ARCHIVED - Human Resources and Social Development Canada

Strategic Outcome: A skilled, adaptable and inclusive labour force and an efficient labour market

Program Activity: Skills and Employment

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy

Start date: April 1, 1999

End date: March 31, 2010 (See *Note)

Description:

Transfer payments made under the Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy are predominantly in the form of contributions to Aboriginal organizations. The Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy provides support to Aboriginal organizations to design and deliver:

• Labour market development programs to assist Aboriginal people, including Aboriginal persons with disabilities, prepare for, obtain, and maintain meaningful and sustainable employment;
• Special programs to assist Aboriginal Youth make successful transitions from school to work or to support their return to school; and
• Child care programs.

Expected results:

To support Aboriginal organizations to develop and implement labour market, youth and child care programs that are designed to address the local and regional needs of Aboriginal peoples. This programming will:

• Assist Aboriginal individuals to prepare for, obtain and maintain employment, thereby resulting in savings to income support programs;
• Assist Aboriginal youth (a person normally from 15 to 30 years of age) in preparing for, obtaining and maintaining employment and in making a successful transition into the labour market, thereby resulting in increased employment; and
• Increase the supply of quality child care services in First Nations and Inuit communities, thereby raising the availability of distinct and diverse services in these communities to a level comparable to that of the general population.

Program Activity: Skills and Employment
($ millions)

	Forecast Spending 2008-2009	Planned Spending 2009-2010	Planned Spending 2010-2011	Planned Spending 2011-2012
Total grants
Total contributions	249.9	248.4	223.1	223.1
Total other types of transfer payments
Total Transfer payments	249.9	248.4	223.1	223.1

Planned evaluations:

The formative and summative evaluations reports will be presented to the Departmental Evaluation Committee in Summer 2009. A summative evaluation is planned for 2011-2012.

*Note: One year transition fund will be provided after this date, while the successor program will be developed.

Strategic Outcome: A skilled, adaptable and inclusive labour force and an efficient labour market

Program Activity: Skills and Employment

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership

Start date: October 3, 2003

End date: March 31, 2012

Description:

The Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership initiative is a targeted Aboriginal skills development program designed to promote maximum employment for Aboriginal people on major economic developments through a collaborative partnership approach. It is designed to address a broad spectrum of skills and learning needs and provide access to jobs.

Expected results:

The overall objectives of the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership initiative:

• Sustainable employment for Aboriginal people leading to lasting benefits for Aboriginal communities, families and individuals;
• Promote maximum employment for Aboriginal people on major economic developments through a collaborative partnership approach;
• Increased skill levels in the Aboriginal workforce;
• Increased direct and indirect employment for Aboriginals across Canada;
• Decreased Aboriginal unemployment and dependency on social assistance;
• Improved skill levels (i.e. literacy, numeracy, computer skills, post-secondary certification);
• Increased Aboriginal business opportunities;
• A more diversified workforce within communities.

Program Activity: Skills and Employment
($ millions)

	Forecast Spending 2008-2009	Planned Spending 2009-2010	Planned Spending 2010-2011	Planned Spending 2011-2012
Total grants
Total contributions	25.2	43.8	88.0	42.2
Total other types of transfer payments
Total Transfer payments	25.2	43.8	88.0	42.2

Planned evaluations:

The formative and summative evaluation final reports will be presented to the Departmental Evaluation Committee in Spring 2009.

Strategic Outcome: A skilled, adaptable and inclusive labour force and an efficient labour market

Program Activity: Skills and Employment

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Youth Employment Strategy

Start date: April 1, 2003

End date: Ongoing

Description:

Transfer payments made under the Youth Employment Strategy are predominantly in the form of contributions from participating departments for wage subsidies for participant youth; or for the development and delivery of youth support services. Such support services include client assessment, case management services and the provision of employability tools, which intend to help participants acquire needed skills. Transfer payments contribute directly to the program objectives by encouraging organizations to create meaningful, skill-enhancing, opportunities for youth.

Expected results:

• Creation of employment and service initiatives for youth through partnerships with business, labour, industry, not-for-profit and voluntary organizations, Aboriginal and rural remote communities, and other levels of government.
• The common key results commitments for all initiatives receiving funding under the Youth Employment Strategy are:
  • Youth clients will be served through work experiences or tailored interventions; and
  • A portion of youth participants will return to school to further their education/skills development and/or become employed or self-employed.

Program Activity: Skills and Employment
($ millions)

	Forecast Spending 2008-2009	Planned Spending 2009-2010	Planned Spending 2010-2011	Planned Spending 2011-2012
Total grants	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1
Total contributions	239.5	236.7	249.5	239.5
Total other types of transfer payments
Total Transfer payments	239.6	236.8	249.6	239.6

Planned evaluations:

The summative evaluation final report will be presented to the Departmental Evaluation Committee in Summer 2009.

Strategic Outcome: A skilled, adaptable and inclusive labour force and an efficient labour market

Program Activity: Skills and Employment

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Targeted Initiative for Older Workers

Start date: October 17, 2006

End date: March 31, 2012

Description:

The Targeted Initiative for Older Workers is a federal-provincial/territorial cost-shared initiative providing support to unemployed older workers in communities affected by significant downsizing or closures, and/or ongoing high unemployment, through programming aimed at reintegrating them into employment. In situations where there is little likelihood of immediate employment, programming may be aimed at increasing the employability of older workers and ensuring they remain active and productive labour market participants while their communities undergo adjustment.

Provinces and territories are responsible for identifying affected communities to target for activities, design and delivery of projects, and monitoring and reporting on projects.

To be eligible to participate in the Initiative, older workers must be unemployed, legally entitled to work in Canada, lack skills needed for successful integration into new employment, live in an eligible community, and normally be aged 55-64.

Projects must include employment assistance activities, such as résumé writing, interview techniques, counselling and job finding clubs, and at least two other employability improvement activities such as prior learning assessment, skills training, work experience, or assistance to start a small business. As well, they must offer income support to participants in the form of allowances, wages or wage subsidies, and involve at least 25 hours per week of activity for participants.

Where possible and appropriate, activities will support community economic development strategies and activities. As an example, skills development activities may prepare participants for emerging employment opportunities. Projects may not be funded in cities or towns with a population greater than 250,000.

Expected results:

The shared outcomes of partners are to help unemployed older workers reintegrate into employment. Where there is little likelihood of immediate employment, outcomes would be to increase their employability, and assist them to remain active and productive in the labour market while their communities undergo adjustment.

Program Activity: Skills and Employment
($ millions)

	Forecast Spending 2008-2009	Planned Spending 2009-2010	Planned Spending 2010-2011	Planned Spending 2011-2012
Total grants
Total contributions	23.1	56.6	48.4	48.8
Total other types of transfer payments
Total Transfer payments	23.1	56.6	48.4	48.8

Planned evaluations:

The formative evaluation final report will be presented to the Departmental Evaluation Committee in Fall 2009.
The summative evaluation is planned for 2010-2011.

Strategic Outcome: A skilled, adaptable and inclusive labour force and an efficient labour market

Program Activity: Skills and Employment

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Enabling Fund for Official Language Minority Communities

Start date: April 1, 2005

End date: March 31, 2013

Description:

The objective of the Enabling Fund is to enhance the development and vitality of the official language minority communities by strengthening capacity in the areas of community economic and human resource development and by promoting partnerships at all levels. The Enabling Fund provides funding to Official Language Minority Communities designated organizations, the Réseaux de développement économique et d'employabilité and Community Economic Development and Employability Committees through contribution agreements, so that these organizations can plan, develop and manage community projects and access additional funding for these projects.

Contributions can be made under the Enabling Fund for the Official Language Minority Communities to support activities such as:

• Meeting of the National Committees to develop strategic joint plans and manage implementation;
• Holding meetings to share information and coordinate activities;
• Coordinate research on socio-economics in Official Language Minority Communities; and
• Market/Promote the Enabling Fund Program.

Expected results:

• Contribution recipients are informed and contribute to knowledge building and program/policy issues;
• Knowledge shared among federal partners, contribution recipients and Official Language Minority Communities
• Ongoing integration of Official Language Minority Community - economic and human resources issues in government’s policy/program development;
• Contribution recipients continue to develop and implement effective community plans and projects with concrete results; and
• Contribute to sustainable collaboration across federal institutions and with Official Language Minority Community stakeholders

Program Activity: Skills and Employment
($ millions)

	Forecast Spending 2008-2009	Planned Spending 2009-2010	Planned Spending 2010-2011	Planned Spending 2011-2012
Total grants
Total contributions	12.0	12.0	12.0	12.0
Total other types of transfer payments
Total Transfer payments	12.0	12.0	12.0	12.0

Planned evaluations:

The formative evaluation completed final report will be presented to the Departmental Evaluation Committee in Summer 2009. A summative evaluation is planned for completion in 2010-2011.

Strategic Outcome: A skilled, adaptable and inclusive labour force and an efficient labour market

Program Activity: Skills and Employment

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities

Start date: April 1, 2004

End date: Ongoing

Description:

Under the Multilateral Framework for Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities, transfers to provinces are made as ‘other transfer payments’. The Government of Canada contributes 50 percent of the costs incurred by provinces for funded programs and services up to the amount of the federal allocation identified in each bilateral agreement.

Expected results:

The goal of the Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities is to improve the employment situation of Canadians with disabilities, by enhancing their employability, increasing the employment opportunities available to them, and building on their existing knowledge base.

Reporting under the Agreements will include selected societal indicators (employment income, educational attainment and employment rate of working age people with disabilities) and the following program indicators:

• number of participants in programs and services;
• number of participants completing a program or service where there is a specific start and end point to the intervention; and
• number of participants who were assisted in obtaining and maintaining employment where the program or service supported the activity.

Program Activity: Skills and Employment
($ millions)

	Forecast Spending 2008-2009	Planned Spending 2009-2010	Planned Spending 2010-2011	Planned Spending 2011-2012
Total grants
Total contributions
Total other types of transfer payments	222.0	217.1	222.0	222.0
Total Transfer payments	222.0	217.1	222.0	222.0

Planned evaluations:

The evaluation report of the Labour Market Agreement for Persons with Disabilities Manitoba will be presented to the Departmental Evaluation Committee in Summer 2009.

Strategic Outcome: A skilled, adaptable and inclusive labour force and an efficient labour market

Program Activity: Skills and Employment

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities

Start date: April 1, 2007

End date: Ongoing

Description:

Transfer payments made under the Opportunities Fund are in the form of contribution agreements to individuals, businesses, not-for-profit organizations and other levels of government. Transfer payments contribute directly to the program objectives by assisting unemployed persons with disabilities who are not normally eligible for Employment Insurance Part II Employment Programs to find, prepare for and maintain employment or become self-employed. Effective and innovative activities are supported, but not limited to, the following:

• encouraging employers to provide individuals with work opportunities and experience;
• working in partnership with organizations for people with disabilities to address barriers to an individual's labour market participation;
• helping individuals increase their employment skill level; and
• helping individuals to start their own business.

For more information about this program, please visit
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/disability_issues/funding_programs/opportunities_fund/index.shtml

Expected results:

• People with disabilities have enhanced their employability by completing an Opportunities Fund intervention;
• People with disabilities obtained employment or self-employment or sought further skills upgrading following Opportunities Fund programming; and
• People with disabilities have increased earned income levels and reduced their dependence on passive income support.

Program Activity: Skills and Employment
($ millions)

	Forecast Spending 2008-2009	Planned Spending 2009-2010	Planned Spending 2010-2011	Planned Spending 2011-2012
Total grants
Total contributions	26.8	26.7	26.8	26.8
Total other types of transfer payments
Total Transfer payments	26.8	26.7	26.8	26.8

Planned evaluations:

The summative evaluation final report will be presented to the Departmental Evaluation Committee by Summer 2009.

Strategic Outcome: A skilled, adaptable and inclusive labour force and an efficient labour market

Program Activity: Skills and Employment

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Labour Market Agreements

Start date: April 1, 2008

End date: March 31, 2014

Description:

In Advantage Canada, the Government of Canada set out the goal to create "the best educated, most skilled and most flexible workforce in the world." In Budget 2007, the Government of Canada delivered on this commitment through a New Labour Market Architecture, which included new, six-year bilateral Labour Market Agreements with the provinces and territories supported by $500M / year of new federal investments to address key labour market challenges at local and regional levels. Labour Market Agreements have been signed with 9 provinces as of September 2008, and these provinces are proceeding with implementation in 2008-2009.

The Labour Market Agreements are intended to increase labour force participation of under-represented groups, ensure that Canadians have the right skills to compete, and encourage employers to provide more training to their workers. The Labour Market Agreements will provide labour market training to unemployed Canadians who are not eligible for Employment Insurance and therefore unable to access programs under Part II of the Employment Insurance Act. In addition to Employment Insurance eligible unemployed, the Labour Market Agreements will also be available to workers with low skills, including those who lack literacy and essential skills.

In response to the global economic downturn, Budget 2009 announced additional support for workers through the new Strategic Training and Investment Fund, $500M over two years to be administered through Labour Market Agreements and $1B over two years in additional funds to flow through Labour Market Development Agreements.

Expected results:

The Labour Market Agreements include a robust accountability framework to allow the Government of Canada to measure results against policy objectives and demonstrate value for money to Canadians. Reporting under the Agreements will include following indicators:

Eligible Client indicators:

• Total number of eligible clients served/in training by employment status (employed, unemployed, self-employed);
• Education level of eligible clients prior to intervention;
• Number of eligible clients served in an intervention by designated client group (Aboriginal peoples, immigrants, older workers, persons with disabilities, women, and youth).

Service Delivery Indicators:

• Number of Eligible Clients participating in interventions by intervention type;
• Proportion of Eligible Clients "satisfied" with service received upon completion of the intervention.

Eligible Client Outcome and Impact Indicators:

• Proportion of Eligible Clients who have completed their intervention, by intervention type;
• Proportion of Eligible Clients 3 months and 12 months after leaving the intervention;
• Number of Eligible Clients who have earned credentials or certification through participation in the intervention;
• Average hourly earnings of Eligible Clients following the intervention;
• Proportion of Eligible Clients who, 3 months and 12 months after leaving the intervention, indicate their training helped prepare them for future employment.

Program Activity: Skills and Employment
($ millions)

	Forecast Spending 2008-2009	Planned Spending 2009-2010	Planned Spending 2010-2011	Planned Spending 2011-2012
Total grants
Total contributions
Total other types of transfer payments	483.0	501.3	505.9	505.7
Total Transfer payments	483.0	501.3	505.9	505.7

Planned evaluations:

Planning in progress – timelines for evaluation studies to be determined.

Strategic Outcome: A skilled, adaptable and inclusive labour force and an efficient labour market

Program Activity: Skills and Employment

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Sector Council Program

Start date: April 1, 2002

End date: Ongoing

Description:

Sector Councils are formal, national partnerships of businesses and workers that address human resources and workplace skills development on a sectoral basis (“Sectoral” refers to a defined area of economic activity, as in a sector of the Canadian economy). Since there are many sectors of the economy that are not defined in pure industrial terms, the term “sectoral” is the encompassing term used to represent those economic sectors of the Canadian economy in which sector councils work). Contribution payments under the Sector Council Program support infrastructure, as well as research and project based activities proposed by Sector Councils and other national organizations (sector-like) working on skills and learning issues.

Sector Council Program supports sector council activities that include:

• Labour market forecasting and analysis;
• National occupational standards;
• Curriculum tailored to industry needs;
• Skills development tools, including e-learning;
• Literacy and essential skills initiatives;
• Integration of foreign trained workers; and
• Targeted recruitment and retention initiatives.

Expected results:

In the short-term, the Sector Council Program and Sector Councils will continue to work in partnership in order to:

• develop new and innovative solutions to human resources and skills issues by
  • increasing understanding of skills, occupational needs and labour market issues;
  • increasing availability and use of products and services to help industry address their HR issues;
  • enhancing labour market transition (facilitating labour market entry and career progression); and
  • Increased industry investments in skills development to promote a quality workforce.
• address current and emerging skills and HR issues by:
  • increasing sectoral capacity - by sharing best practices and innovative ideas between councils and across sectors and industries;
  • encouraging learning systems to be more responsive to the labour market - by developing curricula that reflects the skills and competencies required by employers in Canada's labour market ; and,
  • promoting the workplace as a learning place - by encouraging employers to increase investments in workplace learning for their employees.

Program Activity: Skills and Employment
($ millions)

	Forecast Spending 2008-2009	Planned Spending 2009-2010	Planned Spending 2010-2011	Planned Spending 2011-2012
Total grants
Total contributions	28.3	27.0	28.7	27.4
Total other types of transfer payments
Total Transfer payments	28.3	27.0	28.7	27.4

Planned evaluations:

The summative evaluation final report will be presented to the Departmental Evaluation Committee in Spring 2009. A summative evaluation is also planned for 2011-2012.

Strategic Outcome: A skilled, adaptable and inclusive labour force and an efficient labour market

Program Activity: Skills and Employment

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Apprenticeship Incentive Grant

Start date: January 1, 2007

End date: Ongoing

Description:

The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant aims to promote access to apprenticeships and improve labour mobility by providing a $1,000 grant to registered apprentices in the Red Seal trades. This taxable cash grant is designed to reward advancement in the first two years of an apprenticeship program in one of the Red Seal trades, building momentum for apprentices to complete their programs and receive their Red Seal endorsement. Registered apprentices who completed their first or second year of their apprenticeship program in a Red Seal trade designated in the province/territory where they are registered as an apprentice, on or after January 1, 2007, are eligible to apply.

The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant provides an incentive for more Canadians to pursue apprenticeships and, taken together with the Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit for employers and the Tradesperson’s Tool Deduction, is intended to meet the future need for skilled trades people that is crucial to the sustained growth of the economy. By focusing on the Red Seal trades, for which there are national occupational and training standards, the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant will also support inter-provincial mobility.

Expected results:

The Grant has been designed to meet the following objectives:

• To increase access to apprenticeships in the Red Seal Program trades by helping apprentices to cover expenses such as the purchase of tools and other materials required for learning on-the-job and travel expenses associated with classroom training;
• To encourage the apprentice's progression through the technical and on-the-job training requirements in the early years of their apprenticeship program, thus building the momentum towards certification; and
• To promote inter-provincial mobility by increasing the number of apprentices remaining in the Red Seal trades and getting their Red Seal.

Program Activity: Skills and Employment
($ millions)

	Forecast Spending 2008-2009	Planned Spending 2009-2010	Planned Spending 2010-2011	Planned Spending 2011-2012
Total grants	99.0	62.4	113.0	113.0
Total contributions
Total other types of transfer payments
Total Transfer payments	99.0	62.4	113.0	113.0

Planned evaluations:

The formative evaluation final report will be presented to the Departmental Evaluation Committee in Summer 2009. A summative evaluation is planned for 2010-2011.

Strategic Outcome: A skilled, adaptable and inclusive labour force and an efficient labour market

Program Activity: Skills and Employment

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Literacy and Essential Skills

Start date: April 1, 2006

End date: March 31, 2011

Description:

The Office of Literacy and Essential Skills works to improve the literacy and essential skills of adult Canadians. The Office of Literacy and Essential Skills has a particular focus on the workplace since research has shown that the majority of Canadians with low literacy and essential skills are already in the labour market. The Office of Literacy and Essential Skills also recognizes that workplaces, communities and families are interconnected and that strengthening literacy and essential skills in one area of an individual’s life will have an effect in all areas.

The Office of Literacy and Essential Skills develops and maintains partnerships within Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, with other federal departments, provincial and territorial governments, employers, industry and community organizations, playing an indirect role by:

• Influencing the policies and activities of others; and
• Leveraging funding to improve opportunities for adults.

The Office of Literacy and Essential Skills does this through three business lines:

1. Knowledge generation – understanding what works
2. Tool development – practical tools and supports
3. Outreach – dissemination of expertise

The Office of Literacy and Essential Skills delivers the Adult Learning, Literacy and Essential Skills Program, a non-statutory Grants and Contributions program funded through the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which promotes lifelong learning by facilitating the creation of opportunities for Canadians to acquire the learning, literacy and essential skills they need to participate in a knowledge-based economy and society.

Expected results:

The expected ultimate outcomes of the Office of Literacy and Essential Skills are:

• Adult Canadians have the literacy and essential skills they need to get a job;
• Adult Canadians have the literacy and essential skills they need to adapt and succeed in the labour market;
• Adult Canadians have the literacy and essential skills they need to contribute to their communities and families.

The expected intermediate outcomes are:

• Literacy and essential skills are integrated into federal programs and policies;
• Literacy and essential skills are integrated into training;
• Partners’ policies and programs address literacy and essential skills needs.

The expected direct outcomes are:

• The importance of literacy and essential skills integration into programs and policies is understood.
• Literacy and essential skills tools and supports are available and used by those who need them.
• Partners have the capacity to address literacy and essential skills issues.

Program Activity: Skills and Employment
($ millions)

	Forecast Spending 2008-2009	Planned Spending 2009-2010	Planned Spending 2010-2011	Planned Spending 2011-2012
Total grants	24.9	20.7	21.8	20.6
Total contributions	4.1	5.6	3.2	0.9
Total other types of transfer payments
Total Transfer payments	29.0	26.3	25.0	21.5

Planned evaluations:

The formative evaluation final report will be presented to the Departmental Evaluation Committee in Fall 2009. A summative evaluation is planned for 2010-2011.

Strategic Outcome: A skilled, adaptable and inclusive labour force and an efficient labour market

Program Activity: Skills and Employment

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Workplace Skills Initiative

Start date: May 1, 2005

End date: March 31, 2011

Description:

The Innovation Initiative will fund projects that test and evaluate promising, partnership-based, outcomes-focused approaches to skills development, human resource practices and tools for employers and employed Canadians:

• Central to these projects is the development of human capital in and for the workplace ;
• Projects will vary in scope and scale (e.g., firm vs. sector) ;
• Small- and medium-sized enterprises will be a key audience ;
• Projects will generate cumulative knowledge around skills development and best human resources models, tools and practices

Expected results:

The Innovation Initiative is expected to contribute towards:

• Increased awareness among workplace partners across Canada of the Innovation Initiative and the importance of workplace skills;
• Increased collaboration among workplace partners toward the development of models, tools and instruments for workplace skills;
• Increased knowledge, innovation, experimentation and dissemination of models, tools and instruments for workplace skills among workplace partners.

Program Activity: Skills and Employment
($ millions)

	Forecast Spending 2008-2009	Planned Spending 2009-2010	Planned Spending 2010-2011	Planned Spending 2011-2012
Total grants
Total contributions	30.0	12.6	0.0	0.0
Total other types of transfer payments
Total Transfer payments	30.0	12.6	0.0	0.0

Planned evaluations:

The summative evaluation final report will be presented to the Departmental Evaluation Committee in Fall 2009.

Strategic Outcome: A skilled, adaptable and inclusive labour force and an efficient labour market

Program Activity: Skills and Employment

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Foreign Credential Recognition Program

Start date: January 02, 2003

End date: May 25, 2010

Description:

The Foreign Credential Recognition Program provides financial and strategic support to provincial and territorial partners and stakeholders, including Sector Councils, regulatory bodies, immigrant serving organizations and post-secondary educational institutions, to develop a pan-Canadian approach to assessing and recognizing foreign credentials within targeted occupations and sectors of the economy to facilitate entry into, and mobility within, the Canadian labour market.

The Foreign Credential Recognition Program supports the research and project-based activities of partners and stakeholders to develop tools and processes to assess and recognize foreign credentials in targeted occupations and sectors. The Program's work forms the cornerstone of the federal government's contribution towards the First Ministers' commitment to develop a common assessment and recognition framework on foreign qualification recognition across Canada.

The goal of the program is to deliver on its mandate of improving the labour market outcomes of internationally trained workers in targeted occupations and sectors.

Expected results:

The Foreign Credential Recognition program will support the development of consistent, transparent, fair and rigorous foreign credential assessment and recognition processes to enhance labour market outcomes of foreign-trained individuals in targeted occupations and sectors. In the short-term, the Program will work in partnership to:

• increase the understanding, consensus collaboration and commitment among stakeholders and partners on issues and potential solutions related to foreign credential recognition;
• increase the promotion knowledge sharing and transfer of best practices in developing Pan-Canadian processes; and
• enhance national coordination among stakeholders and partnership of foreign credential recognition.

In the medium and long-term, the program will work in partnership to

• increase the standardization of Pan-Canadian Foreign credential recognition processes and tools in targeted occupations and sectors;
• increase the availability of tools and processes to assess and recognize foreign credentials among relevant organizations;
• increase the use of tools and processes by relevant organizations to assess and recognize foreign trained individuals, resulting from efforts of the foreign credential recognition program; and
• reduce the barriers to entry into the labour market by foreign trained individuals in targeted occupations and sectors.

The program will work with partners and stakeholders to achieve these short, medium and long-term outcomes in order to meet its ultimate objective of enhancing labour market outcomes of foreign trained individuals in targeted occupations and sectors.

Program Activity: Skills and Employment
($ millions)

	Forecast Spending 2008-2009	Planned Spending 2009-2010	Planned Spending 2010-2011	Planned Spending 2011-2012
Total grants
Total contributions	14.5	28.5	25.7	25.9
Total other types of transfer payments
Total Transfer payments	14.5	28.5	25.7	25.9

Planned evaluations:

The summative evaluation final report will be presented to the Departmental Evaluation Committee in Summer 2009.

Strategic Outcome: A skilled, adaptable and inclusive labour force and an efficient labour market

Program Activity: Learning

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Canada Student Loans Program - Liabilities

Start date: September, 1964

End date: Ongoing

Description: From September 1964 to August 1, 1995, the Canada Student Loan Program operated a Guaranteed Loan regime with Canadian financial institutions, where financial assistance was provided to students through financial institutions in the form of 100 percent government guaranteed loans.

This transfer payment tracks claims submitted by financial institutions related to the remaining Guaranteed Loan Portfolio.

Expected results:

• Track claim payments to financial institutions for the remaining balance of the portfolio.
• Canada meets its obligations as set out under the Canada Student Loans Act in agreements with financial institutions.

Program Activity: Learning
($ millions)

	Forecast Spending 2008-2009	Planned Spending 2009-2010	Planned Spending 2010-2011	Planned Spending 2011-2012
Total grants
Total contributions	7.5	4.6	3.2	2.0
Total other types of transfer payments
Total Transfer payments	7.5	4.6	3.2	2.0

Planned evaluations: Canada Student Loans Program synthesis evaluation planned for 2010-2011.

Strategic Outcome: A skilled, adaptable and inclusive labour force and an efficient labour market

Program Activity: Learning

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Canada Student Loans Program – Interest Payments and Liabilities

Start date: August 1, 1995

End date: Ongoing

Description: Consolidated Cost of the Risk Shared Loans. This transfer payment represents interest subsidy, repayment assistance benefits, the amount of loans forgiven, risk premium and put-backs and administrative costs related to students who borrowed under the risk-shared regime which existed from August 1, 1995 to July 31, 2000. At that time, the Canada Student Loans Program operated on a shared risk model with Canadian financial institutions.

Expected results:

• As a result of this transfer payment, students who borrowed under the risk-shared regime continue to receive in-study student financial assistance and debt management assistance in repayment.
• Canada meets its obligations as set out under the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act in agreements with financial institutions.

Program Activity: Learning
($ millions)

	Forecast Spending 2008-2009	Planned Spending 2009-2010	Planned Spending 2010-2011	Planned Spending 2011-2012
Total grants
Total contributions	32.7	31.9	18.0	10.2
Total other types of transfer payments
Total Transfer payments	32.7	31.9	18.0	10.2

Planned evaluations:
Canada Student Loans Program synthesis evaluation planned for 2010-2011.

Strategic Outcome: A skilled, adaptable and inclusive labour force and an efficient labour market

Program Activity: Learning

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Canada Student Loans Program – Direct Financing Arrangement

Start date: August 1, 2000

End date: Ongoing

Description:

This transfer payment provides alternative payments to non-participating jurisdiction. Provinces and territories may choose not to participate in the Canada Student Loans Program. These provinces and territories receive an alternative payment to assist in the cost of delivering a similar student financial assistance program.

The transfer payment also provides interest relief and debt reduction in repayment benefits to borrowers, and the value of loans forgiven according to prescribed criteria.

Full time student Reservists who interrupt their studies for a deployment on designated operations will not be charged interest or have to start paying back their student loan while they are away from their studies.

It is anticipated that, beginning on August 1, 2009 individual debt measures including interest relief and debt reduction in repayment will be replaced by the comprehensive Repayment Assistance Program. Interest relief and debt reduction recipients will transition into the new Repayment Assistance Program. Interest relief and debt reduction recipients will transition into the new plan. The Repayment Assistance Plan is an optional program for students facing difficulty in meeting their student loan payments.

Expected results:

• Post-secondary education students in the province of Québec, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut continue to access financial assistance similar to the assistance provided to students in those jurisdictions that participate in the Canada Student Loans Program.
• Students in participating jurisdictions with financial difficulty are able to receive repayment benefits.

Program Activity: Learning
($ millions)

	Forecast Spending 2008-2009	Planned Spending 2009-2010	Planned Spending 2010-2011	Planned Spending 2011-2012
Total grants
Total contributions	213.4	219.9	223.8	221.8
Total other types of transfer payments
Total Transfer payments	213.4	219.9	223.8	221.8

Planned evaluations:

Canada Student Loans Program synthesis evaluation planned for 2010-2011.

Strategic Outcome: A skilled, adaptable and inclusive labour force and an efficient labour market

Program Activity: Learning

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Canada Study Grant / Canada Access Grant / Canada Student Grant Program

Start date:
August 1, 1995 (for most Canada Study Grants)
August 1, 2005 (for both Canada Access Grants)
August 1, 2009 (for Canada Student Grant Program)

End date: Ongoing

Description:

Since 1995, the Government of Canada has offered the Canada Study Grant to encourage participation in post-secondary education by providing additional non-repayable assistance and reducing debt.

The Canada Study Grants are designed to address the education-related costs of students with dependants, women in certain doctoral programs, and high-need part-time students, and to accommodate students with permanent disabilities by covering the exceptional education-related costs associated with their disability (such as an interpreter).

In August 2005, the Government of Canada introduced two Canada Access Grants, which provide up-front non-repayable assistance intended to improve access to post-secondary education and reduce financial barriers by reducing students’ assessed need for student loans. It is available for first-time, first year students from low-income families, and full- and part-time students with permanent disabilities.

A student may be eligible to receive a combination of Access and Study Grants, depending on their assessed need.

Beginning on August 1, 2009 Canada Study Grants and Canada Access Grants will be replaced by the new consolidated Canada Student Grant Program. The new program will provide up-front grants to students from low and middle income families. The new Canada Student Grant Program will be simple, transparent, predictable and broad-based, providing certainty and predictability for Canadian families.

The new Canada Student Grant Program will provide students from low and middle-income families with a grant equal to $250 and $100 per month, respectively. Students with permanent disabilities will be eligible for a grant of $2,000 per year and up to $8,000 per year for those with special education needs. Student with children will be eligible for a grant of $200 per month for each child under the age of 12. Students receiving the Canada Millennium Scholarship general bursaries in 2008–2009 will receive transitional grants until they complete or withdraw from their current program of study.

The new Canada Student Grant offers the following major advantages to students and their families:

• Stable and transparent funding, to allow better planning and decision-making
• Availability in all years of a college or undergraduate university program
• Availability on an equal basis across Canada, regardless of where students live
• Provision assistance based on income levels

Expected results:

• Provide non-repayable assistance in an integrated, consistent, and predictable manner across the country
• Enable disadvantaged students to better understand and benefit from Student Financial Assistance
• Better encourage post-secondary education completion, and thereby support the full participation of individuals from disadvantaged groups in the labour market
• Promote access, completion, and equity (by providing enhanced levels of assistance and by targeting more assistance towards lower- and middle-income groups)

Program Activity: Learning
($ millions)

	Forecast Spending 2008-2009	Planned Spending 2009-2010	Planned Spending 2010-2011	Planned Spending 2011-2012
Total grants	161.3	511.5	559.3	574.9
Total contributions
Total other types of transfer payments
Total Transfer payments	161.3	511.5	559.3	574.9

Planned evaluations:

No evaluation planned.

Strategic Outcome: A skilled, adaptable and inclusive labour force and an efficient labour market

Program Activity: Learning

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Canada Education Savings Program – Canada Education Savings Grant and the Canada Learning Bond

Start date: January 1, 1998 (Canada Education Savings Grant)
January 1, 2005 (Canada Learning Bond)

End date: Ongoing

Description:

The Canada Education Savings Program encourages the financing of children’s post-secondary education through savings, from early childhood, in Registered Education Savings Plans. It is comprised of the following statutory initiatives: the Canada Education Savings Grant, which includes a regular matching grant available to all Canadian children, and enhanced grant portions for low- and middle-income families; and the Canada Learning Bond, which is a grant intended for low-income families. The Canada Education Savings Program delivers the Canada Education Savings Grant and the Canada Learning Bond in close collaboration with over 75 Registered Education Savings Plan providers including banks, trust companies, credit unions and scholarship foundations across Canada. Program clients may include parents, grandparents, other relatives or friends, and children in-care agencies saving for the post-secondary education of a child.

The Canada Education Savings Program also administers the Education Savings Community Outreach initiative, a non-statutory program aimed at increasing awareness of the importance of saving for post-secondary education. Its target audience is low income families.

The program’s infrastructure is also used to administer the Alberta Centennial Education Savings Grant on behalf of the Province of Alberta, on a cost recovery basis.

Further information regarding the Canada Education Savings Grant can be found at: http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/learning/education_savings/public/cesg.shtml

Further information regarding the Canada Learning Bond can be found at: http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/learning/education_savings/public/clb.shtml

Expected results:

The expected results and performance indicators of the Canada Education Savings Program are:
Expected Result 1: Canadians with children under 18 years have Registered Education Savings Plan savings.

Performance Indicators

1. Percentage of children under 18 years in the current calendar year who have ever received a Canada Education Savings Program incentive (Canada Education Savings Grant and/or Canada Learning Bond)
2. Percentage of eligible children under 18 from low-income families who have ever received a Canada Learning Bond.
3. Total amount of Registered Education Saving Plan assets.
4. Amount ($) of grants and bonds paid to children in a fiscal year.

Expected Result 2: Families use Registered Education Saving Plan savings to finance their children's post-secondary education.

Performance Indicator:

1. Total amount ($) withdrawn from Registered Education Saving Plan accounts in a calendar year to pay for post-secondary education

Program Activity: Learning
($ millions)

	Forecast Spending 2008-2009	Planned Spending 2009-2010	Planned Spending 2010-2011	Planned Spending 2011-2012
Total grants	670.0	669.0	698.0	698.0
Total contributions	3.6	3.1	3.9	2.4
Total other types of transfer payments
Total Transfer payments	673.6	672.1	701.9	700.4

Planned evaluations:

The formative evaluation final reports will be presented to the Departmental Evaluation Committee in Fall 2009. Summative evaluation studies are planned for 2010-2011.

Strategic Outcome: Safe, fair and productive workplaces and cooperative workplace relations

Program Activity: Labour

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Wage Earner Protection Program

Start date: July, 2008

End date: Ongoing

Description:

The Wage Earner Protection Program Act provides the legislative basis for the Wage Earner Protection Program – a national Program designed to restore wages and vacation pay owing to workers whose employers are declared bankrupt or are subject to receivership under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, up to an amount equalling four weeks maximum insurable earnings under the Employment Insurance Act (currently $3,253). The Program responds to a concern that these workers now recover some or all of their wages owing. Budget 2009 proposed the expansion of the Program to include termination and severance pay in order to provide additional financial support to workers. This will enable a greater number of applicants to qualify for program support and will result in higher average monetary claims, up to the existing cap.

The Wage Earner Protection Program Act part of Bill C-55, which set out a comprehensive reform of Canada’s insolvency laws, including the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act. Passage of Bill C-55 was expedited with unanimous, all-party consent in both Houses of Parliament. The Bill received Royal Assent on November 25, 2005, and became Chapter 47 of the Statutes of Canada, 2005. The Act was subject to technical amendments which were contained in Bill C-12, which received Royal Assent on December 13, 2007. The Act and its Regulations came into force on July 7, 2008. The recent amendments to the program to include coverage for termination and severance pay are included in Bill C-10, an Act to implement certain provisions of the Budget tabled in Parliament on January 27, 2009 and related fiscal measures.

Expected results:

The expected result for this Program continues to be better protection of workers whose employers have been declared bankrupt or are subject to receivership.

Program Activity: Labour
($ millions)

	Forecast Spending 2008-2009	Planned Spending 2009-2010	Planned Spending 2010-2011	Planned Spending 2011-2012
Total grants	31.2	56.2	56.2	31.2
Total contributions
Total other types of transfer payments
Total Transfer payments	31.2	56.2	56.2	31.2

Planned evaluations:

The formative evaluation is planned for 2010-2011.

Strategic Outcome: Income security, access to opportunities and well-being for individuals, families and communities

Program Activity: Income Security

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Old Age Security (statutory payment)

Start date: 1952

End date: Ongoing

Description:

The Old Age Security pension is a monthly benefit available, if applied for, to most Canadians 65 years of age or over. Old Age Security residence requirements must also be met. An applicant's employment history is not a factor in determining eligibility, nor does the applicant need to be retired. Old Age Security pensioners pay federal and provincial income tax. Higher income pensioners also repay part or all of their benefit through the tax system.

Expected results:

Eligible seniors receive a lifetime benefit in recognition of their contribution to Canadian society.

Program Activity: Income Security
($ millions)

	Forecast Spending 2008-2009	Planned Spending 2009-2010	Planned Spending 2010-2011	Planned Spending 2011-2012
Total grants	24,953.0	26,549.0	27,733.0	29,219.0
Total contributions
Total other types of transfer payments
Total Transfer payments	24,953.0	26,549.0	27,733.0	29,219.0

Planned evaluations:

The summative evaluation is expected to be completed in 2010-2011.

Strategic Outcome: Income security, access to opportunities and well-being for individuals, families and communities

Program Activity: Income Security

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Guaranteed Income Supplement (statutory payment)

Start date: 1967

End date: Ongoing

Description:

The Guaranteed Income Supplement is a monthly benefit paid to residents of Canada who receive a basic, full or partial Old Age Security pension and who have little or no income.

Expected results:

Eligible low income seniors receive a guaranteed income supplement.

Program Activity: Income Security
($ millions)

	Forecast Spending 2008-2009	Planned Spending 2009-2010	Planned Spending 2010-2011	Planned Spending 2011-2012
Total grants	7,759.0	8,091.0	8,393.0	8,767.0
Total contributions
Total other types of transfer payments
Total Transfer payments	7,759.0	8,091.0	8,393.0	8,767.0

Planned evaluations:

A Summative evaluation final report will be presented to the Departmental Evaluation Committee in Fall 2009.

Strategic Outcome: Income security, access to opportunities and well-being for individuals, families and communities

Program Activity: Income Security

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Allowance Payments

Start date:
1975 – Allowance
1985 – Allowance for the Survivor

End date: Ongoing

Description:

The Allowance may be paid to the spouse or common-law partner of an Old Age Security pensioner, or to a survivor. To qualify, an applicant must be between the ages of 60 and 64 and must have lived in Canada for at least 10 years after turning 18. An applicant must also have been a Canadian citizen or a legal resident of Canada on the day preceding the application's approval. To qualify, the combined yearly income of the couple, or the annual income of the survivor, cannot exceed certain limits which are established quarterly. The Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement benefits are not included in their combined yearly income.

Expected results:

Eligible low income seniors receive a guaranteed income supplement.

Program Activity: Income Security
($ millions)

	Forecast Spending 2008-2009	Planned Spending 2009-2010	Planned Spending 2010-2011	Planned Spending 2011-2012
Total grants	552.0	557.0	569.0	579.0
Total contributions
Total other types of transfer payments
Total Transfer payments	552.0	557.0	569.0	579.0

Planned evaluations:

The summative evaluation is planned for completion in 2010-2011.

Strategic Outcome: Income security, access to opportunities and well-being for individuals, families and communities

Program Activity: Income Security

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Canada Disability Savings Program – Grants and Bond (statutory payment)

Start date: November, 2008

End date: Ongoing

Description:

Through the Canada Disability Savings Program, the Government of Canada will make two types of contributions to the Registered Disability Saving Grants. The Registered Disability Savings Plan is a long term savings vehicle to help parents and others save for the long-term financial security of a person with a severe disability. The Government will pay matching Grants of 300, 200, or 100 percent depending on the beneficiary’s family income and the amount contributed. The Government will also pay income-tested Bonds to the Registered Disability Savings Plan of low-income Canadians with disabilities, regardless of the amount contributed.

Expected results:

The expected long-term result of the program is to contribute to the financial security of people with severe and prolonged disabilities.

The expected intermediate results for the program are: authorized people or organizations contribute to beneficiary’s Registered Disability Savings Plan; and beneficiaries receive the Grants and Bonds through the Registered Disability Savings Plans.

The expected immediate results for the program are: eligible individuals (and their families/guardians) are aware of the program and its requirements; Financial Institutions offer the Registered Disability Savings Program in a manner that meets the needs of the target population; and eligible individuals (and their families/guardians) open Registered Disability Savings Plans.

Program Activity: Income Security
($ millions)

	Forecast Spending 2008-2009	Planned Spending 2009-2010	Planned Spending 2010-2011	Planned Spending 2011-2012
Total grants	0.7	5.2	15.9	26.5
Total contributions
Total other types of transfer payments
Total Transfer payments	0.7	5.2	15.9	26.5

Planned evaluations:

The formative evaluation is planned for completion 2009-2010.

Strategic Outcome: Income security, access to opportunities and well-being for individuals, families and communities

Program Activity: Social Development

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Homelessness Partnering Strategy

Start date: April 1, 2009

End date: March 31, 2011

Description:

Provides grants and contributions to not-for-profit organizations, individuals, municipal governments, Band and tribal councils and other Aboriginal organizations, public health and educational institutions, Régies régionales, for-profit enterprises, research organizations and research institutes to carry out research on homelessness to help communities better understand and more effectively prevent and reduce homelessness.

Expected results:

By March 31, 20011, the Homelessness Partnering Strategy aims to achieve the following outcomes:

• Contribute, with partners, to a more sustainable and comprehensive continuum of supports to help homeless Canadians move towards self-sufficiency and to prevent those at risk from becoming homeless through: increased investments in supportive and transitional housing and services, and strategic investments according to community plans; broader and enhanced engagement of partners; and increased knowledge and better informed policy, decision making and coordination of services.

Program Activity: Social Development
($ millions)

	Forecast Spending 2008-2009	Planned Spending 2009-2010	Planned Spending 2010-2011	Planned Spending 2011-2012
Total grants	0.9	0.9	2.5	0.9
Total contributions	137.9	105.4	116.1	105.4
Total other types of transfer payments
Total Transfer payments	138.8	106.3	118.6	106.3

Planned evaluations:

The summative evaluation final report will be presented to the Departmental Evaluation Committee in Spring 2009.

Strategic Outcome: Income security, access to opportunities and well-being for individuals, families and communities

Program Activity: Social Development

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Social Development Partnerships Program (voted payments)

Start date: April 1, 2009

End date: March 31, 2012

Description:

The Social Development Partnerships Program provides Grants and Contributions funding to non-profit organizations working to meet the social development needs of persons with disabilities, children and their families, and other vulnerable or excluded populations in Canada.

Expected results:

The expected result(s) over the next 1-3 years include:

• Collaboration, partnerships, alliances and networks are created;
• Social not-for-profit organizations develop approaches to respond to existing and emerging social issues; and
• Knowledge of existing and emerging social issues is developed and shared.

Associated outputs over the same time period include:

• Grant & Contribution Funding;
• Promotion & Knowledge Products;
• Performance Reports.

Program Activity: Social Development
($ millions)

	Forecast Spending 2008-2009	Planned Spending 2009-2010	Planned Spending 2010-2011	Planned Spending 2011-2012
Total grants	14.3	14.3	14.3	14.3
Total contributions	11.3	6.8	6.4	6.2
Total other types of transfer payments
Total Transfer payments	25.6	21.1	20.7	20.5

Planned evaluations:

The summative evaluation final report will be presented to the Departmental Evaluation Committee in Spring 2009.

Strategic Outcome: Income security, access to opportunities and well-being for individuals, families and communities

Program Activity: Social Development

Name of Transfer Payment Program: New Horizons for Seniors Program (voted payments)

Start date:
Original program: October 1, 2004;
Expanded Program: September 27, 2007

End date: September 30, 2010

Description:

The program supports local projects across Canada that help ensure seniors are able to benefit from, and contribute to, the quality of life in their community through their social participation and active living. The New Horizons for Senior Program accomplishes its' objectives through three separate funding streams, namely:

1. Community Participation and Leadership component, which provides grant funding to encourage seniors to contribute to their communities by sharing their skills, wisdom and experience and helping to reduce isolation.
2. Capital Assistance component, which provides grant funding for the upgrading of community facilities and equipment related to existing programs and activities for seniors.
3. Elder Abuse Awareness component, which provides contribution funding for national or regional projects that raise awareness of the abuse of older adults.

Expected results:

The expected result(s) over the next 1-3 years include:

• Community priorities are addressed;
• Seniors' experience, skills and wisdom are utilized;
• Canadian society has knowledge and awareness of elder abuse and fraud;
• Organizational capacity is developed; and
• Seniors are connected through networks and partnerships.

Associated outputs over the same time period include:

• Promotions/awareness plan; and
• Funded projects.

Program Activity: Social Development
($ millions)

	Forecast Spending 2008-2009	Planned Spending 2009-2010	Planned Spending 2010-2011	Planned Spending 2011-2012
Total grants	26.3	24.4	26.3	26.3
Total contributions	1.8	1.8	1.8	1.8
Total other types of transfer payments
Total Transfer payments	28.1	26.2	28.1	28.1

Planned evaluations:

The formative evaluation final report will be presented to the Departmental Evaluation Committee in Spring 2009. The summative evaluation is planned for 2009-2010.

Strategic Outcome: Income security, access to opportunities and well-being for individuals, families and communities

Program Activity: Social Development

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Universal Child Care Benefit

Start date: July 1, 2006

End date: Ongoing

Description:

Effective July 2006 families receive $100 per month (up to $1,200 per year) for each child under six, taxable in the hands of the lower-income spouse. Payments are made directly to families so that they can choose the child care that best meets the family’s needs. The Universal Child Care Benefit is provided in addition to existing federal programs such as the Canada Child Tax Benefit, which includes the National Child Benefit Supplement, the new Child Tax Credit and the Child Care Expense Deduction. The Universal Child Care Benefit does not affect the benefits families receive under these programs. Further information can be found at www.universalchildcare.ca.

Expected results:

100 percent of eligible families with children under six years of age receiving the Universal Child Care Benefit

Program Activity: Social Development
($ millions)

	Forecast Spending 2008-2009	Planned Spending 2009-2010	Planned Spending 2010-2011	Planned Spending 2011-2012
Total grants	2,508.0	2,544.0	2,579.0	2,618.0
Total contributions
Total other types of transfer payments
Total Transfer payments	2,508.0	2,544.0	2,579.0	2,618.0

Planned evaluations:

The formative evaluation final report will be presented to the Departmental Evaluation Committee in Spring 2010.

Strategic Outcome: Income security, access to opportunities and well-being for individuals, families and communities

Program Activity: Social Development

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Enabling Accessibility Fund

Start date: May, 2008

End date: March 31, 2010

Description:

The Enabling Accessibility Fund will contribute to the capital costs of construction for the participatory abilities centres and renovations to buildings, modifications to vehicles, information and communications related to improving accessibility for people with disabilities.

Expected results:

The expected results over the next 1-3 years include:

• Accessibility for people with varying abilities

Associated outputs over the same period include:

• Grant and Contribution Agreements
• Project Reports

Program Activity: Social Development
($ millions)

	Forecast Spending 2008-2009	Planned Spending 2009-2010	Planned Spending 2010-2011	Planned Spending 2011-2012
Total grants	5.8	7.0	0.0	0.0
Total contributions	8.7	10.7	8.6	0.0
Total other types of transfer payments
Total Transfer payments	14.5	17.7	8.6	0.0

Planned evaluations:

The summative evaluation is planned for 2010-2011.

Strategic outcome: A skilled, adaptable and inclusive labour force and an efficient labour market

Program activity: Learning

Name of recipient: The Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation

Start date: Royal Assent: June 18, 1998

End date: 2010

Description:
The endowment is managed in accordance with the Funding Agreement between the Foundation and the Government of Canada, as represented by the Ministers of Finance and Human Resources and Social Skills Development.

The objective of the foundation is to increase access to post-secondary education so that Canadians can acquire the skills needed to participate in a changing economy and society by granting scholarships to students who are in financial need and who demonstrate merit.

The Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation was established with an endowment in 1999 for a ten-year period. It is set to expire in 2009. The Budget implementation Act, 2008 requires that the Canadian Millennium Scholarship Foundation (CMSF) dispose of all of its property and discharge all of its liabilities within 6 months of January 5, 2010 or within such longer period of time that the Governor in Council may determine on the recommendation of the Minister of HRSDC. This liquidation is required for the purposes of dissolving the CMSF, which dissolution will occur following the completion of the liquidation process.

Program Activity:
($ millions)

Total Funding	Actuals 2007	Planned Spending 2008	Planned Spending 2009	Planned Spending 2010
Conditional Grants	357.8	341.0	365.0
Administration	24.8	27.3	26.7	15

Summary of annual plans of recipient:

• Approximately 100,000 students with demonstrated financial need benefit from millennium bursaries annually through loan remissions or award bursaries averaging $3,000.
• Approximately 21,000 additional students from low-income families who have demonstrated financial need benefit from millennium access bursaries annually (beginning in 2005-2006) with award bursaries averaging $2,000.
• Distribute annual millennium entrance awards to over 1,800 post-secondary students and in-course excellence awards to up to 1,200 post-secondary students, valued at $4,000 or $5,000 depending on the type of award, to students who demonstrate exceptional merit and community service.

Planned evaluation(s): No evaluations planned

Planned audit(s): The Foundation’s annual audit will be conducted in the first quarter, and program reviews and audits of granting processes will be conducted in three provinces.

URL of recipient site: http://www.millenniumscholarships.ca

Strategic outcome: A skilled, adaptable and inclusive labour force and an efficient labour market

Program activity: Learning

Name of recipient: Canada Council on Learning

Start date: March 30, 2004

End date: March 31, 2010

Description:
To promote and support evidence-based decision making in all areas of lifelong learning by informing Canadians regularly on Canada's progress on learning outcomes, and promoting knowledge and information exchange among learning partners.

Program Activity:
($ millions)

Total Funding	Prior Years’ Funding	Planned Funding 2009-10	Planned Funding 2010-11	Planned Funding 2011-12
$85M covering 5 years (now extended to 6 years). A one-time grant was provided to Canadian Council on Learning in fiscal year 2004-2005. All funds are to be dispersed by March 31, 2010.

Summary of annual plans of recipient:

• At arm's length from government, the Canadian Council on Learning mandate is to improve the overall stage of knowledge and information on lifelong learning by focusing on the thematic areas of: Aboriginal Learning, Adult Learning, Early Childhood Learning; Health and Learning; Structured Learning; and Work and Learning.
• The Canadian Council on Learning will continue to support public/stakeholder awareness through annual progress reports on state of learning in Canada; knowledge mobilization activities; and conduct of and support for research on policy and program issues in the area of learning.
• The Canadian Council on Learning will publish its major reports - Annual State of Learning in Canada report, Report on post-secondary education in Canada and the Composite Learning Index
• The Canadian Council on Learning will continue its applied research activities on issues of importance for learners, educators and decision-makers, including joint research projects or commissioned studies with provincial/territorial and federal government departments, and other learning-related agencies and organizations.

Planned evaluation(s): Not applicable

Planned audit(s): Not applicable

URL of recipient site: http://www.ccl-cca.ca

Name of Horizontal Initiative: Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnerships

Name of lead department(s): Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

Lead department program activity: Skills and Employment

Start date of the Horizontal Initiative: October 3, 2003

End date of the Horizontal Initiative: March 31, 2012

Total federal funding allocation (start to end date): $290.0M

Description of the Horizontal Initiative (including funding agreement):
The Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership program was initially an $85M initiative beginning in 2003 to 2009 and expanded in 2007 – 2012 with an additional $105M. Budget 2009 announced an additional $100M will be invested over three years in the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership Program. The Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership is targeted at developing the skills of Canada's Aboriginal workforce, promoting maximum employment for Aboriginal people on major economic developments across the country and providing lasting benefits for Aboriginal communities, families and individuals.

The Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership program is an opportunity driven initiative that is implemented through formalized partnerships between the private sector and Aboriginal communities (and others such as the provincial governments and training institutions). The partnerships are responsible for jointly developing and managing comprehensive, multi-year skills development plans that will ensure long-term highly skilled sustainable employment as a result of the projects. The comprehensive Aboriginal training-to-employment plan covers a broad continuum ranging from basic skills, literacy and academic upgrading, through job-specific training and apprenticeships to retention counselling and other on-the-job supports. The plan must have a commitment from the employers to provide at least 50 long-term (sustainable) jobs for Aboriginal people. The partnership must also make a significant financial contribution to the training plan and must develop a governance model that will manage and oversee the project.

For more information, please visit: http://www8.hrsdc.gc.ca

Shared outcome(s):
Long term sustainable employment for Aboriginal people on major economic developments.

Governance structure(s):

• Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership is a national, centrally managed program. It promotes the maximum employment of Aboriginal people through a collaborative approach.
• The implementation of the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership projects requires the participation of Aboriginal organizations the private sector, provincial governments and others as appropriate and may involve collaboration with regional Service Canada officials.
• Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership proponents receive direct support through a multi-year contribution agreement negotiated by HRSDC based on a human resources development plan. Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership proponents are responsible for interim and final financial and performance reports.

($ millions)

Federal Partners	Federal Partner Program Activity (PA)	Names of Programs for Federal Partners	Total Allocation (from Start to End Date)	Planned Spending for 2009-2010	Expected Results for 2009-2010
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada	Skills and Employment	Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnerships	$292.0 M	$47.3	Aboriginal clients served : 7,500 Interventions completed : 6,500 Clients returned to employment following an ASEP intervention: 3,000
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada		Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnerships			See Department's Report on Plans and Priorities for Expected Results.
Western Economic Diversification		Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnerships
Natural Resources Canada		Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnerships
Total			$292.0 M	$47.3M

Results to be achieved by non-federal partners (if applicable):

Not Applicable

Contact information:
Keith Conn
Director General
Aboriginal Affairs Directorate
(819) 997-8551
keith.conn@hrsdc-rhdsc.gc.ca
Place du Portage, Phase IV
140 Promenade du Portage
Gatineau, Quebec

Name of Horizontal Initiative: Youth Employment Strategy

Name of lead department(s): Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

Lead department program activity: Skills and Employment

Start date of the Horizontal Initiative: March 18, 1999

End date of the Horizontal Initiative: Ongoing

Total federal funding allocation (start to end date): Ongoing

Description of the Horizontal Initiative (including funding agreement):
The Youth Employment Strategy supports Canadian youth as they move into the world of work. The Strategy plays a role in developing Canada's workforce by providing young Canadians with access to programs and services to help them gain the skills, knowledge, career information and work experience they need to find and maintain employment and make a successful transition into the labour force.

The Youth Employment Strategy is designed to respond to labour market challenges facing youth, aged 15 to 30. The Strategy has three program streams: Skills Link, Career Focus and Summer Work Experience, which includes the Canada Summer Jobs initiative. Skills Link provides youth-at-risk with opportunities to develop skills they need to find work or return to school. Career Focus helps post-secondary graduates find work in their area of specialization. Summer Work Experience helps secondary and post-secondary graduates acquire career-related skills and financing for their education through summer jobs.

The Government of Canada's support to young Canadians is a shared responsibility and a partnership effort among many departments and organizations. Human Resources and Skills Development, along with 11 other federal government departments, work cooperatively with other levels of government, Aboriginal organizations, educational institutions, and private sector, not-for-profit and voluntary sector organizations to deliver Youth Employment Strategy initiatives.

For more information, please visit: http://www.youth.gc.ca.

Shared outcome(s):

The shared outcomes of partners for the common key results are:

• Number of youth served
• Number of youth employed / self-employed
• Number of youth returning to school

Governance structure(s):
The Youth Employment Strategy has in place an umbrella Results-based Management and Accountability Framework that represents a commitment among the eleven participating federal departments to undertake ongoing collection of common performance management data to ensure effective overall performance management of the program.

Oversight of the Youth Employment Strategy horizontal initiative is provided through a collaborative committee structure. Human Resources and Skills Development Canada is responsible for facilitating coordination among the departments and agencies funding Youth Employment Strategy activities. As lead of this horizontal initiative, HRSDC chairs and is responsible for the coordination and management of Youth Employment Strategy Interdepartmental Operations Committee and the Youth Employment Strategy Evaluation Sub-Committee. HRSDC is ultimately accountable for attaining the expected results for Youth Employment Strategy and has the ultimate decision making authority for issues related to the overall policy, design and implementation of Youth Employment Strategy.

Youth Employment Strategy initiatives are delivered nationally, regionally and locally using a variety of funding instruments, such as contribution agreements and some direct delivery methods. Transfer payments are provided primarily by participating departments through contribution agreements and service delivery agreements in support of participants’ remuneration and overhead costs.

Youth Protocols for joint planning mechanisms have been signed with Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Manitoba.

($ millions)

Federal Partners	Federal Partner Program Activity (PA)	Names of Programs for Federal Partners	Total Allocation (from Start to End Date)	Planned Spending for 2009-2010	Expected Results for 2009-2010
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (with Service Canada)	Skills and Employment	Career Focus	Ongoing	$13.0M	Projected Range of Results Clients Served: 400 – 500 Employed or Self-Employed: 300 – 350 Return to School: 10 – 30 Contribution Agreements: 80 – 110
		Skills Link	Ongoing	$136.6M	Service Canada Projected Range of Results Clients Served: 14,000 – 16,000 Employed or Self-Employed: 6,000 – 6,900 Return to School: 1,350 – 1,500 Contribution Agreements: 1,100 – 1,300
		Summer Work Experience (Canada Summer Jobs)	Ongoing	$111.6M	Clients Served: 30,000 – 35,000 Employed or Self-Employed: N/A Return to School: N/A Contribution Agreements: 15,000 – 20,000 Funds Leveraged: N/A
Agriculture and Agri-food Canada		Career Focus	Ongoing	$1.1M
Canadian International Development Agency		Career Focus	Ongoing	$6.4M
Canadian Heritage		Career Focus	Ongoing	$0.9M
		Summer Work Experience	Ongoing	$8.0M
Environment Canada		Career Focus	Ongoing	$3.3M
Industry Canada		Career Focus	Ongoing	$9.8M
		Summer Work Experience	Ongoing	$7.4M
National Research Council		Career Focus	Ongoing	$5.4M
Natural Resources Canada		Career Focus	Ongoing	$0.6M
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation		Skills Link	Ongoing	$1.0M
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada		Skills Link	Ongoing	$18.6M
		Summer Work Experience	Ongoing	$8.0M
Parks Canada		Summer Work Experience	Ongoing	$2.0M
Total Career Focus			$40.5M
Total Skills Link			$156.2M
Total Summer Work Experience			$138,8M
Total Youth Employment Strategy			$335.4M

Results to be achieved by non-federal partners (if applicable):

Not Applicable

Contact information:
John Atherton, Director General
Active Employment Measures
Skills and Employment Branch
(819) 994-6916
john.atherton@hrsdc-rhdsc.gc.ca
Place du Portage, Phase IV
140 Promenade du Portage
Gatineau, Quebec

Name of Horizontal Initiative: Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Name of lead department(s): Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

Lead department program activity: Skills and Employment

Start date of the Horizontal Initiative: June 13, 2007

End date of the Horizontal Initiative: Ongoing

Total federal funding allocation (start to end date): Ongoing

Description of the Horizontal Initiative (including funding agreement):

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program enables Canadian employers to hire foreign workers on a temporary basis to meet immediate skills and labour needs when Canadians are not available. The Program is jointly managed by Citizenship and Immigration Canada and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (with Service Canada). Employers can recruit workers into any legal profession and from any source country, subject to employers and workers meeting specified criteria. The Temporary Foreign Worker Program includes program streams such as the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program and the Live-in-Caregiver Program, the Pilot Project for Occupations Requiring Lower Levels of Formal Training, and the Arranged Employment Opinion program.

In the province of Quebec, the Temporary Foreign Worker Program is administered through a partnership with the Government of Quebec.

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program is funded from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/workplaceskills/foreign_workers/index.shtml

Shared outcome(s):

• To enhance Canadian productivity and participation through efficient and inclusive labour markets and internationally competitive workplaces;
• To respond to regional, occupational, and sectoral skills and labour demands;
• To protect employment opportunities for Canadians.

Governance structure(s):

• Human Resources and Skills Development Canada is responsible for providing a Labour Market Opinion to Citizenship and Immigration Canada and employers indicating if the employment of the temporary foreign worker is likely to have a positive, negative or neutral impact on the labour market in Canada.
• Service Canada delivers the program regionally for Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and processes Labour Market Opinion applications to support the work permit application process.
• Citizenship and Immigration Canada is responsible for assessing work permit applications and issuing work permits to workers.
• Each Ddepartment is responsible for the design and management of those elements of the program under its Minister's responsibility.

($ millions)

Federal Partners	Federal Partner Program Activity (PA)	Names of Programs for Federal Partners	Total Allocation (from Start to End Date)	Planned Spending for 2009-2010	Expected Results for 2009-2010
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada	Skills and Employment and Internal Services program activities	Temporary Foreign Worker Program	Ongoing	$32.6M	Program enhancements, including strengthened worker protection, program integrity measures, and more responsive and efficient processes strengthen requirement relating to employer efforts to recruit Canadians implement joint employer monitoring and compliance measures expand and improve availability of on-line Labour Market Opinion application forms sector/occupation-based Labour Market Opinion processing development and implementation of information sharing agreements with Provinces/Territories to assist in the administration and enforcement of P/T legislation and assist HRSDC in administering the Labour Market Opinions in partnership with Citizenship and Immigration Canada, develop and participate in Temporary Foreign Workers (F/P/T) Working groups participate with Citizenship and Immigration Canada in the negotiation and implementation of Fed-Prov Temporary Foreign Worker Annexes joint evaluation of the program
Citizenship and Immigration Canada	Temporary Resident Program	Temporary Foreign Worker Program	Ongoing	$33.2M	Program enhancements, including strengthened worker protection, program integrity measures: develop joint employer monitoring and compliance measures Federal/Provincial information–sharing Memoranda of Understandings negotiate and implement Temporary Foreign Worker Annexes to Federal-Provincial Immigration Agreements in partnership with HRSDC conduct a joint formative evaluation.
Total			Ongoing	$65.8M

Results to be achieved by non-federal partners (if applicable): Not applicable

Contact information:
Andrew Kenyon, Director General
Temporary Foreign Workers
Skills and Employment Branch
(819) 994-1021
andrew.kenyon@hrsdc-rhdsc.gc.ca
Place du Portage, Phase IV
140 Promenade du Portage
Gatineau, Quebec

NOTE: The June 2007 start date represents the latest authorities for the Temporary Foreign Worker program. The above planned spending figures are for Citizenship and Immigration Canada and HRSDC only. Figures exclude planned spending for other government departments such as DFAIT and PWSGC and therefore do not represent the full Government of Canada costs for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

Name of Horizontal Initiative: Canada Student Loans Program

Name of lead department(s): Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

Lead department program activity: Learning

Start date of the Horizontal Initiative: September, 1964

End date of the Horizontal Initiative: Ongoing

Total federal funding allocation (start to end date): Ongoing

Description of the Horizontal Initiative (including funding agreement):
The purpose of the Canada Student Loans Program is to promote accessibility to post-secondary education for individuals with demonstrated financial need by lowering financial barriers through the provision of loans and grants and to ensure Canadians have an opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills to participate in and contribute to a skilled, adaptable and inclusive labour force and efficient labour market.

Information for the public on saving, planning and paying for post-secondary studies and specific information for Canada Student Loans Program clients (including information on learning opportunity selection, financial planning, and how to apply for, maintain and repay student loans) can be accessed at: www.canlearn.ca.

Shared outcome(s):
Maintain the Government’s commitment to accessible post-secondary education by:

• lowering financial barriers to post-secondary education through the provision of financial assistance to eligible Canadians; and
• ensuring a more manageable debt burden for borrowers.

Governance structure(s):

The Government of Canada has entered into Integration Agreements with four provinces (Ontario, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador) in order to create a “one-student-one-loan” service approach. These four integrated provinces accounted for over 60 percent of the Canada Student Loans Program borrowers.

The administration of the current Program is the product of a co-operative effort between Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, Service Canada, Canada Revenue Agency, participating provinces and the Yukon Territory, a Service Provider, financial institutions and Public Works and Government Services Canada. These agents are responsible for conducting one or more activities during the loan lifecycle. Program documents and communications tools are typically prepared with the input and approval of both federal and participating provincial and territorial governments. Quebec, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut do not participate in the Canada Student Loans Program. These jurisdictions receive an alternative payment to assist in the cost of delivering a similar student financial assistance program.

Effective management of the Program and of relations with third-party agents is the primary responsibility of the Canada Student Loans Program. Program activities include, for example, defining the operational and financial processes for the delivery of the program by the service providers and client relations for escalated cases and comptrollership.

The application and needs assessment for the Program is delivered by provincial student assistance offices, which also administer provincial aid. The participating provinces and the Yukon Territory:

• determine individual eligibility for loans and grants based on federal criteria;
• assess students’ financial needs based on federal criteria;
• issue loan certificates;
• administer and deliver grants; and
• designate educational institutions that students may attend with Canada Student Loans Program assistance.

While the Canada Student Loans Program provides the guidance and direction on how the Program is to be delivered, the Service Provider assumes responsibility for managing the loans once the loan agreement is signed and submitted for processing. Responsibilities of the Service Provider include:

• verifying loan agreements;
• managing the in-study interest-free period;
• negotiating and handling loan repayment; and
• managing debt management activities and advising counselling borrowers on their debt management options.

Public Works and Government Services Canada is responsible for disbursing loans to the borrowers and to Educational Institutions, for any funds directed to pay for tuition.

Canada Revenue Agency Non-Tax Collection Services is the agent responsible for debt collection. Delinquent guaranteed and risk-shared loans become debts to the Crown when the Government of Canada buys back the debt from financial institutions. Delinquent direct financed loans are returned to government after the Service Provider has attempted collection of a set period of time and the borrower has either not made payments on their loan or is unwilling to repay. These activities may also be conducted by private collection agencies under contract to Canada Revenue Agency. These private collection agencies must abide by Canada Revenue Agency collection guidelines when carrying out the recovery of Crown debts.

($ millions)

Federal Partners	Federal Partner Program Activity (PA)	Names of Programs for Federal Partners	Total Allocation (from Start to End Date)	Planned Spending for 2009-2010	Expected Results for 2009-2010
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada	Learning	Canada Student Loans Program	$613.9M Loans disbursed under the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act: $2.0 B	$1005.5M Loans disbursed under the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act: $1.8B	Estimated number of Canadians to benefit from loans and non-repayable in study interest subsidies received (in the 2009 Loan Year beginning August 1, 2009) through the Canada Student Loans Program: 455,000a Estimated number of Canadians to benefit from the Canada Student Grant Program (in the 2009 Loan Year beginning August 1, 2009): 245,000b
Public Works and Government Services Canada	Receiver General Services
Canada Revenue Agency	Accounts Receivable and Returns Compliance
Total $			613.9M	1005.5M

Results to be achieved by non-federal partners (if applicable): Not Applicable

Contact information:
Barbara Glover, Director General
Canada Student Loans Directorate
200 Montcalm Street
Gatineau, Quebec
Canada
K1A 0J9
(819) 997-1094
barbara.glover@hrsdc-rhdsc.gc.ca

^a Please note that the number is estimated as loans are awarded based on client eligibility and demonstrated need.

^b Please note that the number is estimated as grants are awarded based on client eligibility and demonstrated need.

Name of Horizontal Initiative: National Child Benefit Initiative

Name of lead department(s): Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

Lead department program activity: Income Security

Start date of the Horizontal Initiative: 1998

End date of the Horizontal Initiative: Ongoing

Total federal funding allocation (start to end date): Statutory

Description of the Horizontal Initiative (including funding agreement):

Through the National Child Benefit Initiative, the Government of Canada is working with provincial and territorial governments¹ to provide income support, as well as benefits and services, for low-income families with children. The initiative also includes a First Nations component.

Shared outcome(s):

The National Child Benefit initiative has three goals:

• Help prevent and reduce the depth of child poverty;
• Promote attachment to the labour market by ensuring that families will always be better off as a result of working; and
• Reduce overlap and duplication by harmonizing program objectives and benefits and simplifying administration.

Annual National Child Benefit Progress Reports include information on the level of spending by all jurisdictions. There is a data collection process to which all participating jurisdictions contribute in order to present comparable information on National Child Benefit initiatives. The data submitted by each jurisdiction is reviewed jointly to ensure consistency in reporting. To obtain the most recent Progress Report or for further information, please visit the federal, provincial and territorial National Child Benefit website: www.nationalchildbenefit.ca.

Federal Spending:

The Government of Canada contributes to the National Child Benefit initiative through a supplement to its Canada Child Tax Benefit. In addition to the base benefit of the Canada Child Tax Benefit, which is targeted to both low- and middle-income families, the National Child Benefit Supplement provides extra income support to low-income families with children. Federal spending on the Canada Child Tax Benefit is tracked by the Canada Revenue Agency, which is responsible for the delivery of the National Child Benefit Supplement.

The federal government provided $3.5B through the National Child Benefit Supplement in 2007-2008. By 2008-2009, total annual federal support delivered through the Canada Child Tax Benefit system, including the National Child Benefit Supplement, is projected to reach $9.4B, including a projected $3.6B through the National Child Benefit Supplement.

Provincial and territorial and First Nations Spending:

Under the National Child Benefit initiative, provinces, territories and First Nations provide benefits and services that further the goals of the initiative. The National Child Benefit Progress Report: 2006, reports that in 2005-2006, provinces, territories, and First Nations spent $873.9M in programs and services in key areas such as child/day care initiatives, child benefits and earned income supplements, early childhood services and children-at-risk services, supplementary health benefits, and youth initiatives. This includes First Nations reinvestments in programs and services which are estimated to be $58.0M in 2005-2006.

Indicators and Impacts:

The National Child Benefit Progress Report: 2006 includes an analysis of both societal level indicators, which measure areas such as low income and labour force attachment and do not infer that any changes are the result of the initiative, and direct outcome indicators, which measure only those changes that are directly attributed to the National Child Benefit initiative.

With respect to societal level indicators, the report shows that the proportion of families with children living in low income has declined significantly since the mid-1900s, decreasing from 17.6 percent in 1996 to 11.6 percent in 2004, based on Statistics Canada's post-tax low-income cut-offs. During this period, the number of children living in low income decreased from 1,304,000 in 1996 to 877,300 in 2004, a decrease of approximately 426,700 children.

Further, the report estimates that in 2004, as a direct result of the National Child Benefit initiative :

• 125,000 children in 59,000 families were prevented from living in low income, a reduction of 12.1 percent. This means that in 2004, there were 12.1 percent fewer families with children living in low income than there would have been without the National Child Benefit. These families saw their average disposable income increase by an estimated $2,400, or 9.3 percent.
• For those families with children who remained in low income, the National Child Benefit improved their disposable income by an average of $1,600 (9.1 percent). This means that the low-income gap (the additional amount of income needed by low-income families to reach the low-income line) was reduced by 18.5 percent in 2004.

In addition, in June 2005, federal, provincial and territorial governments released a synthesis report of a comprehensive evaluation of the first three years of the National Child Benefit initiative (1988-1999, 1999-2000, 2000-2001). The evaluation compiled evidence from a number of studies and showed that the National Child Benefit initiative is meeting its goals. In addition, a process to launch further evaluation has begun.

For a complete discussion of indicators, please see Chapters 5 and 6 of the National Child Benefit Progress Report: 2006. For a discussion of evaluation results, please see the Evaluation of the National Child Benefit Initiative: Synthesis Report. These reports are available free of charge on the National Child Benefit website, at: www.nationalchildbenefit.ca.

Governance structure(s):

The National Child Benefit initiative Governance and Accountability Framework outlines the key characteristics of the federal, provincial and territorial partnership: cooperation, openness, flexibility, evolution and accountability. As a co-operative effort among governments, the National Child Benefit initiative combines the strengths of a national program with the flexibility of provincial and territorial initiatives designed to meet the specific needs and conditions within each jurisdiction.

With respect to accountability, under the Governance and Accountability Framework, federal, provincial and territorial Ministers Responsible for Social Services have committed to sharing data on reinvestment initiatives and reviewing results and outcomes achieved in order to identify best practices. Federal, provincial and territorial governments have also agreed to report annually to the public with a primary focus on performance of the initiative. To date, six annual progress reports have been published, as well as a synthesis report on a comprehensive evaluation of the first three years of the initiative.

The Federal Role:

Under the National Child Benefit initiative, the Government of Canada provides additional income support to low-income families with children via the National Child Benefit Supplement component of the Canada Child Tax Benefit. Canada Revenue Agency delivers these benefits to families.

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada is responsible for policy development with respect to the National Child Benefit initiative, and the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development represents the Government of Canada in this federal/provincial/territorial initiative.

The Canada Child Tax Benefit (including the National Child Benefit Supplement) is a tax measure, and is administered by Canada Revenue Agency. Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and Citizenship and Immigration Canada have roles in reinvestments and investments.

The Provincial and Territorial Role:

Under the National Child Benefit initiative, provinces, territories and First Nations provide benefits and services that further the goals of the initiative. The initiative is designed so that provinces, territories and First Nations have the flexibility to develop and deliver programs and services that best meet the needs and priorities of their communities. As part of this flexibility, provinces and territories may adjust social assistance or child benefit payments by the full or partial amount of the National Child Benefit Supplement. This approach has resulted in families on social assistance being no worse off in terms of their level of benefits, while providing additional funds for new or enhanced provincial and territorial programs benefiting low-income families with children.

It is important to note that, as the National Child Benefit initiative has matured, the majority of provinces and territories no longer recover increases to the National Child Benefit Supplement. This means that the vast majority of children living in low-income families, including those on social assistance, are currently receiving some or all of the National Child Benefit Supplement.

Under the National Reinvestment Framework, provincial and territorial governments, along with First Nations, have committed to re-allocating available social assistance funds into benefits and services for children in low-income families that further the goals of the initiative. Jurisdictions have focused reinvestments primarily in five key areas:

• Child Benefits and Earned Income Supplements;
• Child Care;
• Early Childhood Services and Children-at-Risk Services;
• Supplementary Health Benefits;
• Youth Initiatives; and
• Other Benefits and Services;
• First Nations Role

The federal government is responsible for ensuring programs for First Nations children on reserve are comparable to those available to other Canadian children. Under the National Child Benefit, First Nations have the flexibility to reinvest savings from adjustments to social assistance into programs and services tailored to meet the needs and priorities of individual communities. Some 500 First Nations participate in the National Child Benefit and implement their own programs.

($ millions)

Federal Partners	Federal Partner Program Activity (PA)	Names of Programs for Federal Partners	Total Allocation (from Start to End Date)	Planned Spending for 2009-2010	Expected Results for 2009-2010
Canada Revenue Agency2	Administers the National Child Benefit Supplement and delivers income benefits directly to low income families	a. National Child Benefit Supplement	Ongoing	$3.68B (projected)	Continued progress on the goals of the National Child Benefit initiative, as described in the “Shared Outcomes”, above.
Total $			N/A	$3.68B

Results to be achieved by non-federal partners (if applicable): Not Applicable

Contact information:
Shawn Tupper, Director General
Social Policy Directorate
Strategic Policy and Research Branch
HRSDC
(613) 957-9865

---

¹ Le gouvernement du Québec a déclaré qu’il entérine les principes généraux de la Prestation nationale pour enfants mais a décidé de ne pas participer à l’initiative parce qu’il veut être maître du soutien du revenu pour les enfants au Québec; toutefois, il a adopté une démarche semblable à la Prestation nationale pour enfants. Dans le présent texte, les renvois aux positions conjointes fédérales-provinciales-territoriales n’incluent pas le Québec.

²Tandis que Ressources humaines et Développement des compétences Canada est responsable de l’élaboration de politiques relatives à la Prestation nationale pour enfants, la Prestation fiscale canadienne pour enfants (y compris le supplément de la Prestation nationale pour enfants) est une mesure fiscale et est administrée par l’Agence du revenu du Canada. De plus, Affaires indiennes et du Nord Canada et Citoyenneté et Immigration Canada prennent part aux investissements et aux réinvestissements

Name of Horizontal Initiative: Homelessness Partnering Strategy

Name of lead department(s): Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

Lead department program activity: Social Development

Start date of the Horizontal Initiative: April 1, 2009

End date of the Horizontal Initiative: March 31, 2011

Total federal funding allocation (start to end date): $269.6M over two years

Description of the Horizontal Initiative (including funding agreement):

The Homelessness Partnering Strategy makes strategic investments in community priorities and includes a planning process that encourages cooperation between governments, agencies and community-based organizations to find local solutions for homeless people and those at risk of becoming homeless. The Homelessness Partnering Strategy is designed to provide supports to 61 designated communities and some small, rural and Aboriginal communities to develop community-based measures that assist homeless individuals and families move toward self-sufficiency, thereby contributing to society and the economy. Although the responsibility for homelessness programs falls under Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, most Homelessness Partnering Strategy program components are delivered by regional staff, now part of Service Canada.

The Homelessness Partnering Strategy:

• helps communities build on their successes and focuses on interventions to help prevent and break the cycle of homelessness;
• achieves results for Canadians by focusing on attaining self-sufficiency and not just temporary measures;
• requires that federal funding be targeted more at the development of transitional and supportive housing and at improving access to services that help homeless people become self-sufficient such as skills training, health and substance abuse treatment;
• enhances the partnership approach with provinces and territories, communities and the private and voluntary sectors to strengthen capacity and build sustainability; and
• carries out research to foster a better understanding of homelessness as well as collects and disseminates best practices to assist in designing the most effective responses.

The Homelessness Partnering Strategy accomplishes its objectives through a class contribution and class grant program.

The Homelessness Partnering Strategy has three initiatives:

• Homelessness Partnership Initiative;
• Homelessness Accountability Network; and
• Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative.

For more information, please visit the Homelessness Partnering Strategy website: www.homelessness.gc.ca

Shared outcome(s): Income security, access to opportunities and well-being for individuals, families and communities.

Governance structure(s):

The Homelessness Partnering Strategy community-based program is delivered via two models:

• community entity model: Under this model, the Community Advisory Board recommends projects to the community entity (an incorporated organization) which is the decision-making body responsible for approving project proposals and determining the eligibility of projects. HRSDC is responsible for managing the contribution agreement and all related activities. The community, in consultation with Service Canada, has designated responsibility for program delivery to a specific local organization; and
• shared delivery model: Under this model, the Community advisory Body reviews project proposals and makes recommendations to HRSDC which manages the contribution agreement and all related activities. Both Service Canada and the community work in partnership to support funding priorities, resulting in a joint selection and decision-making process. The Minister approves the project proposals.

In Quebec, unlike other provinces and territories, the Homelessness Partnering Strategy stream known as the Homelessness Partnership Initiatives delivered under a formal Canada-Quebec agreement, in collaboration with the province of Quebec.

The community entity model and the shared delivery model deliver the components of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, specifically the Homelessness Partnership Initiative. In addition, regions are actively involved in setting the agenda of the Homelessness Accountability Network and the delivery of the Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative.

The Homelessness Partnering Strategy recognizes that the prevention and reduction of homelessness requires collaboration among all levels of government, particularly the federal and provincial/territorial governments. Provinces and territories are being invited to enter into bilateral agreements with the federal government to support community efforts to address homelessness. The Canada-Quebec agreement serves as a model that will be adapted for other jurisdictions. Partnering agreements will offer provinces and territories the opportunity to participate in community planning and priority-setting at the outset. Agreements will support the alignment of federal, provincial and territorial investments to enhance linkages between social services and housing as well as to address the operational sustainability of community projects. This partnering approach will ensure that all of the necessary tools and supports are in place for homeless people to secure housing and supports that effectively meet their needs and for those at-risk of homelessness to attain housing stability.

Enhanced collaboration with other federal departments whose policies and programs are linked to homelessness is also essential. Horizontal pilot projects will be developed to facilitate a more coordinated approach to homelessness at the federal level, in recognition that homelessness interacts with an array of factors that relate to other federal program and policy areas, including: housing affordability; mental/physical health; labour market vulnerabilities; skills, education and literacy levels; community and personal safety; barriers facing newcomers; discharged offenders; Aboriginal issues; and others. The key objectives of horizontal pilot projects are to: address common risk factors associated with homelessness and other policy areas; prevent homelessness by addressing its root causes; and reduce the negative outcomes on other policy areas caused by homelessness. These pilot projects test approaches on homelessness, and their results are expected to inform future policy development.

Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative (SFRPHI) provides surplus federal property to community organizations, the not-for-profit sector, and other levels of government for projects to alleviate and prevent homelessness. The SFRPHI is a Homelessness Partnering Strategy program co-managed by Public Works and Government Services Canada and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, with advice and support from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

($ millions)

Federal Partners	Federal Partner Program Activity (PA)	Names of Programs for Federal Partners	Total Allocation (from Start to End Date)	Planned Spending for 2009-2010	Expected Results for 2009-2010
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada	Social Development	Homelessness Partnership Initiative	219.2M	109.6M	Homelessness Partnership Initiative- Designated Communities have demonstrated cost-matching with other partners.
		Federal Horizontal Project	5.2M	2.6M	Increased availability and access for homeless people, to a range of services and facilities along the continuum (i.e., emergency, transitional and supportive housing). Horizontal pilot projects - Implementation of projects with key departments such as Justice Canada, Health Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada, Correctional Service Canada, and Urban Aboriginal Strategy.
		Homelessness Accountability Network (HAN)	3.7M	1.85M	Increased knowledge (e.g., best practices, research findings) exchanged among community service providers, researchers, and all levels of government working on issues of homelessness.
		Urban Aboriginal Strategy / Homelessness Partnership Initiative	35.5M	17.75M	Better coordination and complementarity among Government of Canada policies and programs to address Aboriginal homelessness and other related issues.
PWGSC		Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative	Funding administered by PWGSC $6.0M	Funding administered by PWGSC $3.0M	Enhanced capacity of communities to provide facilities to homeless individuals and families.
Total $			$269.6M	$134.8M

Results to be achieved by non-federal partners (if applicable): Not Applicable

Contact information:
Jane Weldon, Director General
Homelessness Partnering Secretariat
Place du Portage, Phase II
165 Hotel-de-Ville St.
Gatineau QC
(819) 997-5464
jane.weldon@hrsdc-rhdsc.gc.ca

Name of Horizontal Initiative: Federal Elder Abuse Initiative

Name of lead department(s): Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

Lead department program activity: Social Development

Start date of the Horizontal Initiative: April 1, 2008

End date of the Horizontal Initiative: March 31, 2011

Total federal funding allocation (start to end date): $13,050,000

Description of the Horizontal Initiative (including funding agreement):

The overarching objectives of the Federal Elder Abuse Initiative are to raise awareness of elder abuse throughout society, particularly among seniors, their families, and key professional groups, and to ensure the availability of appropriate elder abuse-related information, resources and tools.

To address this, new federal elder abuse activities will be coordinated interdepartmentally and will involve the cooperation and collaboration of the Department of Justice Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police under the leadership of HRSDC.

The centrepiece of the Federal Elder Abuse Initiative will be a public awareness campaign using various media. Generic information and resource materials for frontline workers (public health, medical, legal, police, and financial professionals, etc.) will be developed to provide key professional groups with the information necessary to identify cases of elder abuse, access the appropriate resources, and take measures to provide assistance to victims.

Shared outcome(s):
To help seniors and others recognize the signs and symptoms of elder abuse and to provide information on what support is available.

Governance structure(s):
The Seniors and Pensions Policy Secretariat (SPPS) within HRSDC is the focal point for Government of Canada activities related to seniors.

The Elder Abuse Task Force within the Seniors and Pensions Policy Secretariat is leading a working group of officials from partner departments/agencies to coordinate the implementation of Government of Canada initiatives to raise awareness and to develop and disseminate tools and supports for frontline workers. Partner departments/agencies retain responsibility for planning, programming, and budgeting their own resources to implement their activities.

The working group has developed a performance measurement framework, including a logic model, to identify the relationships between departmental/agency activities, outputs, and outcomes, and a suite of performance indicators to measure progress against outputs/outcomes. The working group will coordinate reporting and monitor performance and results over the course of the initiative.

The Interdepartmental Committee on Seniors will provide senior-level oversight and direction for the Federal Elder Abuse Initiative. The Committee will provide a forum to update federal departments on the progress and achievements of the initiative and to identify opportunities to align the initiative with other government initiatives and priorities.

($ millions)

Federal Partners	Federal Partner Program Activity (PA)	Names of Programs for Federal Partners	Total Allocation (from Start to End Date)	Planned Spending for 2009-2010	Expected Results for 2009-2010
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada	Social Development		$10,220,000	$4,870,000	2009-2010 will see partner departments increase awareness about elder abuse through advertising and/or the involvement of key stakeholders on elder abuse.
Department of Justice			$1,410,000	$440,000
Public health Agency of Canada			$1,420,000	$470,000
RCMP			Coming from internal allocations	Coming from internal allocations
Total $			$13,050,000	$5,780,000

Results to be achieved by non-federal partners (if applicable):
Through a call for proposals process, national associations will be supported to develop information materials about elder abuse for their frontline professionals who regularly come in contact with older Canadians.

Contact information:
Dominique La Salle, Director General
Seniors and Pensions Policy Secretariat
Income Security and Social Development
Place Vanier, Tower B
355 North River Road
Ottawa ON
dominique.lasalle@hrsdc-rhdsc.gc.ca

Name of Horizontal Initiative: Federal Elder Abuse Initiative

Name of lead department(s): Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

Lead department program activity: Social Development

Start date of the Horizontal Initiative: April 1, 2008

End date of the Horizontal Initiative: March 31, 2011

Total federal funding allocation (start to end date): $13,050,000

Description of the Horizontal Initiative (including funding agreement):

The overarching objectives of the Federal Elder Abuse Initiative are to raise awareness of elder abuse throughout society, particularly among seniors, their families, and key professional groups, and to ensure the availability of appropriate elder abuse-related information, resources and tools.

To address this, new federal elder abuse activities will be coordinated interdepartmentally and will involve the cooperation and collaboration of the Department of Justice Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police under the leadership of HRSDC.

The centrepiece of the Federal Elder Abuse Initiative will be a public awareness campaign using various media. Generic information and resource materials for frontline workers (public health, medical, legal, police, and financial professionals, etc.) will be developed to provide key professional groups with the information necessary to identify cases of elder abuse, access the appropriate resources, and take measures to provide assistance to victims.

Shared outcome(s):
To help seniors and others recognize the signs and symptoms of elder abuse and to provide information on what support is available.

Governance structure(s):
The Seniors and Pensions Policy Secretariat (SPPS) within HRSDC is the focal point for Government of Canada activities related to seniors.

The Elder Abuse Task Force within the Seniors and Pensions Policy Secretariat is leading a working group of officials from partner departments/agencies to coordinate the implementation of Government of Canada initiatives to raise awareness and to develop and disseminate tools and supports for frontline workers. Partner departments/agencies retain responsibility for planning, programming, and budgeting their own resources to implement their activities.

The working group has developed a performance measurement framework, including a logic model, to identify the relationships between departmental/agency activities, outputs, and outcomes, and a suite of performance indicators to measure progress against outputs/outcomes. The working group will coordinate reporting and monitor performance and results over the course of the initiative.

The Interdepartmental Committee on Seniors will provide senior-level oversight and direction for the Federal Elder Abuse Initiative. The Committee will provide a forum to update federal departments on the progress and achievements of the initiative and to identify opportunities to align the initiative with other government initiatives and priorities.

($ millions)

Federal Partners	Federal Partner Program Activity (PA)	Names of Programs for Federal Partners	Total Allocation (from Start to End Date)	Planned Spending for 2009-2010	Expected Results for 2009-2010
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada	Social Development		$10,220,000	$4,870,000	2009-2010 will see partner departments increase awareness about elder abuse through advertising and/or the involvement of key stakeholders on elder abuse.
Department of Justice			$1,410,000	$440,000
Public health Agency of Canada			$1,420,000	$470,000
RCMP			Coming from internal allocations	Coming from internal allocations
Total $			$13,050,000	$13,050,000

Results to be achieved by non-federal partners (if applicable):
Through a call for proposals process, national associations will be supported to develop information materials about elder abuse for their frontline professionals who regularly come in contact with older Canadians.

Contact information:
Dominique La Salle, Director General
Seniors and Pensions Policy Secretariat
Income Security and Social Development
Place Vanier, Tower B
355 North River Road
Ottawa ON
dominique.lasalle@hrsdc-rhdsc.gc.ca