Media Advisory - New coalition to sound alarm about the skills crisis in Canada

    Coalition of leading business, education and labour representatives
    wants issue debated during the federal election campaign

    OTTAWA, Sept. 19 /CNW Telbec/ - The Investing in Skills coalition will
officially launch at a news conference in Ottawa on Sept. 23. The coalition is
launching its activities to bring the growing skills shortage and its damaging
impact on Canada's economy to the attention of Canadians as they prepare to
vote in next month's federal election.
    The coalition, which includes 17 national organizations such as the
Canadian Construction Association, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, the
Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance (CATAAlliance), the Canadian Labour
Congress, and the Tourism Association of Canada, wants the issue debated by
all party leaders in this election.

    WHAT:    News conference: Investing in Skills coalition

    WHEN:    Tues. Sept. 23, 2008, 10:00 a.m. EDT

    WHERE:   Room 130-S, Charles Lynch Press Room, Centre Block, Parliament
             Hill

    SPEAKERS:

    - Paul Charette    Chairman, Canadian Construction Association and
                       Chair of the Investing in Skills coalition

    - James Knight     President, Association of Canadian Community Colleges

    - Ken Georgetti    President, Canadian Labour Congress

    A question-and-answer period with the speakers and other members of the
coalition will follow the briefing.

For further information: and to arrange an interview, contact: Massimo
Bergamini, InterChange Public Affairs, (613) 230-0183, cell: (613) 290-5317