Federal Tories: Federal Employment Minister Jason Kenney

Federal Employment Minister Jason Kenney: They're presenting the federal Tories with an "alternative" proposition that would provide more flexibility to the provinces in how the proposed program would be funded, as well as how small businesses could participate, said Brad Duguid, Ontario's minister of training, colleges and universities, according to CTV. The proposed grant, a centrepiece of the last Conservative budget, is supposed to provide $15,000 for each eligible worker, with the cost divided equally among Ottawa, the provinces and employers. Federal Employment Minister Jason Kenney offered in December to cover the provincial portion, but there would be no new money allocated to do it and - The provinces and territories are firmly resisting a contentious federal skills training proposal, saying they want to see more flexibility before a deal can be reached over the much-touted Canada Job Grant. "I think it speaks volumes that every province and territory remain united on this issue," he said Wednesday in an interview with The Canadian Press. "We have been since Day 1 and continue to be." (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.