FOR RELEASE     #08-073
March 28, 2008

WHITEHORSE (March 28, 2008)  – Yukon, with funding from the federal government’s new national Community Development Trust, will invest $3.8 million in job training and education programming in response to labour market needs in Yukon.

The announcement was made today by Premier Dennis Fentie, and the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Metis and Non-Status Indians.

“Our government is committed to helping the Yukon realize its potential as a healthy prosperous region,” Minister Strahl said. “The Community Development Trust is a significant contribution which underlines our commitment to helping Northerners enter the workforce and find jobs. We will continue working with Northerners to improve opportunities, and help meet their needs.”

These funds are Yukon’s share of Canada’s Community Development Trust, a new national program to help provinces and territories assist communities and workers adjust to economic fluctuation caused by the current volatility in global financial and commodities markets.

“Signing the Community Development Trust allows Yukon to use up to $3.8 million in new federal dollars to support job training and skills development.  This initiative will create opportunities for Yukon workers and employers,” Yukon Premier Dennis Fentie said.

“We will use Yukon's portion of the trust to target training and employment entry programs to help increase participation in our economy,” Fentie added.

The Government of Yukon has identified several funding priorities in keeping with the aims of the Community Development Trust, including:

•  Initiatives targeted at improving the recruitment and retention of workers in sectors with identified labour market shortages; 

•  Initiatives targeted at skills development to allow Yukon residents to access job opportunities in their home communities or regions; and

•  Initiatives that encourage under-employed residents to re-engage in learning and increase participation in the labour force.

Yukon has agreed to respect Canada’s obligations under the North American Free Trade Agreement, the Canada-United States Softwood Lumber Agreement, and the World Trade Organization in administering its portion of the Trust funding.

The Community Development Trust will be funded with $1 billion from the projected 2007-08 budgetary surplus.  A base amount of $10 million is allocated to each participating province and $3 million to each participating territory. The balance of the funding will be allocated on a per capita basis.  The Trust will have a three-year lifespan. Yukon’s allocation, including the per capita calculation, is estimated to be up to $3.8 million.

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