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Thursday, October 3, 2013 Peace Peace Arch Arch News News
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Small businesses, lower-skilled workers at risk: provinces
Training changes sought Tom Fletcher
and provinces to match a $5,000 Black Press investment from an employer to The federal government’s new upgrade a worker’s skills. Canada Job Grant would leave The provinces issued a joint lower-skilled workers and many report pointing out that “vulnersmall businesses behind, provin- able clients” of provincial traincial employment minising programs don’t have ters agree. jobs. With no employer B.C. Jobs, Tourism and to put up a share, they Skills Training Minister won’t qualify for the new Shirley Bond joined her program. provincial counterparts “The federal governin Toronto last week to ment has provided no emphasize their worries evidence that the prothat Ottawa’s new plan posal would help workwill take money from ers or employers,” the an effective network report states. “However, Shirley Bond of retraining programs it would divert funding jobs minister designed to fit local from existing provincial needs. and territorial programs The Canada Job Grant is due that are delivering good results.” to take effect in April, diverting Bond said federal Employmillions in federal skills train- ment Minister Jason Kenney has ing funding to a three-way pro- agreed to meet with provincial gram that requires employers ministers to hear their concerns.
She said small businesses have also raised the alarm that Ottawa’s plan doesn’t work for them. Provinces say full implementation of the Canada Job Grant would take $600 million a year out of current programs, particularly those for young people, disabled people, aboriginal people, recent immigrants, social assistance recipients, long-term unemployed and older workers. Bond said one such B.C. program at risk is BladeRunners, which targets young aboriginal people. Service providers funded by BladeRunners include , the Metis Nation B.C. in Abbotsford, Mission and Aldergrove, the Sto:Lo Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training in Surrey, Chilliwack, Abbotsford and Mission and several other such organizations throughout B.C.
Part of th Fall Festiv e White Rock Septemb al of the Arts er and Oc tober Calendar o www.whit f Events: erockcity. ca
Moon Festival
Thanks to everyone who entered!
AUGUST 2013
Shop Local Contest Congratulations to these lucky WINNERS OF $500 eac each
Alex Fuchs
Audrey Mainwaring
Betty Mallory
Cathy Guarasci
James Bell
Joan Rawlyck
Keith Ishiwara
Rena Kusey
Sherry Numans
WHITE ROCK
2013
October 4, 5 & 6 2013 White Rock Waterfront, West Beach Friday, Oct. 4, 5-9pm (Opening ceremony 5:30pm) Saturday 10am - 9pm • Sunday 11am - 5pm Join us for this mid-autumn festival celebrating Chinese and Canadian culture. View over 500 Chinese lanterns lighting White Rock Pier and Waterfront, enjoy local entertainment, food vendors and children’s activities. Co-produced by the City of White Rock, the White Rock Chinese Arts Centre and the Association for Chinese Cultural Promotion Canada
www.whiterockcity.ca
Thank you to these participating businesses: • A Fresh Outlook • Art Knapp Plantland • Ayreborn Audio/ Video Inc. • Burglar Stop Security Systems • C&K Courtesy Cleaners Ltd. • Canadian Tire • Chocolaterie Bernard Callebaut • Country Woods Furniture • Deals World • Debbie Mozelle Designer Eyewear • Docksteader Source For Sports • Dr. Tina Alexander • Dr. Z. Strauts • Eleganté Shoes • Fashion Plus • Feng Li Acupuncture • Hillcrest Bakery & Deli
• Home Again, Home Again • José & Co. Custom Jewellers • Laura’s Fashion Fabrics • Lundline Glass & Aluminum Ltd. • Morgan Creek Dental Clinic • Murray Hyundai White Rock • Never E’nuff Clothes • New Beauty Institute • Ocean Pacific Lighting Inc. • Ocean Promenade • Peninsula Crossing Animal Hospital • Peninsula Medical Clinic • Peninsula Runners • Pistachio Boutique • Poultry In Motion • Ricky’s All Day Grill
• River’s Bend Winery • Robertson Hearing • Sandcastle Fitness • Sandpiper Pub • Seaside Market • Sight for Sore Eyes Optical • Spectrum Optometry • Splashes • Sticky Rice Thai • Surfside Flooring • Swirl Wine Store • The Curtain Call • Tong Moo Do Mixed Martial Arts • White Rock Players’ Club • White Spot Legendary Restaurant • Wine Kitz • World Serve Thrift • Zig Zag Fashions