Hon. Alice Wong, P.C.

Photo (left to right): Alice Tam of Clearwater Seafoods Limited’s China operations; Rick Savone, Consul General of Canada, Shanghai; Jack Sheng, President of Shanghai Invent Logistic & Techology Co. Ltd.; Minister of State Wong; He Afang, owner of Junlai Seafood Restaurant, Senator Victor Oh.

April 8, 2013
Shanghai, China

The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), on behalf of the Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, visits a seafood event at Junlai Seafood Restaurant in Shanghai, China, to highlight the world-class fish and seafood Canada exports to China. In the last ten years, the value of fresh-lobster exports from Canada to China rose from $1 million to $35 million. China overtook the European Union as Canada’s second-largest seafood market in 2012, a year when $4.2-billion worth of Canadian seafood products landed on tables in more than 100 countries, with frozen crab the most valuable export.

Minister Fast and Minister of State Wong are leading a five-day trade mission to advance the interests of Canadian businesses in China and Japan, which in turn will create jobs and increased prosperity in Canada. They are accompanied by representatives of 18 Canadian companies, mainly small and medium-sized, from Canada’s information and communications technologies (ICT) and medical imaging sectors.

The trade mission, which is being organized by Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service, is one of several strategically focused, sector-specific missions that Minister Fast has led since taking on the international trade portfolio.

Located in more than 150 cities worldwide and in regional offices across Canada, the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service, part of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, is Canada’s most extensive network of international business professionals. The Trade Commissioner Service helps companies that are looking to export, invest abroad, attract investment or develop innovation and research and development partnerships.

(To learn more)

Photo: Minister of State Wong and the delegation of Canadian ICT companies launch the trade mission in Shanghai.

April 7, 2013
Shanghai, China

The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, and the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), are leading a five-day trade mission to advance the interests of Canadian businesses in China and Japan. Increased trade will in turn lead to more jobs and greater prosperity in Canada.

In 2012, a turnaround year for Canada-China trade, two-way merchandise trade amounted to $70.1 billion. China is now Canada’s second-largest export market, after the United States. Japan is Canada’s fourth-largest export market, with exports worth some $10.4 billion in 2012. A Joint Study on the Possibility of a Canada-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement found that such an agreement could increase Canadian exports to Japan by as much as 67 percent.

Minister Fast and Minister of State Wong are accompanied on the trade mission by representatives of 18 mainly small and medium-sized Canadian companies from Canada’s information and communication technologies (ICT) and medical-imaging sectors.

The trade mission, which is being organized by the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service, is one of several strategically focused, sector-specific missions that Minister Fast has led since taking on the international trade portfolio.

Located in more than 150 cities worldwide and in regional offices across Canada, the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service, part of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, is Canada’s most extensive network of international business professionals. The Trade Commissioner Service helps companies that are looking to export, invest abroad, attract investment or develop innovation and R&D partnerships.

(To learn more)

Vancouver, British Columbia—The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors) and Member of Parliament for Richmond, British Columbia, today highlighted Economic Action Plan 2013 measures that will address Canada’s overall skills and labour shortages and transform the way Canadians receive skills training, in her remarks at the Canadian Tourism College in Vancouver, British Columbia.

“While our economy continues to grow and create jobs, the global economy remains fragile and a growing mismatch exists between available jobs and those looking for work,” said Minister Wong. “By helping Canadians connect with available jobs and putting a new focus on skills and training, we are ensuring continued economic growth, job creation and long-term prosperity.”

Economic Action Plan 2013 announces specific new measures to address skills mismatches and labour shortages. These include:

* Introducing the new Canada Job Grant through renewed Labour Market Agreements, which will transform the way Canadians receive training by placing skills training decisions in the hands of employers and Canadian workers. The new Grant will provide $15,000 or more per person, with a maximum federal contribution of $5,000. It will also ensure greater involvement and engagement of employers in training Canadians for the jobs that are in demand.

* Working with the provinces and territories to harmonize requirements to help apprentices obtain their accreditation and create opportunities, as part of addressing shortages in skilled trades across the country.

* Providing support to groups that are under-represented in the job market, such as people with disabilities, youth, Aboriginal people and newcomers.

“The quality of our workforce must remain one of our greatest strengths,” added Minister Wong. “By governments, businesses, universities, colleges, unions, training institutions and other groups working together, we can make this happen.”

Economic Action Plan 2013 offers a path to return to balanced budgets by 2015-16, which will strengthen Canada’s fiscal advantage and spur long-term jobs and growth.

For more information, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

Backgrounder

Canada Job Grant

The Canada Job Grant will ensure Canadians are able to obtain the qualifications they need to get jobs in high-demand fields. The Grant will provide $15,000 or more per person, including a maximum $5,000 federal contribution and matching contributions from provinces, territories and employers. Businesses with a plan to train Canadians for an existing job or a better job will be eligible to apply for a Canada Job Grant. Upon full implementation, nearly 130 000 Canadians each year are expected to be able to access the training they need to obtain employment or improve their skills for in-demand jobs. The Canada Job Grant will be introduced in 2014-15 as part of the renewal of the Labour Market Agreements.

Opportunities for Apprentices

To further reduce barriers to accreditation in the skilled trades in Canada and increase opportunities for apprentices, the Government will work with provinces and territories to harmonize requirements for apprentices, and examine the use of practical hands-on tests as a method of assessment, in targeted skilled trades. This will support more apprentices in completing their training and encourage mobility across the country.

In addition, the Government will support the use of apprentices in federal construction and maintenance contracts. The Government will also ensure that funds transferred to provinces and territories through the Investment in Affordable Housing Program support the use of apprentices. As part of the new Building Canada plan for infrastructure, the Government will encourage provinces, territories and municipalities to support the use of apprentices in infrastructure projects receiving federal funding.

Support for Under-represented Groups

Economic Action Plan 2013 will also support labour market participation and a more inclusive skilled workforce with a range of measures including:

* An introduction of a new generation of Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities with an investment of $222 million per year to better meet the employment needs of Canadian businesses and improve the employment prospects for people with disabilities;
* A reallocation $19 million over two years to promote education in high-demand fields, including the skilled trades, science, technology, engineering and mathematics;
* Investing $70 million over three years to support an additional 5 000 paid internships for recent post-secondary graduates, ensuring they get the valuable hands-on work experience needed to transition into the workforce;
* Dedicating $241 million over five years to improve the on-reserve Income Assistance Program to help ensure Aboriginal youth can access the skills and training they need to secure employment.
* Maintaining funding at $40 million per year, starting in 2015-16, for the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities. The program will also be reformed to provide more demand-driven training solutions for persons with disabilities and make it more responsive to labour market needs. Employers and community organizations will be involved in project design and delivery.
* Extending the Enabling Accessibility Fund on an ongoing basis, at a level of $15 million per year, to support capital costs of construction and renovations to improve physical accessibility for persons with disabilities, including workplace accommodation.

For more information about these initiatives, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca

Halifax, Nova Scotia, March 12, 2013—As part of Fraud Prevention Month, the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), reaffirmed the Government of Canada’s commitment to combat elder abuse and financial fraud by funding projects through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). She made the statement on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, at an event held today to announce funding for the Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia.

“Elder abuse, including financial abuse, is a serious issue that must be addressed,” said Minister of State Wong. “During Fraud Prevention Month, the Government of Canada is reaffirming its commitment to protect the well-being and security of Canadian seniors by supporting activities to prevent elder abuse and financial fraud.”

The Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia (LISNS) will receive over $180,000 to develop educational resources that will help health care professionals better understand elder abuse, including financial fraud. Through on-line educational tools or workshops, health care providers in Nova Scotia will learn how to identify possible cases of elder abuse, as well as how to help seniors and their families. The resources will be shared with other organizations across Canada.

“The generous support of the Government of Canada for this project helps us build on the work we have been doing with seniors and their families to address financial and other senior abuse,” said Maria Franks, Executive Director of the Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia. “This funding enables us to develop tools that will help health care professionals to identify signs of abuse and seniors who are abused to get assistance.”

Fraud Prevention Month is an annual education campaign to improve awareness and understanding of the dangers of fraud, so that Canadians can protect themselves in the marketplace and avoid becoming victims of fraud. To report instances of fraud, Canadian consumers and businesses can contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre through its website at www.antifraudcentre.ca, or by calling 1-888-495-8501.

This is one of 33 pan-Canadian NHSP projects, totaling $14.6 million, announced on June 15, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

The Government also invested more than $35.6 million in NHSP funding for over 1 900 new community-based projects across Canada approved through the 2011–2012 call for proposals. For more information, visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/seniors.

Vancouver, British Columbia, March 8, 2013 — Seniors in Vancouver have benefited from more social opportunities and learned new skills, thanks to support from the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.

“The Government of Canada recognizes the diversity of skills, knowledge and experience seniors contribute to our society and the economy,” said Minister of State Wong. “Through the New Horizons for Seniors Program, we are taking action to ensure that seniors maintain a high quality of life and continue to be active members of their communities.”

The Oakridge Seniors’ Society received $17,926 to purchase computers, which the Oakridge Seniors’ Centre used for an Internet café program. In partnership with Eric Hamber Secondary School and the Canadian Flowers for Food Society, the Centre also started an English conversation club and a flower arrangement class.

“The funding from the Government of Canada is allowing us to empower seniors in our community,” said Niels Andersen, President, Oakridge Seniors’ Centre. “We have seniors into their eighties and nineties who are coming to our Centre to learn computer skills and improve their English conversation skills. As a result, their interests have widened and their self-esteem has soared.”

The Government invested more than $35.6 million in NHSP funding for over 1 900 new community-based projects across Canada, approved through the 2011–2012 call for proposals. For more information, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/seniors.

Backgrounder

New Horizons for Seniors Program

The New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) is a federal grants and contributions program that supports projects led or inspired by seniors who make a difference in the lives of others and their communities. Through the NHSP, the Government of Canada encourages seniors to share their knowledge, skills and experiences for the benefit of others. Since it began, the Program has funded more than 10 400 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada.

NHSP funding is available for both pan-Canadian and community-based projects.

Pan-Canadian projects focus on developing or identifying tools, resources and promising practices that can be adapted and shared across communities, regions or Canada to address elder abuse. They are eligible for up to $250,000 in funding per year, for up to three years.

Community-based project funding provides support for activities that are inspired or led by seniors and address one or more of the program’s five objectives. Community-based projects are eligible to receive up to $25,000 per year per organization in grant funding.

For more information, visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/seniors

OTTAWA – On behalf of the Government of Canada and the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, Minister of State Alice Wong today joined International Women’s Day celebrations at Ottawa’s Chinese Community Services Centre. Canada’s 2013 theme is Working Together: Engaging Men to End Violence against Women.

“The Harper Government is committed to eliminating violence against women and girls,” said Minister Ambrose. “Our government has been working with communities to improve the safety and security of women – funding hundreds of projects across Canada to end violence against women and girls.”

International Women’s Week takes place this year from March 3 to 9, with International Women’s Day on March 8. Canada’s theme this year reflects the reality that far too many women and girls face violence, or the threat of violence, in their daily lives and everyone must be part of the solution to ending it.

“I am pleased to join with everyone celebrating International Women’s Day at Ottawa’s Chinese Community Services Centre. As we recognize the tremendous contributions of women and girls to our families and communities, let us also recommit to their safety and security as key elements of their success and prosperity,” said Minister of State Wong.

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting projects that yield concrete results for women and girls in Canada while strengthening families, communities and the country. Through Status of Women Canada, the government’s support for community-based projects has nearly doubled since 2006-2007, from $10.8 million to close to $19 million, its highest level ever. Since 2007, close to $57 million dollars in funding has been approved for projects to end violence against women and girls.

On February 27, 2013, Alice Wong answered one question about pensions during question period. The following is a transcript:

Hon. Judy Sgro (York West, Lib.):
Mr. Speaker, we all know the Prime Minister’s view that seniors should worker longer and harder to qualify for their old age pension. Seniors want to know why they are being forced to take on more debt because the government is unwilling to help them.

Conservatives waste millions of dollars to advertise their so-called economic action plan but offer only cuts for working-class families and seniors. Why does the Conservative vision for prosperity and success exclude Canada’s seniors?

Hon. Alice Wong (Minister of State (Seniors), CPC):
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to seniors poverty, our government has a record we can be proud of. Canada has one of the lowest senior poverty rates in the world, thanks in part to our actions, which include removing hundreds of thousands of seniors from the tax rolls completely, making significant investment in affordable housing for low-income seniors and introducing the largest GIS increase in a quarter of a century. Canadians know that they can count on our government to deliver for seniors.

Today, the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State for Seniors and Member of Parliament for Richmond, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced support for Blundell Park under the Harper Government’s Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF).

“”Our Government is committed to creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity in our communities across Canada,”” said Minister Wong. “”By making these investments in Richmond, we are helping boost local economic activity and maintain a high quality of life for all residents of Richmond.””

The Harper Government’s investment of $165,300 will enhance the services provided by the City of Richmond and Richmond City Baseball Association. The funding will go towards replacing the current sod and drainage equipment on the baseball diamond, adding stands and scoreboards, and enhancing the dugouts. The Association will also expand the batting cages and create an adjacent long toss training and fielding facility.

“”We are absolutely delighted that WD came to the table, along with the City of Richmond, to help us make some major upgrades to Blundell Field that will leave a baseball legacy for decades to come,”” said Trevor Rennie, President of the Richmond City Baseball Association. “”Blundell Field will now become a major tournament site in Richmond and will contribute to the economic viability of the community. This is especially significant today in that 2013 is the 50th Anniversary of the Association and this funding will allow us to serve the youth of Richmond well for another 50 years.””

In Economic Action Plan 2012, the Harper Government announced further support to help communities across the country modernize their infrastructure. Our Government committed $150 million over two years for the Fund. The Fund supports projects that look to improve existing community infrastructure accessible for use by the public, such as community centres, recreational buildings, local arenas, cultural and other community facilities.

Since 2006, the Harper Government, through WD, has invested in job-creating small- and medium-sized businesses, aerospace, marine and defence industries, and supported innovative entrepreneurs in pursuing emerging markets. By continuing to promote new economic opportunities, WD is helping to create jobs, economic growth, and long-term prosperity.

For more information, contact:

Jaime Burke
Regional Communications Manager
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Vancouver, British Columbia
Telephone: 604-666-1318

Trevor Rennie
President
Richmond City Baseball Association
Telephone: 604-307-7504

Vancouver, British Columbia, January 17, 2013—Seniors in Vancouver will benefit from easier access to activities at the Evelyne Saller Centre, thanks to support from the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), made the announcement today.

“The Government of Canada recognizes the diversity of skills, knowledge and experience seniors contribute to our society and the economy,” said Minister of State Wong. “Through the New Horizons for Seniors Program, we are taking action to ensure that seniors maintain a high quality of life and continue to be active members of their communities.”

The Evelyne Saller Centre is receiving close to $12,000 for the installation of automatic door openers to improve accessibility for seniors with mobility issues and other members of the community. The project is a response to a request by seniors in the area. Local seniors and veterans with disabilities are helping to oversee the project.

“This initiative will support the social participation and inclusion of seniors,” added Minister of State Wong.

“I wish to thank the Government of Canada for its generous support, which allowed us to install automatic door openers at the Evelyne Saller Centre,” said Erika Di Salvo, Assistant Manager, Evelyne Saller Centre. “This grant allows seniors and people with disabilities in the Downtown Eastside greater independence by providing easier and safer accessibility throughout the Centre and the Veterans Memorial Manor.”

The Government invested more than $35.6 million in NHSP funding for almost 2000 new community-based projects across Canada approved through the 2011–2012 call for proposals. For more information, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/seniors.

Backgrounder

New Horizons for Seniors Program

The New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) is a federal grants and contributions program that supports projects led or inspired by seniors who make a difference in the lives of others and their communities. Through the NHSP, the Government of Canada encourages seniors to share their knowledge, skills and experiences for the benefit of others. Since it began, the Program has funded more than 10 400 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada.

The most recent call for proposals for community-based projects was launched on May 8, 2012. It closed on June 29, 2012, in all provinces and territories except Quebec, which closed on September 14, 2012, and coincided with a provincial call for proposals.

ETOBICOKE, January 14, 2013 –The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and the Honourable Alice Wong, M.P. for Richmond and Minister of State (Seniors), welcomed yesterday’s coming into force of the Protecting Canada’s Seniors Act.

“Our Government is ensuring that crimes against our elderly are punished appropriately,” said Minister Nicholson. “Elder abuse is disgraceful and appalling; the Protecting Canada’s Seniors Act will ensure tougher sentences for those who take advantage of these vulnerable members of our society.”

“This legislation further supports our Government’s existing action to eliminate elder abuse in all forms,” said Minister Wong. “Elder abuse will not be tolerated. Our Government continues to ensure that Canadians are made aware of this serious issue and that they have the necessary information and supports for preventative action.”

The Protecting Canada’s Seniors Act better protects seniors by ensuring tougher sentences for those who take advantage of elderly Canadians. Under the amendments to the Criminal Code, evidence that an offence had a significant impact on the victims due to their age – and other personal circumstances such as their health or financial situation – will now be considered an aggravating factor for sentencing purposes.

The Government addresses elder abuse in a number of ways, including its elder abuse awareness campaigns and the New Horizons for Seniors Program. In 2011, the Government increased its investment in this program, which includes projects to increase elder abuse awareness, by $5 million per year, bringing its annual budget to $45 million.

More information about elder abuse can be found at www.seniors.gc.ca.

An online version of the Protecting Canada’s Seniors Act is available at www.parl.gc.ca.