Human Resources committee  Two thoughts strike me, and these aren't entirely new, but yesterday I had a chance to tour a large business here in Halifax. I was walking a client through, and the HR person who was walking us through made it really clear to my client that they would pay the cost for any employ

Human Resources committee  Since the fund was created in 1997. Minister Scott travelled across the country in 1996. There was $30 million in 1997, and it's $30 million today. That's nine years. My executive director is sitting in the back row, and if she were here, she would tell you that the cost of del

Human Resources committee  Do you mean the labour market agreement for persons with disabilities?

Human Resources committee  We didn't mention the labour market agreement for persons with disabilities program in our presentation because we needed a lot more time. This program has been around in one shape or another since 1962 and has gone through a number of iterations. As a rehab counsellor, it's been

Human Resources committee  Yes. The LMAPWD program has to be looked at in the context of student aid because you are now required in Nova Scotia to apply for a student loan. If you have a bad financial history for a variety of reasons, it disqualifies you from getting access to training dollars.

Human Resources committee  When you look at the people with disabilities who our agency works with, the vast majority of them have never had a labour market attachment, which I really think is an important point. We're not just talking about people who have worked and become disabled, or stopped work becau

Human Resources committee  We're asking for equalization. Create a financial plan for employment and employability opportunities that matches persons with disabilities with other equity groups. Such a plan must span youth to older workers and provide for internships and flexible experience in linking perso

Human Resources committee  The Opportunities Fund is the only intervention available for those persons with disabilities who have had no EI attachment. This budget has been static since 1997. The $30 million allocated to this fund has been eroded by inflation and should be $36.5 million today to deliver th

Human Resources committee  We're asking that the government recommit and increase the Opportunities Fund to a level that keeps pace with inflation and increased consumer demand.

Human Resources committee  Mr. Chair, committee members, TEAM Work Cooperative's goal is to facilitate the full participation of persons with disabilities in the Nova Scotia labour force.

Human Resources committee  Let me talk to you about extraordinary successes. Literature states that if you are disabled and out of work for six months, your chances of going back are 50%. If you're disabled and out of work two years or longer, your chances of going back to work are zero. Of individuals fo