Official language minority communities (OLMCs) enrich our linguistic heritage and play a vital role in strengthening Canada's workforce and economy. The Government of Canada continues to promote the economic vitality and well-being of individuals in these communities by ensuring that they have the supports they need to find employment and succeed in their careers.
Today, the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, Randy Boissonnault, announced the first call for proposals for the Employment Assistance Services (EAS) stream under the Enabling Fund for Official Language Minority Communities (EF-OLMC). Funding of $231 million over five years (2024-2025 to 2028-2029) will support organizations that aim to strengthen the economic prosperity of OLMCs across the country.
This new EAS stream reflects the Government's broad vision of a strong Canadian Francophonie, of Quebec's vibrant English-speaking communities and of bilingualism that recognizes Canadian French and English linguistic heritage.
Not-for-profit and for-profit OLMC organizations and Indigenous organizations that serve an Indigenous community whose first official language-English or French-is the minority language of that province or territory are eligible to apply for funding under this call for proposals. Eligible projects must provide one of the following four services: job search assistance, counselling and case management, unassisted services, and/or other employment assistance services activities.
The new EAS stream is one of the largest initiatives under the Government of Canada's Action Plan for Official Languages 2023-2028: Protection - Promotion - Collaboration to ensure that people living in OLMCs can find, obtain and maintain employment. Up to 43,000 Canadians will have access to these services annually and these supports will be delivered by organizations that understand the unique needs of individuals who are part of OLMCs. Organizations have until June 20, 2024, to apply for funding.
Organizations interested in applying are encouraged to do so electronically through the Grants and Contributions Online Services
