Forum of Labour Market Ministers (FLMM) – Federal-Provincial-Territorial Meeting

NEWS RELEASE – Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers work together to prepare Canadians for the jobs of today and tomorrow



Québec City (Québec), October 14, 2016 – Canada's Labour Market  Ministers met today to discuss strategic priorities and enable progress on  shared interests such as: renewed collaboration on labour market transfer  agreements, improving labour market information, strengthening apprenticeship,  labour mobility and foreign qualification recognition.

 Acknowledging that skills  requirements are changing rapidly with technology and innovation, Labour Market  Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to foster inclusive workforce  participation, better align skills with evolving labour market needs, and support  efficient labour markets to better serve all Canadians.

 The Forum of Labour Market Ministers  (FLMM) meeting was co-chaired by François Blais, Québec Minister of Employment  and Social Solidarity, and the Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk, federal Minister of  Employment, Workforce Development and Labour. The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos,  federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, also  participated at the meeting.

To help all Canadians  find and keep good quality jobs through better access to training and supports  and to avoid duplication, Ministers agreed to common priorities for strengthening  the $3 billion Labour Market Transfer Agreements that support provincial and  territorial employment and training programs. Provinces and territories  acknowledged the additional $175 million funding provided for these agreements  for 2016-2017. They also emphasized the importance that future work reflects  direction provided by Canada's Premiers.

Through consultations, Labour  Market Ministers received valuable feedback from more than 700 stakeholders on  the effectiveness of the current labour market transfer agreements.  Ministers endorsed the public release of the  consultation report which will inform the collaborative approach to ensure the next  generation of agreements:

       
  • are  client-focused, flexible and responsive to the needs of individuals, workers,  employers and under-represented groups including Indigenous Peoples;
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  • build  on strong evidence for relevant performance measurement to better inform and serve  Canadians and help them achieve meaningful employment outcomes; and,
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  • foster  innovative approaches and the sharing of best practices.

The importance of quality, timely and accurate  labour market information (LMI) was reiterated to ensure all Canadians,  including students, businesses, workers and educators have the necessary tools  and knowledge to make informed decisions. To that end, the Ministers confirmed  that the LMI Council is on track to hold its inaugural meeting and finalize the  membership of the LMI Stakeholders Advisory Panel in the coming months.  

Jurisdictions agreed to continue working with their  regulators and assessment agencies to ensure that newcomers receive more timely  information on whether they qualify to work in their profession or what additional  training might be needed to meet Canadian standards. Ministers announced that  the target to reach an initial qualifications recognition decision will be changed  from one year to six months[1].

Ministers launched a new labour  mobility website (www.workersmobility.ca) to inform certified workers  on how to have their qualifications recognized across provinces and  territories. As an outcome of these initiatives, employers will have increased access  to the qualified workforce they need.

Ministers also agreed to explore innovative approaches  to increase employer engagement for improved job opportunities and outcomes for  apprentices. Federal, provincial and territorial governments also reaffirmed  their commitment to harmonizing apprenticeship training for 30 Red Seal trades  by 2020 in most jurisdictions, with an effort to harmonize training for  two-thirds of Red Seal apprentices by 2017.

Ministers stressed the importance of digital skills  improvement for workers and reaffirmed their commitment to address the labour  market needs of under-represented groups. Ministers also agreed to meet to  pursue innovation and best practices. They acknowledged that the FLMM is a key  multilateral platform to collaborate and achieve concrete results on shared  issues such as the possible impacts of both Employment Insurance and Temporary  Foreign Worker Program on certain aspects of labour markets.

About the Forum

The FLMM was established in 1983 as an  intergovernmental forum aimed at strengthening cooperation on the labour market  priorities of the provinces, the territories and Canada.

Quotes

"Our government's top priority is growing the  economy by helping Canadians in the middle class, and those working hard to  join it, get the training and skills they need to get and keep good,  well-paying jobs. Through renewed collaboration with our provincial and  territorial partners we are taking action to deliver real results for  Canadians. Our government's goal is to improve job outcomes for those facing  significant labour market challenges such as youth, persons with disabilities  and Indigenous Peoples. We will continue to work to ensure our programs and  services effectively respond to the challenges of global impacts on the economy  and labour market."

 –  The Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development  and Labour, and co-chair of the FLMM

"The Government of Québec was pleased to host this  meeting of federal, provincial and territorial labour market ministers that  allowed discussion on a number of pan-Canadian issues related to labour and  employment. Our government has committed to foster the economic development and  strengthen the alignment between the needs of businesses and skills of current  and future workers. To do so, it is essential that the labour market transfer  agreements support our efforts and allow for a flexible and timely response to  the provinces' and territories' needs. I'm pleased to notice that this is a  view shared by all of my FLMM colleagues."

– François Blais, Minister of Employment and  Social Solidarity and Minister responsible for the Capitale-Nationale, and co-chair  of the FLMM.

[1] The changed target is  announced under the Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition  of the Foreign Qualification. While the Quebec government has not endorsed the  Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign  Qualifications, it supports its principles and contributes to its work, acting  within its exclusive jurisdiction with regards to immigrant integration under  the Canada-Québec Accord Relating to Immigration and Temporary Admission of  Aliens.

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This news release is available in  alternative formats upon request.

For further information (media only):

Carlene Variyan
Director of Communications
Office of the Hon. MaryAnn Mihychuk
Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
Carlene.variyan@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
819-654-5611

Media Relations Office
Employment and Social  Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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Antoine Lavoie
Direction des communications
Ministère du Travail, de l'Emploi
et de la Solidarité sociale
418 646-0425, ext 67229

Simon Laboissonnière
Press secretary
Office of the Minister of  Employment and Social Solidarity
418 643-4810