Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of this motion by my colleague from Brant. There are times in the House when we as members of Parliament can work together for the common benefit of our constituents.
In this instance, there are in excess of three-quarters of a million Canadians who have a disability. I am certain that every member of the House knows someone in their riding who has a disability.
Many of us will also know that each year we host a chair-leaders day here on Parliament Hill. As a participant in this event and having spent a day in a wheelchair, I am certain that I am not alone in sharing what an eye-opening experience that is.
We also know that disabled citizens are capable of doing amazing things. In my home province of British Columbia, Man in Motion has been an inspiration and role model for all citizens around the world. More recently, I was very pleased to note that the B.C. legislature has three elected MLAs who did not let a wheelchair stand in the way of public service. In the House, we have a distinguished colleague who has served the citizens of Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia incredibly well for close to a decade.
We also must recognize that for employers and those with disabilities there are still challenges that remain in the workplace. We know there are many businesses with skills shortages and the report by the Panel on Labour Market Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities is a great resource that can make businesses think differently about those shortages and how they might be met by people with disabilities. Since the report came out in January, we have been urging businesses of all sizes to step up to the plate and consider people with disabilities as part of their human resources strategy.
In economic action plan 2013, our government outlined further steps that we are taking to connect Canadians with existing jobs. The Canada job grant aims to create $15,000 per person, a partnership that includes a federal contribution and matching funds by the provinces, territories and employers, to ensure that Canadians are getting the skills they need and that employers are seeking. By directly involving employers, the Canada job grant will do what previous training programs did not do. There is certainty that Canadians will acquire the skills and training in an area where jobs are available. This program will move training away from the status quo and into the hands of job creators who know best what skills are needed to fill current vacancies. Indeed, in Okanagan—Coquihalla, from meeting with employers recently, I can state with certainty that welders, electrical engineers and saw technicians are only some of the skills that are currently needed. Many of these jobs also require support positions. Skills trade harmonization requirements for apprentices can also help those looking to get a fresh start in a new community.
It is important in this discussion that we look at some of the initiatives to help people with disabilities.
In economic action plan 2013, we will renegotiate a new generation of labour market agreements for persons with disabilities by April 2014. These new agreements will be designed to better meet the needs of Canadian employers that will, in turn, help to improve employment prospects for persons with disabilities.
We will also maintain ongoing funding starting in 2015 for the opportunities fund for persons with disabilities. This fund helps persons with disabilities prepare for, obtain, and most importantly, keep work. The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council will also receive funding to help support research related to the labour market participation of people with disabilities.
A time-limited investment will be made to create the Canadian employers disabilities forum. The forum itself will be managed by employers to facilitate education, training and sharing of resources and best practices concerning the hiring and retention of people with disabilities. It will share successes and communicate ongoing challenges.
Finally, the enabling accessibility fund will also be extended on an ongoing basis. This fund supports the capital costs of construction and renovations related to improving physical accessibility for people with disabilities through projects with demonstrated community support, including workplace accommodation. Clearly, physically accommodating a person with a disability is of key importance and this fund will help to ensure that occurs.
Taken together, these measures show resolve to help include people with disabilities in our Canadian workforce.
As the panel's report says, we have to make sure that the barriers people with disabilities face when trying to get a job are removed. We must never forget that many Canadians who have a disability are perfectly capable of working and have yet to find a job as there are still some barriers that must be overcome. Skills retraining and workplace accommodation are two of the most important considerations to help increase employment for disabled Canadians. Fortunately, both of these issues are targeted in economic action plan 2013.
I am proud to support my colleague from Brant by supporting the motion. It is an important step forward toward engaging the private sector to do more to employ persons with disabilities. I also believe it is important that we recognize that the motion cannot and will not resolve all challenges for disabled Canadians in the workplace.
As I said earlier, we all know people who have faced the daily challenges of a disability, who know first-hand the feelings of an uncertain future and circumstances sometimes beyond their control. It requires resolve to live and thrive despite these challenges that can really only be lived one day at a time.
One step at a time is how we need to move forward together. I submit the motion takes important steps that will make a difference in getting disabled Canadians the jobs that they need in a workplace that can be accommodating.
I am pleased to support the motion. I am pleased with the work of my colleague the member of Parliament for Brant.