Supporting information on lower-level programs

Sub-program: Government of Canada Telephone General Enquiries Services

Sub-Program: Government of Canada Telephone General Enquiries Services Description: Government of Canada telephone general enquiries services support Canadians through 1-800-O-Canada as well as its Customized Information Services (CIS). 1-800-O-Canada provides a single point of contact for all Canadians to access quick, up-to-date government information over the phone. It acts as the first point of contact for general information on all Government of Canada programs, services and initiatives; it supports key government priorities including those outlined in the Speech from the Throne; and it supports the Government’s communication needs in crisis situations. Customized Information Services provide support to Canadians on behalf of Government of Canada programs and services that require a service delivery partner to meet their communication needs, which can include ongoing requirements, targeted campaigns and temporary needs in crisis situations. Canadians who require specialized or client-specific information on programs are connected or are directed to appropriate online resources, program call centres or in-person resources.

Sub-program: Government of Canada Internet Presence

Sub-Program: Government of Canada Internet Presence Description: The Government of Canada Internet presence supports Canadians by providing easy, fast and convenient access to information and services online. Through Service Canada, ESDC is the principal publisher for a single Government of Canada website, Canada.ca. The site provides an enhanced user experience; citizen-centric, theme-based content; and a common and enhanced Government of Canada search. Canadians can locate detailed information on the programs and services offered through ESDC, as well as general information on all Government of Canada programs and services. Through Service Canada, ESDC also provides a simple and secure online portal for Canadians to bring together a number of services and allow clients to, among other things, view and update their personal information and transact securely with ESDC.

Sub-program: In-Person Points of Service

Sub-Program: In-Person Points of Service Description: In-person points of service support the delivery of services and information for the Government of Canada. They provide information on how to self-serve; client authentication and identification; and services for clients who require one-on-one assistance. Canadians who require specialized or client-specific information for programs like Employment Insurance, the Canada Pension Plan or Old Age Security are directed to appropriate online resources and program call centres. Canadians have access to in-person points of service within reasonable distances from where they live through Service Canada Centres and scheduled outreach locations.

Sub-program: Passport

Sub-Program: Passport Description: Through Service Canada, ESDC delivers the Passport program on behalf of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Service Canada is the provider of domestic passport service delivery within Canada through all service delivery channels. Service delivery includes provision of information, intake of applications, validation of identity, production of passports and their distribution to eligible applicants, on time and error-free.

Sub-program: Other Government Department Programs

Sub-Program: Other Government Department Programs Description: Services provided on behalf of other Government of Canada programs include: assistance to Canadians; provision of basic and detailed program and service information; application intake and review for completeness; client authentication and validation of identity documents; quick and direct access to specialized agents within other government departments; and provision of space in the service delivery network for other departments.

Sub-program: Employment Insurance

Sub-Program: Employment Insurance Description: The Employment Insurance (EI) program provides temporary financial assistance to unemployed workers while they look for employment or upgrade their skills. EI also provides special benefits to those who take time off work due to specific life events (illness; pregnancy; to care for a newborn or newly adopted child, a critically ill child or a family member who is seriously ill with a significant risk of death). Self-employed workers may participate in EI and receive special benefits. Workers receive EI benefits only if they have paid premiums in the past year and meet qualifying and entitlement conditions. This program is governed by Part I of the Employment Insurance Act and associated Regulations. The Canada Employment Insurance Commission monitors and assists the Department in managing the program. Service Canada’s role is to provide timely and accurate EI benefit payments and services, and to support EI clients through each stage of the service delivery process by providing benefit information, responding to enquiries, assisting employers, processing claims and providing the means to appeal decisions; conducting client authentication and identification; and preventing, detecting and addressing fraud and abuse. EI benefits are delivered through a multi-channel service delivery model—online, by phone or in person—which is designed to meet the day to day needs of clients. Complementary activities conducted under the authority of Part II of the Employment Insurance Act and delivered by provincial, territorial and other partners are captured under 2.1.2 Labour Market Development Agreements.

This program is funded through Part I of the Employment Insurance Act.

Sub-program: Labour Market Development Agreements

Sub-Program: Labour Market Development Agreements Description: Labour Market Development Agreements are established under Part II of the Employment Insurance Act to help unemployed Canadians find and return to work and to develop a skilled labour force that meets the needs of employers. These agreements provide program and administration funding to provinces and territories annually for them to design and deliver employment benefits and support measures. Employment benefits provide Employment Insurance (EI)-eligible participants with benefits such as skills development, self-employment and wage subsidies, while employment services are available to all unemployed individuals in Canada. Complementary activities conducted under the authority of Part I of the Employment Insurance Act provide EI benefits to eligible individuals. This program is funded through Part II of the Employment Insurance Act.

Sub-program: Canada Job Fund Agreements

Sub-Program: Canada Job Fund Agreements Description: Through the Canada Job Fund Agreements (former Labour Market Agreements) the Government of Canada transfers $500 million per year for six years (2014–20) to provinces and territories to help Canadians develop and obtain the necessary skills to find and keep good jobs. The provinces and territories have the flexibility to design and implement programs that address their respective labour market needs. The Agreements fund employment services and supports to those who are unemployed and do not qualify for Employment Insurance and low-skilled workers as well as a range of employer-sponsored training initiatives, such as the Canada Job Grant, that encourage employer involvement in skills training.

This program uses funding from the following transfer payment: Canada Job Fund Agreements.

Sub-program: Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities

Sub-Program: Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities Description: In recognition of the barriers faced by persons with disabilities in the labour market, the Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities are designed to improve employment outcomes for persons with disabilities by enhancing their employability, increasing employment opportunities and demonstrating the best possible results for Canadians. This program transfers funds to provinces and territories under bilateral agreements (covering 50 percent of eligible costs, to a predetermined maximum) for programs and services. Provinces and territories agree to match the federal amount. As the needs of persons with disabilities may differ between jurisdictions, provinces and territories have flexibility to determine the design and delivery of programming in the following five priority areas: education and training; employment participation; employment opportunities; connecting employers and persons with disabilities; and building knowledge. These programs and services for persons with disabilities complement other provincial and territorial employment and skills training programs funded by the Government of Canada (e.g. Labour Market Development Agreements and the Canada Job Fund Agreements).

This program uses funding from the following transfer payment: Labour Market Agreement for Persons with Disabilities.

Sub-program: Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities

Sub-Program: Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities Description: The Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities assists persons with disabilities to prepare for, obtain and maintain employment. It supports persons with disabilities in overcoming barriers to participation in the Canadian labour market, and it supports employers to hire persons with disabilities. This program supports a wide range of programs and services, including job search supports, skills development, wage subsidies, work placements and employer awareness initiatives to encourage employers to hire persons with disabilities. The Opportunities Fund is delivered across the country by Service Canada Centres, in partnership with organizations in the community.

This program uses funding from the following transfer payment: Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities.

Sub-program: Youth Employment Strategy

Sub-Program: Youth Employment Strategy Description: The Youth Employment Strategy helps youth aged 15 to 30 get the career information and gain the skills, work experience and abilities they need to find and maintain employment. The Youth Employment Strategy is an ESDC-led horizontal initiative involving 10 other federal departments and agencies that assist youth in making a successful transition into today’s changing labour market. The Youth Employment Strategy has three program streams—Skills Link, Career Focus and Summer Work Experience, which includes Canada Summer Jobs. This program is delivered nationally, regionally and locally via funding instruments such as contribution agreements and direct delivery methods.

This program uses funding from the following transfer payment: Youth Employment Strategy.

Sub-program: Targeted Initiative for Older Workers

Sub-Program: Targeted Initiative for Older Workers Description: The Targeted Initiative for Older Workers (TIOW) is a federal-provincial/territorial cost-shared initiative that provides unemployed older workers (normally between the ages of 55 and 64) with employment assistance services, skills upgrading and work experience to reintegrate them into the workforce and/or increase their employability. The Initiative assists unemployed older workers in small communities of 250,000 or less that are experiencing high unemployment, significant downsizing/closures, unfulfilled employer demand and/or skills mismatches. Under this program, provinces and territories are responsible for identifying specific communities for participation in the Initiative, designing and delivering projects, and monitoring and reporting on projects. All projects must include employment assistance activities such as résumé writing, interview techniques, counselling and job search techniques and at least two employability improvement activities such as prior learning assessment, skills training, work experience or preparation for self-employment. The Government of Canada’s investment in the Initiative complements other funding provided through various labour market transfers to provinces and territories to support Canadians in receiving the training they need to secure employment, including the Canada Job Fund Agreements, Labour Market Development Agreements and Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities.

This program uses funding from the following transfer payment: Targeted Initiative for Older Workers.

Sub-program: Enabling Fund for Official Language Minority Communities

Sub-Program: Enabling Fund for Official Language Minority Communities Description: The Enabling Fund for Official Language Minority Communities is an integral component of the Government of Canada’s whole-of-government strategy to support English and French linguistic minorities and Canada’s linguistic duality. This program aims to enhance the development and vitality of official language minority communities by strengthening their capacity in the areas of human resources and community economic development, and by promoting partnerships at all levels, including with federal partners. This program provides funds to official language minority communities in every province and territory by supporting professional local capacity to deliver services and supports to jobseekers, businesses and communities; generate strategic partnerships; spur investment; and consolidate efforts and resources of stakeholders to take action on priorities. The Enabling Fund is designed so that official language minority communities can plan and implement community-specific development initiatives and better access a range of labour market services and programs. In addition to contributing to community development, the Enabling Fund allows the Department to deliver on its commitments and obligations related to the Official Languages Act.

This program uses funding from the following transfer payment: Enabling Fund for Official Language Minority Communities. The program also links with the Roadmap for Canada’s Official Languages 2013–18.

Sub-program: Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy

Sub-Program: Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy Description: Indigenous communities have historically experienced significantly higher rates of unemployment, lower rates of labour force participation and higher rates of social assistance than other Canadian communities. The Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ASETS) aims to increase Indigenous participation in the Canadian labour market, ensuring that First Nations, Inuit and Métis people are engaged in sustainable, meaningful employment. Funding from the Strategy supports Indigenous service delivery organizations, which deliver employment and training services through over 600 points of service across Canada. Specific attention is given to working with partners in the private sector, educational institutions and other levels of government in demand-driven labour markets. This program is linked to the Employment Insurance Act, which enables Indigenous groups to deliver programs similar to those established by Part II of the Act. The Strategy is also linked to the First Nations and Inuit Child Care Initiative, to help increase the supply of quality child care services in First Nations and Inuit communities to a level comparable to what is available for the general population. This is done to support First Nations and Inuit early childhood development, as well as to provide child care for First Nations and Inuit caregivers so that they may work and/or participate in job training and skills development programs. Currently, the Strategy supports labour market obligations specified in Treaty and Self-Government Agreements that are in place with some Indigenous groups. The Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy network of agreement holders is used for the delivery of the First Nations Job Fund under the Income Assistance Reform. Transfer payments are managed through contribution agreements with Indigenous organizations.

This program uses funding from the following transfer payment: Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy.

Sub-program: Skills and Partnership Fund

Sub-Program: Skills and Partnership Fund Description: As a complement to the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy, the Skills and Partnership Fund supports time-limited projects by Indigenous organizations and their private-sector and government partners. Funding recipients deliver supports and services to First Nations, Inuit and Métis people to help them develop the necessary skills and job training to secure jobs. This program focuses on emerging or untapped economic development opportunities to meet the needs of high-demand sectors, as well as areas with skills shortages. Attention is given to ensuring that partnerships are in place prior to project initiation and that the focus of projects are responsive to demonstrated need with supports in the areas of training-to-employment, skills development and service innovation. Currently, the Skills and Partnership Fund supports labour market obligations specified in various Treaty and Self-Government Agreements that are in place with some Indigenous groups. Transfer payments are managed through contribution agreements with Indigenous organizations.

This program uses funding from the following transfer payment: Skills and Partnership Fund.

Sub-program: First Nations Job Fund

Sub-Program: First Nations Job Fund Description: The Indigenous youth population is growing in First Nations communities, where there are high unemployment rates and a high dependency on Income Assistance, especially on reserves. The First Nations Job Fund (FNJF) aims to provide on-reserve First Nations Income Assistance recipients between 18 and 24 years of age, who are able to work and who are trainable within one year, with the personalized training necessary to access jobs. Clients are referred to the Fund through the Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) Enhanced Service Delivery system. This program is delivered through the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy delivery network. Selected organizations work with local training facilities and employers to ensure that Income Assistance recipients referred from the Enhanced Service Delivery system are provided with the training-to-employment and employment supports they need to secure jobs. The Fund is one of two components of the First Nations Income Assistance Reform Initiative—a joint initiative between INAC, that delivers the enhanced Service Delivery, and ESDC, that administers the FNJF.

This program uses funding from the following transfer payment: First Nations Job Fund.

Sub-program: Job Bank

Sub-Program: Job Bank Description: Job Bank provides timely and relevant labour market information on employment opportunities across Canada to help workers find suitable employment and help employers find suitable workers. This program targets employers, individuals (e.g. job seekers, unemployed Canadians, students, newcomers and potential immigrants), career practitioners (e.g. employment and vocational counselling organizations, education/learning institutions and community organizations) and government analysts and decision-makers (including federal-provincial/territorial government organizations and programs, ESDC/Service Canada). Job Bank offers a free and bilingual job website, delivered in collaboration with provinces and territories, which allows employers to post available job opportunities and job seekers to search for jobs. In addition, Job Bank includes a variety of economic, labour market and demographic reports, including occupational profiles and projections. This program is legislated by Employment Insurance Act subsections 60 (1) and (2); section 58, subsection C of the National Employment Service (Employment Insurance Regulations); and the International Labour Organization Convention 88.

Sub-program: Sectoral Initiatives Program

Sub-Program: Sectoral Initiatives Program Description: The Sectoral Initiatives Program is a grants and contributions program with the objective of addressing current and future skills shortages by supporting the development and distribution of sector-specific labour market intelligence, national occupational standards and skills certification and accreditation systems. The mandate is to help industry identify, forecast and address human resources and skills issues through partnership-based projects for key sectors of the Canadian economy to help ease labour mobility and labour market adjustment.

This program uses funding from the following transfer payment: Sectoral Initiatives Program.

Sub-program: Literacy and Essential Skills

Sub-Program: Literacy and Essential Skills Description: Some Canadians, particularly from vulnerable groups, may not have the literacy and essential skills needed to fully participate in the labour force. The program supports Canadians to improve their literacy and essential skills to help them to better prepare for, get and keep a job and to adapt and succeed at work. Efforts focus on supporting the integration of literacy and essential skills into employment and training programs, which are largely delivered by provincial and territorial governments and further supported by $2.7 billion in federal labour market transfers (e.g. Canada Job Fund and Labour Market Development Agreements, as well as other programs such as the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy).

To advance its mandate, the program engages with partners and stakeholders nationwide to acquire knowledge and promote the integration of effective practices across the country.

The program does not provide funding for the delivery of training services or for the operating needs of training providers. Its efforts complement those of provincial and territorial governments, which are the primary funders of literacy and essential skills training services. It targets labour market stakeholders (including employers, industry associations, post-secondary education institutions and skills training providers) to integrate literacy and essential skills interventions into their programming, services and policies.

This program uses funding from the following transfer payment: Adult Learning, Literacy and Essential Skills Program. The program also links with the Roadmap for Canada’s Official Languages 2013–18.

Sub-program: Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship (Red Seal Program)

Sub-Program: Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship (Red Seal Program) Description: Tradespeople are a key component of the highly skilled workforce that supports Canadian competitiveness. Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship targets skilled trade workers and registered apprentices, working with jurisdictions through the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA) to deliver the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal program. The CCDA comprises the apprenticeship authorities from each province and territory and representatives from ESDC. The Red Seal program helps to develop a highly qualified, productive and mobile skilled trades workforce by developing high-quality Red Seal products, including Red Seal occupational standards and interprovincial examinations for the trades in collaboration with industry. Tradespersons who meet the Red Seal standards receive a Red Seal endorsement on their provincial/territorial trade certificates. The CCDA also collaborates to harmonize apprenticeship training requirements in most jurisdictions and to develop common apprenticeship training resources such as interprovincial program guides, as well as tools for building essential skills.

Sub-program: Apprenticeship Grants

Sub-Program: Apprenticeship Grants Description: Apprenticeship grants are incentives to attract Canadians to the trades and to assist apprentices in the Red Seal trades to progress and complete their training. This program targets eligible Canadian citizens, permanent residents and protected persons who are out of high school and are registered apprentices in one of the 57 designated Red Seal trades. It comprises two grants: the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, a taxable cash grant of $1,000 per year for registered apprentices (up to a maximum of $2,000 per apprentice) who have successfully completed the technical and on-the-job training requirements for the first or second year/level of an apprenticeship program; and the Apprenticeship Completion Grant, an additional $2,000 taxable cash grant to registered apprentices upon completion of apprenticeship training and receipt of journeyperson certification. Eligibility for this program is tied to the Red Seal trades, as the Red Seal represents a standard of excellence which promotes the mobility of skilled tradespeople based on national standards. Delivery of apprenticeship grants to eligible registered apprentices involves responding to calls for information, collecting and processing applications, issuing payments and monitoring accuracy of payments.

This program uses funding from the following transfer payment: Apprenticeship Grants.

Sub-program: Foreign Credential Recognition Program

Sub-Program: Foreign Credential Recognition Program Description: Canada's aging society, combined with its low population growth, are creating labour market pressures that heighten the need for immigrants and other internationally trained individuals to integrate rapidly into the Canadian labour market. The Foreign Credential Recognition Program targets internationally trained professionals and tradespersons, working with provincial and territorial governments and various organizations (such as regulatory bodies, national associations and credential assessment agencies) to facilitate credential recognition processes and ensure they are fair, consistent, transparent and timely. This program provides strategic financial support to its stakeholders through contribution agreements for key high-demand professions and skilled trades as well as other occupations to ensure that professionals and tradespersons who have obtained their credentials in another country can fully use their skills in Canada’s labour market. In order to streamline foreign credential recognition processes, this program facilitates national coordination among provinces and territories and other partners. The Foreign Credential Recognition Program also works to implement domestic labour mobility initiatives, and complements the Agreement on Internal Trade, by facilitating national coordination among partners and reducing barriers faced by workers in regulated occupations as they pursue employment opportunities across the country.

This program uses funding from the following transfer payment: Foreign Credential Recognition Program.

Sub-program: Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Sub-Program: Temporary Foreign Worker Program Description: The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) plays a key role in supporting Canada's economic growth by enabling employers to hire foreign workers on a temporary basis to fill short-term labour needs when Canadians and permanent residents are Not available. The Program is jointly administered by ESDC and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Service Canada conducts labour market impact assessments for employers applying to hire temporary foreign workers to determine the likely effect these workers would have on the Canadian job market. This program assesses the impact by looking at available labour market information for the region and the occupation, the employers’ recruitment and advertisement efforts, wages and working conditions, labour shortages and the transfer of skills and knowledge to Canadians. Service Canada answers TFWP queries through Employer Contact Centres, the Internet and at in-person points of service. ESDC works closely with IRCC and the provinces and territories to monitor and share information that has an impact on the integrity of the TFWP and the International Mobility Program (IMP) which is led by IRCC. These programs are legislated through the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations. Service Canada conducts inspections for the TFWP and, on behalf of IRCC, for the IMP. In Quebec, the TFWP is administered in partnership with the Province.

Sub-program: Canada Student Loans and Grants and Canada Apprentice Loans Program

Sub-Program: Canada Student Loans and Grants and Canada Apprentice Loans Program Description: The Canada Student Loans and Grants and Canada Apprentice Loans Program provides repayable loans and non-repayable grants to help Canadians finance their participation in post-secondary education. Recipients of these loans and grants include full- and part-time students, students from low- and middle-income families, students with dependants and students with permanent disabilities. The Program also offers apprentice loans of up to $4,000 per period of technical training to apprentices registered in Red Seal trades. Students and apprentices who receive loans also have access to debt management measures if they are experiencing financial difficulty in repaying their loans. These loans and grants, and debt management measures, are delivered in partnership with the participating provinces and territories, a third-party service provider, educational institutions and agencies, financial aid administrators and financial institutions. Activities are enabled by the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act, the Canada Student Loans Act, the Apprentice Loans Act and related Regulations. Provinces and territories that do not participate in this program are provided with an alternative or special payment to fund similar programs and services.

The Program uses funding from the following transfer payments:

• Canada Student Loans Program – Interest Payments and Liabilities (Statutory)
• Canada Student Loans Program – Direct Financing Arrangement (Statutory)
• Canada Student Grants Program (Statutory)
• Canada Apprentice Loans (Statutory)

Sub-program: Canada Education Savings Program

Sub-Program: Canada Education Savings Program Description: The Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) and the Canada Learning Bond (CLB) are intended to make post-secondary education more affordable by encouraging early planning and saving for education. Funds can later be withdrawn to help finance children’s post-secondary education. The Canada Education Savings Grant provides matching grants on contributions to Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs) for Canadian children aged 17 and under. Eligible low-income families can also benefit from the Canada Learning Bond, which provides funds that are added to the RESPs of children born on or after January 1, 2004. The program is delivered through an alternative service delivery arrangement with financial institutions, banks, mutual fund companies and scholarship foundations. The Canada Education Savings Program complements the Canada Student Loans Program and other labour market and skills development programs offered by ESDC. Funding and activities under this program are governed by the Canada Education Savings Act and related Regulations.

This program uses funding from the following transfer payment: Canada Education Savings Program.

Sub-program: Labour Relations

Sub-Program: Labour Relations Description: This program seeks to promote and sustain cooperative workplace relations in the federal jurisdiction, which covers strategically important sectors of the economy, including air transportation, inter-provincial rail and road transportation, telecommunications, banking, grain handling, nuclear facilities and federal Crown corporations. It also applies to private-sector employers and employees in Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. The program provides mediation and conciliation services to assist employers and unions in achieving a collective agreement without resorting to a work stoppage. It seeks to support constructive labour management relations through preventive mediation services that identify opportunities for employers and unions to meet and discuss issues of mutual interest and to support new and innovative approaches to collective bargaining. This program also appoints arbitrators, adjudicators and referees for grievances under Part I of the Canada Labour Code, for unjust dismissal and wage recovery appeals under Part III of the Code and appeals under the Wage Earner Protection Program Act.

Sub-program: Workplace Health and Safety

Sub-Program: Workplace Health and Safety Description: This program seeks to promote and sustain safe workplaces in the federal jurisdiction (interprovincial transportation, post office and courier companies, telecommunications, banking, grain handling, nuclear facilities, federal Crown corporations and Indigenous governments and their employees). It seeks to ensure federal employers’ compliance with relevant occupational health and safety standards through employer and employee cooperation to ensure healthy and safe workplaces in targeted high-risk industries. It also provides income support and rehabilitation support to injured federal workers and merchant seamen.

Sub-program: Labour Standards and Equity

Sub-Program: Labour Standards and Equity Description: This program seeks to promote and sustain fair and equitable workplaces in the federal jurisdiction (interprovincial transportation, post office and courier companies, telecommunications, banking, grain handling, nuclear facilities, federal Crown corporations, companies that have contracts with the federal government, and some First Nations employers and employees). The program administers and enforces labour standards through education and compliance activities. It also seeks to identify and eliminate barriers to employment for the four designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities) in the federal jurisdiction. The program also reduces the economic insecurity of workers through the protection of wages and vacation, severance and termination pay when their employer declares bankruptcy or becomes subject to receivership.

Sub-program: International Labour Affairs

Sub-Program: International Labour Affairs Description: This program seeks to protect Canadian workers and employers from unfair competition from other countries with poor labour standards or lax labour law enforcement. The program negotiates international labour standards that reflect Canadian values and oversees Canada’s participation in international labour forums. This program also promotes fundamental labour rights internationally to support equitable growth and social stability in developing countries, protect human rights and contribute to reducing the growing global divide between rich and poor. The program negotiates and implements international labour cooperation agreements and other frameworks and provides technical assistance to partner countries.

Sub-program: Old Age Security

Sub-Program: Old Age Security Description: The Old Age Security (OAS) program is one of the cornerstones of Canada's public pension system. The objective of the OAS program is to provide a base upon which individuals can add income from other sources such as the Canada Pension Plan or Quebec Pension Plan, employer-sponsored pension plans and personal registered retirement savings plans, as well as investments and personal savings, to address their particular financial circumstances. The OAS program provides: the basic OAS pension to all eligible seniors aged 65 and over who meet the legal status and residence requirements; the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) to low-income OAS pensioners; as well as the Allowances for low-income individuals aged 60 to 64 who are the spouses or common-law partners of GIS recipients, or who are widows or widowers. Service Canada’s delivery of OAS benefits involves answering program queries through specialized call centres, the Internet and at in-person points of service; collecting and processing applications and issuing payments; monitoring of decisions and payments for accuracy; administering requests for reconsideration of a decision; client authentication and identification; and preventing, detecting and addressing fraud and abuse.

This program uses funding from the following transfer payments:

• Old Age Security pension
• Guaranteed Income Supplement
• Allowance payments

Sub-program: Canada Pension Plan

Sub-Program: Canada Pension Plan Description: The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) is a social insurance program that is funded by the contributions of employees, employers and self-employed persons as well as the revenue earned on CPP investments. The CPP covers virtually all employed and self-employed persons in Canada, excluding Quebec, which operates its own comprehensive plan, the Quebec Pension Plan. The CPP provides partial income replacement to contributors and their families in the event of retirement, death or disability of the contributor. (The CPP disability benefit will be discussed in a later section.) The CPP is a main pillar of Canada’s retirement income system. The Plan provides benefits to 5 million recipients. The CPP is a statutory program and stewardship is shared by the federal government and the provinces. It is enabled by the Canada Pension Plan and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board Act. Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria in order to receive benefits. Service Canada’s delivery of CPP benefits involves answering program queries through specialized call centres, the Internet and at in-person points of service; collecting and processing applications and issuing payments; monitoring of decisions and payments for accuracy; administering requests for reconsideration of a decision, client authentication and identification; and preventing, detecting and addressing fraud and abuse.

Sub-program: Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits

Sub-Program: Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits Description: The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) disability benefit is designed to provide partial income replacement to eligible CPP contributors who are under age 65 with a severe and prolonged disability, as defined in the CPP legislation. There are two eligibility criteria for the CPP Disability Program. First, applicants must have made contributions to the program in four of the last six years, with minimum levels of earnings in each of these years, or three of the last six years for those with 25 or more years of contributions. Second, they must demonstrate that their physical or mental disability prevents them from working regularly at any job that is substantially gainful, and that it is long-term and of indefinite duration, or is likely to result in death. Children of CPP disability beneficiaries are also eligible for a flat-rate monthly benefit up to the age of 18, or up to age 25 if attending school full-time. Service Canada’s delivery of CPP disability benefits involves answering program queries through specialized call centres, the Internet and at in-person points of service; collecting and processing applications and issuing payments; monitoring of decisions and payments for accuracy; and administering requests for reconsideration of a decision; client authentication and identification; and preventing, detecting and addressing fraud and abuse.

Sub-program: Canada Disability Savings Program

Sub-Program: Canada Disability Savings Program Description: Canadians with severe and prolonged disabilities often have low income and have to rely on family and others for support and care, leaving them financially vulnerable. The Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) was introduced in 2008 to help persons with disabilities achieve long-term financial security by providing a tool to encourage them and their families to save for the future. This program complements the RDSP by providing Canada Disability Savings Grants and Canada Disability Savings Bonds as additional supports to encourage savings. Canadian residents who have a Social Insurance Number and are eligible for the Disability Tax Credit can open an RDSP until the end of the calendar year in which they turn 59, while grants and bonds can be paid until the end of the calendar year in which they turn 49. Money paid to a beneficiary out of their RDSP will not affect their eligibility for federal benefits, such as the Canada Child Tax Benefit, the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax Credit, Old Age Security and Employment Insurance. This program is enabled by the Income Tax Act, the Canada Disability Savings Act and associated Regulations.

This program uses funding from the following transfer payment(s): Canada Disability Savings Program – Grants and Bonds.

Sub-program: National Child Benefit

Sub-Program: National Child Benefit Description: The National Child Benefit (NCB) initiative, a partnership among federal, provincial and territorial governments, with a First Nations component, is designed to help prevent and reduce the depth of child poverty, promote attachment to the labour market by ensuring families are always better off as a result of working and reduce program overlap and duplication. The NCB initiative provides income support and other benefits and services to low-income families with children. The Government of Canada’s contribution to the NCB initiative is the NCB Supplement. The NCB Supplement is an additional benefit paid to low-income families with children through the Canada Child Tax Benefit, and complements other federal supports for families with children. While the NCB Supplement is delivered by the Canada Revenue Agency, ESDC is responsible for policy development with respect to the federal-provincial/territorial NCB initiative and coordinates annual federal-provincial/territorial reports to Canadians on progress.

Sub-program: Homelessness Partnering Strategy

Sub-Program: Homelessness Partnering Strategy Description: Homeless individuals and families can face a wide range of personal, financial and social challenges. Addressing these challenges in a sustainable manner requires the coordinated action of a number of partners including the federal government. The objective of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy is to support the implementation of effective, sustainable and community-based solutions to prevent and reduce homelessness across Canada. As a community-based strategy, it provides grant and contribution funding to communities and service providers across the country with a focus on the Housing First approach. Housing First involves giving people who are homeless a place to live first, and then providing other necessary supports, such as addiction treatment, to help them stabilize their lives and work towards recovery and reintegration into the community. Federal funds are directed toward community priorities, which are identified through an inclusive community planning process involving officials from all levels of government, community stakeholders and the private and voluntary sectors.

These services target individuals, families and Indigenous peoples who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless in major urban centres, rural communities and the North. Complementary activities under the Strategy include promoting data development and collection; disseminating knowledge among communities, partners and stakeholders; exploring innovative approaches to homelessness; and making surplus federal properties available to communities for projects that prevent and reduce homelessness. The latter activity is a horizontal initiative that Employment and Social Development Canada manages in partnership and collaboration with Public Services and Procurement Canada and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Funding to not-for-profit organizations, municipal governments, band/tribal councils and other Indigenous organizations helps communities more effectively address homelessness issues and supports activities to help alleviate and prevent homelessness across Canada.

This program uses funding from the following transfer payment: Homelessness Partnering Strategy.

Sub-program: Social Development Partnerships Program

Sub-Program: Social Development Partnerships Program Description: The Social Development Partnerships Program makes strategic investments to support government priorities related to children and families, persons with disabilities, the voluntary sector, official language minority communities and other vulnerable populations by playing a unique role in furthering broad social goals. It provides an opportunity to work in partnership with social not-for-profit organizations to help improve life outcomes of these target groups. Activities funded by the program are expected to lead to the development and sharing of knowledge of existing and emerging social issues; the creation of collaboration, partnerships, alliances and networks; and the development of approaches to respond to existing and emerging social issues. Over the long term, program support for these activities will help the not-for-profit sector and partners be more effective in addressing existing and emerging social issues, and will help target populations have access to information, programs and services tailored to their unique needs.

Sub-program: New Horizons for Seniors Program

Sub-Program: New Horizons for Seniors Program Description: The growth in the population of seniors in Canada is accelerating, with the total number of seniors projected to reach approximately 10 million by 2036. This presents both opportunities and risks for seniors and their communities. Empowering seniors, encouraging them to share their knowledge, skills and experience with others in the community, and enhancing seniors' social well-being and community vitality are goals of the New Horizons for Seniors Program. This program provides grants and contributions funding for projects led or inspired by seniors who want to make a difference in the lives of others and in their communities. The program has five objectives: promoting volunteerism among seniors and other generations; engaging seniors in the community through mentoring of others; expanding awareness of elder abuse, including financial abuse; supporting social participation and inclusion of seniors; and providing capital assistance for new and existing community projects and/or programs for seniors. Community-based projects are typically eligible to receive up to $25,000 in grant funding per project for up to one year. Pan-Canadian projects are eligible to receive up to $750,000 for up to three years in duration to address the social isolation of seniors through social innovation approaches (partnerships and focus on outcomes). In order to test elements of social innovation in the New Horizons for Seniors Program, pilot projects involving the leveraging of funds commenced in 2014–15 for a period of two years. This program is complemented by a range of policies, programs and services targeted at seniors such as the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security and the National Seniors Council.

This program uses funding from the following transfer payment: New Horizons for Seniors Program.

Sub-program: Universal Child Care Benefit

Sub-Program: Universal Child Care Benefit Description: The Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) was established in 2006 as a statutory benefit that provided direct financial support to families with children. The UCCB was replaced by the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) effective July 2016, however the Universal Child Care Benefit Act remains in force to allow for the processing of retroactive claims, adjustments, and remissions. The Minister of Families, Children and Social Development has primary authority and overall responsibility for the UCCB, which includes all matters related to its administration, communication, evaluation, accountability and policy analysis and development. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) delivers the UCCB on ESDC’s behalf. This includes receiving and processing applications for the purposes of determining UCCB eligibility, issuing payments, and collecting overpayments.

Sub-program: Enabling Accessibility Fund

Sub-Program: Enabling Accessibility Fund Description: Persons with disabilities often experience barriers to their full participation and inclusion in activities of everyday living. The objective of the Enabling Accessibility Fund is to improve accessibility, remove barriers and enable Canadians with disabilities to participate in and contribute to their community. The Fund supports capital costs of construction and renovations related to improving accessibility and safety for persons with disabilities in Canadian communities and workplaces. Grants or contributions are provided to eligible recipients for capital cost projects that increase access for persons with disabilities to their programs and services or create employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

This program uses funding from the following transfer payment: Enabling Accessibility Fund.

Sub-program: Federal Income Support for Parents of Murdered or Missing Children

Sub-Program: Federal Income Support for Parents of Murdered or Missing Children Description: The Federal Income Support for Parents of Murdered or Missing Children (PMMC) is an income support grant available to eligible parents who have suffered a loss of income as a result of taking time away from work to cope with the death or disappearance of their child (or children) under the age of 18 as a result of a probable Criminal Code offence. Service Canada’s delivery of PMMC benefits involves answering program queries, collecting and processing applications and issuing payments.

This program uses funding from the following transfer payment: Federal Income Support for Parents of Murdered or Missing Children.