HUMA committee briefing binder: Appearance of Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion – May 30, 2023

Accessibility Standards 1 progress to date

Accessibility Standards Canada was established in 2019 with the mandate of developing national standards and facilitate the harmonization of accessibility standards across Canada.

To date, 8 technical committees have been established and are working on standards related to:

• A Model Standard for the Built Environment – Accessibility for federally regulated entities as defined in the Accessible Canada Act
• Outdoor Spaces
• Emergency Egress
• Emergency Measures
• Wayfinding and Signage
• Plain language
• Employment
• Accessibility Requirements for Information and Communication Technology Products and Services

Accessibility Standards Canada is also working in partnership with CSA Group and published standards on accessible design for the built environment, accessible housing, and accessible design of interactive devices and electronic payment terminals.

Accessibility Standards 2 next steps

Accessibility Standards Canada will continue the development of standards, will continue to fund research to inform its standards, and to engage with other Government of Canada’s departments, partners in the Act, and provincial counterparts with the goal of promoting uptake of the national standards as they are developed.

Accessible Canada Act 1 progress

The Accessible Canada Regulations came into force on December 13, 2021, taking an important step towards a barrier-free Canada, and creating communities, workplaces and services that enable everyone to participate fully in society.

These regulations require federally regulated organizations to report to the public on their policies and practices to identify, remove, and prevent barriers to accessibility. Under the regulations, public sector entities were required to publish their initial accessibility plans by December 31, 2022, and large private sector entities will need to publish their initial accessibility plans by June 1, 2023. Responsibility for compliance and enforcement of the Regulations is held by the Canadian Human Rights Commissioner.

My department has concluded early engagement on the next set of regulations under the Accessible Canada Act, which would deal with removing barriers in the area of information and communication technologies.

Since 2021, my department has published guidance on accessibility plans and reporting requirements in order to help regulated organizations meet and exceed regulatory requirements. The latest guidance document was published on March 17, 2023.

In addition, Canada’s first Chief Accessibility Officer, Stephanie Cadieux, was appointed and began her 4-year appointment on May 2, 2022.

Other progress towards a barrier-free Canada has included:

• National celebrations led by my department since 2019 as part of the National AccessAbility Week, a significant milestone to recognize and celebrate the substantial contributions of Canadians with disabilities to our communities and workplaces across Canada
• the Accessible Canada Grants and Contributions program has funded projects to increase capacity and enhance leadership within the disability stakeholder community, raise awareness of the Accessible Canada Act, change attitudes and behaviours, and mobilise knowledge to advance accessibility and drive meaningful inclusion
• to facilitate the mobilization of accessibility-related data, Canadians and regulated organizations can turn to an Accessibility Data Hub, established in collaboration with Statistics Canada in June 2021 as an evergreen repository of accessibility data
• the Federal Data Measurement Strategy for Accessibility 2022 to 2027, was published on June 1, 2022, to aid in measuring progress towards the identification, removal, and prevention of barriers for persons with disabilities
• on May 26-27, 2022, my department hosted the first annual Canadian Congress on Disability Inclusion. Over these 2 days, Canadians from various sectors came together to exchange ideas and share ground-breaking insights, to help shape accessible and inclusively designed communities and workplaces across Canada

Accessible Canada Act 2 next steps

My department will continue the development of standards-based regulations under the Act that deal with identifying and removing barriers in the priority areas such as Information and Telecommunication Technologies. We will also publish additional guidance to support regulated entities.

Following a Call for Proposals launched in 2022, my department has finalized the next round of projects to receive Accessible Canada grants and contributions funding, expected to be announced in winter 2023.

These projects are designed to promote accessibility and inclusion in communities and workplaces across Canada. They will also focus on increasing the participation of a diverse range of disability organizations, and on promoting partnerships between the disability community and other sectors in the implementation of the Accessible Canada Act and its regulations.

Adoptive Parents Benefit (15 Weeks) 1 progress

Budget 2021 announced $5 million over 2 years for ESDC to conduct targeted consultations on designing an EI program for the future.

In August 2021, my department launched comprehensive consultations on EI using a phased approach that took place over 2 years. February 2022 marked the end of the first phase.

The second phase of the consultations on EI modernization launched in April 2022 and closed in July 2022.

The What We Heard reports from the first and second phases of the consultations have been published.

As part of the consultations on the modernization of the EI program, I hosted 2 roundtables in December 2021 on how best to support Canadians through life events, during which I heard about the needs of adoptive parents and to make EI maternity and parental benefits more inclusive of the way families are formed.

In May 2023, PMB C-318, an Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act and the Canada Labour Code (Adoptive and Intended Parents), was introduced by a Conservative MP for a similar benefit for adoptive parents. The first hour of debate of second reading of Bill C-318 took place on May 4, 2023.

The second hour of debate at Second Reading is scheduled for June 21, 2023.

A royal recommendation will be required for Bill C-318 before it can proceed to a final vote in the House at the third reading stage.

Adoptive Parents Benefit (15 weeks) 2 next steps

As part of the EI consultations over the past year, my department held additional targeted discussions with a variety of stakeholders and organizations, including adoption advocates.

Now that the consultations are complete, policy development is underway on a comprehensive plan to modernize EI.

The Government will release its EI modernization plan once this work is complete in the coming months.

Adoptive Parents Benefit (15 weeks) available to kinship and customary care families if pressed

Continued engagement with adoption stakeholders will be key to inform the design of this new benefit, and ensure that it responds to the needs of adoptive parents, as well as is as inclusive as possible for various forms of adoption and family formation.

Adoptive Parents Benefit (15 weeks) coming into force If pressed

Timing of implementation will depend on sequencing with other EI commitments.

Apprenticeship Service 1 Progress

The Government is investing over $393 million in 19 projects to help small and medium-sized employers hire over 42,000 new apprentices by March 31, 2024.

Funded projects offer small and medium sized employers a financial incentive of $5,000 for each eligible new first-year apprentice hired. This incentive is doubled to $10,000 when the apprentice hired is from an equity-deserving group – specifically, women, persons with disabilities, Indigenous people, members of 2SLGBTQI+ communities, racialized communities, and newcomers.

In addition, funded projects offer employers other supports to help them participate in apprenticeship, such as welcoming workplace training.

Apprenticeship Service (access to financial incentives and other supports)

Employers can find information on how to apply for the financial incentives and other supports on the Government of Canada’s Apprenticeship Service website.

Artists and Cultural Workers 1 progress

Budget 2021 announced $5 million over 2 years for ESDC to conduct targeted consultations on designing an EI program for the future, including the need for income support for self-employed and gig workers.

In August 2021, my department launched comprehensive consultations on EI using a phased approach that took place over 2 years. February 2022 marked the end of the first phase.

The second phase of the consultations on EI modernization launched in April 2022 and closed in July 2022.

Participants in both phases of consultations included organizations representing artists and cultural workers.

The What We Heard reports from the first and second phases of the consultations have been published.

Artists and Cultural Workers 2 next steps

Work is underway to modernize the EI program informed by the feedback received from individuals and stakeholders through substantive consultations held through 2021 and 2022.

This will include exploring measures to better support self-employed and gig workers, including artists and cultural workers.

Canada Disability Benefit 1 progress

On June 2, 2022, the Canada Disability Benefit Act, Bill C-22, was introduced in the House of Commons.

• After being studied and amended by the HUMA Committee in the fall of 2022, the Bill was reported back to the House of Commons, where it passed third reading and was unanimously adopted on February 2, 2023
• Bill C-22 is now in the Senate for consideration, sponsored by Senator Brent Cotter. Departmental Officials and I appeared before the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology (SOCI) on March 22, 2023. Subsequent to this, officials appeared at SOCI to assist them in their study of the Bill. SOCI has now submitted their report and I look forward to receiving the bill back from the Senate and to consider the amendments they have made. It continues to be the objective of our government to move forward quickly with this legislation to get support into the hands of persons with disabilities as quickly as possible

In the lead-up to the tabling of Bill C-22, and in the spirit of “Nothing Without Us,” the Government launched an engagement process to seek input on the proposed Benefit and the Disability Inclusion Action Plan from disability communities, researchers, Indigenous organizations, and other stakeholders.

This engagement included over 8,500 Canadians having participated in an online survey; roundtables being held; and funding agreements being put in place to support disability organizations and national Indigenous organizations to engage their members.

• For example, Independent Living Canada is receiving funding to work with disability stakeholders across the country to solicit community perspectives and insights into the design and implementation of key initiatives under the Disability Inclusion Action Plan, including the proposed Benefit. A final report from this engagement was recently submitted to me. Funding is also being provided to 5 National Indigenous Organizations to do this work and reports are expected through this spring and into the fall
• I have also engaged with my provincial and territorial counterparts, multilaterally through the Forum of Federal-Provincial/Territorial Ministers responsible for Social Services about the design and implementation of the proposed Canada Disability Benefit and bilaterally to further discuss harmonizing provincial and territorial benefits with the new Canada Disability Benefit. F-P/T officials have also been engaging to better understand any possible interactions between the new benefit an existing P/T benefits

Canada Disability Benefit 2 next steps

I am hopeful the Bill will receive Royal Assent by June 2023.

Budget 2023 proposed $21.5 million in 2023 to 2024 to allow the Government to continue work on the future delivery of the Benefit, including engagement with the disability community and provinces and territories on the regulatory process which will take place once the Bill receives Royal Assent.

With this engagement, we will have a better chance of maximizing the impact that the new benefit will have, to make sure everyone is better off as a result and ensure we do not create any unintended consequences.

Canada Disability Benefit If pressed

We are very aware that many Canadians with disabilities are in desperate need of the additional financial support that the proposed Canada Disability Benefit would provide. Our intent, therefore, is to move forward as fast as we can.

Canada Disability Benefit If pressed on claw backs

I will work with my provincial and territorial counterparts to ensure that the new benefit builds on provincial social assistance and other supports and does not replace them. Overall, these conversations have been positive.

As well, the Government will build on previous engagement with the private disability insurance sector to ensure the Benefit is understood as a social benefit and, therefore, shouldn’t impact private disability insurance benefits.

I’m committed to working together to ensure the Canada Disability Benefit’s goal of poverty reduction amongst working-age persons with disabilities is realized.

Debt Forgiveness for Doctors, Nurse Practitioners and Nurses in Rural and Remote Areas 1 progress

Budget 2022 included funding to implement the 50% increase, starting in 2023 to 2024. Work is underway to implement this commitment, which will require regulatory amendments and systems changes. Regulations are expected to be published with implementation in fall 2023.

ESDC continues to work to expand the list of occupations eligible for Canada Student Loan forgiveness, as committed to in Budget 2022. Legislative and regulatory amendments, as well as system changes, would be required.

A consultation process involving dialogue with a broad range of actors to understand professions in shortage in rural and remote areas took place in 2022, including:

• provincial and territorial authorities responsible for healthcare and student financial assistance
• rural and remote municipalities, advocacy organizations, professional organizations, and post-secondary education students

The Canada Student Financial Assistance Program is also consulting with its third-party service provider to determine the impact the proposed changes would have on existing systems and processes, and to identify potential solutions to administer an expanded benefit.

Funding received through Budget 2023 will expand loan forgiveness to a greater number of rural communities, including all communities with populations of 30,000 or less. Regulations are expected to be published with implementation in 2024 to 2025.

Debt Forgiveness for Doctors, Nurse Practitioners and Nurses in Rural and Remote Areas 2 next steps

We are continuing to study labour market data and the information gathered through the consultative process to inform the delivery of this commitment.

Debt Forgiveness for Doctors, Nurse Practitioners and Nurses in Rural and Remote Areas if pressed

The Government of Canada is committed to improving access to health care and social services in under-served rural and remote communities.

Currently, the Government offers loan forgiveness to eligible family doctors, residents in family medicine, nurse practitioners, and nurses who work in under-served rural or remote communities. In 2021 to 2022, $25 million in Canada Student Loans were forgiven for almost 5,400 individuals through this initiative.

Disability Inclusion Action Plan 1 progress

During summer 2021, in keeping with the Government’s commitment to the principle of “Nothing Without Us,” we engaged with the disability community through roundtable discussions, bilateral discussions, and an online public engagement survey that received almost 8,600 responses.

• Overwhelmingly, respondents indicated the importance of measures to improve the financial security of persons with disabilities so that they may experience levels of inclusion in all the areas of our society on an equal basis as others

I met virtually with provincial and territorial Ministers responsible for social services to brief my counterparts on the Disability Inclusion Action Plan and the proposed Canada Disability Benefit in 2021. Federal, provincial, and territorial Ministers committed to work together to improve the well-being of persons with disabilities across Canada.

In December 2021, through the Social Development Partnerships Program – Disability component’s project funding stream, Independent Living Canada was selected as recipient of $650,000 to lead cross Canada engagement with the disability community on the design and implementation of key initiatives under the Disability Inclusion Action Plan.

I released Canada’s first ever Disability Inclusion Action Plan on October 7, 2022.

A blueprint for change, our plan ensures that 4 main pillars are addressed:

• Financial Security
• Employment
• Accessible and inclusive communities
• A modern approach to disability

The release of the Disability Inclusion Action Plan builds on the early investments already made to make Canada more inclusive for persons with disabilities, including:

• $11.4 million over 3 years to support the development of recommendations to modernize the disability assessment for federal disability programs and benefits
• $129.2 million over 2 years, starting in 2021 to 2022 for the Enabling Accessibility Fund, which to date has supported over 800 projects to improve accessibility in communities and workplaces across Canada, including over 200 in early learning and child care centres
• $65 million in 2021 to 2022 for the Opportunities Fund and other funding for employment supports
• measures to improve financial security for students with disabilities
• on August 1, 2022, the Government of Canada expanded eligibility for student financial assistance to students with persistent or prolonged disabilities. This means many more students with disabilities can access disability-targeted grants, in-study flexibilities, and more generous repayment assistance. This will make post-secondary education more affordable and help alleviate financial pressures for many more students with disabilities in Canada every year, starting in 2021 to 2022
• $376 million in additional support over 5 years, starting in 2021 to 2022, for changes to the Disability Tax Credit
• updating the list of mental functions used for assessment of the Disability Tax Credit. This will make it easier for applicants to be assessed, reduce delays, and improve access to benefits
• recognizing more activities in determining time spent on life-sustaining therapy and reducing the minimum required frequency of therapy to qualify for the Credit. The Government intends to undertake a review of these changes in 2023 to ensure they enable applicants to have a fair and proper assessment of their eligibility for the Disability Tax Credit
• each year, an estimated 45,000 additional individuals are expected to qualify for the Disability Tax Credit, and related benefit programs linked to its eligibility, from these changes

We also committed to taking actions in key areas through Budgets 2022 and 2023, including the following:

Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2 next steps

The Disability Inclusion Action Plan is an evergreen plan.

We are continuing to implement the Action Plan and will be establishing a governance structure across the Government of Canada that will help drive actions forward and embed the involvement of persons with disabilities into government systems and processes.

Other actions to be implemented include, the development of the Canada Disability Benefit, research to better understand the additional costs of disability, as well as filing data gaps and developing performance indicators to measure the progress of the Disability Inclusion Action Plan.

Disability Programs – Access 1 progress

To ensure an accurate assessment of access to federal disability programs and benefits, we have consulted federal partners and analyzed data and evidence identified through internal and external reports, including an inventory of federal disability-related programs and benefits.

Disability Programs – Access 2 next steps

Key elements of the comprehensive review are underway, including a review of uptake for persons with mental health disabilities. My department will continue to work with other federal departments responsible for disability programs and benefits as work progresses.

In keeping with the Government’s commitment to the principle of “Nothing Without Us,” my department is committed to engaging with external stakeholders – including people with lived experience of disability – on their experiences accessing federal disability programs and benefits to inform the outcomes of the review.

Disability Programs – Access Mental Health if pressed

My department will ensure that this comprehensive review, including engagement activities and subsequent development of recommendations, will address how to improve access to federal disability programs and benefits for those with mental health related disabilities.

Disability Organizations – Capacity 1 progress

Budget 2023 announced $10 million over 2 years to help address the unique needs and ongoing barriers faced by persons with disabilities by investing in capacity building and the community-level work of Canada’s disability organizations.

The Accessible Canada Grants and Contributions funding allocated through the Social Development Partnerships Program (Disability) has funded projects to increase capacity and enhance leadership within the disability stakeholder community, in order to raise awareness of the Accessible Canada Act, change attitudes and behaviours, and mobilize knowledge to advance accessibility and drive meaningful inclusion.

Through the Social Development Partnerships Program (Disability component), ESDC also provides funding to support the capacity of Canadian disability organizations and to build partnerships across the disability community and with other sectors.

• In December 2021, through the Social Development Partnerships Program - Disability component’s project funding stream, Independent Living Canada was selected as recipient of $650,000 to lead cross-Canada engagement with the disability community on the design and implementation of key initiatives under the Disability Inclusion Action Plan. This engagement is grounded in an intersectional approach and will highlight the perspectives of underrepresented and harder-to-reach populations within the disability community
• In addition to this project, funding has been made available to 5 national Indigenous organizations for the provision of community perspectives on implementation of the Disability Inclusion Action Plan and the Public Health Agency-led National Autism Strategy. Funding (up to $400,000 from ESDC and $400,000 from the Public Health Agency of Canada) will flow through existing Engagement Protocol Agreements
• In addition, through this program, we are partnering with LIFT Philanthropy Partners to work with a group of disability organizations to increase their capacity to deliver on their mandates for social inclusion and employment outcomes for persons with disabilities
• An open competitive Call for Proposals was launched in Spring 2022 to support operating capacity for national disability organizations resulting in funding of $20.7M over 3 years for 27 disability organizations. Agreements for this work begin in the 2023 to 2024 fiscal year
• I have also sought advice from my COVID-19 Disability Advisory Group related to this priority. Members of the Advisory Group are experts from the disability community and their role includes providing me with advice on disability inclusion and implementing my mandate

Disability Organizations – Capacity 2 next steps

In the spirit of our commitment to “Nothing Without Us,” under the Accessible Canada Act and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, we will continue to engage and involve persons with disabilities and disability organizations in the implementation of the Disability Inclusion Action Plan.

Budget 2023 funding will start in fiscal year 2023 to 2024, and will help build the strategic capacity of organizations to strengthen the professional development of the next generation of disability and accessibility experts that will be needed to support the Government’s ambitious accessibility agenda.

Stakeholder engagement within the disability community and engagement with First Nations, Métis and Innu through national Indigenous organizations continues as part of the iterative process of including persons with disabilities in the implementation of the Disability Inclusion Action Plan.

Employment Insurance System for the 21st Century 1 progress

Millions of Canadians rely on Canada’s Employment Insurance program every year, including when they find themselves out of work, starting a family, taking time to care for a loved one, or need to get better themselves.

Work is underway to modernize the program informed by feedback received from individuals and stakeholders through substantive consultations held through 2021 and 2022.

Budget 2023 proposed to extend support for seasonal workers until October 2024.

Employment Insurance System for the 21st Century 2 next steps

Given the current and near-term inflationary pressures, the Government is taking a cautious approach to putting in place new EI measures that could increase EI premiums and make it harder for workers and employers to make ends meet.

The intent is to build an EI program that is simpler, responsive to all labour market conditions, and financially sustainable.

As part of the way forward on EI, Budget 2023 proposes continued investments in the program. This includes an extension to the financial supports for workers in seasonal industries, ensuring the Work-Sharing Program provides timely supports to employers, improving the recourse process for EI appeals and continued investments in the Labour Market Transfer Agreements with provinces and territories.

Employment Insurance System for the 21st Century if pressed on Digital Platform Workers

Our government is committed to advancing amendments that entitle workers employed by digital platforms to job protections under the Canada Labour Code. I will support the Minister of Labour on this issue to ensure better benefits and supports for these workers.

Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits 1 progress

EI sickness benefits are an important support for Canadians who leave work due to illness, injury or quarantine. They complement other supports available to workers for longer-term illness and disability.

Amendments to the EI Act required to extend EI sickness benefits from 15 to 26 weeks were included in the Budget Implementation Act 2021, which received Royal Assent on June 29, 2021.

These amendments came into force on December 18, 2022.

Employment Insurance Benefit for self-employed 1 progress

Budget 2021 announced $5 million over 2 years for Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to conduct targeted consultations on designing an EI program for the future, including the need for income support for self-employed and gig workers.

In August 2021, my department launched comprehensive consultations on EI using a phased approach that took place over 2 years. February 2022 marked the end of the first phase.

The second phase of the consultations on EI modernization launched in April 2022 and closed in July 2022.

The What We Heard reports from the first and second phases of the consultations have been published.

Employment Insurance Benefit for self-employed 2 next steps

Work is underway to modernize the program informed by the feedback received from individuals and stakeholders through substantive consultations held through 2021 and 2022.

This will include exploring measures to better support self-employed and gig workers, including artists and cultural workers.

Employment Insurance Career Insurance Benefit 1 progress

The Department is exploring policy options for long-tenured workers in the context of EI modernization.

Work is underway to modernize the program informed by the feedback received from individuals and stakeholders through substantive consultations held through 2021 and 2022.

Employment Insurance Career Insurance Benefit 2 next steps

The Department will continue to explore options for a comprehensive plan to modernize EI, which will include exploring measures to better support long-tenured workers.

Employment Strategy for Canadians with Disabilities 1 progress

Development of the Employment Strategy has been informed by ongoing consultations. Most recently, these included:

• engagement undertaken by National Indigenous Organizations in 2022 and 2023
• community engagement in 2022 conducted by national disability organizations
• roundtables with service providers and youth with disabilities in 2022
• Inclusive Workplace Campaign Survey of small- and medium-sized enterprise owners in 2022
• the results of a survey conducted in Summer 2021 on the framework of the Disability Inclusion Action Plan
• a series of roundtables on disability inclusion in 2021
• ongoing bilateral discussions with stakeholders
• discussions with my Disability Advisory Group

Implementation of early deliverables under the Employment Strategy are underway.

The goals of the Employment Strategy are to:

• Help individuals find and maintain jobs, advance in their careers, or become entrepreneurs
• Support employers to diversify their workforces by creating inclusive and accessible workplaces for employees with disabilities
• Increase the supply, capacity, and reach of individuals and organizations that work to support disability inclusion and accessibility in employment, including by ensuring smooth transitions and long-term retention

Budget 2022 announced $272.6 million over 5 years to support the implementation of an Employment Strategy for Canadians with disabilities through the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities.

• Following the 2022 Call for Proposals launched on May 30, 2022, 100 projects under the Opportunities Fund were approved for funding which will support the implementation of the Employment Strategy. As of May 2023, 48 projects have new signed agreements

This investment will help to address labour market shortages through increased participation by persons with disabilities and by making workplaces more inclusive and accessible.

These investments build on earlier enhancements to the Opportunities Fund, including $65 million provided in the 2020 Fall Economic Statement, and $15 million in emergency funding in June 2020 for a National Workplace Accessibility Fund. These investments have helped to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and stimulate economic recovery from 2020 to 2021 and 2022 to 2023.

The Employment Strategy forms an important part of the government’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan, which aims to improve the social and economic inclusion of persons with disabilities, and builds on more than $1.1 billion in funding that the federal government has committed to advance the inclusion of persons with disabilities since 2015.

Employment Strategy for Canadians with Disabilities 2 next steps

Over the coming years, the Employment Strategy will guide federal efforts to transform the Canadian labour market into one that is fully inclusive and accessible. It will embed and mainstream disability inclusion in federal skills training and employment programming and better coordinate the federal government’s many policies, programs and initiatives that aim to help persons with disabilities find and keep good jobs.

Employment Strategy for Canadians with Disabilities if pressed

As much-needed supports are put in place, the focus will turn to creating an Employment Strategy that:

• includes an evolving set of forward-looking policy and program responses; ongoing engagement activities will inform future programming
• embeds and mainstreams disability inclusion in federal programming, so persons with disabilities are equally served by targeted and broad-based skills employment programs
• creates a whole-of-government approach that coordinates federal efforts and supports provincial and territorial efforts
• takes a holistic approach to addressing barriers to entering and remaining in the labour force (for example, built environment, transportation, lack of supports, accessible housing)
• establishes key indicators and measures progress against targets

Prior to Budget 2022, the $40 million per year for the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities supported 85 national and regional projects, which served about 4,500 clients per year. The last program evaluation completed in 2020 found that the average annual earnings of participants increased by nearly 40% over the 5-year period following participation in the program. It also found that an investment of $1 in the program yielded $1.70 in return over 10 years.

Foreign Credential Recognition 1 progress

Budget 2022 announced an additional $115 million over 5 years, with $30 million ongoing, to expand the Foreign Credential Recognition Program with an initial focus on supporting internationally educated health professionals integrating into the Canadian labour market.

Along with existing funding, this new investment will allow for up to 11,000 skilled newcomers per year to get their credentials recognized and find work in their field.

Through the Foreign Credential Recognition Program, we are supporting the labour market integration of skilled newcomers.

The Program completed the signing of 7 new 10-year agreements, totaling $43M, to deliver loans across Canada.

The Program currently has several active projects with provinces, territories, and regulatory bodies to improve foreign credential recognition processes.

For example, the Program is funding a project with the Government of New Brunswick to test innovative ways to recruit, bridge, and employ internationally educated nurses, and support them in obtaining licensure as nurses in New Brunswick.

The Program is currently investing over $22M in 20 projects focusing on the labour market integration of internationally educated health professionals. Additionally, as of April 2023, over $17 million in Foreign Recognition loans have been issued, 2 thirds of which were in the health sector.

On December 5, 2022, we launched an Open Call for Proposals to invite eligible organizations to submit projects proposals that support the labour market integration internationally educated health professionals.

• The program received proposals from provinces and territories, regulatory authorities, immigrant serving organizations and other organizations by the closing on January 30, 2023. Over $90 million over 2 years will be available to support new projects from this Call

Foreign Credential Recognition 2 next steps

I will continue working with the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to coordinate efforts between our departments and expand the program.

Gender-based Analysis Plus 1 progress

Women and Gender Equality Canada has established a steering committee which will serve as the governance for this commitment.

In order to improve Gender and Diversity Outcomes in Skills Programs (a Budget 2019 measure), my department has developed and is implementing a GBA Plus Strategy.

The Strategy supports the integration of intersectional analysis through various capacity building activities to enable departmental staff to have the analytical capacity to incorporate GBA Plus in all stages of the development and implementation and continual improvement of skills programs.

The Strategy also supports several qualitative and quantitative data investments that help skills programs to better measure, monitor, and report on program participation and outcomes of diverse groups of people in the labour market.

These investments, including engagement efforts with partners and stakeholders, play a central role in informing policy and program design.

Gender-based Analysis Plus 2 next steps

Going forward, my department will work with Women and Gender Equality Canada to implement a new suite of GBA Plus tools, and support the integration of intersectional analysis in ESDC’s policies and programs by providing training, partnering on projects and knowledge sharing.

Gender-based Analysis Plus if pressed

ESDC has a long history of commitment to advancing gender equality from 1954, when the Women’s Bureau was first established as part of the former Department of Labour, to now where the Bureau has transformed into the GBA Plus Centre of Expertise with an expanded scope of its original mandate to address barriers faced by diverse groups of Canadians.

ESDC recognizes the importance of understanding the experiences of diverse populations, and how we must also examine the impacts of our programs, policies, and services across these different groups of Canadians.

Applying a GBA Plus lens enables ESDC to examine the intersection of identities (such as gender and race) within and across diverse groups, which allows us to better understand the unique experiences and challenges they face.

My department is committed to enhancing GBA Plus and working with WAGE to improve government programs for all Canadians.

Loans: New Parents Repayment of Federal Student Loans 1 progress

The Government is committed to ensuring that post-secondary education is affordable and student debt is manageable, including for parents of young children.

On October 1, 2020, the Government of Canada introduced interest-free and payment-free leave for up to 18 months for Canada Student Loan borrowers who take a temporary leave from their studies for parental or medical reasons, including mental health.

In addition, Budget 2021 committed to increasing the repayment assistance threshold from $25,000 to $40,000 for a single borrower (and higher for larger family sizes), indexing the thresholds to inflation, and lowering the cap on loan payments to 10% of a borrower's family income. These changes were implemented as of November 1, 2022.

Through an investment of $2.7 billion over 5 years and $556.3 million per year ongoing announced in the 2022 Fall Economic Statement, we have permanently eliminated interest on Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans as of April 1, 2023. This will provide permanent relief to borrowers in repayment including those with children.

Work is underway to advance this commitment to support parents with Canada Student Loans in repayment in a way that complements other program changes, while ensuring that new parents with outstanding student loans have the supports they need.

Consultations with provinces and territories are currently underway.

Loans: New Parents Repayment of Federal Student Loans 2 next steps

Analytical work and consultation with provinces, territories, and service delivery partners will be required to advance this commitment, particularly in light of the changes to repayment assistance currently underway.

Changes to repayment assistance requires regulatory amendments.

Loans: New Parents Repayment of Federal Student Loans if pressed

The Government has taken significant action in recent years to make loan repayment more affordable; specifically by permanently eliminating interest on Canada Student and Apprentice Loans as of April 1, 2023; and by making several enhancements to the Repayment Assistance Plan, which were implemented on November 1, 2022.

These changes will help all student loan borrowers, including those with young children.

Loans: Student / Apprentice Interest 1 progress

The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of making post-secondary education affordable and accessible for all Canadians and is committed to ensuring that student and apprentice loan repayment remains manageable.

Through an investment of $2.7 billion over 5 years and $556.3 million per year ongoing, as announced in the 2022 Fall Economic Statement, we have permanently eliminated interest on Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans, starting on April 1, 2023.

Eliminating interest accrual will help 1.2 million borrowers better manage their loan repayments each year.

This builds on the temporary interest waiver introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, which initially included a temporary moratorium on payments and interest accrual for 6 months (March 31 to September 30, 2020), followed by an additional 2-year interest waiver that began on April 1, 2021.

Implementation on April 1, 2023, helped ensure there was no gap in interest-free status following the end of the 2-year interest waiver on March 31, 2023.

Loans: Student / Apprentice Interest If pressed

The permanent elimination of interest builds on the 2-year interest waiver that expired on March 31, 2023, and complements more generous repayment assistance that was announced in Budget 2021 and implemented on November 1, 2022.

Students from Quebec, Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories will not directly benefit from this measure as these jurisdictions do not participate in the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program. However, as set out in legislation, the 3 non-participating jurisdictions will receive alternative payments to help support the equitable treatment of students across the country and ensure more Canadians have a real and fair chance to achieve their potential, while respecting provincial and territorial jurisdiction in the field of education.

Loans: Student Repayment Assistance 1 progress

As announced in Budget 2021, as of November 1, 2022, the Government of Canada increased the repayment assistance threshold from $25,000 to $40,000 for a single borrower (and higher for larger family sizes), indexed the thresholds to inflation, and lowered the cap on loan payments to 10% of a borrower's family income.

Analysis and consultations with provinces and territories related to this commitment is underway.

We are working to advance this commitment in a way that complements other program changes, including giving consideration to the timing and sequencing of implementation.

Loans: Student Repayment Assistance 2 next steps

As part of this work, further analysis, as well as engagement with provinces and territories and delivery partners is required.

Changes to repayment assistance requires regulatory amendments.

Loans: Student Repayment Assistance If pressed

The Government is committed to ensuring that post-secondary education is affordable and student debt is manageable for more borrowers, particularly those early in their careers who are earning less income than other workers, as well as those starting families, which adds to their financial obligations.

Analytical work and consultation with provinces, territories, and service delivery partners will be required to advance this commitment in a way that ensures that delivery and costing impacts are understood by all stakeholders.

Lockdown Benefit 1 progress

The Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit Act received Royal Assent on December 17, 2021. The benefit was retroactive to October 24, 2021, to support workers in regions where public health lockdowns have led to work interruptions. The Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit was implemented, and Canadians had the ability to apply retroactively for and receive the benefit until May 19, 2022.

The Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit distributed just over $914 million dollars to support nearly 456,000 eligible Canadians.

Low Carbon Economy 1 progress

The Minister of Natural Resources and the Minister of Labour are leading the Government of Canada’s efforts to ensure a just and equitable transition to a low-carbon future for workers and their communities.

The Department has supported consultations on proposed Sustainable Jobs principles, legislation, and advisory body. These sessions were held with labour organizations, industry, academia, non-governmental organizations, youth, as well as experts in skills, training, and diversity inclusion.

Subsequent consultations took place with provinces, territories, and Indigenous organizations over the summer in 2022.

The Government released an interim Sustainable Jobs Plan in February 2023 to enable the creation of good, middle-class jobs across Canada.

The 2022 Fall Economic Statement provided $250 million in funding to help Canadian workers thrive in a changing global economy. The funding was directed towards a Sustainable Jobs Secretariat, a new Sustainable Jobs stream under the Union Training and Innovation Program, as well as a Sustainable Jobs Training Centre. The Centre will bring together workers, unions, employers, and training institutions across the country to examine the skills of the labour force today, develop curriculum, and help 15,000 workers upgrade or gain new skills for jobs in a low-carbon economy.

Low Carbon Economy 2 next steps

My department will continue to work with Natural Resources Canada to advance Sustainable Jobs related initiatives as well as to advance legislation and comprehensive action to achieve a sustainable future. This includes recent announcements on sustainable jobs in the 2022 Fall Economic Statement and the interim Sustainable Jobs Plan.

Personal Support Workers 1 progress

My department is taking a holistic approach to fulfilling this commitment through different programs and initiatives.

To begin with, as announced in the 2020 Fall Economic Statement, my department is currently funding a $38.5 million pilot project to help address labour shortages in long-term and home care.

This pilot project is testing a new recruitment and training model for up to 2,400 Supportive Care Assistants through micro-certification, of which 1,200 are anticipated to complete full Personal Support Worker certification.

Additionally, we estimate that approximately 2,500 Personal Support Workers benefit from the Labour Market Transfers Agreements for training purposes each year. This means that up to 7500 Personal Support Workers could be trained through these agreements by October 20, 2025.

In addition to training opportunities, a National Occupational Standard for Personal Support Workers has been developed. It serves as a set of voluntary guidelines to address skills gaps within the occupation as well as inconsistencies across jurisdictions. It can be used to create workplace standards, performance expectations, and as the basis for developing training curriculum.

Personal Support Workers 2 next steps

We continue to explore other ESDC programs to help meet this commitment.

We will also continue to collaborate with Health Canada to identify programs in the health portfolio to help meet this commitment and engagement opportunities with provinces and territories.

Personal Support Workers If pressed

As of April 11, 2023, there are over 1734 reserved seats for the Long Term and Home Care pilot project, with 1571 students in online training, 688 students are in work placements, 433 students have graduated as Supportive Care Assistants, and 88 students are pursuing their full Personal Support Worker certification.

Print Disabilities 1 progress

Access to alternative format reading materials is critical for persons with print disabilities to be able to fully participate in Canadian society. That is why our government invested $25 million over 5 years in Budget 2022 to improve access to alternate format reading materials. This funding is part of investments under the Disability Inclusion Action Plan and will support:

• the production of alternate format materials by the Centre for Equitable Library Access and the National Network for Equitable Library Services
• research and a survey of persons with print disabilities
• a new Equitable Access to Reading Program to boost the production of accessible format reading materials through innovative partnerships

This investment will provide long-term, stable funding in a dedicated and transparent program devoted to improving the availability of accessible print materials for persons with print disabilities.

These measures complement actions taken to support the production and availability of alternate format materials, including $10 million announced in the 2020 Fall Economic Statement for the not-for-profit sector to support the production of alternate format materials as the Canadian publishing industry made progress to adapt to publishing books that are born accessible. In addition, the department invested $1 million in 2021 in recognition of the profound effect the pandemic had on production and the significant need for access to alternate format print materials by persons with print disabilities as individuals were more isolated.

These investments build on the $22.8 million over 5 years from Budget 2019 for the Canada Book Fund, delivered by Canadian Heritage. The Fund supports Canadian publishers in improving the accessibility of digital books.

Statistics Canada launched a survey of Accessible Print Materials which ran from March 15 to April 15, 2023.

Print Disabilities 2 next steps

Engagements with the disability community on the design of the new program will continue into summer 2023.

Funding agreements will be made with the National Network for Equitable Library Service and the Centre for Equitable Library Access to reflect Budget 2022 funding for 2023 to 2024.

My Department will be conducting an analysis of the survey data and engagement findings to inform the design of the new Equitable Access to Reading Program.

Print Disabilities if pressed

With Budget 2022 funding, agreements with 2 service providers, the Centre for Equitable Library Access and the National Network for Equitable Library Services, have been signed.

We are aiming to launch and implement the new program by 2024 to 2025.

Sector-based Work Permits 1 Progress

My department is working with Agriculture and Agri-food Canada to assess how best to support the design and implementation of possible program measures, including to create a new sector-based work permit.

Sector-based Work Permits 2 next steps

As sector-based work permits is a file led by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, my department, along with Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, intends to work closely with our counterparts at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and to engage with stakeholders on the design and implementation of measures that include a new sector-based work permit.

Sector-based Work Permits if pressed

The health and safety of temporary foreign workers is of the utmost importance to me, my colleagues, and the Government of Canada. Like every worker in Canada, they deserve to be safe in their workplaces.

Strengthen Inspections 1 Progress

Budget 2022 announced $14.6 million in 2022 to 2023, and $3 million in remaining amortization, to improve the quality of employer inspections and hold employers accountable for the treatment of workers.

With this funding, my department has begun to rebuild the Employer Compliance Regime to improve the quality, timeliness and reach of its inspections.

The rebuild of the compliance regime takes into account the Auditor General’s recommendations, lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, and builds on areas of improvement identified prior to the pandemic– all with the objective to better protect temporary foreign workers and fairly hold employers accountable for the treatment of workers.

To help improve inspection quality, the Department used funding from Budget 2022 to invest in measures such as quality control and review functions, to better detect and correct substantive errors within the inspection process. This has allowed for real-time improvements earlier in the inspection process. Between April 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023, 98% of inspections assessed for quality were without substantive errors.

Strengthen Inspections 2 next steps

Budget 2023 provided funding over 2 years for ESDC to improve the employer compliance regime under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, including more program inspectors and the maintenance of the worker protection tip line.

Resources from the Budget 2023 funding will allow ESDC to continue efforts to help improve the quality, timeliness, and reach of inspections, and to continue work to support the rebuild of the Employer Compliance Regime.

Strengthen Inspections if pressed

We are committed to continuing to improve the quality and timeliness of our employer inspections, as well as to increase awareness of program conditions with employers to help protect the health and safety of temporary foreign workers.

Sector-specific Agricultural Labour Strategy 1 progress

My department has been working with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada on a path forward to address the Agricultural sector’s chronic labour shortages.

We have also been sharing labour market information, including initiatives to improve skills measurement, trend analysis and forecasting, as well as information on the suite of skills programs available to support and alleviate pressures on the agriculture and agri-food sector.

These initiatives and programs include, but are not limited to:

• The Temporary Foreign Worker Program, the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program, Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program, the Skills and Partnership Fund, the Red Seal Program, the Union Training and Innovation Program, as well as the Employment Strategy for Canadians with Disabilities as part of the first-ever Disability Inclusion Action Plan

Of note, in March 2022, ESDC concluded Calls for Proposals for the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program to launch new training-based projects to address the needs of the clean economy; the health sector; and other sector that are key to post-pandemic economic growth, such as agriculture and agri-food.

Public consultations on the Strategy opened June 27, 2022, and closed September 28, 2022. Feedback submitted as part of the online questionnaire will inform the development of the Strategy.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is also in the process of holding direct and targeted engagement with provinces and territories, employers, unions, workers, and others, including on the revival of the FPT Agricultural Labour Task Team.

Sector-specific Agricultural Labour Strategy 2 next steps

We will continue to work with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to advance this important work, and look forward to the results of its now completed public consultations on the National Agricultural Labour Strategy, and the What We Heard Report which was published in May 2023.

Sector-specific Agricultural Labour Strategy If pressed on the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program

Through the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program, we launched projects in key sectors starting in fall 2022, which included a project that helped to address labour shortages in the Agriculture and Agri-food sector.

Sector-specific Agricultural Labour Strategy If pressed on labour shortages

Attracting and retaining workers in the agricultural and agri-food sector through incentives is an important consideration. ESDC has numerous initiatives and programs to encourage Canadians, including those from equity-deserving groups, to explore, prepare for, participate, and succeed in various jobs.

The agriculture sector is an important part of our economy and Temporary Foreign Workers play a vital role in parts of this sector. We are committed to working with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada on a whole-of-government approach to addressing the labour and skills shortages to support building an inclusive workforce that can thrive in a rapidly evolving labour market.

Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program, Wrap-around Supports 1 progress

The Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program is well positioned to fund training projects that include wrap-around supports for those facing barriers to participation. This could include, for example, accommodation, transportation, and childcare costs, as well as expenses related to specialized services, arrangements, or equipment.

In March 2022, ESDC concluded Calls for Proposals for the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program to launch new training-based projects to address the needs of the clean economy; the health sector; and other sectors that are key to post-pandemic economic growth.

The Calls for Proposals included parameters requiring project applicants to provide wrap-around supports, as needed to those facing barriers to participating in training initiatives. Particularly, for women and equity-deserving groups.

For the purposes of the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program, equity-deserving groups include women, persons with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples, racialized Canadians or visible minorities, newcomers, and members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community.

We launched 21 Sectorial Workforce Solution Program projects in late fall 2022 and early 2023.

Simplify Permit Renewals and uphold 2-week Processing Times and Employer Hotline 1 Progress

I share this mandate commitment with the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, as work permit renewals are under his authority.

In April 2022, the maximum work duration for the Global Talent Stream Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) was increased to 3 years, which will mean that fewer work permit renewals will be needed over time, and that foreign workers who wish to pursue permanent residence will have more time to do so.

My department consistently meets or exceeds the 10-business day service standard for processing Labour Market Impact Assessments under the Global Talent Stream.

An Employer contact centre hotline for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program is also already in place.

A dedicated team provides all Global Talent Stream employers with personalized, high-touch assistance throughout the Labour Market Impact Assessment process.

ESDC officials continue to support Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s ongoing efforts towards meeting their department’s service standards for work permit processing under the Global Talent Stream (within 2 weeks, 80% of the time).

Strategies to process Global Skills Strategy applications – including a new approach to allow for bulk processing/approvals for certain work permit extensions – are proving successful and reducing processing times at a stable and effective rate.

• The Global Skills Strategy average processing time was 99 days for September 2022, 63 days as of December 2022, and 38 days as of March 18, 2023

Simplify Permit Renewals and uphold 2-week processing times and Employer Hotline 2 next steps

My department will continue to support Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s ongoing efforts towards reducing processing times for work permit applications under the Global Talent Stream, and enhancing client experience for temporary foreign workers in relation to work permit renewals.

Skilled Trades: Campaign to Promote 1 progress

The national campaign to promote the skilled trades was launched in January 2022 and concluded at the end of March 2022. It included marketing products, as well as an advertising campaign.

Building on the success and noting the sustained demand for skilled trades, we have renewed the campaign.

The second phase of the campaign launched in fall 2022. It focused on youth who are choosing their post-secondary career path, young adults who are looking to change careers, and on parents and caregivers of youth, encouraging them to discuss the skilled trades with the youth in their lives.

Skilled Trades: Campaign to Promote if pressed

Our government is a strong supporter of apprenticeship and the skilled trades that provide Canadians with well-paying, rewarding careers.

That is why our government invests nearly $1 billion annually in a broad array of apprenticeship supports and skills training initiatives.

These investments will encourage more young people to obtain an exciting new career in the skilled trades.

Sustainable Battery Industry 1 progress to date

ESDC is working with other departments, such as Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and Natural Resources Canada, to support the skills dimension of the sustainable battery industry.

In March 2022, ESDC concluded Calls for Proposals for the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program to launch new training-based projects to address the needs of the clean economy, the health sector, and other sectors that are key to post-pandemic economic growth.

Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program projects started in late fall 2022, some of which support this commitment.

In addition, the 2022 Fall Economic Statement proposed to launch a Sustainable Jobs Training Centre to help workers upgrade or gain new skills for jobs in a low-carbon economy. It will focus on specific areas in high demand, starting with the sustainable battery industry and low-carbon building and retrofits. Further details will be provided later this year.

Sustainable Battery Industry 2 next steps

ESDC will simultaneously continue to support project recipients in the launch of their projects and monitor progress.

ESDC will continue to support the government’s efforts to develop Canada’s battery industry from a skills perspective and will advance work to launch a Sustainable Jobs Training Centre.

Sustainable Battery Sectoral Workforce Solutions if pressed

A series of Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program projects started in fall 2022. Components of 5 projects with a combined funding of $98 million, have the potential to support various elements of the battery supply chain.

Sustainable Jobs Training Centre 1 progress

The 2022 Fall Economic Statement proposed to provide $250 million to fund several measures focusing on skills for a net-zero economy, including funding for Sustainable Jobs Training Centre. The Centre will bring together workers, unions, employers, and training institutions across the country to examine the skills of the labour force today, forecast future skills requirements, and help 15,000 workers upgrade or gain new skills for jobs in a low-carbon economy.

The Sustainable Jobs Training Centre would focus on specific areas in high demand, starting with the sustainable battery industry and low-carbon building and retrofits.

Sustainable Jobs Training Centre 2 next steps

Work is ongoing to determine the best approach to advance this commitment and launch a Sustainable Jobs Training Centre.

Training Benefit 1 progress

My department is working on an approach for the redesign and implementation of the Canada Training Benefit.

The Department completed engagement with key stakeholders in August and September 2022, building on input from the 2019 consultations on the Canada Training Benefit.

Key stakeholders included employers and businesses, labour groups and unions, education and training providers, and not-for-profit organizations.

Bilateral engagement with provinces and territories launched in fall 2022 has been concluded.

Training Benefit 2 next steps

The Department will bring forward advice on the redesign and implementation approach informed by what was heard through the engagement process.

Training Benefit if pressed why there is a need for redesign

Following the Budget 2019 announcement of the Canada Training Benefit, my department undertook consultations with provinces, territories, and stakeholders.

These consultations revealed broad support for offsetting training costs and general recognition that training is underfunded by governments and employers.

However, participants noted a number of concerns with the initial proposal, for example, that many working adults with training needs would likely not qualify for EI (for example, part time workers, gig workers).

Trusted Employer Model 1 Progress

Budget 2022 announced $29.3 million over 3 years to introduce a Trusted Employer Model that reduces red tape in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program for repeat employers who meet the highest standards for working and living conditions, protections, and wages in high-demand fields.

My Department continuously reviews Program policies to ensure they reflect the latest economic conditions, and has been actively working with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to design and implement the Trusted Employer Model.

Trusted Employer Model 2 next steps

An announcement on the Trusted Employer Model will be made in the coming weeks. It is anticipated that Program officials will be conducting employer outreach in summer 2023.

Trusted Employer Model if pressed

Temporary foreign workers that come to Canada contribute to the economy by filling skills and labour shortages in a range of sectors, including agriculture and fish and other food processing, health care, trucking, tourism and hospitality.

The Trusted Employer Model will maintain key elements of the existing Temporary Foreign Worker Program, with a view to reducing the administrative burden for repeat employers hiring temporary foreign workers in designated occupations that are in shortage.

UTIP Double 1 Progress

Budget 2022 announced $84.2 million over 4 years to double funding for the Union Training and Innovation Program.

Each year, the new funding will help 3,500 apprentices from equity-deserving groups begin and succeed in careers in the skilled trades through mentorship, career services, and job-matching.

We launched a Call for Proposals from August to October 2022, for projects to support union investments in equipment and materials for apprenticeship training.

Funding projects began in March 2023.

A second Call for Proposals for projects to support innovative approaches to address challenges that limit apprenticeship outcomes was launched from October to December 2022.

Projects selected for funding are anticipated to begin by fall 2023.

Implementation in Quebec is done through a separate agreement with the provincial government and negotiations were initiated in fall 2022.

A new bilateral agreement with the province of Quebec is anticipated to begin in summer 2023.

UTIP Sustainable Jobs Stream 2 next steps

The 2022 Fall Economic Statement announced a new sustainable jobs stream under the Union Training and Innovation Program. The objective is to support unions in leading the development of green skills training for workers in the trades.

My department is developing options for the implementation of this new commitment.

UTIP Union Engagement if pressed

Our government recognizes the important role that unions play in providing quality training to apprentices in Red Seal trades.

ESDC undertook extensive engagement with stakeholders, including unions, to support the implementation of the Union Training and Innovation Program. As part of the Program’s ongoing work, Department officials will continue to engage with apprenticeship stakeholders.

Employment insurance

Temporary Foreign Workers

Labour shortage

Chad Collins, Liberal Party, Hamilton East–Stoney Creek, Ontario

Brief biography

Chad Collins was first elected to the House of Commons for Hamilton East - Stoney Creek on September 20, 2021. A lifelong resident of Hamilton East - Stoney Creek, Chad resides in the Davis Creek area with his wife Mary and 2 children, Chase and Reese. He attended Glendale Secondary School, the University of Western Ontario, and McMaster University. Chad was first elected to City Council in 1995, at the age of 24, making him one of the youngest elected representatives in the City's history.

Chad is passionate about engaging local residents and community stakeholders, focusing on revitalization of infrastructure, development of social housing and stream-lining municipal programs.

As President of City Housing Hamilton, Chad has been committed to addressing the City's aging affordable housing stock by pressuring all levels of government to invest in the much needed repair of over 7,000 publicly owned units. He continues to work on nearly a dozen new projects across the City and in the riding that will provide new affordable housing units to those in need.

From the creation and development of new community parks and trails to the opening of a new food bank, Chad knows community consultation is an integral part of improving quality of life for everyone in Hamilton East - Stoney Creek.

Of note:

Key issues of interest: affordable housing.

Michael Coteau, Liberal Party, Don Valley East, Ontario

Brief biography

Michael Coteau was first elected to the House of Commons for Don Valley East on September 20, 2021. He has served as the Member of Provincial Parliament for Don Valley East since 2011. During his time in the Ontario government, his ministerial roles include: Minister of Children and Youth Services; Minister Responsible for Anti-Racism; Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport; Minister Responsible for the 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games; and Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.

Prior to entering the provincial government, Michael was elected as a school board trustee for the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) in 2003, 2006 and 2010. As a trustee, Michael advocated for student nutrition, community use of space and the use of educational technology. He initiated the ‘Community Use of Schools’ motion that drastically cut user fees and made schools more accessible to groups that offer programs for children. He helped introduce nutritional changes in schools that supported healthy food programs and increased awareness of student hunger.

Michael worked as an ESL instructor and curriculum developer before becoming a community organizer for a United Way agency in Scarborough. He was also the Marketing Manager for ABC Life Literacy, where he was responsible for the organizing of the Family Literacy Day across Canada, and was Executive Director of Alpha Plus, a national literacy organization mandated to support adult education through the use of technology.

Michael grew up in Don Valley East and attended Don Mills Middle School and Victoria Park Collegiate Institute. He holds a degree from Carleton University in Political Science and Canadian History. He and his wife Lori live in Toronto with their 2 daughters, Maren and Myla.

Of note:

• spent 10 years in the Ontario legislature
• key issues of interest: Low-income families

Wayne Long, Liberal Party, Saint John–Rothesay, New Brunswick

Brief biography

Wayne Long was first elected to the House of Commons for Saint John — Rothesay in 2015 and was re-elected in 2019 and 2021. He is a member of the Saint John community with national and international business experience. Wayne currently serves as President of the Saint John Sea Dogs, and his efforts have helped turn the team into one of Canada’s most successful CHL hockey franchises winning the cherished Memorial Cup in 2011. That same year, Wayne was recognized with the John Horman Trophy, awarded to the Top Executive in the QMJHL.

Prior to his work with the Sea Dogs, Wayne was President of Scotiaview Seafood Inc. He was also a successful large-scale product manager with Stolt Sea Farm Inc. Wayne’s work has seen him travel across North America, negotiating contracts with national restaurant distributors, restaurant chains, and retail chains. He earned the North American Excellence in Sales and Marketing award twice. Wayne is a former Board Member for Destination Marketing and Salmon Marketing.

Wayne was born in the riding, and currently calls the area home alongside his wife, Denise, and their 2 children, Khristian and Konnor.

Of note:

• has been a member of HUMA since the beginning of the 42nd Parliament (2015)
• key issues of interest:
  • poverty
  • mental health
  • outspoken support of the Energy East oil pipeline project
  • previously broken ranks with party (Energy East, tax policy, SNC-Lavalin) which resulted in being kicked off House committees as punishment
  • frequently makes sports parallel (hockey)
  • government programs and support that benefit his constituents

Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Liberal Party, PS for Housing and Diversity and Inclusion (Housing), Hochelaga, Québec

Brief biography

Soraya Martinez Ferrada was first elected to the House of Commons for Hochelaga in 2019 and re-elected in 2021. She was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship in 20219 and became Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport in 2021. She has also served on the Standing Committee on Official Languages in the last Parliament.

She is a proud resident of the east end of Montréal. Originally from Chile, her family settled in the area in the 1980s. Soraya has deep roots in the community where she currently resides with her son and daughter.

Before being elected, Soraya worked for more than 20 years in the community where she specialized in communications and developed multiple cultural and political projects. Among her achievements, she created the very first cultural and socio-professional integration program at TOHU, a unique example of sustainable development in Montréal.

In 2005, she was elected as a city councillor and appointed by the mayor to the position of Associate Advisor for Culture on the City’s Executive Committee. In 2009, she became Chief of Staff to the Leader of the Official Opposition at Montréal City Hall. She transitioned to the federal government in 2015 as Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the Minister of Canadian Heritage.

She created the Vedette d’Hochelaga video clips in which she highlights the commitment of citizens, community organizations, and entrepreneurs in the riding of Hochelaga. She has also set up virtual roundtables and regular newsletters that present federal programs directly serving the people of her riding.

Of note:

• parliamentary Secretary – Housing and Diversity and Inclusion (Housing)
• key issues of interest:
  • poverty
  • Quebec-focused
  • multiculturalism

Robert (Bobby) J. Morrissey, Liberal Party, Egmont, Prince Edward Island

Brief biography

In 2015, Bobby was elected to the House of Commons and was re-elected in 2019 and 2021. He served as a Member on the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, as well as the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities.

Previously, he was elected to the Prince Edward Island Legislative Assembly in 1982 and has dedicated his career and volunteer life to serving the residents of PEI.

Having served as MLA for nearly 20 years, Bobby has a deep understanding of his communities’ needs. He has held a number of high-profile roles within the Assembly, such as Minister of Transportation and Public Works, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, and Opposition House Leader. He was also responsible for the redevelopment of the Canadian Forces Base Summerside and the surrounding community following its closure by the federal government in 1989. Bobby left politics in 2000 to join the private sector as a consultant specializing in government relations, fisheries, and the labour market. Bobby has been a member of the Board of Directors for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of PEI. He was the founding member and former president of the Tignish Seniors Home Care Co-op, and Vice-Chair of Tignish Special Needs Housing.

Of note:

• Chair of HUMA
• former member of HUMA in 2019 (briefly before the general election)

Tony Van Bynen, Liberal Party, Newmarket–Aurora, Ontario

Brief biography

Tony Van Bynen was first elected to the House of Commons for Newmarket-Aurora in 2019 and re-elected 2021. A resident of Newmarket for over 40 years, Tony and his wife Roxanne raised their 2 daughters there.

Community service, volunteerism, and helping those who need it most is what drives Tony every day. He and Roxanne have volunteered at the Southlake Hospital, and the Inn from the Cold, for over 10 years. They also deliver food for the Newmarket Food Bank, and Tony was instrumental in creating Belinda’s Place, which is a multi-purpose facility for homeless and at-risk women.

He also had the privilege of serving as the Mayor of Newmarket for 12 years. During that time, community building is what guided Tony on his mission to revitalize Main Street, renew the historic Old Town Hall, and build the Riverwalk Commons so families and friends can enjoy great public places.

Through his previous role as the President of the Chamber of Commerce, and his 30-year career in banking, Tony understands what local businesses need to thrive and grow. He’s delivered innovative solutions to help local business owners find success, including creating the Envi broadband network, so businesses in the community have ultra-high-speed connectivity, which has been particularly crucial during the pandemic.

Of note:

Key issues of interest: focused studies to help Canadians, especially getting through the pandemic.

Rosemarie Falk, Conservative Party, Associate Labour Critic, Battlefords–Lloydminster, Saskatchewan

Brief biography

Rosemarie Falk is the Conservative candidate for Battlefords-Lloydminster. Rosemarie was born and raised in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan. Along with her husband Adam, she is now raising her children there. She has always been actively engaged in her community. Throughout her social work career and extensive volunteer work she has worked with some of the most vulnerable members of the community.

Rosemarie was first elected to the House of Commons in a by-election on December 11, 2017. Prior to this, Rosemarie worked as a registered Social Worker in Saskatchewan and has a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Calgary. She also has experience as a legal assistant specializing in family law and as a legislative assistant in federal politics.

In October 2022, under the new Conservative Party leader, she was named to the new Official Opposition's Shadow Cabinet as the Associate Shadow Minister for Labour and Associate Labour Critic.

Of note:

• she has served as a member of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration
• sponsor: Bill C-318, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act and the Canada Labour Code (adoptive and intended parents)
• Rosemarie is committed to being a strong voice for seniors, families, taxpayers and rural communities
• associate Critic- Labour in the Official Opposition's shadow cabinet

Michelle Ferreri, Conservative Party for Families, Children and Social Development Critic, Peterborough Kawatha, Ontario

Brief biography

Michelle is the Member of Parliament for Peterborough-Kawartha and was elected in the 2021 federal election. Michelle was appointed as Shadow Minister for Tourism as part of the Conservative Shadow Cabinet for the 44th Parliament. In October 2022, under the new Conservative Party leader, she was named to the new Official Opposition's Shadow Cabinet as the Minister for Families, Children and Social Development.

Prior to being elected, Michelle was a well-known community advocate, an award-winning entrepreneur, a committed volunteer, and a highly sought-after public speaker and social media marketer.

Michelle has over 20 years’ experience in media, marketing and public speaking. During her time as a reporter, one of Michelle’s most memorable experiences was when she had the opportunity to visit the Canadian Forces Base, Alert and fly to the station on a C-17 Globemaster.

Michelle is a graduate of Trent University (Biology/Anthropology) and Loyalist College (Biotechnology). Her education in science has led her to be a passionate advocate for physical and mental health.

She is a proud mother of 3 children, between the ages of 12 and 17, and shares her life with her supportive partner, Ryan, and his 3 daughters.

Of note:

• she is a member of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women since December 9, 2021
• Michelle is interested in physical and mental health, housing, the economy and food security
• Critic- Families, Children and Social Development in the Official Opposition's shadow cabinet

Tracy Gray, Conservative Party, Employment, Future Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion Critic, Calgary Midnapore – Kelowna–Lake Country, British Columbia

Brief biography

Tracy was elected to serve as Member of Parliament for the riding of Kelowna-Lake Country in October 2019. In October 2022, under the new Conservative Party leader, she was named to the new Official Opposition's Shadow Cabinet as the Shadow Minister for Employment, Future Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion. She previously served as Shadow Minister for Interprovincial Trade and as the Shadow Minister for Export Promotion and International Trade.

Tracy has extensive business experience and worked most of her career in the BC beverage industry. She founded and owned Discover Wines VQA Wine Stores, which included the number one wine store in BC for 13 years. She is has been involved in small businesses in different sectors including financing, importing, oil and gas service and a technology start-up.

The daughter of a firefighter and Catholic School teacher, Tracy grew up around service and a strong work ethic. She has one son and been married for 27 years.

Tracy has received many accolades including RBC Canadian Woman Entrepreneur of the year, Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award and 100 New Woman Pioneers in BC.

Tracy served with many organisations over the years. She was appointed to serve by BC Cabinet to the Passenger Transportation Board and elected to the Board of Prospera Credit Union for 10 years. In addition, she served on the Okanagan Film Commission, Clubhouse Childcare Society, Okanagan Regional Library Trustee and Chair of the Okanagan Basin Water Board.

Of note:

• Critic – Employment, Future Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion in the Official Opposition's shadow cabinet
• sponsor: Bill C-283, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (addiction treatment in penitentiaries) and M-46 National Adoption Awareness Month (outside order of precedence)

Scott Aitchison, Conservative Party, Housing and Diversity and Inclusion Critic, Parry Sound–Muskoka, Ontario

Brief biography

Scott Aitchison was born and raised in Huntsville, Ontario. After leaving home at 15, Scott was raised by the character of his hometown. In October 2022, under the new Conservative Party leader, he was named to the new Official Opposition's Shadow Cabinet as the Shadow Minister for Housing and Diversity and Inclusion.

Scott was first elected at the age of 21 to Huntsville Town Council. After serving as Town Councillor, District Councillor and Deputy Mayor, he was elected as Mayor of Huntsville in 2014 on a promise of fiscal discipline, responsible governance and excellent customer service. As Mayor, he built a reputation as a consensus-builder relentlessly focused on breaking down barriers and finding solutions.

Of note:

Critic – Housing and Diversity and Inclusion in the Official Opposition's shadow cabinet.

Bonita Zarrillo, New Democratic Party, Disability Inclusion Critic, Port Moody–Coquitlam, British Columbia

Brief biography

Bonita Zarrillo was first elected as Member of Parliament for Port Moody-Coquitlam in 2021. She is known to be a voice for equality and drives systemic change that puts people first. She entered public service so she could advocate for working people and to support the needs of the most vulnerable in the community. She championed buy-local as a tool for small businesses to thrive and to enable them to hire locally, challenged pipeline corporations to pay their fair share, and completed a successful housing affordability strategy that generated the most rental housing starts in her region.

On Coquitlam Council, Bonita served on the following: Fraser Health Municipal Government Advisory Council, Multiculturism Advisory Committee, Metro Vancouver Indigenous Relations Committee, Universal Access Ability Advisory Committee, and past Board Member for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. She sat on the board of 2 local Not-For-Profits that advocate for gender equality and speaks regularly at The Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations.

Before being elected to municipal government, Bonita worked in consumer products as a Business Analyst for companies across North America and Europe. She has a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Manitoba, a Human Resource Management Certificate from the University of Calgary and has a Computer Science Degree from CDI Montreal.

Of note:

• Critic – Disability Inclusion
• pledged to help Canadians through collaborative committee work
• key issues of interest:
  • mental health and suicide prevention
  • women’s issues and gender equality
  • workers’ conditions
  • care economy

Louise Chabot, Bloc Québecois, Employment, Workforce Development and Labour Critic, Thérèse- De Blainville, Quebec

Brief biography

Louise Chabot was first elected as Member of Parliament in 2019 and was re-elected in 2021. She was born in 1955 in Saint-Charles-de-Bellechasse, Quebec, is a Quebec trade unionist and politician. She was president of the Centrale des Syndicates du Québec (CSQ) from 2012 to 2018. The organization initially represented nearly 200,000 members, including 130,000 in the education and early childhood sector. She coordinated a major unionization project that resulted in the consolidation of more than 15,000 family day care managers, a first in the union world in Canada.

Of note:

• Critic – Employment, Workforce Development and Labour Critic
• sponsored the Committee’s study on the Review of the EI Program in 2021 critical of the EI program in general and very outspoken about seasonal workers’ Strou noir and inadequate sickness benefits
• interested in seniors’ financial security and their purchasing power
• seek to enact federal anti-scab legislation
• supporter of labour unions – Former president of Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ)
• member of the consultative committee for Quebec’s Pay Equity Commission
• advocate for increase in health transfers
• respect for provincial jurisdictions
• labour shortages
• nurse by profession