The CAMROSE BOOSTER, June 8, 2021 – Page 26
Copping speaks about getting Albertans back to work By Lori Larsen
Government of Alberta minister of Labour and Immigration Jason Copping spoke to Camrose and District Chamber of Commerce members and guests present during the general meeting held via Zoom on May 31. Copping spoke briefly on the government’s broad approach to economic recovery and the Alberta Jobs Now Program.
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made that change through the pandemic to enable that.” Copping referenced the government’s Summer Plan for coming out of the pandemic. Phase 1 began on June 1, Phase 2 (with a 60 per cent vaccination rate and hospitalizations under 500) is slated for June 10, and Phase 3 is targeted for the end of June/beginning of July. “As we come out of
want to relocate here build here and take advantage of our environment. The whole objective of this is to create jobs here.” Copping explained the third component is economic diversification, which involves developing and rolling out secto-
the individual to a third party to get the skills they need, or a combination. “This program is a $370 million program to support the creation of jobs and get Albertans back to work.” Copping explained how the program works. “Any private sector or
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he past 15 months have been incredibly challenging for this province.”
“The past 15 months has been an incredibly challenging time for our province. We are dealing with a worldwide pandemic, an economic recession and an historic crash in oil prices, all of which have hit Alberta particularly hard. Over these last 15 months, the focus of our government has been protecting lives and livelihoods. In the past year, we have put measures in place to control the spread of COVID-19, and we have also been supporting Albertans and Alberta businesses as vaccines are developed and being rolled out.” He explained that the province has made significant investments in supporting businesses, including the small and medium enterprize Relaunch Grant. “We committed over $350 million to those grants to help keep businesses operating over these very challenging times.” He also stated that the Labour and Immigration Department has made significant contributions to try to support businesses. “Last year, for example, we paid half of the WCB premiums for small and medium-sized businesses, which was approximately $300 million. “We also increased the flexibility of the CanadaAlberta Job Grant. The Job Grant provides opportunities for businesses to keep Albertans employed by providing retraining so they are not laid off. Also, it will cover up to 100 per cent of training costs for Albertans who are laid off and collecting EI, whom employers want to bring in and train. “Recognizing the challenges associated with the pandemic, we permitted the use of the CanadaAlberta Job Grant for mandatory training. Also, we heard loud and clear from the Chambers–concerns about small businesses being able to use training for family members, and business owners with four or fewer employees. So we
COVID-19, our focus is returning to recovery,” noted Copping. “When I talk about recovery, it is both in terms of community and economy.” With regards to community recovery, he said that the government is very aware of the impact COVID-19 has had on the mental health of Albertans. “Our government put forward significant funding to address mental health last year to help Albertans get through these challenging times, but also this year. In many circumstances, people dealt quite well going through the crisis, but it is after the crisis that it hits home and makes it challenging for individuals. We also have more funding for that.” Copping said the government has also announced investments over the next year or two to assist with catching up on postponed surgeries and treatments. “As well, we are looking at the impact that COV ID -19 –par ticularly closure of the schools–had upon students and how we can help them recover from an education standpoint.” In speaking about the Alberta Economic Recovery Plan, he explained, “The Recovery Plan has three main components. The first is, we announced this year $20 billion in our current budget to invest in infrastructure with a focus of bringing forward dollars from future years into this year, so we can work on it now and get Albertans working now.” He said the second component involves creating an environment for investment, which includes Alberta’s job creation tax cut. “We accelerated it last year to make our jurisdiction one of the most competitive in North America to attract investment. I am pleased to say it is starting to have an impact with a number of announcements, particularly in the IT field, and over the last couple of months, businesses that
File Photo, Government of Alberta Government of Alberta Minister of Labour and Immigration Jason Copping
rial plans in a number of sectors, including energy, agriculture, IT, bio-medicine and tourism. We are not only focused on our single largest industry– energy– and putting out plans that we have already started in terms of blue hydrogen, different types of energy development, such as geo-thermal framework, but other sectors of the economy.” He spoke specifically about the Alberta Jobs Now Program and thanked the Chamber for not only supporting the program, but providing input. “What we heard from the Chambers and businesses is there are a number of barriers to creating jobs, and some of those barriers are associated with the cost of training and putting more people into jobs. “Our full Economic Recovery Plan is aimed at dealing with high levels of unemployment in Alberta, which still r e m a i n s roughly two per cent higher than what it was prior to the pandemic, and even then, we were one of the highest in the country.”” In explaining the plan, he said the objective is to provide a grant worth 25 per cent of a job over a 52-week period that can be used for wage subsidy, onthe-job training or sending
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not-for-profit organization can apply. This includes small, medium or large enterprises, in any sector, anywhere in the province. It is targeted at businesses and organizations that have been operating for at least one year, that are creating new full-time positions for a minimum of one year.” He further explained that the Jobs Now Program is not tied to a reduction in revenues. “If employers have a new job or create a new job and are willing to put 75 per cent of wages on the table, then they can apply for this. The provincial government will put up to 25 per cent to apply to either wage subsidy or training or both (up to a maximum of $25,000).” Copping said the first intake opened last week, and applications will be taken until August 31. “If the employer meets the
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will be paid. There is also the option of applying at the end and getting the full amount.” Eligible employees consist of unemployed, including new graduates and underemployed, those individuals who were laid off or cut back to part time and want to get back into full time. “We are asking businesses to contemplate how to use this program to expand their business, get training to Albertans that they need, and help get them back to work.” Copping added that there is an element of the program that is focusing on those with disabilities. “We recognize that Albertans with disabilities have increased barriers to get into the workforce. As a result of that, the grant associated with this program is 1.5 times greater or 37.5 per cent up to a maximum of $37,500,” he said, adding that the number is higher than the $25,000 because of the costs often associated with setting up a work station for those with disabilities. Copping said he is very optimistic about Alberta’s future. “I recognize that unemployment still remains incredibly high, and we are not out of the woods yet with the pandemic. But what I look forward to, in terms of our recovery, is going to be coming down the pipes in the next couple of months. We are poised for economic success. Many leading economists believe that Alberta will lead both economic and job growth in the country. We have an incredibly strong recovery plan which is getting stronger and, thanks to the input from organizations such as the Chambers and businesses, we will continue to refine that as we go along. “Most importantly, we have an incredibly strong entrepreneurial spirit here in Alberta, and that is largely embodied by the Chamber and your businesses. Just on that alone, I look forward to saying we will come out of this, and will come out of this stronger.” On a final note, he asked the Chamber and members to continue to identify and send in ideas on how to reduce red tape and reduce the cost of doing business. “Because at the end of the day, we want our businesses to be competitive, in a position of growth, and create jobs for Albertans.” For complete details on the Alberta Jobs Now program, visit the Province of Alberta website at www. alberta.ca/alberta-jobsnow-program.aspx.
hat we heard from Chambers and businesses is there are a number of barriers to creating jobs, and some of those barriers are associated with the cost of training and putting more people into jobs.” criteria as outlined, they could be approved. Then they will need to go out and hire someone and, at the three-month mark, apply for 50 per cent of the grant, and at the 12-month mark, the other 50 per cent
