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News Release

Government of Canada Supports Women's Economic Security in Prince Edward Island

August 30, 2011

O'LEARY, PEI – On behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of National Revenue and Member of Parliament for Egmont, today announced Government of Canada support for two projects that will significantly improve the lives of women and girls in Prince Edward Island.

"Our government is proud to support exciting new projects like these that strengthen the participation of Canadian women and girls in the economic life of their communities,"said Minister Ambrose. "We encourage women and girls of all backgrounds to follow their dreams and take advantage of our country's many opportunities."

"Our communities in Prince Edward Island can best grow and thrive when we benefit from the contributions of all citizens," said Minister Shea. "Through these projects, both Adventure Group and the Women's Network PEI are able to bring their particular skills and unique approaches to bear on critical, quality-of-life issues for women and girls in this province."

Adventure Group is receiving $220,000 from the Women's Program of Status of Women Canada for its 24-month project, Women Moving Forward to Economic Stability. This initiative will take a "learning by doing" approach to help low-income local women to improve their lives, become economically secure and empowered to participate in their communities.

The Women's Network PEI is receiving $237,160 from the Women's Program of Status of Women Canada for its 24-month project, Recruitment of Women into Non-Traditional Work. The project will engage participants in developing new approaches to recruiting and retaining women in non-traditional and other sectors where they remain under-represented.

"Women have made inroads in the field of non-traditional occupations, but there is much room for improvement," said Ms. Michelle MacCallum of the Women's Network PEI. "Through our project, we want to help create both a supply of women trades and technology professionals, and the demand for them from employers and industry. There is a projected worker shortage for trades and technology sectors, so the opportunities for women workers will increase – and employers will benefit from gender diversity in their workplaces."

"The name of our project captures its spirit – supporting women as they move ahead into a stronger economic future for themselves and their families," said Ms. Roxanne Carter-Thompson, Executive Director of Adventure Group. "Using a very ‘hands-on' approach, the participants will be fully engaged in developing strategies to overcome barriers, and access services, resources and ultimately, opportunities and greater economic security."

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting projects that yield concrete results for women and girls in Canada while strengthening families, communities and the country. Through Status of Women Canada, the government's support for community-based projects has nearly doubled since 2006-2007, growing from $10.8 million to close to $19 million, its highest level ever.

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For more information, please contact:

Michelle Bakos
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Public Works and Government Services and
Minister for Status of Women
819-997-5421

Nanci-Jean Waugh
Director General, Communications and Public Affairs
Status of Women Canada
613-995-7839

Ce texte est également disponible en français.

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Date Modified:
2011-10-06