MP Mark Warawa Reveals Knowledge Advantage to Students at Trading Up Trade Fair

April 05, 2007

Conservative MP Mark Warawa revealed a key element of the federal government’s economic development plan, Knowledge Advantage, at Kwantlen University College Trades and Technology Centre in Cloverdale.

In his speech Warawa said:

“We need to increase the participation of all Canadians in the workforce, focus on the quality of the labour market to enhance opportunities for Canadians, and address efficiency by reducing barriers to the mobility of Canadians.

The Conservative government has moved on each of these three fronts. We’ve enhanced the Temporary Foreign Workers Program. We’re working with the provinces and territories to find ways to let newcomers to Canada contribute their skills and to bring their credentials to the Canadian labour force. We are eliminating barriers for under-represented groups such as Aboriginal Canadians, Older Workers and Persons with Disabilities. Finally, we are making it easier for foreign students educated in Canada to stay in this country and become productive members of the labour force.

Looking at the quality of our labour force – we need to give Canadians the skills and education they need to succeed in the workplace. This can be done through improvements to post-secondary education and skills development. Canada’s New Government is working to modernize Canada’s student financial assistance program, to make it more effective. Since last August, more students are now eligible for Canada Student Loans. The budget announced a textbook tax credit that will benefit about 1.9 million students. And when they fill out their tax forms this year, students will find their scholarships and bursaries are fully exempted from income tax.

As well, apprentices in the Red Seal trades will now receive $2000 in Apprenticeship Incentive Grants over two years. Over 100,000 apprentices will benefit. Employers also benefit with up to $2,000 per apprentice for each of the first two years of their contract under the Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit.

“Kwantlen University College is a world leader in training for the trades and technology with this state of the art facility right here in the Fraser Valley,” says Warawa.  “We should be very proud that this training in available to Langley residents to prepare our youth for a very positive future where our goal is to provide our knowledge advantage and experience. I wish this would have been available when I was going to school.” 

“I am incredibly pleased our government has made training in the trades a high priority and made grants and incentives available to those a trade part of their future.”