report entitled: Achieving Coherence in Government of Canada Funding Practice in Communities. This discussion paper is intended to advance dialogue and reflection on the government-community sector funding relationship.

The Thérèse Casgrain Volunteer Award Call for Nominations is open until February 1, 2007.

The Targeted Initiative for Older Workers (TIOW) is a federal-provincial/territorial cost-shared initiative providing support to unemployed older workers in communities affected by significant downsizing or closures through programming aimed at reintegrating them into employment.

This month Service Canada is notifying employers and payroll professionals that use the laser printed version of the Record of Employment (ROE) about the phase-out of the ROE Laser product.

What's New in Labour?

Harry W. Arthurs, the Commissioner leading the Review of Federal Labour Standards, has submitted to the Minister of Labour, Jean-Pierre Blackburn, the Commission’s final report containing recommendations to modernize Canada’s labour standards.

Commission for the Review of Federal Labour Standards

Report of the HRSDC Chief Actuary to the Employment Insurance Commission on the Employment Insurance premium rate and Maximum Insurable Earnings for 2007

In accordance with section 65.3 of the Employment insurance Act, the chief actuary shall determine the premium rate for a year that, in the chief actuary's opinion, based on the information provided by the Minister of Finance under section 66.2, taking into account any regulations made under section 69 and any requests made by the Minister in accordance with subsection 65.3(2), should generate just enough premium revenue during that year to cover the payments that will be made under subsection 77(1) during that year. Also, in accordance with section 4 of the Employment Insurance Act the Maximum Insurable Earnings must be determined annually in accordance with the prescribed formula.

Using data from the National Graduates Survey ant the Census, this research paper examines earnings of recent college graduates by field of study as well as estimates the internal rates of return to college education.

Using data from the National Graduates Survey ant the Census, this research paper examines earnings of recent college graduates by field of study as well as estimates the internal rates of return to college education.

The Adult Learning, Literacy, and Essential Skills Program seeks to promote lifelong learning by reducing non-financial barriers and facilitating the creation of opportunities for Canadians to get the skills they need by providing funding through three calls for proposals:

• National
• Local-Regional
• Education Savings Incentives Pan-Canadian Community Outreach

The New Horizons for Seniors Program is accepting applications from May 16 to July 14, 2006. The program funds community-based projects across Canada that encourage seniors to contribute to their communities through social participation and active living.

Service Canada has upgraded the 53 week Record of Employment on the Web service (ROE Web) for Canadian business. The upgraded version is now compatible with Macintosh computers. In addition, a new feature will enable ROE information to be imported in an XML file to your payroll system. The imported data can then be used to issue amended ROEs in bulk – 53 week format only. Find out more about creating, amending and submitting Records of Employment using the ROE Web service.

The analysis of this paper employs data from the first three cycles of the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth to analyze: 1) the factors associated with early literacy problems and 2) the persistence of early literacy problems.

Social Development has extended the deadlines for seeking proposals from interested communities for a Child Care Pilot Project regarding the development of young francophone children in minority francophone communities.

News Release -  Old Age Security Benefit Rates Effective April 1, 2006

News Release -  The Honourable Diane Finley delivers keynote speech at Public Policy Forum Conference

The Workplace Information Directorate of the Labour Program publishes the Workplace Bulletin on-line. The March 15, 2006 issue has now been released.

One of the main features of this edition concerns major wage settlements for January 2006, in bargaining units of 500 or more employees, which provide base-rate wage adjustments averaging 2.5% annually over the contract term. The public-sector average for 7,600 employees in 7 agreements is 2.6%, while the private-sector wage increase is higher at 2.4% for 4,670 employees in 5 settlements.