Article

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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Work-Sharing Program and Targeted Initiative for Older Workers

Canada's Economic Action Plan

August 18, 2010
Waterville, Nova Scotia

Work-Sharing Program:

Work-Sharing is an adjustment program to help employers and employees avoid temporary layoffs when there is a reduction in the normal level of business activity beyond the control of the employer. The program provides income support to employees eligible for Employment Insurance benefits who work a temporarily reduced work week. Work-Sharing Agreements must be agreed upon by both employee and employer representatives and approved by Service Canada. Work-Sharing Agreements have a minimum duration of six weeks.

For further information, please visit the Work-Sharing Web site:

http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/work_sharing/index.shtml

Targeted Initiative for Older Workers:

In October 2006, the Minister of Human Resources and Skills development established a new national cost-shared program to help provide employment assistance to Canadians between the ages of 55 and 64 who live in communities which have been impacted by high unemployment, significant downsizing or company closures. The program provides skills upgrading, job search strategies, skills assessment, work experience and income support. Since its inception, the Government has committed $220 million to this program, $60 million of which was announced in Canada's Economic Action Plan (Budget 2009).

The Targeted Initiative for Older Workers is cost-shared between the Government of Canada and provinces and territories.

The Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia today announced continued support of almost $4 million for the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers program. Since April 2009, this funding has been supporting 19 projects in the province and assisting over 300 unemployed older workers.

To date, over 13,000 workers across Canada have been helped through this initiative.

For further information, please visit the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers site:

http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/employment/employment_measures/older_workers/index.shtml

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