_ Adding it all up Human Resources , . Development Canada brings a variety of _ benefits to the region By KAREN WIENBERG : Human Resources Development Canada * . EVEN IF you didn’t directly benefit from a : Human Resources Development Canada pro- gram, the federal agency’s programs have - . Served to strenghten the entire northwest. Between Apri! 1999 and March 2000, a total of $11,199,124 was invested in the people of northwestern B.C. on various em- ployment programs and services. Even if you weren't a direct participant, these programs and services did play a role in the lives of each one of us. The Programs and Services are as varied as the people that access them. Included are Targeted Wage Subsidies, where the cost of wages are shared with local employers, encouraging them to hire and train individuals they would not have hired withoul - the subsidy and providing the employee with on-the-job training and valuable work exper- .. icnce, Local Labour Market Partnerships are used to encourage parlnership within the community to build the capacity of the community to take care of their employment-related needs. : One such Terrace area project is speathea-: ded by the Northwest Loggers Association. The contract objective is to research and coordinate the workshops needed to upgrade | workers skills thereby assisting them in main- taining employment within the forest industry. Partners involved are the Workers Compen- sation Board, Skeena Sawmills, NWLA, Mini- stry of Social Development & Economic Se- curity, Ministry of Forests, Main Logging, [WA, and Skeena Cellulose Inc. An exciting project at Prince Rupert re- ceived world-wide recognition. A local company accessed this program to west economy. re BIG NUMBERS: Karen Wienberg of Human Resources Development Canada adds up the local offices cantribution through grants, programs and local salaries to the north- research into making a better “deer browser”. The trials carried out in various locations around the globe were so successful that they not only received more orders than they could handle (and will need to expand their busi- ness, but that's yet another project), but also researched and designed making “rabbit brow--' ployees. sers” for England and some cther “pest brow- | ser” for California vineyards. Employment Assistance Services are provi-” ded by local organizations that have been con- tracted under this program to provide services such as employment counselling, career deci-; sion making, job search, access to the Internet: and computers for resume writing and access to training dollars and other subsidies. Communities from Houston to the Queen Charlotte Islands have places for al! citizens to go to for this valuable service. Training is another big area of HRDC activ- work force. Over $5 million was invested helping to cover costs (not including weekly Employment Insurance benefits collected by some students) associated with individuals attending training/schooling of all kinds. Tuition, books, travel, and allowances work together here to help you, or your neighbour, get the needed training to get the jab. The Workshare program is used during times of economic downturn to give the em- ployer an alternative to laying off their em- The Provincial and Federal Government - join forces with the Apprenticeship program in - an effort to strengthen the trades. _ Those with disabilities can tap into the Op- portunities Fund to assist them in moving to- wards, paid employment or self-employment. A aumber of ‘Youth projects come under the - Youth Initiatives umbrella in recognition of the investment necessary to strengthen our future One creative project provided unemployed youth, some with multiple barriers, with work experience and skills to increase their future ity. employability and community awareness of is- sues facing youth today. “Theatre on the Edge” resulted in three out- standing performances written, produced and performed by the project participants. The Summer Career Placement Program annuatly subsidises a wide variety of local businesses, whether they are public, non-profit or private campanies. Hundreds of students will be able to secure jobs this summer thanks to this program. The Self-Employment program provides un- employed individuals with coaching on busi- ness plan development and implementation, comprehensive training and guidance towards establishing a viable business and financial suppott for a specific period. During our last fiscal year, 95 applications _ Were.approved for new business ventures. Due to the relatively high unemployment rate in the Northwest area, local companies qualify for project monies under the Canada Jobs Fund. Seaton Timber near Hazelton is one such business. . An employer of approximately 50 people, the new economy dictated that in order to con- linue as viable business, they needed to diver- sify. The expansion and diversification into the value-added market will result in 35 new in- cremental jobs. Resources Development Canada's office in downtown Terrace. OPERATIONS assistant Judy LeMasurier puts together a training package for clients at Human Grants fuel summer jobs THE RECOMMENDED applica- tions for the Federal Gavern- ment’s Summer Career Placement Program have been approved for year 2000 job seckers. This annual program is de- signed to assist students in prepar- ing for their future entry into the ‘labour market. A wage subsidy is provided to the approved employer. The area covering Terrace, Ki- timal, Nass Vailey, up through to Atlin submitted 56 applications. A total of 70 jobs in the not-for- .profit, public and private sector were approved. They're worth a total of $158,664 over 743 wecks of employment. The positions varied from com- munily projects that would suit the high school student to career pathways for the University stu- dent. Funding for the program to- talled $358,724 in the northwest. Tracing flow of region’s HRDC money The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, July 26, 2000 - AS _ CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD THE HUMAN RESOURCES De- velopment Canada (HRDC) office poured money into Terrace last year through a varicty of routes. HRDC employees in the hub office located in Terrace, and the Prince Rupert and Smithers satel- lite offices earned $1,842,853 last year. In order to operate the offices $258,869 was spent, primarily with Northwest businesses. Staff fundraising throughout the :. year resulted in children’s Christ- mas gifts for the Anti-Poverty " Society, donations for the Food Bank, Cancer Society, Heart and Stroke Foundation, and the Salva- tion Army Christmas Hamper. Employment Insurance resulted in $54,199,881 ($4,516,656 per month) worth of ‘benefits paid in the Northwest last year for regu- lar, sick, maternity, parental and fish claimants. This program helps unem- ployed Canadians get back to work by providing temporary fi- nancial assistance while they up- grade their skills or look for jobs and by delivering active re-em- ployment benefits and support measures. The local area Investigations and Control unit had 265 cases last year, resulting in $1,838,215 in fines and overpayments being assessed to the individuals and employers involved. Human Resource [nvestment (Employment Programs & Set- vices) - $11,199,124 was invested in this area last year, Employment, Youth, Learning and Literacy agendas are faced by enhancing Canadians’ employ- ability, helping unemployed people find and keep jobs, com- bating child poverty and assisting those most in need. {t also brings together employers and workers, educators and governments to ad- dress, on a national basis, the human resource challenges facing a sector or industry. Income Security Programs (CPP, OAS, GIS, etc) brought slightly more than $9 million to Northwest residents each year. This program strengthens the incame security of targeted groups by developing, administering, and delivering programs for seniors, persons with disabilities, survivors and migrants. ‘The Labour’ Program ‘encom- passes employees of banks and fi- nancial institutions, the Federal government, intra-provincial transportation, and First Nations bands. In the Northwest, this in- cludes 154 employers and 2876 employecs. Over the last fiscal year, 114 inspections were carried oul in this area. The program promotes a coop- erative work environment that fosters constructive labour-man- agement relations and encourages innovation, investment and worker well-being. It provides programs and acti- vities to equip workers and their employers with tools they need to respond to. cmerging trends in the workplace and to adapt to the changing nature of work itself. © The Mail Bag What is going on? Dear Sir: Both children and families minister Gretchen Mann Brewin-and Claudeite Sandecki, in her col- umn of July 12, have indicated their belief that it has been picketers which have held up the entry of hwo clients into the youth detox facility after it was issued an interim: operating license on June 19. Misspending began however, on April 1, Blaming picketers only accounts for less then one month of funding misuse. The facts are clear; staff was hired on April | and paid to staff a clientless-facilily 24 hours a day seven days a week. The decision (0 misuse tax- payers’ dollars, was made well before the neigh- bourhaod even knew of the facilily’s existence. That knowledge did not become public until April 27, and pickets did nal appear until May 20. Clients were nol permitted to be in-the. facility until June 19. In fact, Jeanettc ‘Anderson his stated herself that our pickets are not working and that the program teaily isn't-affectéd at all. Ms. Sandecki also states that)it is picketers who are holding up the licensing, Her only evidence for this is an alleged, delay in installing a-sprinkler system, These.pickets are’ not’ unior* ones, and ihere is no reason for anyone to refuse lo crass them. The sprinklers were only one of many. reno- vations needed before the facility could get an in- lerim licence, and if-appears renovations continue in order for the facility to receive a-{ull licence. It is irresponsible to. blaime this: misspending on average citizens when only government and ad- ministration of this:facility can be blamed.. If the public at large, the Liberal party, and eventually the Ministry for Children and Families deems that this was an inappropriate use of scafce drug treat- ment dollars then only those. people within the Management positions: “of this facility can be held responsible, It appears that since April 1 this facility was and continues to he months behind schedule in ob-' taining licensing. In order to hold onto them, an entire slalf was hired to operate a facility behind schedule. It is my hope that the balanced budget Jaw will stap such frivolous spending. In the future this kind of spending should result in a 20 per cent pay penalty for the minister responsible for Ms. Anderson's facility. Walter Yeo, Terrace, B.C. “Leave a friend” Dear Sir It's disheartening to have our very own living legend in Terrace when there aren’t many people who appreciate him. Mighty Moe’s abjective in life is to be a friend to anyone who needs one. “Come a stranger, leave a friend”. How can we condemn a man for that? If you need your walk shovelled in the winter, he'll do it. If you need to pick up garbage in the sum- mer, he'll do it: He thrives on helping people, ‘- Mighty Moe volunteers his time and pays for his own gas when he religiously delivers food to those in need for the Terrace:food bank: This is a man who sometimes doesn” | eat properly because he can’t afford it. 1 worked at the Terrace Travel infocentre during the summers of ‘89-°9) and that’s when I got to know Mighty Moe, Many travellers heading south from the Yukon or Alaska would take the Stewart- Cassiar Hwy to Terrace or Prince Rupert and would inevitably meet Mighty Moe. They wauld come to our infocentre and tell us about this un- ique character who lived in a little cabin by a lake. I can’t remember how many intriguing stories ! had heard or how many magizine articles, some even from Europe, I had read about Moe before ac- tually mecting him. Travellers loved him. What a surprise it was when he finally walked through those Infocentre doors “I’m just here to drop off some business cards far you gals,” he said. What harm does his parking at the pull out just west of Terrace really do? We may not all agree with some of his eccentricilics bul why not see his positive side instead and allow him happiness. After all, he’s only trying to show kindness to visitors and help make Terrace a friendly, welcom- ing community, L. Roldo, Terrace, B.C. In appreciation Dear Sir: It always amazes me haw much good can _be accomplished by individuals who dan’t care who gets the credit, unlike the self-appointed public guardians who use their energies to criticize and destroy based on innuendo and rumour. Members of the Terrace Beautification Society deserve our praise and support for the tremendous difference they have made and the beauly hey have added in various spots around town. The lincar park is becoming a-significant impro- vement ta the wes! entrance and Fisherman’s Park has benefited because a few solid: citizens saw a need and did something about it. Many people have expended a lot of | energy ranting and raving about the schol band crisis, but Donna Ziegler, has offered a solution. She knaws 600 citizens can make u difference. Individuals and companies who continue to sup- port Mills Memorial Hospital and Tertaceview through the Dr. R.E.M. Lee Hospital Foundation in this time of crisis have never lost sight of the need, Funding crisis or not, the fact is people gel sick and need care. Overworked. nurses:and “doctors need equipment that cash strapped hospitals can- not supply. Politics do ‘not erase the need. Thank you, one and all, you truly make Terrace a better place to live. Marylin Davies, Terrace, B.C, About the Mail Bag” The Terrace Standard welcomes letters. Our address Is 3210 Clinton St., Terrace, B.C., V8G 5R2. You can fax to 638-8432. And you can a-mail to standard@kermode.net. No at-' tachments please. We need your name, ad- dress and phone number for verification. ..