HUMA Committee Report
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Mr. Ed Komarnicki Dear Mr. Komarnicki: I am pleased to respond, on behalf of the Government of Canada (hereafter, the Government), to the Twelfth Report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Social Development, and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (hereafter, the Committee) entitled, Exploring Employment Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (hereafter, the Report). I would like to thank the Committee members for devoting considerable time and effort to this study and listening to the testimonies of Canadians who offered their perspective on workforce inclusion for persons with disabilities. I would also like to thank the witnesses who presented to the Committee and contributed to the Report’s valuable observations. The Government is committed to supporting the employment of persons with disabilities. Employment allows persons with disabilities to lead more independent lives, to have a higher standard of living, and to experience greater social inclusion. Given the benefits of increasing the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the workforce, the Government, by working with its partners, including employers, not-for-profit organizations, disability associations and others, undertakes numerous activities, including new measures announced in Economic Action Plan (EAP) 2013. The recommendations from the Committee are timely and are aligned with current Government priorities and initiatives aimed at facilitating the labour market attachment of persons with disabilities. Recent Government interventions focus on raising employer awareness; demand-driven solutions; collaboration with partners; and targeted and relevant research. Like the Committee, the Government believes in the value of raising employer awareness about the benefits of hiring persons with disabilities. The Government recently launched the business-led Panel on Labour Market Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities. In January 2013, the Panel released its report, Rethinking disAbility in the Private Sector, highlighting that businesses often have misconceptions about employing persons with disabilities. The Panel found that more education and training is needed to overcome barriers, dispel myths and put theory into practice. The Panel members also provided a solid business case to support hiring persons with disabilities and targeting available Government resources to bring about better outcomes. The Panel’s report also provided employers with tangible steps they can take in the hiring and retention of employees with disabilities. The Panel’s report was well received by both the business and disability communities. The Government has also signalled its intention to support M-430, which calls for further private-sector led, demand driven, flexible and innovative initiatives to increase employment for persons with disabilities, including an increased focus on youth. The Government has already taken a leadership role in announcing through EAP 2013 a temporary investment of $2 million to support the creation of a Canadian employer disability forum. The forum will be managed by employers, for employers, to facilitate education, training, and sharing of resources and best practices concerning the hiring and retention of persons with disabilities. As recommended by the Committee, the Government is committed to delivering programs that provide persons with disabilities with skills that are relevant to employers. EAP 2013 announced that the Government intends to negotiate a new generation of Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities (LMAPDs) with provinces and territories by 2014 with an investment of $222 million annually. The enhanced agreements will be designed to better meet the employment needs of Canadian businesses and improve the employment prospects for persons with disabilities and will put stronger accountability regimes in place. EAP 2013 also announced that ongoing funding of $40 million per year would be maintained starting in 2015–2016 for the Opportunities Fund (OF) for Persons with Disabilities. The program will also be reformed to provide more demand-driven training solutions for persons with disabilities and make it more responsive to labour market needs. The Government will actively work with employers and community organizations in project design and delivery. As the Committee’s report notes, youth with disabilities often face challenges making the transition from education into the workplace, and finding stable employment. The Youth Employment Strategy (YES) assists youth, including those with disabilities, to develop skills and acquire work experience, with over $300 million in annual funding. In 2011-12, this investment served about 60,000 Canadian youth. Youth with disabilities are well represented in YES programming, particularly the Skills Link program, where approximately one in six participants has some form of a disability. Youth with disabilities are also served by LMAPD funding and OF programs. The Government agrees with the Report’s finding that persons with disabilities have diverse needs that are best supported by responsive and flexible programs. Employment Insurance (EI) provides flexibility for persons with episodic disabilities by allowing claimants to use the 15 weeks of sickness benefit over a 52-week benefit period. In addition, the Premium Reduction Program reduces EI premiums for employers if their employees are covered by a short-term disability plan that meets minimum EI standards. Under OF, not-for-profit delivery organizations can receive funding for national projects that are three years in duration. This can help persons who experience disabilities and often require longer term or multiple interventions. The Government regularly assesses and monitors the effectiveness of its programs. For example, wage subsidies, which are an important component of OF have been a part of the regular assessment process. As recommended in the Report, the Government is committed to ensuring that programs for persons with disabilities remain financially sustainable and achieve their expected outcomes. Economic Action Plan 2013 proposes to extend the Enabling Accessibility Fund on an ongoing basis, at a level of $15 million per year, to support capital costs of construction and renovations related to improving physical accessibility for persons with disabilities through projects with demonstrated community support, including workplace accommodation. In addition, the Government is committed to continuing its leveraging requirements for all EAF projects. Consistent with recommendations in the Report, the Government places a high priority on working with partners, including community organizations, the private sector, service providers, and provinces and territories, to deliver services to persons with disabilities. For example, OF, which assists persons with disabilities who have little or no work experience prepare for, obtain, and keep employment, also engages with employers and community organizations to design projects and deliver services to persons with disabilities where needed. Finally, as the Committee’s report notes, inclusion of persons with disabilities requires a better understanding of the barriers that they face in the workforce. To this end, EAP 2013 proposed $7 million in additional funding for the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, some of which will support research related to the labour market participation of persons with disabilities. Including persons with disabilities in the workplace is both socially and economically important. The Government recognizes the challenges faced by many persons with disabilities and will continue to work with its partners to address barriers to gainful employment and full participation in community life. I trust that this Government Response will provide the Committee th the assurance that the Government has taken important steps and will continue to support the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the labour market. I would like to commend efforts made by members of the Committee, and the many witnesses who appeared before it for their valuable insight and contributions. Yours sincerely, The Hon. Jason Kenney, P.C., M.P. |