Forum of Labour Market Ministers (FLMM)

Charlottetown,  July 11, 2014 – Labour Market Ministers from across the country met  today to take action to ensure Canadians have the skills they need to compete  in a global economy. The Forum of Labour Market Ministers (FLMM) is co-chaired  by the Honourable Jason Kenney, federal Minister of Employment and Social  Development and Minister for Multiculturalism, and the Honourable Allen Roach,  Prince Edward Island Minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning.

“Our  government’s top priorities are creating jobs, economic growth and long-term  prosperity. I’m very pleased that since labour market ministers last met, we’ve  achieved significant progress on the creation of the Canada Job Grant. By  requiring employers to put more skin in the game, the Canada Job Grant will  result in training that leads to guaranteed jobs. In the year ahead, we look  forward to building on this momentum and working together to improve foreign  credential recognition, gather better labour market information, increase  labour mobility and strengthen apprenticeship training systems as well as the  Labour Market Development Agreements.”  

–The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of  Employment Social Development, and co-chair of the FLMM

“Provinces  and territories across Canada share critically important responsibilities for  employment programs and skills training. We value this opportunity to meet  together to discuss key areas of importance and our challenges. We learn from  each other through collaboration to ensure we have the best apprenticeship,  skills training and employment services that Canadians need.”

–The Honourable Allen Roach, Prince Edward  Island Minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning, and co-chair of the FLMM

Ministers discussed several elements that are  critical to strong labour markets and collaborative efforts that can be  undertaken to support this goal. They also discussed recent changes to the  Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

Labour Market Information
Ministers agreed that better labour market  information is required to support decision making by job seekers, students, employers  and policy makers. In particular, labour market data helps Canadians make  informed training and education decisions and connect with available jobs.

Increased collaboration between governments  is necessary to support ongoing improvements to the quality and accessibility of  labour market information.

The Government of Canada has agreed to fund  two new surveys, at a cost of $14 million annually, to collect reliable and  comparable information on wages and job vacancies, and identify current and  emerging labour market pressures. The Government of Canada is committed to  sharing this new labour market information data with provinces and territories.  Ministers also agreed to enhance the collection of new labour market  information.

Provincial and territorial ministers committed  to improve data sharing and the Post-Secondary Student Information System.

The Government of Canada will move forward  with an enhanced job matching service in collaboration with provinces and  territories.

Apprenticeship
Ministers recognize the need to enhance and  improve apprenticeship in Canada and that employers play an essential role in  providing apprentices with on-the-job training and experience.

Ministers agreed to a pan-Canadian initiative  on harmonization of the Red Seal trades. Ministers acknowledged the work that  has been done to date under the direction of Canada’s Premiers and the funding  provided by the Government of Canada to support this work. Ministers will  receive a report back this fall on the implementation of harmonization in 10 Red  Seal trades in 18 months (1).  This harmonization initiative is aggressive but achievable. Ministers will  receive a report that covers employer engagement as a means to improve completion  rates. Ministers requested the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship  to expand harmonization to other trades quickly.

Labour Mobility
Since revising the labour mobility chapter of  the Agreement on Internal Trade five years ago, significant progress on labour  mobility across Canada has been made, and progress needs to continue. Ministers  committed to continuing the removal of barriers to labour mobility.

Ministers agreed on the need to provide  Canadians with more information, including online, to help workers have their  qualifications recognized anywhere in Canada.

The Agreement on Internal Trade guarantees  that workers certified for a regulated occupation in one province or territory  will, upon application, be certified for that occupation anywhere it is  regulated in Canada.  

Labour Market Funding Agreements
Ministers discussed labour market funding  agreements that provide vital training and employment support for Canadians.  These include Labour Market Development Agreements (LMDAs) and Job Fund  Agreements.

In the coming months, they will hear the  results of stakeholder consultations and will work collaboratively to ensure  these agreements meet the needs of today’s labour markets, while ensuring  strong accountability for results.

Ministers also discussed implementation of  Job Fund Agreements across the country. A key component of the negotiated Job  Fund Agreements is the Canada Job Grant (2).  Provincial and territorial ministers committed to implementing the Canada Job  Grant in the weeks and months ahead.

Ministers discussed the importance of the  review that will take place in 2015, which will allow governments to examine  implementation of the Canada Job Grant and make improvements as necessary.  Ministers created a Working Group to develop the Terms of Reference for the  evaluation of the Canada Job Grant.

Foreign Qualification Recognition
Ministers recognized the importance of  integrating newcomers into the labour market. Today, Ministers announced the  addition of 10 new target occupations to the Pan-Canadian Framework for the  Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications (3).  The Framework helps improve foreign qualification assessment and recognition  for internationally trained professionals, so they can put their knowledge and  skills to work sooner. Provinces and territories will determine their level of  engagement with the new target occupations, depending on their own labour  market needs.

Ministers agreed to launch an action plan in  the fall to further improve foreign qualification recognition. Provincial and Territorial  Ministers will also consult regulatory bodies on areas such as pre-arrival  supports for newcomers.

- 30  -

For  further information (media only):
Alexandra Fortier
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Kenney
819-994-2482

Amber Caseley
Senior Communications Officer
Government of Prince Edward Island
902-620-3774