Government of Canada helps raise awareness of job opportunities for Manitobans with disabilities

May 08, 2009

BRANDON, MANITOBA, May 8, 2009—A local employment conference helped raise awareness about employment opportunities for persons with disabilities thanks in part to support from the Government of Canada. This was highlighted by Mr. Merv Tweed, Member of Parliament for Brandon–Souris, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.

“Our government was proud to contribute to the success of this event,” said Mr. Tweed. “In today’s environment, it is more important than ever that all Canadians have the skills they need to participate and succeed in the job market. This conference was an opportunity to develop more and better strategies to prepare Canadians with disabilities for jobs.”

The Westman Coalition for Employment Opportunities Inc. received $16,775 under the Enhanced Employment Assistance Services component of the Opportunities Fund for the organization’s Pathways to Employment conference, which raised awareness of employment opportunities for people with disabilities in the Brandon area.

“The conference was a tremendous success and truly met the needs of our partner organizations in southwest Manitoba and throughout the entire province,” stated Ms. Tracy Williams, Project Coordinator for the Westman Coalition for Employment Opportunities Inc. “The feedback I have received from both the presenters and delegates confirms the need for these types of events in our province.”

The federal government works with stakeholders to make sure that Canadians get the training, skills and opportunities they need to participate in the workforce and contribute to the quality of life in their communities.

The Opportunities Fund supports an array of activities, such as increasing employability skills, providing work experience and preparing individuals for self‑employment. The Government of Canada is committed to breaking down barriers that prevent Canadians from reaching their full potential with a wide range of effective policies, programs and services tailored to people with disabilities.

The Opportunities Fund is part of the Government of Canada’s strategy to create the best educated, most skilled and most flexible workforce in the world. The Government underscored this commitment in January when it introduced Canada’s Economic Action Plan, a key component of which is to create more and better opportunities for Canadian workers through skills development.