(PHOTO: Employment, Workforce Development and Labour Minister MaryAnn Mihychuk announces extension of Work Share program at Heavy North in Fort McMurray April 27, 2016. Photo courtesy Krista Balsom.)
The federal government is encouraging local businesses to take advantage of the now-extended Work Share program which allows businesses to have employees work just two or three days a week and those employees would receive EI benefits to cover the other days for up to 76 weeks.
MaryAnn Mihychuk, the federal minister of employment, workforce development and labour, was in Fort McMurray at Heavy North Wednesday morning to announce the length of time businesses are eligible for the program has been doubled from 38 weeks to 76. She was also in town to engage with local businesses who may be the best served by the program considering the impact of the economic downturn.
“Fort Mac, you’re not using the program enough,” said Mihychuk. “Small companies, have a look at it, see if it will work for you. We have invited companies to have a look at the program.”
It is designed to help predominantly small- to medium-sized businesses survive the difficult times, according to Mihychuk, particularly those in the service sector that are seeing a reduction in their clientele base because the production companies aren’t needing their services to the same extent.
“Unemployment insurance will help the people for one, two, up to three days a week and you’re able to keep the best people and, hopefully, diversify. Make your company, instead of working directly for a resource company you may try and do something else to get through these tough times,” said Mihychuk.
The program is applicable across the country because there were a lot of companies supporting the operations of resource-driven operations. It is designed to help the company but also ensures the employee keeps their job, even if it means working part time.
Mihychuk said the program would likely look different for any company that applied for it because each company is facing its own challenges.
“It’s basically a needs-based program, so if you found that you needed to do it for 100 per cent of your workforce we would be willing to negotiate with you to see if that was your need and we’ll try to help you succeed,” she said.
Employees pegged for the program would have to be EI eligible and would only receive the EI payments for the days they’re not working, not their full wage. Despite that, Mihychuk said employees are generally on board with the idea.
“Because it’s either a layoff because the company must close down or take this opportunity,” she said.
To be eligible the company must have been in existence for more than two years and apply through Service Canada.
While she was in Fort McMurray, Mihychuk visited the Wood Buffalo Métis and attended a meeting at the cabin of McMurray Métis Board member Harvey Sykes. The cabin is the sole remaining trapper’s cabin in downtown Fort McMurray and serves as the unofficial heart and soul of the McMurray Métis community, as years of development have displaced the majority of Métis families who originally called Waterways home.
“I was so pleased to host a Minister of the Federal Government in my home,” said Sykes “it was a wonderful opportunity to show her how the Métis lived.” The cabin itself is completely off the grid and the interior remains largely unchanged from when Harvey was first brought there the day he was born in 1952. Surrounded by antiques and traditional trapping tools and instruments, Minister Mihychuk was treated to an authentic Métis experience that included a smudging ceremony and traditionally dried fish.
“As it happens, the Minister’s visit fell on my birthday. What a wonderful gift,” said Sykes.
The Wood Buffalo Métis are a collective of four Métis locals in the RMWB; Fort Chipewyan Metis, McKay Metis, McMurray Métis and Conklin Metis. Together they represent the Métis of North East Alberta. “After the Daniel’s decision which granted Canada’s over 200,000 Métis full Indian status under the constitution, there sure was a lot to talk about” said McMurray Métis Vice President Bill Loutitt. “We are entering a new era of nation-to-nation relationship with the Federal Government.”
In the mandate letter that Prime Minister Trudeau sent to all of his Ministers, he tasked Minister Mihychuk with working with the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs to renew and improve the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy.
Mihychuk said she is working with local companies, particularly the major oilsands players, to ensure people living in Fort McMurray get the chance to be part of the operation.
“If we need to do some intense training and get people up to whatever the skill needs are, give me a call, we’ll make that happen so that locals get the first chance at these jobs,” she said.
As a geologist she said she has been very impressed with the innovations happening in the mining operations in Fort McMurray and said it’s a fantastic operation.
