FRANCAIS

November 17, 2004

WINNIPEG, Manitoba – The Honourable Reg Alcock, President of the Treasury Board on behalf of the Honourable Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport), and the Honourable Diane McGifford, Manitoba’s Minister of Advanced Education and Training, today announced $201,000 in funding to support the “Employer of Choice” pilot project, calling it a new approach to addressing labour shortages in Manitoba.

With small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) employing approximately
67 per cent of the Manitoba workforce, helping them tackle their most pressing labour force issues is a priority for the governments of Canada and Manitoba.

“It is important to act now to attract and retain workers who are skilled in trades and technologies,” said Alcock. “Here in Manitoba, small and medium-sized enterprises are most affected by labour shortages, and this project will help develop resources for both businesses and employees.”

“Manitoba’s small and medium-sized businesses are important drivers of our economic base, and we support industry’s efforts to make this province the best place in Canada to live and work,” McGifford said. “Spearheaded by Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, Manitoba Division, but open to all sectors of the economy, the Employer of Choice program will help build our future workforce while addressing current issues that hamper small business expansion.”

Twelve companies from all sectors of the economy are participating in the pilot project over the next year. They are taking the lead in creating workplaces where people want to work and excel at what they do. With the support of the Employer of Choice program, the companies will undertake comprehensive assessments to determine what they are doing well, build on their successes and continue to grow.

“The biggest barrier to growth and development for small and medium-sized businesses is the shortage of skilled labour. We hope to lead the way in assisting Manitoba SMEs develop strategies that will work over the long term to address their labour force issues,” said Tony Van Rosmalen, Vice-President, Manitoba Division, Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters. “We appreciate the efforts of both levels of government in working with us to develop tools to attract new workers, retain our young people, create diverse workplaces and keep skilled staff in Manitoba.”

The companies will also work to develop the expertise to attract, recruit and retain staff and get peak performance on a day-to-day basis.

More than 98 per cent of Manitoba businesses are small and medium-sized enterprises with 100 or fewer employees, and 11 of the 12 companies participating in the Employer of Choice initiative are SMEs. The assessments and action plans developed will be shared through the Employer of Choice Web site at: http://www.becomeanemployerofchoice.mb.ca.

Federal funding for this initiative was provided for in the March 2004 budget.

– 30 –