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The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s report for the period 1 July 1998 to 30 June 2000, as well as the information provided by the provincial governments and the various annexes.

1. Article 1 of the Convention. The Government states in its report that unemployment dropped from 11.5 per cent in September 1993 to 6.6 per cent in June 2000. Private sector full-time employment grew by 3.1 per cent and part-time employment grew by 1.9 per cent between April 1999 and July 2000. General unemployment decreased from 8.3 per cent in 1998 to 6.6 per cent in June 2000. Youth unemployment dropped from 15.7 per cent in 1998 to 12.9 per cent in April 2000. The Government’s strategies for promoting employment include: enhancing access to knowledge and skills; supporting innovation and high-tech development; reducing taxes for individuals and corporations; reforming employment insurance incentives; increasing youth employment; and facilitating the financing for small and medium enterprises and exports.

2. The Committee notes the detailed information provided on programmes to tackle youth unemployment. The Government provides assistance to approximately 430,000 students per year, has established a youth information phone line and web site, and sponsors many youth information fairs. Youth employment rose by 4 per cent in 1999 and 3.8 per cent to mid-2000. However, black and young indigenous people still have very high unemployment rates of over 20 per cent. The Committee would appreciate continuing to receive information on progress made in promoting employment among youth, particularly youth at greatest risk of unemployment.

3. Article 2. The Committee notes that, according to the OECD, the Government conducts pilot tests of new programmes before implementing them on a large scale. Unlike most countries, it carries out impact evaluations of all major programmes. The Committee would appreciate continuing to receive impact evaluations of programmes, including information about the impact on employment of the reform of the employment insurance scheme.

4. Article 3. The Committee notes that, with two exceptions from provincial governments, neither the Government’s report nor the reports from the provinces contain any new information on consultations with the social partners. Please continue to provide information on the manner in which representatives of the persons affected are consulted concerning employment policies.