CANADA AND SASKATCHEWAN SIGN AGREEMENT TO ASSIST PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

People with disabilities in Saskatchewan will be able to participate more easily in the labour market because of an agreement announced today by the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Wascana, on behalf of the Honourable Liza Frulla, Minister of Social Development and Saskatchewan Minister responsible for Disability Issues Joanne Crofford.

"Everyone in Saskatchewan must have the opportunity to make a contribution to our economy and our society. Helping people with disabilities in Saskatchewan to be more involved as full citizens is a priority for the Government of Canada," Goodale said.

"People with differing abilities have made it very clear they want to be independent and they want to work," Crofford said. "The province is working directly with the disability community and with other levels of government to do just that." Crofford noted the Labour Market Agreement for Persons with Disabilities demonstrates government's commitment to inclusion for people with differing abilities and is one more step to building independence for all Saskatchewan people.

This agreement supports a broad range of programs and services to respond to the needs of people with disabilities—from developing skills, to encouraging employer readiness, to supporting a person at work, and to ensuring that a person can remain working.

"Canada must take full advantage of the talents and abilities of all of its citizens," Frulla said. "This agreement is designed to help Canadians with disabilities overcome the obstacles they face in entering the labour market and ensure that they are able to participate fully in our economy and society."

Signed under the Multilateral Framework for Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities, it replaces the Employability Assistance for People with Disabilities initiative, through which the Government of Canada contributes funding to help support Saskatchewan labour market programs for adults with disabilities.

This agreement also builds on the commitment expressed in Canada's recent Speech from the Throne to work with the provinces and territories to fill the gaps in education and skills development for people with disabilities. The 2004 federal Budget increased the existing national commitment of $193 million annually by an additional $30 million to launch the Multilateral Framework. The current federal commitment of $9.9 million annually for Saskatchewan will be increased to about $10.8 million. The exact amount has not yet been determined. The following measures round out the initiative: automatically reinstating Canada Pension Plan Disability benefits (CPP-D), improving access to grants for students with disabilities, improving the fairness of the tax system, and providing for the 2006 Participation and Activity Limitation Survey.

As with all other participating jurisdictions, Saskatchewan will be reporting to its citizens yearly on progress made under the agreement.

The Canada-Saskatchewan agreement is an example of governments working in partnership to support people with disabilities in their efforts to become more fully included in all aspects of society.

Government of Canada funding for this initiative was provided in the March 2004 Budget.

-30-

For More Information, Contact:

Linda Kristal Minister Frulla's Office Phone: (819)934-3637	Pat Breton Press Secretary to Minister Goodale Phone: (613)996-3225
Media Relations Social Development Canada Phone: (613)957-9419	Janet Miller Saskatchewan Community Resources and Employment Regina Phone: (306)787-0531