Conservative Caucus launches Alberta Jobs Taskforce to Address Growing Jobs Crisis

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 3, 2016

OTTAWA, ONTARIO – In response to the growing jobs crisis in the province of Alberta, today the Conservative Caucus launched the Alberta Jobs Taskforce.

Unemployment is quickly reaching a crisis situation in Alberta. Since the beginning of 2015, the number of Albertans out of work has nearly doubled to 200,000. For a province that was, until recently, the economic engine of Canada, this situation affects the entire country and demands swift and dedicated action.

Over the coming weeks the Taskforce will collect information from everyday Albertans, employers, small businesses, social assistance organizations, workers and other stakeholders – all of whom are affected by the current jobs crisis and have valuable insight and ideas to share.

Foothills MP John Barlow, Deputy Critic for Employment, Labour and Workforce Development, said “the Taskforce will produce a report containing tangible policy solutions and budget requests, all while drawing attention to an unemployment problem that is of growing national concern.”

“Alberta is facing one of the highest unemployment rates in the country and the Liberal Government has been silent on the issue,” said MP John Barlow. “The Alberta Jobs Taskforce will give Albertans a chance to have their ideas heard and provide policy proposals we can implement now that will be instrumental in getting Alberta back to work.”

Calgary MP Michelle Rempel, co-chair of the Taskforce, added, “The people of Alberta have worked hard for generations, and the entire nation has benefitted from Alberta’s economic strength,” said “As the jobs crisis in Alberta gets worse, families need the Liberal government to come up with solutions. Yet so far, the Liberals have failed to put forward a jobs plan. We need to work together and take a collaborative approach in finding real solutions to the very real jobs crisis in Alberta.”

Albertans interested in participating in the Taskforce’s work can visit AlbertaJobsTaskforce.ca

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For additional information, please contact:

Brittany Lorenz
Director of Communications
Office of John Barlow, MP
613-995-8471
john.barlow@parl.gc.ca