Summer jobs program to hurt community groups

Submitted by
Ken Boshcoff M.P.

Community groups across the Thunder Bay-Rainy River riding have recently been advised that they will NOT be receiving funding under the repackaged summer jobs program being touted by the Conservative Government.
In September 2006, the Conservatives cut over $55 million from the Summer Career Placement program. In March, the Federal Budget introduced a watered-down replacement they call the Canada Summer Jobs program, with new criteria and $11 million less than the original program. The Conservatives claim that their program changes are targeted at large corporations that don’t need government help to hire a student.
As a result of these changes, I have been contacted by numerous community groups who have been denied funding under the repackaged program: Independent Living Resource Centre, Fort Frances Museum, Emo Public Library, Fort William Family Health Network, Rainy River Public Library, and Atikokan General Hospital have all contacted me to express their concern at being deprived of these vital funds. In addition, local small businesses have also been denied by the program.
Liberal M.P.’s have been demanding that the Government provide a solution for the deplorable situation they have created. In recent days, Conservative M.P.’s and Cabinet Ministers have been musing about finding a solution to fix these problems of their own making.
My colleagues and I will continue to put pressure on the Conservative Government to fully reverse this potentially disastrous policy and restore much needed funding for summer student employment.
The Minister should admit his Government’s mistake and announce new funding and criteria for the program. Our students and community groups should not pay the price for the Government’s ineptitude.