ARCHIVED - RPP 2007-2008
Human Resources and Social Development Canada

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Section IV

Other Items of Interest

Detailed Program Description by Strategic Outcome

A. Policies and Programs that the Human Capital and Social Development Needs of Canadians

Strategic Policy

HRSDC focuses on addressing the social and human capital challenges of Canadians through strategic, innovative solutions. To move forward with implementing the Government's commitments in the area of human resources and social development, the Department develops foundational policy frameworks and strategies that enable the Department to identify emerging policy issues for Canadians.

Knowledge, Analysis, Audit and Evaluation

HRSDC provides leadership in data management, research, dissemination and exchange, monitoring and reporting, and audit and evaluation to support strong accountability, innovative and responsive policies and programs and evidence-based decision-making by governments, public institutions, businesses, communities, families and citizens.

Public Affairs and Engagement

The Department pursues engagement activities to develop better policies and programs by seeking Canadians' views and broadening knowledge and research.

B. Enhanced Canadian Productivity and Participation through E- ective and Inclusive Labour Markets, Competitive Workplaces and Access to Learning

Labour Market

Employment Insurance

Employment Insurance Income Benefits

This program provides temporary financial assistance to unemployed Canadians (including self-employed fishers) while they look for work, participants in work-sharing agreements, and to Canadians who need to take a temporary absence from work for sickness, pregnancy and childbirth, caring for a newborn or adopted child, or to provide care or support to a gravely ill family member with a significant risk of death. Temporary income support is provided to unemployed workers under Part I of the Employment Insurance Act. Through an Agreement with the Government of Canada, as of January 2006, the province of Quebec provides its own maternity and parental coverage for its residents, rather than through the Employment Insurance program. http://www1.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/ei/menu/eihome.shtml

Labour Market Programs

Employment Benefits and Support Measures and Labour Market Development Agreements

Part II of the Employment Insurance Act authorizes the design and implementation of Employment Benefits and Support Measures to help unemployed participants prepare for, find and keep employment.

Under the authority of the Employment Insurance Act, Labour Market Development Agreements have been signed with all provinces and territories, including a recent agreement with Ontario implemented January 1, 2007. Eight of these agreements are in the form of a transfer agreement under which six provinces and two territories have assumed responsibility for the design and delivery of provincial/territorial programs and services similar to Employment Benefits and Support Measures. Under co-management Labour Market Development Agreements in four provinces and one territory, the Employment Benefits and Support Measures are designed and managed jointly among Service Canada, HRSDC and the provinces/ territory. Pan-Canadian programs maintained under HRSDC management are available to address labour market issues and priorities that are national or multi-regional in scope. http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/rma/eppi-ibdrp/hrdb-rhbd/lmda-edmt/description-eng.asp

Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy

The Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy is designed to assist Aboriginal people to prepare for, find and keep employment and builds Aboriginal capacity for human resources development. The Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy is delivered through agreements with 80 Aboriginal Human Resource Development Agreements holders across the country. The Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy integrates most of HRSDC's Aboriginal programming.

Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnerships

Complementary to the Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy, Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnerships is a nationally managed program geared toward supporting collaboration among Aboriginal groups, the private sector and provincial/territorial governments. The goal of Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnerships is to ensure sustainable employment for Aboriginal people in major, large-scale economic opportunities, (such as diamond mining, oil and gas exploration and development and major forestry initiatives) leading to long-term Benefits for Aboriginal communities, families and individuals.

Youth Employment Strategy

The Youth Employment Strategy programs ensure that Canada's youth are well prepared to participate and succeed in today's changing labour market. The Strategy is delivered in partnership with the private sector and non-governmental organizations through the collective efforts of twelve federal departments, agencies and corporations, with HRSDC in the lead role. Under the Strategy, youth employment initiatives target youth from 15 to 30 years of age who are unemployed or underemployed. This national strategy offers a broad range of initiatives under three programs: Skills Link, Summer Work Experience and Career Focus.

Labour Market Adjustment

Activities are intended to support the objectives of an integrated labour market system and to ensure the right tools are in place to meet the needs of a flexible and expanding labour market.

Targeted Initiative for Older Workers

Targeted Initiative for Older Workers is a two-year federal-provincial/territorial cost shared initiative to assist unemployed older workers in communities affected by significant downsizing or closures, or ongoing high unemployment, through programming aimed at reintegrating them into employment. The initiative is delivered through bilateral agreements with provinces and territories which are responsible for identifying affected communities, as well as the design and delivery of projects.

This interim initiative has been put in place while a feasibility study to evaluate current and potential measures to address the challenges faced by displaced older workers is undertaken. http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/cs/sp/hrsd/eppd/tiow.shtml

Official Language Minority Communities

HRSDC helps to sustain the vitality of Official Language Minority Communities through a horizontal departmental initiative that provides policy direction and analysis across programs. The initiative's objective is to enhance human resources development, increase employability and community capacity building for the Official language minority communities. The Department has six key priorities to address according to the Government of Canada Action Plan for Official Languages: Literacy, Youth Internships, the Enabling

Fund, Integration of French-speaking immigrants into the Canadian Labour Market, Child Care Pilot Projects and non-governmental organizations. http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/asp/gateway.asp?hr=en/epb/olscc/fund.shtml&hs=oxi

Workplace Skills

Workplace Partnerships

Workplace Partnerships advance partnerships with industry and the learning system to ensure that Canadians have the skills and knowledge required for the workplace. These partnerships enable the private sector to invest in skills development issues as well as to strengthen apprenticeships systems in Canada, including the mobility of skilled trades' workers. The activities are divided into the following business lines/ programs:

Sector Council Program

Sector councils are permanent organizations that bring together representatives from key stakeholder groups in an industrial sector. Sector Council Program supports project-based activities proposed by Sector Councils and other national organizations (sector-like) working on skills and learning issues. http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/nav/top_nav/program/spi.shtml

Trades and Apprenticeship

This program implements the Trades and Apprenticeship Strategy and works with Service Canada to implement the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant. Trades and Apprenticeship also works with provinces and territories through the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship to facilitate and increase the mobility of skilled trades workers, and with public and private partners to strengthen apprenticeship systems in Canada. http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/nav/ top_nav/program/almi.shtml

The Interprovincial Standards

" Red Seal" Program

Through interprovincial standardization of training, and certification based on national occupational standards for the 49 Red Seal trades, this program facilitates the mobility of tradespeople between Canadian provinces and territories. Fully trained apprentices and certified journeypersons are able to obtain a Red Seal endorsement on their Certificates of Qualification and Apprenticeship Completion by successfully completing an Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Examination. http://www.red-seal.ca/w.2lc.4m.2@-eng.jsp

The Workplace Skills Initiative

This program supports partnership-based project testing and evaluates innovative approaches to skills development for employed Canadians. http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/ws/initiatives/ wsi/index.shtml

Skills and Labour Market Information

Skills and Labour Market information is available to help employed and unemployed job seekers, people choosing a career, career practitioners, employment service providers, employers, education/learning institutions, and community development organizations make informed decisions related to skills, human resources, and the labour market. The activities are divided into three main business lines.

National Occupational Classification

An authoritative resource on occupational information in Canada, the National Occupational Classification describes the work performed by Canadians in the labour market. The National Occupational Classification contains the Classification structure and descriptions of 520 occupational areas and includes over 30,000 occupational titles. http://www.sdc.gc.ca/en/hip/hrp/noc/ noc_index.shtml

Essential Skills

Required for work, home and community, essential skills (such as reading, writing, oral communication, numeracy) provide the foundation for learning all other job-related skills, and for allowing people to be flexible and adapt to workplace and workforce changes. The Essential Skills Initiative aims to improve the essential skills levels of Canadians who are entering - or already in - the labour market.

Partnerships with provinces/territories and other workplace stakeholders help to create awareness of essential skills, and to promote understanding and utilization of these skills in the workplace. http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/hip/hrp/essential_ skills/essential_skills_index.shtml

Labour Market Information

Through Service Canada, Labour Market Information provides information on national and regional employment trends, local employment prospects, wage rates, skills and education required by occupation, and employment and training opportunities. Service Canada also offers job posting, job search, job alert and job matching services to job seekers and employers. http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/nav/ top_nav/program/lmi.shtml http://www.jobbank.gc.ca http://www.labourmarketinformation.ca

The Foreign Workers and Immigrants Program

This program helps internationally-trained individuals integrate and participate in the Canadian labour market, as well as enhances interprovincial mobility of internationally and domestically trained workers. This work is done in conjunction with provinces, territories, partners and stakeholders across Canada, including other federal departments, industry, and regulatory bodies. Four main business lines support this program.

Foreign Credential Recognition

Supports activities proposed by Sector Councils, industry groups, regulatory bodies, provinces/ territories, and educational bodies that work on foreign credential assessment and recognition issues. http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/asp/gateway.asp?hr=en/ws/programs/fcr/index.shtml&hs=hzp

Immigration Portal

Enhances the Going to Canada website by providing prospective immigrants, students, workers and newcomers with information, services and tools to help them make informed decisions about coming to Canada, and integrating into Canada's labour market and society. http://www.directioncanada.gc.ca/

Foreign Worker Program

Assists Canadian employers in meeting their human resource needs by facilitating the entry of temporary foreign workers into areas of the labour market with demonstrated occupational shortages, while still considering the employers' efforts to hire and recruit Canadians. http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/nav/top_nav/program/fw.shtml

Interprovincial Labour Mobility

Co-ordinates federal activity to improve interprovincial labour mobility under the Agreement on Internal Trade, so that workers who qualify in one province/ territory can have their Qualifications recognized in another.

Learning

Student Financial Assistance

Canada Student Loans Program, Canada Access Grants and the Canada Study Grants, promotes accessibility to post-secondary education for those with a demonstrated financial need by providing loans and grants to help lower financial barriers. The Program also offers debt management measures to borrowers to help with repayment. These include, Interest Relief, Debt Reduction in Repayment and loan forgiveness in the event of the permanent disability or death of a qualified borrower. http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/topics/cxp-gxr.shtml
http://www.canlearn.ca/cgi-bin/gateway/canlearn/en/parent.asp

Canada Education Savings Program

The Canada Education Savings Grant includes the Canada education Savings Grant and the Canada Learning Bond. These programs provide grants to encourage Canadians to save for the post-secondary education of their children through Registered Education Savings Plans. The program provides Grants, is designed specifically to help low-income Canadian families to acquire education savings for their children.http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/topics/cgs-gxr.shtml l

Adult Learning, Literacy and Essential Skills Program

The Adult Learning, Literacy and Essential Skills Program works through non-statutory grants and contributions to reduce non-financial barriers related to adult learning, literacy and essential skills. This is achieved using four activity streams:

• Support generation, transfer, and application of knowledge in adult learning, literacy and essential skills
• Contribute to the development of innovative approaches in adult learning, literacy and essential skills
• Strengthen capacity of the adult learning, literacy and essential skills sectors
• Promote and increase awareness of the importance of adult learning, literacy and essential skills

http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/hip/lld/olt/ ADULTLLESP.shtml

International Academic Mobility

The International Academic Mobility Initiative advances the development of international skills and knowledge among Canadian students, and promotes international linkages among post-secondary education institutions. http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/nav/top_nav/program/iam.shtml

C. Safe, Healthy, Fair, Stable, Cooperative, Productive Workplaces and E- ective International Labour Standards

Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service

This service is responsible for providing dispute resolution and dispute prevention assistance to trade unions and employers under the jurisdiction of Part I (Industrial Relations) of the Canada Labour Code. It fosters constructive labour-management relationships economy-wide. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service provides expert mediation and conciliation assistance in approximately 300 collective bargaining disputes per year. It is also responsible for the administration of Ministerial appointments to resolve rights disputes under Part III (Labour Standards) of the Canada Labour Code. It also carries out in-depth research on current and emerging industrial relations issues. http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/asp/gateway.asp?hr=en/lp/fmcs/11Federal_Mediation_and_Conciliation_Service.shtml&hs=

National Labour Operations

This operational area is responsible for the promotion, application and enforcement of workplace conditions that are safe, healthy, fair and equitable. In order to accomplish this, there are a number of Acts and programs that support these objectives. The purpose of Part II (Occupational Health and Safety) of the Canada Labour Code is to prevent workplace-related accidents and injury, including occupational diseases. The Non-smokers' Health Act is in place to prohibit smoking by any persons in any work space under the control of employers throughout the federal jurisdiction. The Government Employees' Compensation Act provides Benefits to federal employees who sustain a work-related injury or occupational disease, and the Merchant Seamen Compensation Act provides Benefits to injured merchant seamen and their survivors. Additionally, Fire Protection Services provides for the protection from fi re hazards of federal properties and their occupants by administering and enforcing Treasury Board policies, as well as related codes and standards.

With respect to fair and equitable working conditions, Part III (Labour Standards) of the Canada Labour Code provides minimum standards for the payment of wages, as well as specifi ed Benefits and workplace policies and practices. The Employment Equity Act and the Federal Contractors Program for Employment Equity aim to remove barriers facing certain designated groups (women, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities and visible minorities) in the labour market and reduce discrimination. http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/nav/top_nav/program/labour.shtml

International and Intergovernmental Labour Affairs

This group manages the Labour Program's international, intergovernmental and Aboriginal labour affairs responsibilities. Specifically, International and Intergovernmental Labour Affairs oversees Canada's participation in international labour forums, such as the International Labour Organization, negotiates and implements international labour cooperation agreements and provides technical assistance to developing countries. Further, this area coordinates federal-provincial-territorial relations in the labour field. As well, it analyses and provides information on Canadian labour legislation to policy analysts, researchers and the general public. Further, it facilitates dialogue with Labour Program stakeholders and coordinates Labour program activities in Aboriginal communities. http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/nav/top_nav/program/labour.shtml

Workplace Policy and Information

This Directorate conducts research and analysis on workplace and labour-related issues and their impact on Canadian social and economic development. It provides policy advice on such issues as they pertain to the Minister of Labour's federal jurisdiction and broader national mandates. Labour Policy and Workplace Information collects, analyses and disseminates information on workplace practices to support the Minister and advances the strategic priorities and mandate of the Labour Program. This group also informs client groups of workplace practices, including innovative practices to improve workplace relations and labour productivity. http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/nav/top_nav/program/labour.shtml

D. Enhanced Income Security, Access to Opportunities and Well-being for Individuals, Families and Communities

Social Investment

Seniors and Pensions

Old Age Security Program Benefits provide basic income to Canadian citizens and residents who meet age, residence and legal status requirements. It is financed from Government of Canada general tax revenues and indexed quarterly to the Consumer Price Index. Old Age Security provides additional income-tested Benefits for low-income individuals, namely the Guaranteed Income Supplement, the Allowance and the Allowance for the Survivor. http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/topics/ozs-gxr.shtml

The Canada Pension Plan is a joint federal-provincial plan that operates throughout Canada, except in Quebec which has its own comparable plan. The Canada Pension Plan provides for a variety of Benefits based on life changes. Best known for its retirement pensions, the plan also provides Benefits for surviving partners and children of contributors, people with disabilities and their children (a description of Canada Pension Plan - Disability is below), and a one-time maximum Benefit of $2,500 in the event of death. http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/topics/cpr-gxr.shtml

The New Horizons for Seniors Program supports local projects across Canada that encourage seniors to contribute to their communities through social participation and active living. The program encourages seniors to contribute their skills, experience and wisdom in support of social well-being in their communities, and promotes the ongoing involvement of seniors in their communities to reduce their risk of social isolation. Funding of this program also strengthens networks and associations among community members, community organizations, and governments; and enhance opportunities for building community capacity and partnerships to respond to existing or emerging social challenges. http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/isp/horizons/toc.shtml

Disability Programs

The Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities is designed to assist people with disabilities who are ineligible for employment programs available through the Employment Insurance program. Funding under this program assists eligible people with disabilities to prepare for and obtain employment or self-employment as well as to develop the skills necessary to maintain that new employment. http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/epb/sid/cia/grants/of/desc_of.shtml

Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities are designed to improve the employment situation of Canadians with disabilities, by enhancing their employability, increasing the employment opportunities available to them, and building on their existing knowledge base. These agreements facilitate coordination in labour market programming targeted to people with disabilities through agreements with provinces. http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/hip/odi/08_multilateralFramework.shtml

The Canada Pension Plan Disability

Benefits are payable to contributors who meet the minimum contributory requirements and whose disability is "severe and prolonged," as defined in the legislation; that is, a mental or physical disability that prevents them from working at any job at a substantially gainful level. http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/topics/cdp-gxr.shtml

Community Development and Partnerships

The Social Development Partnerships Program is a broad- based program that makes investments under several distinct funding components to support Government priorities related to children and families, people with disabilities and other vulnerable populations. These investments are made with national and community-based organizations to enable them to develop new programs that will more effectively respond to the social well-being needs of Canadians. http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/hip/sd/05_SDPP.shtml

Official Language Minority Communities

This initiative makes investments with national francophone non-governmental organizations to create products that will promote linguistically and culturally relevant early childhood development programs and services in Official language minority communities.

Understanding the Early Years

The Understanding the Early Years helps communities across Canada better understand the needs of their young children and families. Understanding the Early Years is a national initiative providing communities with information about the development of their children, community and family factors infl uencing child development, and local resources available to support young children and their families.

Communities can use this information to create and deliver policies, programs, or investments that help their children thrive in the early years. http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/hip/sd/300_UEYInfo.shtml

Non-profit and Voluntary Sector

The Voluntary Sector Strategy makes investments in community non-profit organizations to foster social innovation and entrepreneurship and to achieve greater sustainability an self-sufficiency over the long term. http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/hip/sd/06_vsi.shtml

Inter-country Adoption

The Intercountry Adoptions Services works with other federal departments, foreign governments and the provinces and territories as the lead federal department in matters related to inter-country adoptions. http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/hip/sd/08_interAdopt.shtml

Children and Families

Child Care

Canada's Universal Child Care Plan

In 2006, the Government of Canada introduced Canada's Universal Child Care Plan consisting of two key elements designed to give parents choice in child care so they can balance work and family life.

Universal Child Care Benefit

In July 2006 families began to receive up to $1,200 per year for each child under six, taxable in the hands of the lower-income spouse. Payments are made directly to parents so that they can choose the child care that is best for their children and their family's needs. The Universal Child Care Benefit is provided in addition to existing federal programs such as the Canada Child Tax Benefit and the National Child Benefit Supplement and does not affect the benefits families receive under these programs or the Child Care Expense Deduction. Further information can be found at www.universalchildcare.ca.

Child Care Spaces Initiative

Recognizing that the availability of child care spaces is a challenge faced by many Canadian parents, the Government is investing $250M per year under the Child Care Spaces Initiative, beginning in fiscal year 2007 - 2008, to support the creation of child care spaces. Working in consultation with provinces and territories, employers and community non-profit organizations, the spaces created across the country will be flexible, responsive and effective in meeting the child care needs of parents. Further information can be found at www.universalchildcare.ca.

Multilateral Framework on Early Learning and Child Care

Building on the September 2000 Early Childhood Development Agreement, federal/provincial/territorial Ministers Responsible for Social Services²⁶ reached agreement in March 2003, on a framework for improving access to regulated early learning and child care programs and services. The specific objectives are to further promote early childhood development and support the participation of parents in employment or training by improving access to affordable, quality early learning and child care programs and services.

In support of these objectives, under this agreement the Government of Canada is providing funding through the Canada Social Transfer to support provincial and territorial government investments in early learning and child care. For 2007 - 2008, the level of funding will reach $350 million. Early learning and child care programs and services supported through this initiative are primarily providing direct care and early learning for children in settings such as child care centres, family child care homes, preschools, and nursery schools. Investments can include capital and operating funding, fee subsidies, wage enhancements, training, professional development and support, quality assurance, and parent information and referral. Governments report annually on their activities and expenditures, as well as key indicators, related to this agreement. Further information can be found at http://www.ecd-elcc.ca

Early Childhood Development Agreement

In September 2000, the Government of Canada and provincial and territorial governments reached an agreement, the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Early Childhood Development Agreement, to improve and expand the services and programs they provide for children under 6 years of age and their families.²⁷ The overall goal of the initiative is to improve and expand early childhood development supports for young children (prenatal to age 6) and their parents. The specific objectives are:to promote early childhood development so that, to their fullest potential, children will be physically and emotionally healthy, safe and secure, ready to learn, responsible and socially engaged; and to help children reach their potential and to help families support their children within strong communities

In support of these objectives, under this agreement, the Government of Canada is transferring $500 million per year, via the Canada Social Transfer, to provincial and territorial governments to improve and expand programs and services in the following areas: promoting healthy pregnancy; birth and infancy;improving parenting and family supports; strengthening early childhood development, learning and care; and strengthening community supports.

Governments report annually on their activities and expenditures related to this agreement. In addition, they report biennially on a common set of indicators of young children's well-being. Further information on the initiative can be found at http://www.ecd-elcc.ca

National Child Benefit

Introduced in 1998 as a supplement to the Canada Child Tax Benefit,²⁸ the National Child Benefit initiative is a key commitment in helping to ensure that children in low-income families get the best possible start in life. The National Child Benefit is a partnership between federal, provincial, and territorial governments,²⁹ including a First Nations component, which provides income support, as well as Benefits and services, to low-income families with children. The National Child Benefit aims to: help prevent and reduce the depth of child poverty; promote attachment to the labour market by ensuring families are always better off as a result of working; and reduce overlap and duplication by harmonizing program objectives and Benefits and simplifying administration.

Under this initiative, the Government of Canada provides income support to low-income families with children through the National Child Benefit Supplement. Human Resources and Social Development Canada is responsible for policy development and the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development represents the Government of Canada in this initiative. The implementation of the National Child Benefit and its effectiveness in meeting its objectives is monitored through annual progress reports and joint federal-provincial-territorial evaluations. These reports are available on the National Child Benefit website. http://www.nationalchildbenefit.ca/

Housing and Homelessness

A key enhancement of the new Homelessness Partnering Strategy over the National Homelessness Initiative is the offer to explore bilateral agreements with interested provinces and territories. The purpose of the federal/provincial/territorial partnering is to provide for joint planning and decision-making between orders of government, allowing for a more systematic and efficient coordination of investments in homelessness programming to ensure that outcomes for homeless people are maximized.

The new Homelessness Partnering Strategy encourages federal departments to work together in areas linked to homelessness - such as corrections, crime prevention, mental health, family violence, skills development and immigration. This ensures that all federal capital investments are strategically coordinated with other federal, provincial and territorial investments in health, training and social services, which will maximize the opportunity for homeless persons to become self-sufficient. This will also promote improved access to supports that respond to the individual needs of homeless people, such as skills training, health services, and substance abuse treatment, so that they can become self-sufficient and move out of emergency shelters and into transitional or permanent housing. The partnership will also improve the tracking of progress in the prevention and reduction of homelessness.

This strategy will target federal funding more at the development of transitional and supportive housing and at improving programs that help homeless people become self-sustainable such as skills training, health and substance abuse treatment.

The Homelessness Partnering Strategy is composed of three initiatives:

Homelessness Partnership Initiative

The Homelessness Partnership Initiative is the cornerstone program that will support community-level facilities and services that help homeless people attain housing and shelter stability appropriate to their needs - whether they are the chronic multi-barriered homeless or the shorter-term situational homeless. The Homelessness Partnership Initiative will build on the foundation of an existing community-based model and be bolstered by inviting provinces and territories, and municipalities where provinces and territories concur, to enter into partnering agreements, with a view to aligning support services with housing facilities and maximizing public investments.

The Homelessness Partnership Initiative has four target area components for funding:

• Homelessness Partnership Initiative
  Communities: These are communities, primarily major urban centres, that have been identified as having a significant problem with homelessness. These communities would be able to access multi-year funding which must be matched from other sources. Funded projects must support priority areas identified through a community planning process.
• Homelessness Partnership Outreach Communities: These areas - which include smaller cities, rural and outlying areas, and the North will be eligible for funding to support one-time projects to fill specific gaps in the infrastructure of these areas to address homelessness. Communities receiving this funding would not have to develop a community plan, but would have to demonstrate both need and broad community support.
• Homelessness Partnership Aboriginal Communities: These partnerships will ensure that services meet the acute and unique needs of homeless Aboriginal people, whether in cities or rural areas. The Aboriginal funding stream would be available to all communities, on the basis of high representation of Aboriginal persons in homeless and at-risk populations. There would be no cost-matching requirement, but community contributions would be encouraged. Projects must demonstrate need and show that investments will be targeted to interventions that are appropriate and effective to address Aboriginal homelessness issues.
• Federal Horizontal Pilot Projects: These projects would test innovative approaches to homelessness through collaboration at the federal level. HRSDC will mobilize federal departments such as Health, Justice, Citizenship and Immigration, and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada to work collaboratively on

issues which may lead to homelessness such as corrections, mental health, family violence, and immigration.

Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative

The Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative provides surplus federal properties to communities across Canada to address their local homelessness-related needs. Government departments and agencies, which are encouraged to identify such properties, receive compensation at market value and transfer them to community organizations and other bodies for a nominal cost to help alleviate and prevent homelessness. Three federal bodies - Public Works and Government Services Canada, HRSDC and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation - act as partners at the national and regional levels in implementing and managing this initiative.

Additional funding for construction and renovation costs may also be available through related federal programs such as those under the Homelessness Partnership Initiative and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation programs. Under the new Homelessness Partnering Strategy, the Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative is more flexible to allow land exchanges. Under certain conditions, community groups can exchange a federal property received through the program for another similar, and more suitable, property.

Homelessness Accountability Network

The Homelessness Accountability Network streamlines results-reporting, strengthens program accountability, promotes national and regional partnership networks, and develops and shares knowledge and best practices. This Network builds upon two components - the Homelessness Individuals and Families Information System and National Research Program (now the Homelessness Knowledge Development Program) of the former National Homelessness Initiative by facilitating access to, and dissemination of, housing support information and tools.

The following table highlights the differences between the new Homelessness Partnering Strategy and the previous National Homelessness Initiative.

Table

Former Structure 2006 - 2007	New Structure 2007 - 2008
National Homelessness Initiative	Homelessness Partnering Strategy
Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative; Regional Homelessness Fund ; and Urban Aboriginal Homelessness	Homelessness Partnership Initiative Homelessness Partnership Initiative-Designated Communities Homelessness Partnership Initiative-Outreach Communities Homelessness Partnership Initiative-Aboriginal Communities Homelessness Partnership Initiative -Federal Horizontal Pilot Projects
National Research Program ; and Homelessness Individuals and Families Information System	Homelessness Accountability Network Homelessness Knowledge Development Program Homelessness Individuals and Families Information System
Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative	Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative

OAG Audits

Expenditure Management System at the Government Centre and in Departments - November 2006

While the Department was not included in this audit, the recommendations have important implications for HRSDC. In her November 2006 report, the Auditor General presented the results of her audits on the current Expenditure Management System that is at the heart of the operation of government. Based on the Auditor General examination of the Expenditure Management System, there are some areas where the Auditor General has made recommendations that she encourages the government to consider. In line with the Government's efforts to renew the current Expenditure Management System, HRSDC is implementing numerous measures to ensure improved reporting, budget decision-making and management of horizontal initiatives. The department will clearly demonstrate value for money by continuing to strengthen policy development and programs performance management. Program integrity, clear accountability and effective financial management will remain areas of interest.

Old Age Security - November 2006

The Auditor General recognized that HRSDC has improved seniors' access to Old Age Security Benefits by simplifying the application process and by implementing initiatives to increase the take-up of the Guaranteed Income Supplement by low-income seniors. However, delivery of the program would Benefit from improvements in some targeted areas. The Department agreed with all Auditor General recommendations and has committed to take action to strengthen the management of the Old Age Security Program. By the end of 2007, Service Canada will have collected and reported improved information on client satisfaction and services, implemented a national quality review system and improved information on overpayments. With respect to overpayments, a bill was tabled in Parliament November 26, 2006 that would amend the interest requirements related to overpayments. HRSDC also plans to issue a revised policy on managing overpayments.

Management of Voted Grants and Contributions - May 2006

The Auditor General found that overall the government has made satisfactory progress since 2001 in the management of grants and contributions. The findings of the Auditor General were also echoed by other work in 2006 - 2007, namely that of the Service Canada - Voluntary Sector Working Group on employment programs, the HRSDC-led Task Force on Community Investments and, most recently, the Independent Blue Ribbon Panel on grants and contributions. Recipients of grants and contributions have expressed concerns about the way departments apply the Policy on Transfer Payments and the Auditor General recommended streamlining processes to reduce administrative burden on grant and contribution recipients.

Social Insurance Number Management - February 2007

The follow-up audit on Social Insurance Number Management found that the Department had made satisfactory progress in addressing six of the nine recommendations from the 2002 report. For the three areas where progress was deemed unsatisfactory - use of the Social Insurance Number only where authorized, setting goals for the accuracy of the Social Insurance Registry and reporting to Parliament - recommendations were put forward that refl ect existing planned activities by Service Canada to address the management and administration of the Social Insurance Number.

 

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Website References

HRSDC Website

http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/home.shtml

The Honourable Monte Solberg P.C., M.P.
Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Canada
http://pm.gc.ca/eng/bio.asp?id=18

The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn
 Minister of Labour and Housing
http://pm.gc.ca/eng/bio.asp?id=50

Acts and Regulations Governing HRSDC and SC
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/cs/fas/as/contact/acts.shtml

HRSDC Internal Audit
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/cs/sp/sdc/audit/page00.shtml
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/cs/fas/iarms/toc.shtml

HRSDC Evaluation
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/nav/left_nav/publications.shtml
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/cs/sp/sdc/evaluation/page00.shtml

HRSDC Overview

• List of HRSDC Programs and Services
  http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/nav/ top_nav/ps.shtml
• Speech from the Throne, April 4, 2006
  http://pm.gc.ca/eng/sft-ddt.asp

Enhanced Canadian productivity and participation through efficient and inclusive labour markets, competitive workplaces and access to learning

Labour Market

Employment Insurance Benefits
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/nav/top_nav/program/ei.shtml

Employment Benefits and Support Measures
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/nav/top_nav/program/gc.shtml

Labour Market Development Agreements
 http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/rma/eppi-ibdrp/hrdb-rhbd/lmda-edmt/description-eng.asp

Aboriginal Human Resources
Development Strategy
http://www17.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/AHRDSInternet/general/public/HomePage1-eng.asp
  http://www17.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/AHRDSInternet/ general/public/HomePage1-fra.asp

Youth Employment Strategy
http://www.youth.gc.ca

Official Language Minority Communities
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/asp/gateway.asp?hr=en/epb/olscc/fund.shtml&hs=oxi

Work Sharing
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/epb/sid/cia/grants/ws/ desc_ws.shtml

Workplace Skills

Essential Skills
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/hip/hrp/essential_skills/ essential_skills_index.shtml

National Occupational Classification
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/hip/hrp/noc/ noc_index.shtml

Apprenticeship and Labour Mobility Initiatives
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/nav/top_nav/ program/almi.shtml

Foreign Worker Program
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/nav/top_nav/ program/fw.shtml

Red Seal Program
http://red-seal.ca/

Workplace Skills Strategy
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/ws/initiatives/wsi/index.shtml

Workplace Skills Initiative
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/ws/initiatives/wsi/index.shtml

Foreign Credential Recognition
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/asp/gateway.asp?hr=en/ws/programs/fcr/index.shtml&hs=hzp

Sector Council Program
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/nav/top_nav/ program/spi.shtml

Labour Market Information
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/nav/top_nav/program/lmi.shtml

Learning

Student Financial Assistance(Canada Student Loans Program)
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/topics/cxp-gxr.shtml
http://www.canlearn.ca

Canada Education Savings Grant
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/topics/ cgs-gxr.shtml

Adult Learning, Literacy and Essential Skills Program
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/topics/lxa-gxr.shtml
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/topics/lxi-gxr.shtml

International Academic Mobility
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/nav/top_nav/program/iam.shtml

Safe, healthy, fair, stable, cooperative and productive workplaces and effective international labour standards

Labour

Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/asp/gateway.asp?hr=/en/lp/fmcs/02About.shtml&hs=mxm

Labour Program
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/nav/top_nav/program/labour.shtml

International Labour Affairs

http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/lp/ila/index.shtml

Work-life Balance and Ageing Workforce
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/topics/wnc-gxr.shtml

Collective Bargaining
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/business/cluster/category/cb.shtml

Federal Workers' Compensation Service
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/topics/fxf-gxr.shtml

Labour Standards
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/asp/gateway.asp?hr=en/ lp/lo/lswe/ls/about.shtml&hs=lxn

Workplace Equity
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/asp/gateway.asp?hr=en/lp/lo/lswe/we/information/overview.shtml&hs=wzp

Occupational Health and Safety
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/asp/gateway.asp?hr=en/lp/lo/ohs/overview/index-ohs.shtml&hs=oxs

Fire Protection Services
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/asp/gateway.asp?hr=en/lp/lo/fp/overview/services.shtml&hs=fzp

Labour Law Analysis
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/topics/lzl-qxr.shtml

Enhanced income security, access to opportunities and well-being for individuals, families and communities

Social Investment

Seniors and Pensions
Income Security Programs
http://www.sdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/nav/top_nav/program/isp.shtml

Seniors
http://www.sdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/individuals/audiences/seniors.shtml

Old Age Security Program (OAS)
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/topics/ozs-gxr.shtml

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/topics/cpr-gxr.shtml

The New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP)
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/isp/horizons/toc.shtml

Disability Programs
Office for Disability issues
http://www.sdc.gc.ca/en/hip/odi/01_about.shtml

Persons with Disabilities
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/individuals/audiences/pd.shtml

The Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities (OF)
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/epb/sid/cia/grants/of/desc_of.shtml

Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities (LMAPD)
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/hip/odi/08_multilateralFramework.shtml

The Social Development Partnerships Programs (SDPP) - Disability
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/hip/odi/sdppd/sdppd.shtml

The Canada Pension Plan - Disability
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/topics/cdp-gxr.shtml

Communities

Community Development Partnerships
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/hip/sd/999_CDPD.shtml

The Social Development Partnerships Programs (SDPP)
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/hip/sd/05_SDPP.shtml

The Understanding the Early Years (UEY)
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/hip/sd/300_UEYInfo.shtml

Supporting Voluntary Sector
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/hip/sd/06_vsi.shtml

Intercountry Adoption Services
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/hip/sd/08_interAdopt.shtml

Children and Families

Canada's Universal Child Care Plan
http://www.universalchildcare.ca

Federal/Provincial/Territorial Early Childhood Development Agreement
http://www.ecd-elcc.ca

Multilateral Framework on Early Learning and Child Care
http://www.ecd-elcc.ca

The National Child Benefit
http://www.nationalchildbenefit.ca

Housing and Homelessness
The Homelessness Partnering Strategy
http://www.homelessness.gc.ca

Achieve better outcomes for Canadians through service excellence

Service Canada
http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/home.html

---

• ¹ Labour Force Survey, January 5, 2007, Statistics Canada www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/070105/d070105a.htm
• ² Statistics Canada Table 282-000211 at www40.statcan.ca/l01/cst01/labor05.htm
• ³ 2001 Census: analysis series Aboriginal peoples of Canada: A demographic profile, Statistics Canada
• ⁴ 2001 Participation and Activity Limitation Survey, Statistics Canada
• ⁵ Performance 2006: The government of Canada's Contribution: Canada's Performance
  Report 2006 - Annex 3 - Indicators and Additional Information, Statistics Canada
• ⁶ Arrived in Canada after 1993
• ⁷ Income in Canada 2004 - Statistics Canada - Catalogue no. 75-202 at www.statcan.ca/english/freepub/75-202-XIE/75-202-XIE2004000.pdf
• ⁸ Ibid
• ⁹ From 21.3% in 1980 to 5.6% in 2004
• ¹⁰ The fi gure of 150,000 is based on an internal estimation/extrapolation exercise that was done in 2004 by the National Secretariat on Homelessness (now the Housing and Homelessness Branch)
• ¹¹ Statistics Canada, 2001 Census
• ¹² Details on these horizontal initatives can be found at: www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/rma/eppi-ibdrp/hrdb-rhbd/profi l-eng.asp
• ¹³ Please see Tables 8 and 9 of Section III for more information on Foundations and Horizontal Initiatives.
• ¹⁴ Canadian Council on Learning: Canadian Post-secondary Education: A Positive Record - An Uncertain Future page V
• ¹⁵ HRSDC Departmental Performance Report 2005 - 2006
• ¹⁶ ibid.
• ¹⁷ The Metropolis Project is an international forum for comparative research and public policy development about population migration, cultural diversity and the challenges of immigrant integration in cities in Canada and around the world
• ¹⁸ Total Employment Insurance Benefits equal to $14,784 million, the sum of $12,641 million in Income Benefits and $2,143 million in Employment Benefits and Support Measures
• ¹⁹ For more details refer to the Employment Insurance website at http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/topics/tyt-gxr.shtml
• ²⁰ Offi ce of the Chief Actuary. Actuarial Report ( 21st) on the Canada Pension Plan as at 31 December 2003.
  Ottawa: Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada. 2004. p. 10
• ²¹ The reserve is made up of an amount equivalent to 3 months worth of Canada Pension Plan benefits and expenses.
• ²² Information about the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board can be found at http://www.cppib.ca
• ²³ For further information on the Canada Student Loans Program, see www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/topics/cxp-gxr.shtml
• ²⁴ The new Canada Access Grant for Student with Permanent disabilities has replaced the Canada Study Grant for High-need Students with Permanent Disabilities.
• ²⁵ An announcement was made on August 1, 2005 which transfers collections activities previously carried out by Social Development Canada (SDC) to Canada Revenue Agency.
• ²⁶ While the Government of Quebec supports the general principles of the Early Learning and Child Care initiative, it did not participate in developing these initiatives because it intends to preserve sole responsibility for social matters. However, Quebec receives its share of federal funding and the Government of Quebec is making major investments toward programs and services for families and children.
• ²⁷ While the Government of Quebec supports the general principles of the Early Childhood Development Agreement, it did not participate in developing this initiative because it intends to preserve sole responsibility for social matters. However, Quebec receives its share of federal funding and the Government of Quebec is making major investments in programs and services for families and children.
• ²⁸ The Canada Child Tax Benefit is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency, which reports on its strategic priorities, indicators and outcomes.
• ²⁹ The Government of Quebec has stated that it agrees with the basic principles of the National Child Benefit. Quebec chose not to participate in the initiative because it wanted to assume control over income support for children in Quebec; however, it has adopted a similar approach to the National Child Benefit. Throughout this section, references to joint Federal/Provincial/Territorial positions do not include Quebec.

 

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