Media Release
Ottawa Talent Initiative Advances Community Action Plan for
Unemployed High Tech Workers

Plan calls for growing jobs and enhancing government employment support programs

OTTAWA, May 4 , 2004 –- Today the Ottawa Talent Initiative (OTI) released a Community Action Plan to address persistent and widespread unemployment in the technology sector. The Plan calls for 18 actions – many of them enhancing government programs and services – to immediately address the ongoing and urgent needs of thousands of technology workers who remain unemployed or underutilized.

OTI, in concert with the Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation (OCRI) and the City of Ottawa, has consolidated its energies to effectively assist technology workers in returning to productive employment and create initiatives to grow jobs in the Ottawa economy. OTI proposes two projects for immediate implementation: 1) a Grow Jobs in Ottawa Forum - a community strategy session involving representatives from all sectors of the Ottawa economy and 2) the High Tech Community Action Centre - run by those affected by the layoffs to provide centralized information and services.

"Many existing government programs were not set up to deal with an employment crisis in the technology sector, where people are highly trained and often narrowly specialized," said Marianne Wilkinson. "No one thought the technology workers would ever need support, but it's clear they do. The economy is less diversified in Ottawa than other Canadian cities, reducing alternatives for technology workers," Wilkinson added.

A number of important steps were required before this plan could be written. Many self-help groups had to be brought together to define the sector's most urgent needs and bringing forward the best possible solutions. All levels of government needed to be engaged. Community groups, businesses and other stakeholders needed to be consulted. These steps have begun to develop an effective network to deal with this major community initiative.

"This was a huge effort, work that we needed to be done," said Peggy Feltmate, Councillor from Ward 4, Kanata. "Governments were taken by surprise, like everyone else, by the sudden downturn in the sector and the size of it. Those laid off have contributed so much for so long. Now all levels of government need to come together to help overcome their persistent unemployment, and the financial and emotional hardship they are experiencing," she said.

This plan is a start in finding ways to sustain the technology talent pool in Ottawa and support it strategically, so that the right skills are available in the community as new opportunities emerge. "We're committed to Ottawa," said Gord Miller, an unemployed volunteer. "We are also committed to a collaborative effort in implementing these proposed actions. Our window of opportunity is now and the active involvement of business and government leaders will be critical for our success."

The OTI gratefully acknowledges the funding already received by the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities to create this Community Action Plan. The Steering Committee is now working on funding proposals to implement the Plan's recommended actions. In addition to the two priorities listed above, the following projects are recommended:

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About the Ottawa Talent Initiative
Established in January 2004, the Ottawa Talent Initiative (OTI) is a grass roots organization composed primarily of unemployed volunteers and community stakeholders. Its members are committed to working together to create positive change to address the current challenges faced by the unemployed technology workers in the Ottawa area. The OTI, in concert with the Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation (OCRI) and the City of Ottawa, has consolidated its energies to effectively assist technology workers in returning to productive employment and create initiatives to grow jobs in the Ottawa economy. Input to the Community Action Plan was in part derived from the Ottawa Talent Forum, a public information event held in February 2004. Additional information is available at www.ottawatalentinitiative.ca.