Alice Wong, MP

SURREY, BRITISH COLUMBIA, August 24, 2009—Ms. Alice Wong, Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, was pleased to present a $2,000 Apprenticeship Completion Grant cheque to two apprentices who were among the first in British Columbia to qualify for the grant by successfully completing apprenticeship training and receiving journeyperson certification in a designated Red Seal trade.

“Our government’s Apprenticeship Completion Grant is helping Canadians become tradespeople and ensuring that we have the skilled and mobile workforce our country needs to meet the demands of our changing labour market,” said Ms. Wong. “Our government is committed to providing Canadians with the skills they need for the jobs of today and tomorrow.”

The Government of Canada supports training, and provides grants and tax credits to encourage Canadians to pursue challenging, rewarding careers in the skilled trades. The Apprenticeship Completion Grant builds on the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant by offering an additional $2,000 to eligible apprentices after they successfully complete their apprenticeship training and receive their journeyperson certification in a designated Red Seal trade on or after January 1, 2009.

Under the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, apprentices are eligible for a $1,000 cash grant when they complete the first and/or second level of their apprenticeship program in a designated Red Seal trade, to a maximum of $2,000. Combined, the two grants provide eligible apprentices who complete their training and become certified journeypersons in a designated Red Seal trade with a total of $4,000.

The Government of Canada is investing $40 million per year in the Apprenticeship Completion Grant. This program will not only encourage people to complete their apprenticeship training and become certified journeypersons, but will also enhance their ability to work anywhere in Canada by supporting the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program and enable them to take advantage of opportunities for themselves, their families and their futures.

Approximately 20,000 apprentices are estimated to benefit from the Apprenticeship Completion Grant each year upon certification in a designated Red Seal trade. The Red Seal Program represents a national standard of excellence in the trades and provides recognition of tradespeople’s qualifications. The Program facilitates the mobility of trades workers and is recognized by employers throughout Canada.

The Government of Canada encourages all eligible apprentices to apply for the grants. For more information on how to apply, call 1-866-742-3644 (TTY: 1‑866‑909‑9757) or visit servicecanada.gc.ca/apprenticeship.

To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

RICHMOND – A $1.215-million investment by the provincial and federal governments will expand the library at Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Richmond campus to reflect their university status.

Alice Wong, MP for Richmond and Moira Stilwell, Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development, along with John Yap, MLA for Richmond-Steveston, Rob Howard, MLA for Richmond Centre, and Linda Reid, MLA for Richmond East, made the announcement today.

“The Canadian government’s economic action plan is continuing to work for Richmond,” said Wong. “I’m proud of the work we are doing in partnership with the B.C. government to fund projects that will both benefit students and get people working.”

“I’m very pleased we are able to make such a significant investment in the library at the Richmond campus,” said Yap. “The province’s funding of more than $650,000, along with the federal government’s contribution, will support faculty and student research consistent with Kwantlen’s new university mandate.”

This is one of 11 projects at public post-secondary institutions across the province that will break ground quickly thanks to a joint federal-provincial investment of $64.3 million. This project is also part of an overall $14-billion capital infrastructure program supported by the Province to create jobs and vital public infrastructure in every region of B.C. Provincial funding for the library expansion is $656,000 and federal funding is $559,000.

“Ensuring that Kwantlen has the facilities needed to provide the best possible learning experience for students is a top priority for us,” said Howard. “This library expansion will help Kwantlen more fully meet both student and faculty needs for years to come.”

This investment is part of the federal government’s two-year, $2-billion plan to repair and expand research and educational facilities at Canadian post-secondary institutions. The Knowledge Infrastructure Program is helping to provide economic stimulus and promote employment by creating jobs for engineers, architects, tradespeople and technicians. In B.C., the federal government is providing up to 50 per cent of the cost of selected projects on a cost-share basis with the Province.

“This infrastructure funding is a double win,” said Reid. “Not only are we enhancing the educational experience of our local students, we are also creating jobs at a time when every job counts.”

The renovation and expansion of the library at the Richmond campus will allow Kwantlen to meet the increased requirements that come with being granted university status.

Improvements to the building will allow an increase in the number of reading and research materials that can be housed on campus and will improve the learning environment for students.

“Partnering with the federal government allows us to invest in campuses all over B.C. to give students the best possible learning experience,” said Stilwell. “By renovating and renewing buildings and campuses, we’re creating jobs that will boost the region’s economy now, and for the future.”

“We are exceedingly pleased to learn that Kwantlen Polytechnic University will receive infrastructure support, which will be used to enhance the student learning experience at Kwantlen,” said David Atkinson, president and vice-chancellor.

Canada’s Economic Action Plan sets out to stimulate the Canadian economy over the next two years and to improve our long-term competitiveness through $12 billion in new infrastructure investment, which includes the $2-billion Knowledge Infrastructure Program.

For more information on the provincial government’s three-year job creation plan, visit www.gov.bc.ca/infrastructure. For more information about the Knowledge Infrastructure Program visit www.ic.gc.ca/knowledge-infrastructure.

If you wish to have your say with respect to the next federal budget, the deadline to submit pre-budget consultations to the Standing Committee of Finance on August 14, 2009.

You can read more information on how to submit comments by following this link.