Report from Parliament's Hill - July 16th, 2009
By Prince George - Peace River M.P. Jay Hill
Thursday, July 16, 2009 03:46 AM
“News to Know: Apprenticeship Completion Grants and Olympics Opportunities”
It’s time to update you on some opportunities and news that you may wish to research and explore over the summer weeks.
Applications are now being accepted for the Apprenticeship Completion Grant, a cash grant of $2,000 for registered apprentices who successfully complete their apprenticeship training and obtain journeyperson certification in a designated Red Seal trade on or after January 1, 2009. The ACG was introduced in Budget 2009 as part of our Conservative Government’s Economic Action Plan.
The ACG complements the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, which our Government introduced in Budget 2006, encouraging Canadians to pursue careers in the skilled trades. Unfortunately, despite higher general unemployment rates arising from the global recession, shortages in the skilled trades continue to persist.
To find out if you’re eligible or for more information, go to www.hrsdc.gc.ca, call: 1-866-742-3644, or contact your local Service Canada office.
Two other items also introduced in our Economic Action Plan took effect on July 1st. The National Child Benefit Supplement (NCBS) and Canada Child Tax Benefit provide targeted tax benefits for low-income families with children. The thresholds at which they start to be phased-out has now been raised to $23,710 and $40,726 respectively.
These new thresholds mean that eligible families with two children will receive additional benefits of up to $436 a year starting in July 2009.
We are reducing taxes for Canadians from all walks of life and, in particular, for low and middle-income earners, families and seniors. When we reduce the tax burden on Canadians, they are able to spend this money on their families’ priorities. This also helps stimulate the economy and create jobs.
Olympic Opportunities
This is the best opportunity BC residents will ever have to become involved in an Olympic event. If you are interested in taking part in the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Vancouver-Whistler, there are many employment and volunteer opportunities to explore.
You can imagine the workforce required to run a successful international event of this magnitude, and the Vancouver 2010 organizers require everything from shuttle bus drivers to administrative assistants to operations managers and protocol coordinators.
Volunteer opportunities are another way to participate and you could be part of a team of 25,000 that is welcoming the world to Canada. There are positions available at the opening, closing and victory ceremonies. Also required are pre-game volunteers and those to help out during sports events.
You may also wish to find out more about the Olympic Torch Relay, which is coming to Prince George-Peace River in late January and early February. Prince George, Dawson Creek, Fort St. John and Fort Nelson have been selected as “Celebration Communities” where events will be held. In between, you can follow the Torch Relay along its route through “Torch Communities” including McBride, Mackenzie, Chetwynd, Hudson’s Hope and Tumbler Ridge.
For information on all Olympics-related news, go to the official Vancouver-Whistler 2010 website at: www.vancouver2010.com.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please call my office at 1-800-661-1183 or visit www.jayhillmp.com.
Previous Story - Next Story
Email
Print
Facebook
Twitter
Digg
Del.icio.usReturn to Home
