Beamsville – Dalton McGuinty issued notice on January 20 to the Niagara West Employment & Learning Resource Centre that funding for its employment services would be cut.

This cut to services will eliminate popular programs such as their Job Finding Club and the Marketing Maturity program, intended for job seekers over the age of 40.

The McGuinty Government’s decision to cut $200,000 in annual funding to West Niagara’s only employment support centre has left area residents with no local access to much needed employment support services. Area residents will now be forced to travel to either Hamilton or St. Catharines to access these much needed programs.

This decision is a severe blow to West Niagara residents whose unemployment rates are at 10.8%, one of worst in Canada.

QUOTES:

"Dalton McGuinty's record of billion dollar boondoggles and economic mismanagement has cost hundreds of thousands of jobs in Ontario. Slashing much needed employment support at the Niagara West Employment Learning Centre shows that Dalton McGuinty is out of touch with Ontario families that need jobs.
-- Tim Hudak, MPP Niagara West – Glanbrook

“Dalton McGuinty's job-killing economic policies have hurt West Niagara to the point where too many residents can’t find a job and they now can’t get help in their search for employment. Laid-off workers are left fending for themselves for training and job prospects."
-- Tim Hudak, MPP Niagara West – Glanbrook

QUICK FACTS:

* The Niagara West Employment & Learning Resource Centre has been offering job seeking programs to the communities of Pelham, Lincoln, West Lincoln, Grimsby and Upper Stoney Creek for the past 10 years.

* West Niagara’s unemployment rate is 10.8%, compared to 9.3% across Ontario and 8.5% nationally.