Details on Transfer Payment Programs

Allowances

Start date: Allowance in 1975; Allowance for the Survivor in 1985.

End date: ongoing.

Type of transfer payment: grant.

Type of appropriation: statutory (Old Age Security Act).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: not applicable.

Link to departmental results:

• clients receive high quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Pensions and Benefits
• program: Old Age Security

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program:

• the Old Age Security (OAS) program is the first pillar of Canada's retirement income system. Its objective is to ensure a minimum income for seniors, and to reduce income disruptions at retirement. The OAS program is funded by general tax revenues. The program includes 3 benefits:
  • the OAS pension
  • the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
  • the Allowances
• through the Allowances, the department provides benefits to low-income 60 to 64 year-old individuals who are either the spouse or common-law partner of a GIS recipient or who are a widow/widower. The Allowances are income-tested to ensure that the highest benefits are paid to the lowest-income seniors

Expected results: in existing data sources, it is not possible to identify individuals aged 60 to 64 who are married to, or who are common-law partners of, GIS recipients. It is also not possible to identify those who were married to, or were common-law partners of, deceased GIS recipients. Therefore, it is not possible to establish a denominator for those entitled to the Allowances. Consequently, a measure of take-up for the Allowances is no longer reported as the data does not allow for a clear distinction between near-seniors who are entitled to the Allowances and those who are not.

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2019 to 2020.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: continuation.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: 2026 to 2027.

General targeted recipient groups: low-income near-seniors aged 60 to 64.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: no engagement initiatives are planned for fiscal year 2024 to 2025.

Canada Disability Savings Program - Grants and Bonds

Start date: December 2008.

End date: ongoing.

Type of transfer payment: grant.

Type of appropriation: statutory (Canada Disability Savings Act and Canada Disability Savings Regulations).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: not applicable.

Link to departmental results:

• persons with disabilities and their families have financial support
• clients receive high quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs (Pensions and Benefits)

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Pensions and Benefits
• program: Canada Disability Savings Program

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program:

• the objective of the program is to support the long-term financial security of persons with disabilities. The Government of Canada provides incentives (grants and bonds) to open and contribute to a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)
• the grant and bond respond to long-standing and ongoing needs identified by persons with disabilities, their families, and organizations supporting them to reduce barriers to saving for the future
• the Canada Disability Savings Grant is a limited matching grant. The government issues up to $3,500 a year per eligible beneficiary into a RDSP to match plan contributions. The limit is $70,000 of grants over the beneficiary's lifetime
• in addition, the government will issue a Canada Disability Savings Bond of up to $1,000 a year into the RDSPs of low and modest-income Canadians. The limit is $20,000 in bonds over the beneficiary's lifetime. There is no annual RDSP contribution limit, but there is a maximum lifetime contribution limit of $200,000
• no contributions are necessary to receive a bond. Grants and bonds may be issued to a plan until the end of the calendar year in which the beneficiary turns 49 years old

Expected results:

• expected result: Disability Tax Credit approved individuals with severe and prolonged disabilities (and their families/guardians) open a RDSP to save for the future
• performance indicator: total number of registered plans since the inception of the program

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2018 to 2019.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: continuation.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: 2024 to 2025.

General targeted recipient groups: Canadian residents who have a valid Social Insurance Number and are eligible for the Disability Tax Credit certificate are able to open a RDSP until the end of the year they turn 59. Grants and bonds are payable until the end of the year beneficiaries turn 49.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• the department will engage potential applicants to the RDSP through its mail-out strategy, which targets a selection of Disability Tax Credit certificate-approved Canadians aged 0 to 49, who had not opened an RDSP. In addition, the department, in partnership with Canada Revenue Agency and disability-related stakeholder organizations across Canada, will host webinars and workshops to provide information, raise awareness and foster an understanding about RDSPs, Canada Disability Savings Bonds and Canada Disability Savings Grants
• the department also will continue to engage current beneficiaries through its annual Statement of Grant entitlement letters. The letter highlights for each plan holder the grant entitlements available to them and the amount of contributions that would be required to maximize their grants over the specified year

Canada Education Savings Program (Canada Education Savings Grant and Canada Learning Bond)

Start date: January 1998 (Canada Education Savings Grant); January 2005 (Canada Learning Bond).

End date: ongoing.

Type of transfer payment: grant.

Type of appropriation: statutory (Canada Education Savings Act)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: not applicable.

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians access education, training and lifelong learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need
• students, including those from low- and middle-income families, use federally funded supports to help them participate in post-secondary education
• clients receive high quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs (Learning, Skills Development and Employment)

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Canada Education Savings Program

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program:

• the Government of Canada encourages Canadians to save for a child's post-secondary education. The department administers 2 education savings incentives paid in Registered Education Savings Plans (RESP)
• the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) is available to all eligible children. It provides 20% (basic grant) on the first $2,500 of personal contributions made to an RESP each year. It also provides a supplementary amount (additional grant) for eligible children from middle- and low- income families. This amount corresponds to 10% or 20% on the first $500 of personal contributions made each year, depending on family income. The Canada Education Savings Grant is available until the calendar year in which the child turns 17. The maximum lifetime amount, including the additional grant, is $7,200
• the Canada Learning Bond (CLB) is available for children from low-income families born in 2004 or later. It provides an initial payment of $500 into an RESP. It also adds $100 for each subsequent year of eligibility, up to the age of 15, for a maximum of $2,000. It can be requested retroactively up to the age of 20. No personal contributions to the RESP are required to receive the CLB. Eligible beneficiaries born in or after 2004 and aged between 18 and 20 years of age who have not received the CLB may open a RESP themselves and can apply for the CLB retroactively before the age of 21
• these education savings incentives are delivered through a unique service delivery arrangement with financial institutions, banks, mutual fund companies, and scholarship foundations

Expected results:

• expected result: Canadians, including those from low- and middle-income families, request and receive education savings incentives
• performance indicators:
  • percentage of children under 18 (in the current calendar year) who have ever received the CESG (CESG participation rate)
  • percentage of eligible children under 21 (in the current calendar year) who have ever received a CLB (CLB participation rate)

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2023 to 2024.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: continuation.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: 2028 to 2029.

General targeted recipient groups: other: children aged 0-17, from low-income families or in care of a child services agency.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: the department will send letters directly to parents and caregivers of eligible children and youth informing them of the amount their children are eligible for, and the steps required to apply for the education savings benefits. In addition, letters will be sent in support of community outreach events enabling access to the CLB.

Canada Emergency Response Benefit

Start date: March 2020 (applications opened April 3, 2020).

End date: October 2020.

Type of transfer payment: grant.

Types of appropriation:

• statutory (Canada Emergency Response Act)
• ESDC Vote 5 (grants and contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2020 to 2021.

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians receive financial support during employment transitions such as job loss, illness, or maternity/parental leave

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Canada Emergency Response Benefit

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program:

• Canada Emergency Response Benefit:
  • as part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government announced the temporary Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). It provided taxable income support to eligible workers who stopped working or whose working hours were reduced for reasons related to COVID-19
  • although the benefit ended in October 2020, and the deadline for CERB applications was December 2020, ongoing activities remain to close out the program
  • note: the CERB program was delivered by both the Canada Revenue Agency, under the authority of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit Act, and by Employment and Social Development Canada, under the authority of the Employment Insurance Act. The Government of Canada has committed to credit the EI Operating Account for the costs related to the CERB administered by Employment and Social Development Canada
• Canada Emergency Student Benefit:
  • the Government of Canada introduced the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) to provide financial support to eligible post-secondary students and recent graduates. The support was provided between May and August 2020 to offset the effects of the pandemic on the labour market. Students had to be unable to work, seeking work but unable to find it, or working but expecting to earn less than $1,000 per benefit period
  • although the deadline for CESB applications was September 30, 2020, ongoing activities remain to close out the program

Expected results:

• Canada Emergency Response Benefit:
  • expected result: Canadian workers were able to apply for CERB and received temporary income support quickly
  • performance indicator:
    • given that the program is no longer available, no performance indicator is provided
    • the benefit was created to provide emergency financial relief to eligible workers affected by the pandemic as part of the Government of Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
• Canada Emergency Student Benefit:
  • expected result: students and recent graduates use federal financial assistance to help finance their post-secondary education, pay their bills and stay connected to the labour market
  • performance indicator:
    • given that the program is no longer available, no performance measure is provided.
    • the benefit was created to provide emergency financial relief to students and recent graduates as part of the Government of Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: not applicable; the program is no longer available.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: not applicable.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: no requirement to evaluate.

General targeted recipient groups: other: all Canadians; workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: No engagement activities planned for fiscal year 2024 to 2025.

Canada Service Corps

Start date: June 2017.

End date: ongoing.

Type of transfer payment: contribution.

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5 (grants and contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2023 to 2024.

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Canada Service Corps

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program: Canada Service Corps (CSC) is a grants and contributions program. Through the CSC, the department aims to promote civic engagement among Canadian youth aged 12 to 30, in particular for Indigenous and under-served youth. The program helps organizations to create and facilitate access to volunteer service opportunities meaningful for youth that help them gain essential life skills and experience. These opportunities may take the form of either volunteer service placements or micro-grants for youth-led projects. These service opportunities will provide youth with the chance to make a difference in their communities.

Expected results:

• expected result: youth service volunteers are engaged
• performance indicator: number of volunteer service opportunities created

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: planned for completion in fiscal year 2023 to 2024.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: pending.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: 2028 to 2029.

General targeted recipient groups: not-for-profit organizations and other eligible organizations under Canada Service Corps Terms and Conditions. This may include for-profit organizations which are non-commercial, academia and public institutions, Aboriginal recipients, as well as municipal, provincial, and territorial governments.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: the department will maintain regular engagement with funded recipients through the organization of stakeholder calls and ad hoc bilateral meetings. These are meant to support external stakeholders in enhancing the awareness and visibility of the program at large. They will also be used to understand project activities, inform program design, and improve data integrity.

Canada Student Financial Assistance Program - Canada Student Grants

Start date: August 2009.

End date: ongoing.

Type of transfer payment: grant.

Type of appropriation: statutory (Canada Student Financial Assistance Act).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: not applicable.

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians access education, training and lifelong learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need
• students, including those from low- and middle-income families, use federally funded supports to help them participate in post-secondary education
• student borrowers are able to repay their federal student debt
• clients receive high-quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs (Learning, Skills Development and Employment)

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Canada Student Financial Assistance Program and Canada Apprentice Loans

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program: through Canada Student Grants, the department provides eligible students with up-front, non-repayable support to assist and encourage participation in post-secondary education. These grants are aimed at students from low- and middle-income families, students who are parents and students with disabilities. The grants are managed in partnership with participating provinces and territories.

Expected results:

• expected result: eligible students receive a Canada Student Grant to help them finance their post-secondary education
• performance indicator: percentage and number of full-time and part-time post-secondary students in participating provinces/territories who used a Canada Student Grant to help finance their participation in post-secondary education

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2021 to 2022.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: continuation.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: to be determined.

General targeted recipient groups: other: low- and middle-income students, students who are parents and students with disabilities pursuing post-secondary education.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: no engagement activities planned for fiscal year 2024 to 2025.

Canada Student Loans - Direct Financing Arrangement

Start date: August 2000.

End date: ongoing.

Type of transfer payment: contribution.

Type of appropriation: statutory (Canada Student Financial Assistance Act).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: not applicable.

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians access education, training and lifelong learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need
• students, including those from low- and middle-income families, use federally funded supports to help them participate in post-secondary education
• student borrowers are able to repay their federal student debt
• clients receive high-quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs (Learning, Skills Development and Employment)

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Canada Student Financial Assistance Program and Canada Apprentice Loans

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program:

• through the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program (CSFA Program), the department provides financial assistance to eligible students who have a demonstrated financial need. This assistance takes the form of grants and loans to help them participate in post-secondary education
• the department also offers debt management measures to borrowers who are experiencing financial difficulty. As a result, they can continue to service their student loans in periods of unemployment or low income
• the CSFA Program is delivered in partnership with participating jurisdictions (9 provinces and the Yukon). Quebec, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut have opted out of the CSFA Program; therefore, students from these three jurisdictions do not qualify for Canada Student Grants or Canada Student Loans. However, as per the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act, these non-participating jurisdictions receive annual alternative payments from the Government of Canada to help administer their own student financial assistance measures. Alternative payments help to support the availability of student financial assistance across the country, while respecting provincial and territorial jurisdiction in the field of education

Expected results:

• expected results:
  • post-secondary education students in the province of Quebec, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut can access jurisdiction-specific financial assistance similar to the assistance provided to students in jurisdictions that participate in the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program and Canada Apprentice Loans
  • students in non-participating jurisdictions with financial difficulty are able to receive repayment benefits
• performance indicator: the total amount of alternative payments disbursed by the Government of Canada to non-participating provinces and territories to operate their own student financial assistance programs

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: planned for completion in fiscal year 2023 to 2024.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: pending.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: 2027 to 2028 (Evaluation of the Canada Apprentice Loan)

General targeted recipient groups: non-participating provincial and territorial government

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: no engagement activities planned for fiscal year 2024 to 2025.

Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy

Start date: July 2022.

End date: ongoing.

Type of transfer payment: grants and contributions.

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5 (grants and contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2022 to 2023.

Link to departmental results:

• Canadian access education, training, and lifelong learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program:

• the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy provides grants and non-repayable contributions to support apprenticeship and the skilled trades. Eligible recipients for funding include individuals, unions representing workers in Red Seal trades or organizations managing training funds for Red Seal trades workers, non-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, municipal governments, Indigenous organizations, provincial and territorial governments, institutions, agencies and crown corporations. Its objectives are to:
  • promote the skilled trades as a good career option
  • support the development of apprenticeship initiatives that help workers to explore, prepare for, participate and succeed in apprenticeship
  • facilitate the participation of employers and unions in apprenticeship
  • encourage the development of innovative tools and approaches to better prepare pre-apprentices, apprentices and journeypersons for the jobs of tomorrow

Expected results:

• expected result: individuals access information and opportunities to explore skilled trades as a career option
• performance indicator: number of non-registered apprentices in funded projects that participate in awareness and exploration activities
• expected result: individuals are able to participate and succeed in apprenticeship training in the Red Seal Trades
• performance indicators:
  • number of individuals in funded projects that participate in skills training activities
  • number of apprenticeship incentive grants issued based on attainment of outcome (e.g., completion of first year (level/block) or second year (level/block) of an approved apprenticeship program
• expected result: Red Seal apprenticeship stakeholders are engaged
• performance indicator: number of employers who access Apprenticeship Service supports to hire apprentices

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2022 to 2023 (Evaluation of the Skilled Trades Awareness and Readiness Program, which was submitted by the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy in 2022).

Decision following the results of last evaluation: continuation.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: an evaluation of the Apprenticeship Grants is scheduled for fiscal year 2024 to 2025.

General targeted recipient groups:

• apprentices in Red Seal Trades
• unions representing workers in Red Seal trades or organizations managing training funds for Red Seal trades workers;
• for-profit organizations;
• not-for-profit organizations and charities;
• governments;
• Indigenous organizations

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: in fiscal year 2024 to 2025, the department will engage with provinces and territories, through:

• the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA)
• ESDC consultations with stakeholders (e.g., National Stakeholder Meeting with employer associations, unions, training institutions, and industry associations)
• participation in stakeholder events including the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF)

Canadian Benefit for Parents of Young Victims of Crime

Start date: January 2013; modified on September 2018.

End date: ongoing.

Type of transfer payment: grant.

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5 (grants and contributions).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2023 to 2024.

Link to departmental results:

• Clients receive high-quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs (Social Development)

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Social Development
• program: Canadian Benefit for Parents of Young Victims of Crime

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program: the Canadian Benefit for Parents of Young Victims of Crime (PYVC) provides income support to eligible parents or legal guardians who suffer a loss of income while taking time away from work to cope with the death or disappearance of their child (or children) under 25 years of age as the result of a probable Criminal Code offence. Eligible parents receive a payment of $450 per week for a maximum of 35 weeks within the 2 years following the date of the incident.

Expected results:

• expected result: the financial burden on parents of children who are deceased or missing due to a probable Criminal Code offence and who take time away from work to cope with the tragic situation is eased
• performance indicator: proportion of applications received and processed within the prescribed timeframe

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2017 to 2018.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: continuation.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: not applicable. Actual program spending does not meet Financial Administration Act requirements.

General targeted recipient groups: parents of children who have disappeared or are deceased due to a probable Criminal Code offence.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: outreach and stakeholder engagement activities are ongoing through victim service providers. This is to ensure that families who find themselves in tragic circumstances are aware of this income support and to provide greater accessibility to the benefit. Victim service providers can also facilitate the application process for those who may be eligible.

Community Workforce Development Program

Start date: June 2021.

End date: May 2026.

Type of transfer payment: contribution.

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5 (grants and contributions).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021 to 2022.

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need
• Canadians participate in an inclusive and efficient labour market

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Community Workforce Development Program

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program:

• through the Community Workforce Development Program, the department supports communities to develop local plans that identify high growth areas and connects employers with training providers to upskill and reskill workers to fill current and emerging jobs in demand. It tests innovative community-based approaches to help communities recover and improve resiliency through workforce planning and skills training
• the department funds projects led by national and community-based organizations that address whole-of-government priorities. It contributes towards strengthening local economic diversification efforts

Expected results:

• expected result: participants access tailored skills training
• performance indicator: number of participants who access a training intervention

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: not applicable.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: not applicable.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: no requirements to evaluate.

General targeted recipient groups:

• for-profit organizations
• not-for-profit organizations and charities
• academia and public institutions
• Indigenous recipients
• governments

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: funding recipients will be engaged periodically to identify lessons learned and inform opportunities to integrate best practices.

Early Learning and Child Care

Start date: April 2017.

End date: ongoing.

Type of transfer payment: other transfer payment.

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5 (grants and contributions).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021 to 2022.

Link to departmental results:

• Affordability of early learning and child care is increased

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Social Development
• program: Early Learning and Child Care

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program:

• the Early Learning and Child Care Framework set the foundation for federal, provincial and territorial governments to work towards a shared long-term vision for early learning and child care. Per this vision, federal, provincial and territorial governments are working together to build and implement a Canada-wide early learning and child care system that aims at increasing access to high-quality, affordable, flexible, and inclusive early learning and child care
• to advance this vision, Canada-wide agreements have been signed with all provinces and territories, where provinces and territories have committed to lowering fees for regulated child care to $10-a-day, on average, by March 2026. Provinces and territories have also committed to creating more than 250,000 child care spaces by March 2026, as well as a variety of measures to increase the quality and inclusivity of child care across the country
• provincial and territorial governments use federal funding under bilateral agreements to support the delivery of early learning and child care systems that reflect their particular needs in support of the objectives of the Multilateral Early Learning and Child Care Framework
• the Federal Secretariat on Early Learning and Child Care provides grants and contributions funding to support projects that explore, test, and develop innovative approaches to early learning and child care to improve outcomes for children and their families. Grant and contribution funding also supports data and research projects that identify gaps and improve data collection in an effort to build capacity for reporting on common quality and outcome indicators
• additional funding is available as of fiscal year 2023 to 2024 through the ELCC Infrastructure fund. This funding will enable provinces and territories to make additional investments in child care infrastructure that support underserved communities or communities with barriers to access to increase inclusion in the Canada-wide ELCC system

Expected results:

• expected result: affordability of early learning and child care is increased
• performance indicator: average fees for regulated child care spaces

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: not applicable.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: not applicable.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: 2026 to 2027.

General targeted recipient groups:

• governments (provinces and territories)
• academia and public institutions
• not-for-profit, for-profit and international organizations
• experts and stakeholders
• Indigenous communities, government or organizations
• others

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• regular meetings and engagement with provinces and territories, including twice-annual Implementation Committee meetings
• regular engagement with the National Advisory Council. The Council brings together academics, advocates, practitioners and caregivers and serves as a forum to engage on issues and challenges facing early learning and child care sector

Enabling Accessibility Fund

Start date: the Enabling Accessibility Fund was introduced in Budget 2007. It was renewed in Budget 2010 for an additional 3 years. It was extended on an ongoing basis through Budget 2013.

End date: ongoing.

Type of transfer payment: grants and contributions.

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5 (grants and contributions).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2022 to 2023.

Link to departmental results:

• barriers to accessibility for persons with disabilities are removed
• clients receive high quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs (Social Development)

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Social Development
• program: Enabling Accessibility Fund

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program:

• persons with disabilities often experience barriers to their participation and inclusion in daily activities. To support their participation in society, the department provides funding for eligible capital projects that increase accessibility and eliminate barriers for persons with disabilities in communities and workplaces. The department creates more opportunities for persons with disabilities to participate in community activities, programs and services, or to access employment opportunities. Eligible recipients are not-for-profit, for-profits, Indigenous organizations including band councils, municipalities, and territorial governments. They can apply for funding through periodic funding processes under 3 program components:
  • The small projects component, that supports small-scale construction, renovation or retrofit projects that increase accessibility in communities or workplaces
  • The youth innovation component, that empowers youth to identify accessibility barriers within their communities and work with local organizations to find solutions. The goal is to increase accessibility and safety in community spaces and workplaces
  • The mid-sized projects component, that supports larger retrofit, renovation or construction projects of facilities or venues that house or will house programs and services geared towards addressing the social and/or labour market integration needs of persons with disabilities

Expected results:

• expected result: organizations undertake accessibility improvements to their facilities as a result of EAF funding
• performance indicator: number of community spaces and workplaces that are more accessible due to Enabling Accessibility Fund funding

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2022 to 2023.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: continuation.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: 2027 to 2028.

General targeted recipient groups:

• persons with disabilities across Canada through eligible funding recipients, that is:
  • not-for-profit organizations
  • for-profit organizations
  • municipalities
  • Indigenous organizations (including band councils, tribal councils and self-government entities)
  • territorial governments

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• the Youth Innovation Component engages identified youth leaders with a ‘Youth Journey Journal' to help guide them through their experience. The youth are invited to provide their completed Journal back to the program, including any photos and videos that they wish to share, to collect their views on:
  • the channels/ways that they used to communicate with their partner organization(s)
  • the approach they chose to present their project idea to the organization(s) and whether they would choose the same approach again
  • their personal support system throughout their experience
  • the helpfulness of the Youth Journey Journal
• the department will continue to invite successful youth leaders from previous funding processes to share their experiences with new youth leaders during information sessions. This results in youth gaining insight from their peers on how to become a youth leader with a successful accessibility project.
• piloted in 2023, the department's program will also continue to engage youth funding recipients by sharing newsletters. These bi-annual newsletters cover outcomes of projects and promote the launch of new calls for proposals
• under the Youth component, the department will continue to undertake targeted outreach to regions with low uptake (the Territories, Prince Edward Island, and Québec). This is done through emails to Service Canada Regions, to emphasize the low uptake and inform them of the launch of the funding process

Enabling Fund for Official Language Minority Communities

Start date: April 2005.

End date: ongoing.

Type of transfer payment: contribution.

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5 (grants and contributions).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2013 to 2014 (with amendments scheduled in 2023 to 2024)

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians participate in an inclusive and efficient labour market
• clients receive high quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs (Learning, Skills Development and Employment)

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Enabling Fund for Official Language Minority Communities

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program:

• through the Enabling Fund for Official Language Minority Communities (EF-OLMC) program, the department aims to enhance the development and vitality of official language minority communities (OLMCs). The EF-OLMC program is centered on the "by and for" approach, supporting OLMC organizations to identify and respond to the needs of their communities
• since the program's inception, the department has provided funding to fourteen OLMC organizations to engage community economic development (CED) and human resources development (HRD) in support of their communities. Recipient organizations provide local leadership, promote partnerships, implement projects, fill gaps in services, and leverage networks for concerted action
• a new stream was announced to support local OLMC organizations to deliver Employment Assistance Service (EAS). Recipient organizations will provide job search assistance, counselling and case management, unassisted services and other services (e.g., job retention activities). The new EAS stream ensures a pan-Canadian approach to respond to OLMCs' EAS needs and demonstrates a strong commitment by the federal government to fulfill its duties under Part VII of the Official Languages Act.

Expected results:

• expected result: OLMCs entities and individuals have access to, and make use of, expertise and services provided by local OLMCs stakeholders
• performance indicator:
  • number and percentage of OLMCs benefiting from CED and HRD
  • number and type of services in the areas of CED and HRD provided to OLMCs members
  • percentage of OLMC organizations that have new or increased capacity to provide the full suite of EAS

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2021 to 2022.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: continuation.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: 2026 to 2027.

General targeted recipient groups: official language minority communities.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• EF-OLMC officials will be engaging with funding recipients under the new EAS stream through the project life cycle by developing a community of practice model to share best practices, improve data collection and promote collaboration
• EF-OLMC officials maintain regular multilateral and bilateral engagement with the 14 funding recipients under the CED and HRD streams

Foreign Credential Recognition Program

Start date: May 2010.

End date: ongoing.

Type of transfer payment: contribution.

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5 (grants and contributions).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2020 to 2021.

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians participate in an inclusive and efficient labour market

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Foreign Credential Recognition Program

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program:

• through the Foreign Credential Recognition Program, the department supports the labour market integration of skilled newcomers by:
  • enhancing the foreign credential recognition processes
  • providing loans and support services to help navigate foreign credential recognition processes
  • helping highly-skilled newcomers gain their first Canadian work experience in their profession or field of study
• the objectives of the program are to develop and strengthen Canada's foreign credential assessment and recognition capacity; contribute to improving the labour market integration outcomes of skilled newcomers; and support interprovincial labour mobility

Expected results:

• expected result: skilled newcomers benefit from foreign credential recognition systems improvements and are directly supported in their labour market integration
• performance indicator: proportion of participants in employment support projects (excluding foreign credential recognition loans) who gain Canadian work experience relevant to their profession or field of study
• expected result: skilled newcomers are working in occupations in their field of expertise
• performance indicator: proportion of participants in employment support projects (excluding foreign credential recognition loans) who found employment in their intended or related occupation

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2020 to 2021.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: continuation.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: 2024 to 2025.

General targeted recipient groups:

• eligible recipients include, but are not limited to:
  • not-for-profit organizations
  • for-profit organizations
  • regulatory bodies
  • provincial/territorial governments
  • professional associations
  • industry associations
  • unions
  • municipal governments
  • public health institutions
  • schoolboards, universities, colleges, CEGEP

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: in fiscal year 2024 to 2025, the department will engage with key stakeholders through Federal, Provincial and Territorial multilateral and bilateral meetings.

Future Skills

Start date: May 2018.

End date: March 2024.

Type of transfer payment: contribution.

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5 (grants and contributions).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2018 to 2019.

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need
• Canadians participate in an inclusive and efficient labour market

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Future Skills

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program: rapid technological advancements (such as artificial intelligence) and new business models are now realities of the labour market. These are affecting job seekers', workers' and employers' ability to adapt and keep up with the pace of change. Through Future Skills, the department introduced proactive and innovative measures to support workforce development strategies that adapt to the pace and scope of changes in the workplace. Under this program, the department works with governments, private sector, labour, educational and training institutions, Indigenous and not-for-profit organizations to adopt proven practices

Expected results:

• expected result: increase access to quality training and supports that address the changing nature of work, especially for underrepresented and disadvantaged groups
• performance indicator: number of participants, disaggregated by gender, age, race, income, geographic location, etc., in Future Skills Centre innovation projects that are testing a skills development intervention

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: the first five-year departmental evaluation was conducted in fiscal year 2022 to 2023 and completed in May 2023. It was published in October 2023.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: continuation.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: 2028 to 2029.

General targeted recipient groups:

• Targeted recipients groups include:
  • private sector
  • labour
  • educational and training institutions
  • not-for-profit and Indigenous organizations
  • Canadians from demographic groups that are underrepresented in the labour market

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: department officials will engage in bilateral meetings with the Future Skills Centre and will participate in events organized by the centre with partners leading research and innovation projects. The department will also engage with some of the centre's partners through ongoing stakeholder engagement activities.

Guaranteed Income Supplement

Start date: 1967.

End date: ongoing.

Type of transfer payment: grant.

Type of appropriation: statutory (Old Age Security Act).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: not applicable.

Link to departmental results:

• clients receive high quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Pensions and Benefits
• program: Old Age Security

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program:

• the Old Age Security (OAS) program is the first pillar of Canada's retirement income system. Its objective is to ensure a minimum income for seniors, and to reduce income disruptions at retirement. The OAS program is funded by general tax revenues. The program includes 3 benefits:
  • the OAS pension
  • the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
  • the Allowances
• through the GIS, the department provides additional assistance to OAS pensioners with little or no income. Entitlement to the GIS is based on marital status and income of the individual, and their spouse or common-law partner for couples. The GIS is income-tested to ensure that the highest benefits are paid to the lowest-income seniors

Expected results:

• Expected result: seniors have income support for retirement
• Performance indicator: percentage of seniors receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement in relation to the estimated total number of eligible seniors

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2020 to 2021.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: continuation.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: 2026 to 2027.

General targeted recipient groups: low-income seniors aged 65 and over.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: no engagement initiatives planned for fiscal year 2024 to 2025.

Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Transformation Initiative

Start date: September 2018.

End date: ongoing.

Type of transfer payment: contribution.

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5 (grants and contributions).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: the terms and conditions were last amended in 2023, while the initiative was made permanent and ongoing in 2021.

Link to departmental results:

• access to early learning and childcare is increased

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Social Development
• program: Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Transformation Initiative

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program: through the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care (IELCC) Transformation Initiative, the department supports the implementation of the co-developed Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework. This framework reflects the unique cultures and priorities of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children across Canada. The IELCC Transformation Initiative allows for investments in a wide range of programs and services including daycare and Head Start programming. This will enhance early childhood development and school readiness for children regardless of where they live. Employment and Social Development Canada is the federal lead department guiding this horizontal initiative. Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) are key federal partners. They also are signatories to the terms and conditions of the IELCC Transformation Initiative.

Expected results:

• expected result: Indigenous partners have greater influence over Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care programming
• performance indicator:
• number of National Partnership Tables established
• note: additional performance indicators and targets to be determined in collaboration with Indigenous partners. Joint results frameworks are being co-developed in collaboration with Indigenous partners, based on the principles, goals and distinctions-based priorities outlined in the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework. Results framework co-development is targeted to be completed by March 2025

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: the first formative horizontal evaluation was planned for completion in fiscal year 2023 to 2024.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: not applicable.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: Phase II, a summative evaluation will take place in fiscal year 2027 to 2028. The evaluation is to be advanced through co-development with Indigenous partners.

General targeted recipient groups: Indigenous children and families.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• direct partnerships with National Indigenous Organizations, National and Regional Partnership Tables and Modern Treaty and Self-Governing Nations to identify priorities, develop plans (short, medium, and long term) to align with the IELC Framework and determine funding allocations for distinctions-based funding. Funding decisions are based on Indigenous leadership decision-making process
• engagement with the National Aboriginal Head Start Council and regional bodies to identify priorities and develop plans for funding dedicated to Aboriginal Head Start in Urban and Northern Communities, based on needs and priorities of communities
• a call for proposals for Quality Improvement Projects was launched in early 2023 and 38 projects were approved for up to three years of funding. The department will engage with recipients at various times throughout their project lifecycle to support their successful delivery.
• Indigenous recipients will be engaged to support the successful implementation and completion of urgent repairs of IELCC centres as the third year of funding for urgent repairs and renovations funding is administered.

Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program

Start date: April 2019.

End date: March 2029.

Type of transfer payment: contribution.

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5 (grants and contributions).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2019 to 2020.

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need
• Canadians participate in an inclusive and efficient labour market

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program: Through the Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) Program, the department helps reduce skills and employment gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada. Under the program, Indigenous service delivery organizations provide skills development and job training to First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and urban/non-affiliated Indigenous people through a distinctions-based approach. Funding comes from both the Consolidated Revenue Fund and Employment Insurance Act, Part II.

Expected results:

• expected result: an increasing number of Indigenous people are employed and integrated into the Canadian labour market
• performance indicator: number of clients who obtained employment following service interventions

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2019 to 2020.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: continuation.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: 2024 to 2025.

General targeted recipient groups:

• Indigenous organizations (may include incorporated for-profit and not-for-profit Indigenous-controlled organizations, governments and mandated organizations. Indigenous-controlled unincorporated organizations, Indian Act bands, tribal councils and Indigenous governments under Modern Treaty) and self-government entities). Recipients may also include provincial, territorial, and municipal* governments, institutions and agencies and Crown Corporation depending on the distinctions-based strategy
• Note: Kativik Regional Government is a municipal government in the province of Quebec

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: the department will continue to work with Indigenous contribution recipients throughout the life cycle of their contribution agreements, at the national and regional levels. Engagement occurs through various channels, such as discussions with technical working groups and directly with ISET service delivery organizations on specific program elements when required. Engagement also takes place on a range of issues, such as reporting on program results, and ways to support program implementation and evaluation. In fiscal year 2024 to 2025, recipients will also be engaged on the co-development of the evaluation to be completed by 2025.

Labour Funding Program

Start date: April 2012.

End date: ongoing.

Type of transfer payment:

• International Trade and Labour
  • grants for low- to moderate-risk proposals
  • contributions for higher-risk proposals
• Occupational Health and Safety
  • grants for low- to moderate-risk proposals
  • contributions for higher-risk proposals
• Workplace Opportunities: Removing Barriers to Equity
  • grants for low- to moderate-risk proposals
  • contributions for low, moderate and higher-risk proposals

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5 (grants and contributions).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2013 to 2014.

Link to departmental results:

• work conditions are fair and inclusive
• workplaces are safe and healthy
• clients receive high quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Working Conditions and Workplace Relations
• programs:
  • International Labour Affairs
  • Labour Relations
  • Occupational Health and Safety
  • Labour Standards
  • Employment Equity

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program: to work in collaboration with Canadian and international labour-related stakeholders to promote safe, healthy, fair and inclusive work conditions and cooperative workplace relations in Canada and abroad.

Expected results:

• International Trade and Labour
  • expected result: enhanced awareness by Canada and/or partner countries of fundamental international labour principles
  • performance indicator: number of agreements, instruments, action plan and joint activities adopted, undertaken or implemented to strengthen respect for international labour standards
• Occupational Health and Safety
  • expected result: contribution to the building and sharing of knowledge on prevention of accident and illness for workers as well as fire protection, fire prevention and safety
  • performance indicator: number of projects/activities that support knowledge building and sharing to address workplace accident and illness
• Workplace Opportunities: Removing Barriers to Equity
  • expected result: projects promote meaningful collaboration and dialogue between employers and stakeholders
  • performance indicator: percentage of completed activities made possible by grants and/or contributions funding
  • expected result: project-based tools and resources are developed to support capacity building among federally regulated private-sector employers and federal contractors
  • performance indicator: percentage of projects developed to support capacity-building tools and resources
  • expected result: employers and stakeholders have access to information concerning employment equity, diversity and inclusion in Canadian workplaces
  • performance indicator: percentage of tools and resources made available to employers within 6 months of receiving final project deliverables from funding recipients

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation:

• the Evaluation of Multilateral Labour Affairs was completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019.
• the Evaluation of Occupational Health and Safety was completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019
• the Evaluation of Labour Standards was completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019
• the Evaluation of Employment Equity was completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

Decision following the results of last evaluation: continuation.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation:

• the International Labour Affairs Program is considered exempt
• the Evaluation of Occupational Health and Safety will be completed in fiscal year 2025 to 2026
• the Evaluation of Labour Standards will be completed in fiscal year 2025 to 2026
• the Evaluation of the Workplace Equity Program will be completed in fiscal year 2025 to 2026

General targeted recipient groups:

• international labour or labour-related organizations
• international and national organizations mandated to assist countries in meeting their labour obligations under free trade agreements
• legally incorporated, national and international, not-for-profit organizations
• publicly funded universities and colleges
• Indigenous organizations, including Band Councils
• legally incorporated not-for-profit organizations with objectives that address workplace occupational health
• non-governmental organizations
• not-for-profit organizations and academic institutions
• sector associations
• employer associations
• unions
• labour associations
• federally regulated private-sector employers

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: the department will continue to engage with applicant/recipient organizations through virtual/in-person meetings where project ideas and progress are discussed.

• Workplace Opportunities: Removing Barriers to Equity (WORBE): after signing multi-year agreements under WORBE, the department is conducting multiple informal roundtable discussions with the recipients. The roundtable aims to bring together all successful agreement holders from the latest WORBE intake process, in efforts to continue communication and collaboration. These discussions allow sharing project ideas and learnings to date with other projects and evaluate opportunity to partner up in case of any overlap. These informal discussions will be continued in fiscal year 2024 to 2025

New Horizons for Seniors Program

Start date: original program: October 2004; expanded program: September 2007; enhanced program: September 2010.

End date: ongoing.

Type of transfer payment: grants and contributions.

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5 (grants and contributions).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: terms and conditions were last amended in fiscal year 2018 to 2019.

Link to departmental results:

• not for profit organizations, communities and other groups have an enhanced capacity to address a range of social issues such as the social inclusion of persons with disabilities, the engagement of seniors, and support for children and families
• clients receive high quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs (Social Development)

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Social Development
• program: New Horizons for Seniors Program

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program:

• through the New Horizons for Seniors Program, the department enhances the quality of life and promotes the full participation of individuals in all aspects of Canadian society. These are 2 overarching social goals of the Government of Canada. Program initiatives are implemented at the national, regional and community level. They address seniors' issues through partnerships and the engagement and contributions of seniors themselves. The program's design includes 2 streams: Community-based grants and Pan-Canadian grants and contributions
• community-based grants address social challenges ‘on the ground' and recognize communities as the focal point for program and service delivery. Funded projects are volunteer-based; supported by communities; inspired or led by seniors; and, address one or more of the 5 program objectives. Selected through annual calls for proposals, one-year, community-based projects are eligible to receive up to $25,000 in grant funding
• pan-Canadian grants and contributions support innovative projects that create a significant impact in communities. These projects invest in large initiatives that meet the growing social needs of seniors. Organizations can apply for projects up to 5 years in duration and up to $5 million in funding under the pan-Canadian stream

Expected results:

• expected result: communities have the capacity to address local issues by engaging seniors
• performance indicator: number of seniors who participated in community projects

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2020 to 2021.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: continuation.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: 2025 to 2026.

General targeted recipient groups: the New Horizons for Seniors Program has a broad array of eligible recipients, including:

• not-for-profit organizations
• coalitions
• for-profit enterprises
• Indigenous organizations
• lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and 2-spirit (LGBTQ2+) organizations
• official languages minority communities (OLMC)
• municipal governments
• research and educational institutions

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• call for proposals (CFP) and information about the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) are posted on the Employment and Social Development Canada's website and shared with networks. Members of ESDC are also engaged with recipients at various times through their projects
• for the NHSP Community-Based stream, potential applicants are engaged as part of the community outreach activities performed by Service Canada during the CFP process. Adjusting service delivery processes as well as examining community-based best practices continues to address community needs, which are evaluated on an annual basis through recipients completed final report forms and input from ESDC colleagues. These best practices are disseminated broadly and reflected in subsequent CFPs
• the funding calls in Pan-Canadian Projects stream are launched approximately every 5 years. Related information is shared broadly with potential applicants through the NHSP website, as well as through email blasts and social media posts. A CFC and CFP process were recently launched and a new cohort of projects are anticipated to begin in fiscal year 2024 to 2025

Old Age Security Pension

Start date: 1952.

End date: ongoing.

Type of transfer payment: grant.

Type of appropriation: statutory (Old Age Security Act).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: not applicable.

Link to departmental results:

• clients receive high quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Pensions and Benefits
• program: Old Age Security

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program:

• the Old Age Security (OAS) program is the first pillar of Canada's retirement income system. Its objective is to ensure a minimum income for seniors, and to reduce income disruptions at retirement. The OAS program is funded through general tax revenues. The program includes 3 benefits: the OAS pension, the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), and the Allowances
• the OAS pension is a monthly payment to all Canadians aged 65 or older who meet the residence and legal status requirements. To be eligible for the OAS pension, an individual must have resided in Canada for at least 10 years after the age of 18

Expected results:

• expected result: seniors have income support for retirement
• performance indicators:
  • percentage of seniors receiving the OAS pension at age 65 and over in relation to the estimated total number of eligible seniors aged 65 and over
  • percentage of seniors receiving the OAS pension at age 70 and over in relation to the estimated total number of eligible seniors aged 70 and over

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2019 to 2020.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: continuation.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: 2026 to 2027.

General targeted recipient groups: seniors aged 65 and over.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: no engagement initiatives planned in fiscal year 2024 to 2025.

Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities

Start date: April 1997.

End date: ongoing.

Type of transfer payment: contribution.

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5 (grants and contributions).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2022 to 2023.

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program: under this program, the department helps persons with disabilities to get ready for, find and keep quality jobs, and advance their careers. The department also provides supports to employers to help them create more inclusive and accessible workplaces. Projects funded by the program may provide training, job search help and job placements. Third-party organizations in the community deliver this program.

Expected results:

• expected result: persons with disabilities have enhanced their employability, obtained employment, become self-employed or returned to school
• performance indicators:
  • number of clients with enhanced employability
  • number of clients employed or self-employed
  • number of clients who return to school
• expected result: participating employers have increased ability to hire and support persons with disabilities in the workplace
• performance indicator: number and percentage of employers who report increased ability to hire and support persons with disabilities in the workplace
• expected result: participating employers hire, retain and promote persons with disabilities
• performance indicator: percentage of employers that hired one or more persons with a disability as part of their Opportunities Fund activities
• expected result: participating persons with disabilities advance in their careers or have increased job responsibilities
• performance indicator: percentage of participants who report a promotion or have increased responsibilities

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2020 to 2021.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: continuation.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: 2025 to 2026.

General targeted recipient groups: under this program, the department targets persons with disabilities and employers. Eligible recipients include:

• individuals
• provincial and territorial governments
• agencies
• Crown corporations
• institutions
• not-for-profit organizations
• For-profit organizations
• Indigenous organizations
• municipal governments
• organizations representing equity deserving groups

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: The program will continue to engage recipients on an on-going basis to address their needs, support program implementation, and results reporting. Information obtained from other programs' engagement activities may be leveraged.

Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program

Start date: June 2021.

End date: ongoing.

Type of transfer payment: contribution.

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5 (grants and contributions).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021 to 2022.

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need
• Canadians participate in an inclusive and efficient labour market

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program:

• the objective of the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program (SWSP) is to help employers and workers by supporting key sectors of the economy to develop and implement solutions to address current and emerging, and workforce needs
• through the SWSP, the department funds organizations to deliver sectoral projects that focus on a range of industry-driven activities such as training and reskilling workers, helping employers retain and attract a skilled and diverse workforce and other creative solutions to help sectors address labour market needs. This will help employers find skilled workers and connect Canadians with the training they need to access good jobs in key sectors. It will also support equity-deserving groups by promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce and providing wrap-around supports as needed to those facing barriers to participation

Expected results:

• expected result: Canadian participate in sectoral training and transition initiatives to enhance their skills and employability
• performance indicator: number of Canadians, including those from equity-deserving groups, who access or participate in training or transition initiatives

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2022 to 2023; the evaluation focused on the SWSP predecessor program, the Sectoral Initiatives Program, which has folded into the SWSP in June 2021.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: continuation.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: 2027 to 2028.

General targeted recipient groups:

• not-for-profit organizations
• for-profit organizations
• municipal governments
• Indigenous organizations (including band councils, tribal councils and self-government entities)
• provincial and territorial governments
• institutions, agencies and Crown corporations

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: in fiscal year 2024 to 2025, the department will continue to provide ongoing support to recipients throughout the lifecycle of their agreements. This includes quarterly engagement on data collection and other key deliverables to better inform and target sector supports and training initiatives. The department provides functional guidance on performance indicators and GBA+ data collection needs. Through quarterly engagement meetings, it also supports the early identification of implementation challenges that may impact the achievement of performance targets.

Skills and Partnership Fund

Start date: April 2010.

End date: March 2029.

Type of transfer payment: contribution.

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5 (grants and contributions).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2009 to 2010 (with the last amendment made in March 2016).

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need
• Canadians participate in an inclusive and efficient labour market

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Skills and Partnership Fund

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program: through the Skills and Partnership Fund (SPF), the department provides funding for time-limited projects to deliver training for in demand skills and employment for Indigenous people towards specific jobs through partnerships between Indigenous organizations and industry employers. The fund is an important federal lever for advancing Government of Canada and Indigenous priorities, including responding to changing and evolving market needs. These partnerships provide skills training for Indigenous people linked to economic opportunities at the local, regional and national level. By increasing access to training that is demand-driven, the department plays a key role in directly linking training efforts and Indigenous people to specific jobs to improve their employment outcomes.

Expected results:

• expected result: an increasing number of Indigenous people are employed and integrated into the Canadian labour market
• performance indicator: number of clients who obtained employment following service intervention(s)

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2019 to 2020.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: continuation.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: 2024 to 2025.

General targeted recipient groups: Indigenous organizations, which may include:

• incorporated for-profit and not-for-profit Indigenous-controlled organizations
• Indigenous-controlled unincorporated organizations
• Indian Act bands
• tribal councils
• Indigenous governments under modern treaties

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• in fiscal year 2024 to 2025, the department will continue efforts to improve investment coordination and priority-setting as part of the renewed approach, in collaboration with Indigenous communities
• the department will continue to work with Indigenous contribution recipients throughout the life cycle of their contribution agreement, at the national and regional levels, including with respect to reporting on program results

Skills for Success Program

Start date: April 2006.

End date: ongoing.

Type of transfer payment: grants and contributions.

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5 (grants and contributions).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021 to 2022.

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need
• clients receive high quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Skills for Success Program

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program: under the Skills for Success Program, the department funds organizations to help Canadians improve their foundational and transferable skills so they can better prepare for, get and keep a job. The department funds organizations to deliver training, and to develop assessment tools and training resources. Assessment tools and training resources developed through the program will be made available to Canadians.

Expected results:

• expected result: Canadians access employment supports and skills training opportunities to help them build their skills to better prepare for, participate and succeed in the labour market
• performance indicator: total number of Canadians taking part in foundational and transferable skills training

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2022 to 2023.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: continuation.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: 2027 to 2028.

General targeted recipient groups: these projects typically support people requiring extra assistance in increasing their skills, including underrepresented groups such as racialized Canadians, persons with disabilities, women, Indigenous people, youth, newcomers and people from official language minority communities. Eligible recipients for program funding include:

• not-for-profit organizations
• for-profit organizations
• Indigenous organizations (including band councils, tribal councils and self-government entities)
• municipal governments
• provincial and territorial governments, institutions, agencies and Crown corporations

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: the department will engage with recipients on project implementation, including performance measurement, such as the department's annual survey tool and promotion of tools and resources developed by recipient projects on the program website. The department will also share information with stakeholders via communications such as email newsletters.

Social Development Partnerships Program

Start date: April 1998.

End date: ongoing.

Type of transfer payment: grants and contributions.

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5 (grants and contributions).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2020 to 2021 for both components

Link to departmental results:

• not-for-profit organizations, communities and other groups have an enhanced capacity to address a range of social issues such as the social inclusion of people with disabilities, the engagement of seniors, and support for children and families
• clients receive high quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs (Social Development)

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Social Development
• program: Social Development Partnerships Program

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program:

• the Social Development Partnerships Program is a grants and contributions program. It supports Government of Canada priorities through investment in not-for-profit organizations. These organizations aim to improve the quality of life and remove barriers to social inclusion of persons with disabilities, children and families, Black Canadian communities, and other vulnerable populations facing physical, economic and social barriers. The program has an annual budget supporting 2 components: Disability, and Children and Families
• through grants and contributions, the department supports communities, not-for-profit, volunteer sector organizations, and National Indigenous organizations. These organizations provide vulnerable Canadian populations with the tools and skills to respond to current and emerging barriers to social issues that they are facing. These issues include a limited ability to participate in the workplace or to contribute to their families and communities
• the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative is delivered under the Children and Families component. It allows the federal government to strengthen the capacity and infrastructure of Black Canadian communities and organizations. These groups can then deliver much-needed programs and services, and reduce long-standing socio-economic disparities faced by marginalized communities
• the Community Services Recovery Fund is a one-time program being delivered under the Social Development Partnerships Program. It provides funding to community service organizations to help them adapt and modernize, so they can continue to support communities across Canada through COVID-19 pandemic recovery and beyond

Expected results:

• expected result: not-for-profit sector and partners have improved capacity to respond to existing and emerging social issues for target populations
• performance indicator: percentage of funded recipients that created or enhanced effective approaches to address social inclusion of persons with disabilities
• expected result: not-for-profit organizations, communities, and other groups have an enhanced capacity to address a range of social issues such as the social inclusion of persons with disabilities, the engagement of seniors and support for children and families
• performance indicator: percentage of partnerships newly developed by recipient organizations to address a range of social issues such as the social inclusion of persons with disabilities, children and families and other vulnerable populations

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: planned for completion in fiscal year 2023 to 2024.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: pending.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: 2028 to 2029.

General targeted recipient groups:

• the program is meant to support persons with disabilities, children and families, Black Canadian communities, Indigenous communities and other vulnerable populations facing physical, economic and social pressures
• eligible recipients include not-for-profit organizations, such as registered charities and social enterprises actively pursuing activities in line with the objectives of the Social Development Partnerships Program

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• organisations are engaged through regular reporting as mandated in their agreements, as well as participation in the Community of Practice. Introductory sessions were recently completed in order to present the Final Report template and any questions from organisations
• an optional tracking tool was introduced to organisations in order to track their project progress as sessions are offered to their clients

Social Innovation and Social Finance Strategy - Social Finance Fund

Start date: April 1, 2021.

End date: March 31, 2037.

Type of transfer payment: contribution.

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5 (grants and contributions).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021 to 2022.

Link to departmental results: not applicable.

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Social Development
• program: Social Innovation and Social Finance Strategy

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program: through the Social Finance Fund (SFF), the department seeks to accelerate the growth of a vibrant and self-sustaining social finance market in Canada. The department also seeks to attract new investment in social finance and improve access to capital for social purpose organizations. This will increase the capacity of those organizations to generate social and environmental impacts by providing repayable and non-repayable contributions to social finance wholesalers (i.e., professional fund managers).

Expected results:

• expected result: increased private capital is leveraged by social finance wholesalers and intermediaries into the social finance market
• performance indicator: sum value (in dollars) of private capital co-investment commitments
• expected result: increased access to capital by social purpose organizations
• performance indicator: number of investments in social purpose organizations

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: not applicable.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: not applicable.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: 2027 to 2028.

General targeted recipient groups: funding will reach SPOs via funding recipients (social finance wholesalers) and social finance intermediaries. Social Purpose Organizations (SPOs) include:

• charities and non-profits
• cooperatives
• social enterprises
• mission-based for-profits
• other mission-focused organizations

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: not applicable.

Student Work Placement Program

Start date: April 2017.

End date: March 2025.

Type of transfer payment: contribution.

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5 (grants and contributions).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2020 to 2021.

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Student Work Placement Program

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program:

• the Student Work Placement Program supports the creation of work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities for students of all ages enrolled in any post-secondary education program at a college, university, or polytechnic in Canada. The program supports post-secondary students to develop work-ready skills, employers to hire and develop talent, and post-secondary institutions to keep pace with changing on-the-job expectations
• the program supports two types of opportunities:
  • work placements: paid opportunities in a student's chosen field of study for which the duration generally does not exceed four months
  • I-WIL opportunities: shorter duration and/or high intensity; often delivered virtually and leverage new technologies; and offer flexibility of access for students who may otherwise not participate in traditional work placements
• employers offering work placements are eligible to receive wage subsidies of 50% of the wage cost (up to $5,000) for a standard placement, and 70% (up to $7,000) for placements for first-year students and under-represented groups, which include women in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, persons with disabilities, newcomers, Indigenous students, and visible minorities. All students participating in I-WIL opportunities receive a stipend to compensate their efforts and/or cover some of their costs, with amounts ranging from $200 to a maximum of $2,000 per opportunity depending on its nature and length

Expected results:

• expected result: increased number of post-secondary students participating in work placement opportunities and developing work-ready skills
• performance indicators:
  • number of new work placement opportunities created for post-secondary students, in all fields of study
  • number of Innovative Work-Integrated Learning (I-WIL) activities created through the I-WIL initiative
• expected result: increased engagement of employers, including small- and medium-sized employers, in adopting and implementing work placement opportunities
• performance indicator: number of formalized post-secondary education and industry partnerships

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2021 to 2022 (completion of phase 1).

Decision following the results of last evaluation: continuation.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: 2026 to 2027.

General targeted recipient groups:

• employer consortia
• not-for-profit organizations
• for-profit organizations
• Indigenous organizations (including band councils, tribal councils and self-government entities)
• student organizations

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: the department will engage with funding recipients through ongoing stakeholder meetings. It will also undertake outreach to inform prospective applicants about the program.

Supports for Student Learning Program

Start date: June 2019.

End date: ongoing.

Type of transfer payment: contribution.

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5 (grants and contributions).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2022 to 2023.

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians access education, training and lifelong learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need
• students, including those from low- and middle-income families, use federally funded supports to help them participate in post-secondary education

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Supports for Student Learning Program

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program:

• the Supports for Student Learning Program (SSLP) is an umbrella program under which the department provides funding through contribution agreements to organizations that support youth at risk of educational disengagement in order to help them succeed in school, complete high school and successfully transition to and succeed in post-secondary education and the labour market
• funding is provided to/for:
  • the Student and Afterschool Supports stream, which works with organizations to provide supports for youth facing barriers helping them stay in school, complete high school and transition to post-secondary education and/or employment
  • the Outbound Student Mobility Pilot stream, known as Global Skills Opportunity, creates study and work abroad opportunities for Canadian college and undergraduate university students to acquire in-demand skills through study or work abroad opportunities

Expected results:

• expected result: program participants improve their educational outcomes and feel ready for the next step in their learning or employment
• performance indicator: percentage of SSLP-funded supports that enable youth preparedness for further studies or the labor market

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2023 to 2024.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: continuation.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: 2028 to 2029.

General targeted recipient groups: other: students facing barriers to learning. This includes (but is not limited to): Indigenous students, racialized students, students living with disabilities, students living in a low-income household, and students identifying as 2SLGBTQ

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: In fiscal year 2024 to 2025, the department will continue to engage funding recipients through engagement sessions, bilateral and multilateral meetings and will provide them with tools (e.g., pre and post-intervention surveys) that will help demonstrate the benefits of SSLP programming on participants.

Wage Earner Protection Program

Start date: July 2008.

End date: ongoing.

Type of transfer payment: statutory

Type of appropriation: statutory (Wage Earner Protection Program Act).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: not applicable.

Link to departmental results:

• work conditions are fair and inclusive
• clients receive high quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs (Working Conditions and Workplace Relations)

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Working Conditions and Workplace Relations
• program: Wage Earner Protection Program

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program:

• this program is designed to reduce the economic insecurity of Canadian workers whose employer files for bankruptcy, enters receivership, or other qualifying insolvency proceedings. Through this program, the department protects workers who are owed unpaid wages, vacation pay, disbursements, termination pay and/or severance pay
• workers can receive a one-time payment of up to a maximum amount equivalent to 7 times the maximum weekly insurable earnings under the Employment Insurance Act ($8,278 for 2023). When eligible workers receive payments under the Wage Earner Protection Program Act, they sign over their rights as creditors of the insolvent employer to the federal government, but only up to the amount of the payment received from the program. The federal government becomes the creditor and tries to recover the amount from the employer in the insolvency process. This program covers workers in all labour jurisdictions

Expected results:

• expected result: Wage Earner Protection Program applicants receive a payment, or a non-payment notification, in a timely manner
• performance indicator: percentage of initial Wage Earner Protection Program payments and non-payment notifications issued within 35 calendar days

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2021 to 2022.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: continuation.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: 2026 to 2027.

General targeted recipient groups: all employed workers in Canada, irrespective of jurisdiction.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: the program engages the trustee and the labour communities through regular meetings and ongoing communications to enhance the program awareness, its delivery and efficiencies.

Workforce Development Agreements

Start date: April 2017.

End date: in perpetuity, unless terminated in accordance with the agreement.

Type of transfer payment: other transfer payments.

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5 (grants and contributions).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2017 to 2018.

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need
• Canadians participate in an inclusive and efficient labour market

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Workforce Development Agreements

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program:

• the Government of Canada provides annual funding for individuals and employers through the Workforce Development Agreements (WDAs) with provinces and territories
• under the WDAs, skills training and employment programming can be offered to individuals regardless of their employment status. This includes individuals who have no ties to the Employment Insurance (EI) program. The WDAs also allow for the provision of supports to employers seeking to train current or new employees
• the WDAs include specific funding for persons with disabilities. WDA funding can also be used to support members of underrepresented groups such as Indigenous peoples, youth, older workers, and newcomers to Canada

Expected results:

• expected result: Canadians gain skills, become or remain employed and increase their income, while employers develop the skilled workforce they require
• performance indicator: number of clients benefiting from programs funded by the WDAs

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2021 to 2022.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: continuation.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: 2026 to 2027.

General targeted recipient groups:

• individuals
• employers
• persons with disabilities
• Indigenous people
• youth
• seniors
• recent immigrants
• racialized Canadians
• women

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: in fiscal year 2024 to 2025, the department will conduct consultations with key stakeholders. More specifically, WDAs require provinces and territories to consult annually with labour market stakeholders in their jurisdictions to inform and optimize their programming.

Youth Employment and Skills Strategy

Start date: April 2003, modified in May 2019.

End date: ongoing.

Type of transfer payment: contribution.

Type of appropriation:

• ESDC Vote 5 (grants and contributions)
• statutory (Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2020 to 2021.

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need
• Canadians participate in an inclusive and efficient labour market.
• clients receive high quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Youth Employment and Skills Strategy

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program:

• the department aims to provide a flexible approach to employment services, including enhanced supports that are tailored to each individual, broad eligibility and a diverse range of programs offered to help youth (aged 15-30). In particular, the department focuses on youth facing multiple barriers to employment by supporting them to gain work experience and develop the skills they need to successfully transition into the labour market
• the department encourages collaborations and innovation to increase capacity across the youth service provider network (e.g., employers, service delivery organizations and training providers), to better support youth, and to help employers hire and retain youth, in particular those who face barriers
• The Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) includes two programs:
  • the YESS Program, which is an Employment and Social Development Canada-led horizontal initiative involving 11 other federal departments, agencies and crown corporations
  • Canada Summer Jobs

Expected results:

• expected result: youth have access to programs that allow them to acquire the skills, learning experiences and opportunities they need to find and maintain employment or return to school
• performance indicators:
  • number of youth served
  • percentage of youth employed / self-employed
  • percentage of youth returned to school
  • percentage of youth served facing barriers to employment:
    • Indigenous youth
    • visible minority youth
    • youth with a disability
    • youth living in official language minority communities
    • youth living in rural and remote areas
    • women

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: a mid-cycle assessment of YESS was completed in 2023.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: continuation.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: 2024 to 2025.

General targeted recipient groups: individuals, not-for-profit organizations and other eligible recipients under the YESS terms and conditions.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: the department will pursue ongoing stakeholder engagement activities.

Canada Student Financial Assistance Program (Interest Payment and Liabilities)

Start date: August 1995.

End date: ongoing.

Type of transfer payment: contribution.

Type of appropriation: statutory (Canada Student Financial Assistance Act).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: not applicable,

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians access education, training and lifelong learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need
• students, including those from low- and middle-income families, are provided with federally funded supports to help them participate in post-secondary education
• student borrowers are able to repay their federal student debt
• clients receive high quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs (Learning, Skills Development and Employment)

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Canada Student Financial Assistance program and Canada Apprentice Loans

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program: from August 1, 1995, to July 31, 2000, the department operated a risk-shared loans regime with Canadian financial institutions. This transfer payment represents consolidated costs related to that regime. This includes interest subsidy, repayment assistance benefits, the amount of loans forgiven, risk premium put-backs and administrative costs net of recoveries on affected loans.

Expected results:

• expected results:
  • students who borrowed under the risk-shared regime continue to receive in-study student financial assistance and debt management assistance in repayment
  • Canada meets its obligations as set out under the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act in agreements with financial institutions
• performance indicator: there are no performance indicators for this transfer payment because it is made up of consolidated costs from a former loan regime that ended on July 31, 2000

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: planned for completion in fiscal year 2023 to 2024.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: pending.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: 2027 to 2028 (evaluation of the Canada Apprentice Loan).

General targeted recipient groups: for-profit organizations: financial institutions that provided Canada Student Loans to low- and middle-income students pursuing post-secondary education.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: no engagement activities planned for fiscal year 2024 to 2025.

Payments of compensation respecting merchant seamen

Start date: the powers and duties of the Merchant Seamen Compensation Act were transferred to the Labour Program, who is responsible for the administration of the act since October 30, 2013.

End date: ongoing.

Type of transfer payment: statutory.

Type of appropriation: statutory (Merchant Seamen Compensation Act).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: not applicable.

Link to departmental results:

• work conditions are fair and inclusive
• clients receive high quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs (Working Conditions and Workplace Relations)

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Working Conditions and Workplace Relations
• program: Federal Workers' Compensation

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program: this program ensures that certain merchant seamen injured in work-related accidents can receive health benefits and medical compensation. The Merchant Seamen Compensation Act can also provide financial assistance for surviving dependents if a work-related injury results in the death of the seamen.

Expected results:

• expected result: eligible merchant seamen receive the benefits (or support) to which they are entitled to under the act
• performance indicator: there is no indicator because the timeliness of the calculations of eligible benefits depends on the type of injury and availability of medical documentation

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: not applicable.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: not applicable.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: not applicable.

General targeted recipient groups: injured merchant seamen, their survivors and dependants.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: no engagement initiatives are planned for fiscal year 2024 to 2025.

Payments related to direct financing arrangement under the Apprentice Loans Act

Start date: January 2015.

End date: ongoing.

Type of transfer payment: contribution.

Type of appropriation: statutory (Apprentice Loans Act)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: not applicable.

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need
• students, including those from low- and middle-income families, are provided with federally funded supports to help them participate in post-secondary education
• student borrowers are able to repay their federal student debt
• clients receive high-quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs (Learning, Skills Development and Employment)

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Canada Student Financial Assistance Program and Canada Apprentice Loans

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program:

• through the Canada Apprentice Loans (CALs), the department provides apprentices registered in listed Red Seal trades loans of up to $4,000 per technical training period for up to five periods of training. As of April 1, 2023, CALs are interest free. CALs help apprentices with the costs of technical training like such as foregone wages, educational fees, equipment, and living expenses and is intended to complement other supports for apprentices. CAL is administered as part of the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program
• per the Apprentice Loans Act, special payment is provided to jurisdictions where apprentices are not able to access CALs. Quebec is currently the only province eligible for a special payment since their apprenticeship system is structured differently from the other P/Ts and as a result Quebec apprentices are not able to qualify for the CAL

Expected results:

• expected result: eligible apprentices receive loans to participate in technical training periods for their apprenticeship, and funding is provided to jurisdictions where CALs are not available to ensure apprentices in those jurisdictions have access to financial support
• performance indicator: number of apprentices receiving Canada Apprentice Loans to help finance their apprenticeship training in a designated Red Seal Trade

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2020 to 2021 (evaluation of the Canada Apprenticeship Loan - phase 2).

Decision following the results of last evaluation: continuation.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: 2027 to 2028 (Evaluation of the Canada Apprentice Loan).

General targeted recipient groups: other: apprentices registered in listed Red Seal trades .

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: no engagement activities planned for fiscal year 2024 to 2025.

Provision of funds for interest payments to lending institutions under the Canada Student Loans Act

Start date: November 2019.

End date: ongoing.

Type of transfer payment: contribution.

Type of appropriation: statutory (Canada Student Loans Act).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: not applicable.

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need
• students, including those from low- and middle-income families, are provided with federally funded supports to help them participate in post-secondary education
• student borrowers are able to repay their federal student debt
• clients receive high-quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs (Learning, Skills Development and Employment)

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Canada Student Financial Assistance Program and Canada Apprentice Loans

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program:

• the Canada Student Loans Program was created in 1964 as a statutory spending program under the Canada Student Loans Act. Between 1964 and 1995, financial assistance in the form of loans was provided by financial institutions (such as banks), under the guaranteed loans regime. The Canada Student Loans Act continues to apply to loans issued prior to August 1, 1995
• as of April 2023, interest no longer accrues on Canada Student Loans. This reduces the monthly payments required from borrowers and applies to all loans including guaranteed loans

Expected results: this portfolio is comprised of guaranteed loans and will end in 2024.

• expected results:
  • students who borrowed under the guaranteed regime continue to receive in-study student financial assistance and debt management assistance in repayment
  • Canada meets its obligations as set out under the Canada Student Loans Act in agreements with financial institutions
• performance indicator: there is no performance indicator for this program given that the loan regime will be extinguished in 2024, precluding the need for any subsequent transfers to financial institutions

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: not applicable.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: not applicable.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: not applicable.

General targeted recipient groups: for-profit organizations: financial institutions that administer Canada Student Loans pursuant to the Canada Student Loans Act.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: no engagement activities planned for fiscal year 2024 to 2025.

Provision of funds for liabilities including liabilities in the form of guaranteed loans under the Canada Student Loans Act

Start date: not applicable.

End date: ongoing.

Type of transfer payment: contribution.

Type of appropriation: statutory (Canada Student Loans Act).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: not applicable.

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need
• students, including those from low- and middle-income families, are provided with federally funded supports to help them participate in post-secondary education
• student borrowers are able to repay their federal student debt
• clients receive high-quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs (Learning, Skills Development and Employment)

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Canada Student Financial Assistance Program and Canada Apprentice Loans

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program: between 1964 and 1995, the department operated a guaranteed loans regime with Canadian financial institutions through the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program. If a student defaulted on a guaranteed loan, the government paid out the bank and the student's debt was then owed directly to the government. This transfer payment represents consolidated costs related to that regime.

Expected results: there is no expected result or measurable performance indicator for this portfolio as it is comprised of guaranteed loans that were disbursed prior to August 1, 1995. The portfolio will most likely end in the next few years.

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: not applicable as the loans in the portfolio were disbursed prior to 1995.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: not applicable.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: not applicable.

General targeted recipient groups: for-profit organizations: financial institutions that administer Canada Student Loans pursuant to the Canada Student Loans Act.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: no engagement activities planned for fiscal year 2024 to 2025.

Strategic Engagement and Research Program

Start date: May 2020.

End date: ongoing.

Type of transfer payment: grants and contributions.

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5 (grants and contributions).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2020 to 2021.

Link to departmental results: not applicable.

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Social Development
• program: Strategic Engagement and Research Program

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program:

• the Strategic Engagement and Research Program (SERP) is a grant and contribution program. Through this program, the department funds research, and research-related events undertaken by, and with, international and domestic organizations. The department also uses it to fund assessed contributions to international organizations
• to be considered for funding, research and activities must be related to the department's mandate and priorities. In addition, they must not fit with the objectives of any other grant and contribution programs in the department. Finally, they must contribute to the overall knowledge base and dialogue on employment and social development issues for the benefit of Canadians

Expected results:

• expected result: the department supports international and domestic research and activities
• performance indicator: the percentage of the SERP annual funding envelope disbursed
• expected result: Canada is able to engage international organizations to contribute to and share responsibility for the management of international issues related to employment and social development
• performance indicator: SERP-International - the percentage of payments of assessed contributions to international organizations of which Canada is a member that are paid in full and on time
• expected result: public access to an expanded knowledge base related to current and emerging employment and social development issues is increased
• performance indicator: SERP-Domestic - the percentage of completed projects funded through the domestic stream of the SERP resulting in at least one final product made public

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: not applicable.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: not applicable.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: not applicable.

General targeted recipient groups:

• for-profit organizations
• not-for-profit organizations and charities
• academia and public institutions
• Indigenous recipients
• governments
• international (non-government)

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: not applicable.

Support for Labour Market Information in Canada

Start date: May 2021.

End date: March 31, 2024.

Type of transfer payment: grant.

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5 (grants and contributions).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021 to 2022.

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians participate in an inclusive and efficient labour market
• clients receive high-quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs (Learning, Skills Development and Employment)

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Job Bank

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program: the Labour Market Information Council (LMIC) has a mandate to improve the timeliness, reliability and accessibility of labour market information. This information facilitates decision-making by employers, workers, job seekers, academics, policy makers, educators, career practitioners, students, parents and under-represented populations.

Expected results:

• expected result: improved relevance of labour market information (LMI) and insights for Canadians
• performance indicators:
  • outcomes of a public opinion research project on specific groups of Canadians
  • publication of reports following public opinion research
  • LMI users' satisfaction rate
  • Track and Monitor Website and social media performance
• expected result: partnerships and networks have increased in the space of LMI
• performance indicator: occurrence of LMI Council Board of Directors and National Stakeholder Advisory Panel in-person meetings and teleconference calls
• expected result: increased information sharing and collaboration among LMI stakeholders, practitioners as well federal, provincial and territorial governments
• performance indicator: publication of reports following public opinion research

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: an independent review and assessment of the LMIC's progress and achievements was conducted in fiscal year 2020 to 2021.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: continuation.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: no evaluations are currently planned.

General targeted recipient groups: the Labour Market Information Council is the only eligible funding recipient.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: the department supports priority setting at the LMIC as member of the organization's Board of Directors, along with representatives from PTs and Statistics Canada. The department will also actively participate in the LMIC's Government Stakeholder Advisory Panel.

Sustainable Development Goals Funding Program

Start date: 2018 to 2019.

End date: 2030 to 2031.

Type of transfer payment: grant.

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5 (grants and contributions).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2019 to 2020.

Link to departmental results:

• not-for-profit organizations, communities, and other groups have an enhanced capacity to address a range of social issues such as the social inclusion of persons with disabilities, the engagement of seniors and support for children and families

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Social Development
• program: Sustainable Development Goals Funding Program

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program:

• the purpose of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Funding Program is to support the federal government's implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Through this program, the department works with partners to build a more peaceful, inclusive and prosperous world that leaves no one behind. This includes provinces and territories, municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, academia, the private sector, Indigenous people, women, youth and vulnerable and/or marginalized populations
• the SDG Funding Program allows the department to support projects that aim to increase public awareness and implementation of the SDGs. Projects recipients then develop partnerships and networks, improve knowledge, support engagement in SDG-related events, identify innovative approaches, and contribute to reconciliation with Indigenous people

Expected results:

• expected result: knowledge and data gaps are identified and innovation is supported in furthering Canada's implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs
• performance indicator: number of supported and completed projects that identify knowledge/data gaps or ways to support innovation to advance Canada's implementation of 2030 Agenda and the SDGs

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: not applicable as total planned spending annually for SDG is less than $5 million.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: not applicable.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: not applicable.

General targeted recipient groups:

• Eligible recipients of the SDG Funding Program include:
  • non-profit organizations
  • municipalities
  • provincial and territorial governments, institutions and Crown Corporations
  • Indigenous organizations (including band councils, tribal councils and self-government entities)
  • international organizations
  • coalitions, networks and committees
  • research organizations and institutes
  • educational institutions
  • public health and social services institutions
  • environmental organizations
  • individuals
  • for-profit organizations (see note below)
• note: for-profit organizations may be eligible for funding provided that the nature and intent of the activity is non-commercial, not intended to generate profit, and supports program priorities and objectives

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• the department actively promotes the SDG Funding Program through communications and engagement activities with funding recipients and applicants representing the whole-of-society. This includes:
  • funding and participating in the 2024 edition of Together | Ensemble, Canada's annual national conference on the SDGs
  • continuing meaningful collaboration with three national Indigenous organizations (the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Métis National Council) to support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda
  • sharing knowledge by attending national and international seminars, conferences, events to highlight local and national initiatives to advance the SDGs

Universal Child Care Benefit

Start date: July 2006.

End date: replaced by the Canada Child Benefit in July 2016. Employment and Social Development Canada continues to be responsible for retroactive claims, write-offs and adjustments of the Universal Child Care Benefit accounts receivable.

Type of transfer payment: grant.

Type of appropriation: statutory (Universal Child Care Benefit Act).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2006 to 2007.

Link to departmental results:

• Access to early learning and childcare is increased

Link to department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Social Development
• program: Early Learning and Child Care

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program:

• through the Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB), the department provided financial support to help all Canadian families with young children choose the child care option that best suited their families' needs
• the Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) was replaced by the Canada Child Benefit effective July 1, 2016. This transfer payment program ensures the department meet its administrative obligations related to retroactive claims, write-offs and adjustments of the Universal Child Care Benefit accounts receivable

Expected results: no longer applicable.

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2011 to 2012.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: not applicable.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: no longer applicable, as the program has been sunset.

General targeted recipient groups: families with children under the age of 18.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: not applicable.

Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention Fund

Start date: 2018 to 2019.

End date: ongoing.

Type of transfer payment: grants and contributions

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5 (grants and contributions).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2018 to 2019.

Link to departmental results:

• workplaces are safe and healthy
• clients receive high quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs (Working Conditions and Workplace Relations)

Link to department’s program inventory:

• core responsibility: Working Conditions and Workplace Relations
• program: Occupational Health and Safety

Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program: through the Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention (WHVP) Fund, the department will provide grants and contributions to eligible organizations for the promotion and co-development of labour-management tools and resources. This financial assistance will enable the required culture shift and ensure the physical and psychological health and safety of the employees.

Expected results:

• expected result: increase awareness of sector specific workplace practices that contribute to the development of positive workplace cultures
• performance indicator: number of sector specific training programs, tools and resources developed
• expected result: improve the capacity of employers and unions to communicate the new harassment and violence prevention provisions in the Canada Labour Code and associated regulations
• performance indicator: number of tools and resources that have been integrated into the organizations' programs, policies and training
• expected result: improve dissemination, transfer, and application of knowledge and information among partners, stakeholders, employers, and unions
• performance indicator: number of events and information-sharing sessions delivered/facilitated

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: not applicable.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: not applicable.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: not applicable.

General targeted recipient groups: unions and federally regulated private sector organizations, as well as organizations associated with federally regulated private sector organizations.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: the department will continue to communicate with partner organizations on a regular basis, for quarterly and annual project updates.