This article drew the following response from the Deputy Minister and Chairman of the Canada Employment and Immigration Commission:

"... I take issue with Mr. Morrison's basic argument. He suggests that the new training policies represent the Commission's 'turning its back on those in greatest need'. On the contrary, their aim is simply to ensure that Employment Training serves those who can benefit from it in terms specified by the Adult Occupational Training Act: through improved employability or earning potential. At the same time, the program must meet its responsibility for providing skills needed in the economy. Far from turning our backs on persons in need, we are continuing to give priority to training various special needs clients wherever such training can lead to jobs. What we are not prepared to do is to use the program for purposes that are outside its objectives or that it cannot serve effectively."

Because we feel unqualified to offer any opinion on this matter one way or the other, we will let the "facts" speak for themselves:

1. In the Senate Report on Canada Manpower, the Minister reported that in 1974-75, the Commission spent 51% of its training division funds (both institutional and industrial) on "disadvantaged" clients, who were defined as those with incomes at or below the poverty level.² By 1976-7.7, this proportion was down to 13.1% In that same year, only 9.2% of all trainees were in this category and this number was down from previous years.

2. Special needs clients are defined as those who find it especially difficult to obtain and hold permanent employment. They are trained through Industrial programs and training funds. In 1977-78, women in special needs training programs accounted for 9.3% of all industrial trainees; 2.4% of all female trainees; and less than 1% of all trainees of both sexes.

3. Outreach programs seek to "extend services into areas where they would not otherwise be provided to assist those who if left unassisted would constitute an economic and social waste ... The target groups are identified ... to be: women, unemployed, urban poor, welfare recipients, native peoples, the handicapped, youth, inmates and ex-inmates, and persons living in isolated communities... The program uses the competencies of external groups and agencies to deliver services and to maintain close contact and identification with the various client groups .,,⁴

A recent announcement by the Minister responsible for the Commission, the Hon. Bud Cullen, states:

"Women will no longer be singled out in the Outreach program although women with special problems such as alcoholism, physical handicaps, or learning disabilities can still benefit from the program."⁵

^1. J. L. Manion, Letter to the Editor, Perception, July, 1978.

^2. Senate Committee on National Finance, op. cit p.

^3. Manpower and Immigration, Annual Report: 1976-77, p. 2,

^4. Senate Committee on National Finance, op. cit., p. 46

^5. "Cullen cuts job help for women", article in Toronto Star, Oct. 18, 1978