McNeil takes aim at changes to Canada Job Grant program
Posted Feb 19, 2014 06:24:05 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
HALIFAX – Nova Scotia’s premier has added his name to the list of premiers criticizing Ottawa’s proposed changes to the Canada Job Grant.
Stephen McNeil says the changes announced earlier this month in the federal budget will harm provincial literacy programs and won’t work for businesses in the province.
The proposed grant initially offered 15-thousand dollars for each eligible worker to be divided equally among Ottawa, the provinces and employers.
But Ottawa has faced intense criticism that the program would siphon federal cash from existing provincially run programs for youth, aboriginals and disabled workers.
The federal government has since said it will cover the provincial share and deliver the program on its own if it can’t reach a deal with the provinces by April 1st.
Ontario, Alberta and the other Atlantic premiers have all expressed varying reservations about the proposed program.
McNeil says Nova Scotia can’t afford to pick up the fiscal slack if Ottawa reduces its support for certain programs.
