October 11 , 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRINCE GEORGE, British Columbia - Dick Harris, Member of Parliament for Cariboo-Prince George , on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, today announced that Canada's New Government will help unemployed workers, immigrants, and refugees in Prince George and the surrounding area prepare for, obtain, and maintain jobs.

"Canada's New Government is proud to support community organizations that help unemployed individuals find and keep quality jobs," said Mr. Harris. "Not only will this funding help more than 2,100 newcomers and multicultural Canadians in the Prince George area who need employment and career assistance, but it will also benefit local employers and the local economy."

The Immigrant Multicultural Services Society (IMSS) will receive $1,087,355 in funding over three years through Service Canada's Employment Assistance Services program. IMSS serves a diverse multicultural population by providing employment services in person and on the telephone. These services include presentations and sessions on relevant employment topics, career decision-making, job-search techniques, and employability skills as part of a client's individual case management or return-to-work action plan.

Canada's New Government has taken steps to ensure that newcomers to Canada can more fully participate in the labour market. The Foreign Credentials Referral Office has been created to help internationally trained individuals find the information and access the services they need to put their skills to work quickly in Canada. The Right of Permanent Residence Fee has been cut in half, and, in 2006, the Government of Canada welcomed 250,000 more newcomers to the country.

Service Canada brings Government of Canada services and benefits together in a single delivery network. It provides Canadians with one-stop, personalized service they can access however they choose-by phone at 1 800 O-Canada, on the Internet at servicecanada.gc.ca, or in person at Service Canada Centres across the country.

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Backgrounder

Employment Assistance Services

The Employment Assistance Services (EAS) program provides funding to organizations that offer employment services to help clients re-enter the labour market. Funding for the EAS program was provided for in the March 2007 federal budget.

All unemployed Canadians have access to a range of services under the EAS program. However, some EAS offerings are available only to clients who are eligible to receive Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, or who have recently been receiving EI benefits.

Employment Assistance Services include providing clients with information about the labour market, help preparing résumés, career-planning services, employment counselling, diagnostic assessment, help with job-search skills, job-finding clubs, and job-placement services.

Eligible recipients of EAS funding are businesses (including federal Crown corporations and provincial/territorial Crown corporations), organizations, individuals, public health and educational institutions, municipal governments, and band/tribal councils, as well as some provincial/territorial government departments and agencies. These entities act as employers or service coordinators under the program.

This project has been reviewed to ensure compliance with Service Canada's administration of its grants and contributions programs, and is subject to review under the Financial Administration Act.