Investment in training is appallingly low in Canada, even when compared to the U.S. Volunteerism is not working.  Employers must be obligated legislatively to pay a training tax similar to the one in Quebec.  Even extending EI benefits for training will not resolve the issue of how training delivery is to be paid for.  To pay direct delivery costs, a training tax is needed. 

Once funded, training must be jointly governed by business and labour at the workplace.  Otherwise training may be of dubious value, selectively offered, and inadequately monitored. 

Governments must reinvest by restoring EI income support benefits labour market programs that offer real skills training rather than false promises based on attitude adjustment.  Programs supported by public dollars should be delivered by community colleges and school boards and non-profit organizations according to guidelines that are set and monitored by multipartite consultation with labour as the institutional representative of workers interests. 

There is much to be done, but our ability to force corporations and governments in neoliberal economies can only be accomplished by building working class power in our unions and with the community.  This must remain our central goal. Persuasion, reasonableness, or minor program tinkering will not bring the changes we are seeking. Only an organized, renewed and re-energized labour movement can do that. 

Thank you.