Canada has a skilled and adaptable workforce, the most educated in the world. On November 4, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue, will table Budget 2025 – the government’s plan to deliver generational, transformational investments to grow our economy, empower workers, create high-paying careers, and protect and support those most affected by trade disruptions.

“Canadian workers power our economy. We’re taking strong, targeted action to support those affected by trade disruptions and to help every worker build the skills and resilience needed for the future. Our goal is simple: to maintain and expand Canada’s skilled, educated, and adaptable workforce, and empower the workers who care for us and build the strongest economy of the G7.”

- The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne,
Minister of Finance and National Revenue

“Canadians are meeting this moment with strength and with conviction. We are building the future together by protecting our communities, empowering our families and investing in Canada. We’re standing up for Canada’s future and for the workers who are building it every day.”

- The Honourable Patty Hajdu,
Minister of Jobs and Families

“Our new government is investing in Canadian workers, creating high-quality careers, and getting things built faster. We are ensuring every worker has the tools and supports they need to get ahead. When our workers succeed, Canada succeeds.”

- The Honourable John Zerucelli,
Secretary of State (Labour)

• The new reskilling and support package for workers affected by trade disruptions includes:

  • $50 million over five years and $8 million ongoing, to implement a new digital tool to facilitate job search and applications, and launch a national online training platform in partnership with the private sector.  
  • $570 million over three years through Labour Market Development Agreements with provinces and territories to support training and employment assistance for workers impacted by tariffs and global market shifts.
  • $382.9 million over five years, and $56.1 million ongoing, to launch new Workforce Alliances to bring together employers, unions, and industry groups to work on ways to help businesses and workers succeed in the changing labour market and coordinate public and private investments in skills development. A new Workforce Innovation Fund will invest in projects tailored to local job markets to help businesses in key sectors and regions recruit and retain the workforce they need. 
  • Temporary flexibilities to the Employment Insurance (EI) Work-Sharing Program to provide EI benefits to eligible employees who agree to work reduced hours due to a decrease in business activity beyond their employer’s control. This helps employers and employees avoid layoffs while supplementing reduced income with EI benefits. This measure is expected to cost $370.5 million over five years, and $18.5 million ongoing.
  • Temporary EI measures that enhance income supports for Canadian workers whose jobs have been impacted by the economic uncertainty caused by foreign tariffs. These supports are expected to cost $3.6 billion over three years. 

• Many newcomers to Canada already have extensive training in sectors where Canada is experiencing labour shortages, including doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals, as well as workers in construction occupations. Budget 2025 will propose to provide $97 million over five years, starting in 2026-27, for Employment and Social Development Canada to establish the Foreign Credential Recognition Action Fund and work with the provinces and territories to improve the fairness, transparency, and timeliness of foreign credential recognition, with a focus on health and construction sectors. This funding would be sourced from existing departmental resources.

• Building major infrastructure and millions more homes will create high-paying careers for Canadians, but that means the newest generation of Canadian builders must get the proper training. Budget 2025 will propose to provide $75 million over three years, starting in 2026-27, to Employment and Social Development Canada to expand the Union Training and Innovation Program, which supports union-based apprenticeship training in the Red Seal trades.

• Non-compete agreements that prevent workers from moving to rivals or starting a competing business reduce competition and undermine the efficiency of the labour market. The government will launch consultations on proposed legislative changes for restricting these agreements in early 2026.

• Personal support workers help Canadians to live and grow old with dignity and helped us get through the COVID-19 pandemic. The February 2023 Working Together to Improve Health Care for Canadians plan provided $1.7 billion over five years to increase wages for personal support workers, with bilateral agreements signed by British Columbia ($232 million), Newfoundland and Labrador ($25 million), and the Northwest Territories ($5.3 million). The new Personal Support Workers Tax Credit will be available for the 2026 to 2030 taxation years, to eligible workers employed in provinces and territories not covered by this existing support.

Associated links

• Prime Minister Carney launches new measures to protect, build, and transform Canadian strategic industries

Media may contact:

John Fragos
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Finance and National Revenue
John.Fragos@fin.gc.ca

Media Relations
Department of Finance Canada
mediare@fin.gc.ca
613-369-4000

General enquiries

Phone: 1-833-712-2292
TTY: 613-369-3230
E-mail: financepublic-financepublique@fin.gc.ca

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