What is the CLFDB?

The Canadian Labour Force Development Board is made up of partners from business, labour, education and training, and the equity groups (women, aboriginal peoples, people with disabilities and members of visible minorities), working together to develop a highly skilled Canadian workforce that contributes to the well-being of Canadians and a productive and prosperous economy.

The notion of "working together" to bring about positive change is often articulated but seldom translated into key principles of public policy. The CLFDB -- a national, not-for-profit organization with an agenda and a work program set independently by the members -- was established in 1991 in response to the growing consensus that labour market partners must play a greater role in training and human resource development in Canada. The Board's mission is to work toward the creation of a coherent and coordinated system of labour force development that is equitable, effective and efficient.

The Board is made up of 22 voting members: eight representatives each from business and labour, two from the education and training community, and one from each of the four equity groups. Board members are nominated by the constituencies they represent - over 89 national organizations. Provincial/territorial and federal departments responsible for labour force matters are represented by non-voting members. The Board works by consensus.

The CLFDB co-chairs have also been selected by their constituents: J. Laurent Thibault, former President of the Canadian Manufacturers' Association, as Business Co-chair, and E. Gérard Docquier, former Canadian National Director of the United Steelworkers of America, as Labour Co-chair.

The CLFDB mandate is to:

• play a lead role in developing commitment to training and labour force development in Canada;
• advocate more, relevant, higher quality and accessible training;
• provide direction on all aspects of training and related employment and adjustment programs and policies;
• provide the labour market partners with opportunities to conduct meaningful dialogue and build consensus;
• establish a framework for government accountability with respect to training and labour force development programming;
• ensure that the Board has the information needed to monitor and evaluate training outcomes and be accountable to its constituencies.

©1994 CLFDB
All rights reserved.

ISBN: 1-895813-24-7
April 1994, CLFDB #17

This report is also available in French and in alternative formats.
For more information or additional copies, contact:

Canadian Labour Force Development Board
23-66 Slater Street
Ottawa, Ontario
KIP 5Hl

Telephone: (613) 230-6264
Facsimile: (613) 230-7681