Dean calls for more government action to help workers on the northern peninsula

Many workers are falling through the cracks of government’s Community Enhancement Employment Program (CEEP) and immediate action is needed to ensure these people can get through this difficult economic period, says Marshall Dean, MHA-elect for the Straits-White Bay North. Dean has written Acting Municipal Affairs Minister Tom Hedderson asking for more funding to be allocated to his district to address this gap.

Industry and business have experienced significant difficulty this year and many workers on the northern peninsula have been negatively impacted. In previous years, many of these workers would travel to western Canada for opportunities to supplement their income. This year, due to the global economic downturn, many of these job opportunities have disappeared and displaced workers are struggling to make ends meet with the winter fast approaching.

“There are a significant number of workers in my district who have not qualified for work under the CEEP,” said Mr. Dean. “The economy of the northern peninsula was hit hard this year by a number of factors and many people lost a substantial part of their income. As a result, a larger number of workers require assistance and this fact has yet to be recognized and addressed by government. There needs to be a recognition that more investment will be required during tough economic years and I am requesting that government act immediately to address this gap and help these people qualify for much-needed work and assistance.”

Dean says the first priority for government should be to place more effort on creating long-term, sustainable jobs in rural communities. However, in the absence of establishing these jobs and moving forward with a strategic plan for rural areas, temporary programs such as CEEP will be necessary.

“I am a strong believer in creating long-term sustainable industries in rural areas and I encourage government to move in this direction. Until such action is taken, however, we cannot continue to have people falling through the cracks of financial programs who desperately need work during years when the economy faces a downturn. The need is there and government must help wherever possible.

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