Canadian government pledges to improve the labor market outcomes of under-represented groups

Canadian federal government has set aside an extra $50 million for the development of a common framework across Canadian provinces and territories to address the important issue of foreign credentials recognition by September 2009.

Announced in Budget 2009, this extra $50 million over the next two years tops up the $73 million allocated in 2003-2004 for the Foreign Credential Recognition Program. The increased funding will not only go towards the improvement of continuing foreign credentials recognition process but also help develop a common approach across Canadian provinces and territories to provide timely assessment and recognition of foreign qualifications by September 2009.

First Ministers and Territorial Leaders have already endorsed the full labor mobility pact at their January 16 meeting, which will, if implemented, ensure newcomers better access to jobs in their field of specialization.

"Our government created a Foreign Credentials Referral Office that helps foreign-trained workers succeed and put their skills to work in Canada more quickly," said Immigration Minister Jason Kenney. "We are committed to fulfilling our promise to new Canadians to work with the provinces to address the important issue of foreign credentials recognition."

Budget 2009 also launches the "Canada Skills and Transition Strategy". This strategy will provide significant financial resources to a range of programs that will help Canadians weather the economic storm, and provide them with the necessary training to prosper in a changing economy. Resources are being provided for short- and long-term skills upgrading, investments to improve the labour market outcomes of under-represented groups, and to allow workers more time to find the right job and get the training they need.

The new budget further includes measures to increase job growth, consumer confidence, and other economy boosting measures over the next two years. Projections would have a surplus of $700 million by the 2013-2014, which is positive news indeed for all Canadians, current and prospective.