LAKE COUNTRY, BRITISH COLUMBIA —Thanks to support from the Government of Canada, Lake Country Harvest will provide an individual with a disability with the opportunity to acquire employability skills and work experience. Mr. Ron Cannan, Member of Parliament for Kelowna–Lake Country, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.

In today’s environment, it is more important than ever that all Canadians have the skills they need to participate and succeed in the job market,” said Mr. Cannan. “By supporting projects like this one, our government is helping Canadians with disabilities maximize their potential and independence.”

Lake Country Harvest will receive $2,900 under the Wage Subsidy component of the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities. This project will help an individual with a disability gain the skills needed to find lasting employment.

We are very pleased to be able to re-employ people in our own area,” said Ms. Paula Diakiw, Owner, Lake Country Harvest. “Doing local work with local people is good for the community.”

The federal government is working with the provinces and territories, community organizations and other stakeholders to provide Canadians with the training, skills and opportunities they need to get jobs and contribute to their communities.
 
The Opportunities Fund helps support an array of activities, such as increasing employability skills, providing work experience and preparing individuals for self‑employment. The Government of Canada is committed to breaking down barriers that prevent Canadians with disabilities from reaching their full potential with a wide range of effective policies, programs and services.

The Fund is part of the Government of Canada’s strategy to create the best educated, most skilled and most flexible workforce in the world. The Government underscored its commitment to this strategy in Canada’s Economic Action Plan. A key component of the Plan is to create more and better opportunities for Canadian workers through skills development. To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca .