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MP-Report

The Canada Job Grant

I would like to inform local employers that the new Canada Job Grant program is open for business in British Columbia.

The Canada Job Grant will provide up to $15,000 per person for training costs such as tuition and training materials (up to $10,000 from the federal government and $5,000 from employers) resulting in training that leads to guaranteed jobs for British Columbians.

For details on how to apply employers should visit www.workbc.ca/canadabcjobgrant.

The Canada Job Grant is part of the $65 million in funding the federal government will provide to BC through the Canada-British Columbia Job Fund Agreement and will compliment other skills training initiatives, including the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant and the Apprenticeship Completion Grant that together makes $4,000 available to students who go through apprenticeship programs.

Over the next 10 years it is estimated that Canada will need 300,000 new workers in the construction sector, up to 150,000 new workers in the petroleum sector and 145,000 new workers in the mining sector.

In British Columbia alone, BuildForce Canada estimates that between 2013 and 2021, approximately 54,500 new workers will need to be recruited for the construction industry, while the Mining Industry Human Resources Council estimates that the BC mining industry will need to recruit over 10,000 workers by 2022.

Our Employment and Social Development Minister, Jason Kenney, is calling on employers, unions, educators and governments to work together in order to make a compelling case to young Canadians for a future in the skilled trades.

I know local institutes like Okanagan College are fully on board and I look forward to talking further with OC President Dr. Jim Hamilton about OC’s efforts when he visits Ottawa this week.

As parents we all want our children to get the education and support they need to find meaningful and gainful employment.  As Minister Kenney has noted, training in the skilled trades is proving to be as valuable as going to university and getting an academic degree. 

By encouraging young people to look to the skilled trades through programs like the Canada Job Grant, we are not only ensuring young Canadians find rewarding employment, we are  ensuring that Canada’s productivity, competitiveness  and continued economic growth remains on track.

 

Veterans Occupational Stress Injury Satellite Office to Open in Kelowna

I was pleased to learn that Kelowna has been chosen as one of the locations for a new satellite Operational Stress Injury (OSI) clinic to speed access to mental health services for those with mental health injuries. 

This announcement is part of the Government of Canada’s recently announced expanded mental health initiatives for Veterans, serving military members, and their families.  More information can be found at www.veterans.gc.ca .

Additional satellite offices will also be opened in St. John’s, Chicoutimi, Pembroke, Brockville, Victoria and Montreal, while a major new Operational Stress Clinic will open in Halifax.

VAC established its first operational stress injury clinic in 2002 and since then has added clinics to form a network of 10 specialized clinics across Canada.

While funded by VAC, all of the clinics are operated by provincial health authorities.

OSI clinics provide assessment, treatment, prevention and support to serving CAF members and Veterans. Educational programs as well as individual, couple and family counselling are also available.

OSI clinics also work closely with health care providers or organizations in the community to help ensure follow-up is available when needed.

Through collaborative efforts by the Department of National Defence (DND), Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) and Health Canada our Government continues to find and implement better ways to provide our Canadian Armed Forces and Veterans with access to care and treatment for mental illness and injury.

As always, I ask any Veteran in our riding of Kelowna-Lake Country who has any questions or needs assistance to contact my office at 250 470-5075 or at [email protected]

 

The Honourable Ron Cannan is the Member of Parliament for Kelowna-Lake Country and welcomes your feedback at [email protected].  Information on local announcements and federal government programs can be found at www.cannan.ca.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.



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About the Author

The Honourable Ron Cannan was first elected as Member of Parliament for Kelowna-Lake Country in January, 2006. He was subsequently elected in the 2008 and 2011 federal elections. He is a member of the Conservative Caucus.

On September 13th, 2012 Ron was summoned to be a member of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and will provide advice to the Government as a member of the Priorities and Planning Sub-Committee on Government Administration.

Ron successfully uses his experience and knowledge as a long-time Kelowna City Councillor and regional government representative to be an effective and enthusiastic champion for his riding and his constituents.

His greatest satisfaction comes from helping local organizations and citizens obtain the support they require from Ottawa. 

He is also dedicated to doing what it takes to ensure that the growing and vibrant communities in his riding continue to thrive and prosper.

He is proud of the partnership and cooperation between federal, provincial and municipal governments which have resulted in significant infrastructure projects including upgrades to Highway 97, expansion of the Kelowna International Airport, a new horticulture strategy for fruit growers, obtaining a full service passport office for Kelowna and addressing critical economic issues such as labour skills shortages.

He works closely with the local Chambers of Commerce and once a year arranges meetings for the Chamber with Cabinet Ministers and senior policy staff in Ottawa to move forward important local issues such as crime prevention and labour skills shortages.

He is also an ardent champion for important community initiatives including homelessness, mental health, women’s resources, and support of arts and culture.

On Parliament Hill, Ron has been a member of the Standing Committee on International Trade since 2006 supporting initiatives which will broaden the economic opportunities for local businesses and businesses Canada-wide.

In previous parliamentary sessions Ron has been a member of the Standing Committee for Government Operations and Estimates, Veteran’s Affairs, Human Resources and Social Development, the Scrutiny of Regulations Committee, and the Standing Committee for Fisheries and Oceans.

Ron is also involved in a variety of inter-parliamentary organizations: he is Vice Chair of the Canada-US Inter-Parliamentary Group, and a member of the Canada-Taiwan Friendship group.

As Chair of the Conservative Wine Caucus, Ron works with his colleagues across the country to promote the wine regions of Canada.  Ron tabled Motion 218(formerly Motion 601) which supports direct to consumer purchasing of Canadian wine. His motion became Bill C-311, sponsored by MP Dan Albas, seconded by Ron, which was passed into law on June 28th, 2012.

Prior to entering politics, Ron developed a diverse business background as a small business owner and had several years experience in marketing and sales management working with corporations including Coca-Cola, Costco and Corus Entertainment.
 

Very active in his community, Ron has been a Director for both the Central Okanagan Regional District and the Central Okanagan Hospital Board. Ron also served on the Okanagan University College Access to Training Advisory Board, the Glenmore Elementary School Parents Advisory Council, and the Kelowna Christian School Fund Raising Committee. He was co-founder of the Okanagan Volunteer Festival. Currently Ron is a member of the Sunrise Rotary Club of Kelowna and, along with his wife Cindy, was the honorary Chair of the 2012 Canadian Cancer Society Daffodil Ball.

Ron lives a family-oriented and active lifestyle with his wife Cindy. He is the proud father of three daughters and grandfather to three grandsons. His hobbies include music and sports.



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The views expressed are strictly those of the author and not necessarily those of Castanet. Castanet does not warrant the contents.

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