Government of Canada helps people with disabilities in Dufferin develop job skills

January 22, 2021



Orangeville
, Ontario—The Government of Canada will help people with disabilities in Dufferin develop the skills they need to find jobs, today announced David Tilson, Member of Parliament for Dufferin–Caledon, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.

“Our government’s top priorities are job creation and economic growth. To support Canada’s long‑term prosperity, we must ensure that everyone who wants to work has the opportunity,” said Mr. Tilson. “People with disabilities face particular challenges entering the job market and that’s why partnerships with organizations like the Coalition for Persons with Disabilities are so important.”

The Coalition for Persons with Disabilities is receiving more than $98,000 through the federal Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities to provide the participants with work placements in the retail, hospitality, manufacturing and administrative sectors. This experience will help them obtain the skills required to prepare for, obtain and maintain employment or return to school.

“The Coalition for Persons with Disabilities is pleased to have received funding to serve as a Community Coordinator in Orangeville,” said Linda Soulliere, Executive Director for Coalition for Persons with Disabilities. “Our organization is pleased to partner with the Government of Canada to address the needs of a vulnerable population and assist them with overcoming their employment barriers.”

Canadians with disabilities have a tremendous amount to offer employers but they remain under‑represented in the workforce. That is why the Government of Canada, through Economic Action Plan 2012, is investing an additional $30 million in the Opportunities Fund to help more people with disabilities gain the hands-on experience they need to find jobs.

The new investment will be dedicated to national projects that connect people with disabilities with jobs in small- or medium-sized enterprises. Some of the projects will also promote to employers the valuable contribution that people with disabilities can make to their businesses and the Canadian economy.

In addition, as part of Economic Action Plan 2012, Minister Finley and the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, announced the Panel on Labour Market Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities. The panel identified private-sector successes and best practices as well as barriers to the participation of people with disabilities in the labour market.

Backgrounder

The Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities assists people with disabilities to prepare for, obtain and keep employment or become self-employed. The Government of Canada invests $30 million annually through this program to connect individuals with the skills and work experience needed to participate fully in the economy.

For more information, or to propose a project, visit servicecanada.gc.ca.