Details on Transfer Payment Programs of $5 million or more

Name of transfer payment program

Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy (voted)

Start date

April 1, 2010

End date

March 31, 2019

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

ESDC vote 5 (Grants and Contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

Fiscal year 2009 to 2010 (with latest amendment in April 2018)

Link to department's Program Inventory

Core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment

Program: Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy

Description

The Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ASETS) aims to increase Indigenous participation in the Canadian labour market. It does so by ensuring First Nations, Inuit and Métis people are engaged in sustainable, meaningful employment. The strategy provides funding to over 80 Indigenous service delivery organizations. These deliver employment and training services and supports through over 600 points of service across Canada.

The strategy 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 supports labour market obligations specified in Treaty and Self-Government Agreements that are in place with some Indigenous groups. The strategy is also linked to the First Nations and Inuit Child Care Initiative. Funding flows through ASETS to help increase the supply of quality child care services in First Nations and Inuit communities. The same funding also allows to provide support to First Nations and Inuit parents or caregivers. With this support, they may work and/or participate in job training and skills development programs

ASETS was succeeded by the Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program, effective April 1, 2019.

ASETS is not a repayable contribution.

Results achieved

An increasing number of Indigenous people are employed and integrated into the Canadian labour market.

Performance measure: Number of clients who obtained employment following service intervention(s)

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 result: 19,704

Finding of audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

The Office of the Auditor General (OAG) has completed a performance audit on Aboriginal Skills, Training, and Employment Strategy (ASETS) and the Skills and Partnership Fund (SPF) programs and tabled its report in May 2018.

Overall, the OAG report concluded that the department did not collect the data or define the performance indicators necessary to demonstrate whether these programs increased the number of Indigenous people getting jobs and staying employed. Audit findings included the following:

• Program results, data collection and analysis: lack of clearly defined performance indicators, data and targets, which limited the department's ability to demonstrate achievement of objectives and identify potential improvements
• Program management: combination of outdated funding allocation model, insufficient provision of labour market information, as well as inconsistent monitoring approaches

The department has agreed with the OAG recommendations outlined in the audit report.

An internal audit on Social Infrastructure Funding (SIF) First Nations and Inuit Child Care Initiative (FNICCI) was completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019. The audit concluded that the controls in place for managing the FNICCI funding allocation and reporting results for the SIF are adequate. No recommendations were issued in this audit report.

Finding of evaluations completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

The evaluation of ASETS is underway and is planned for completion in fiscal year 2019 to 2020.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

The department engaged with Indigenous partners to co-develop the new Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program. The new program is based on distinctions and recognizes the unique needs of First Nations, Inuit, Métis Nation and Urban/Non-affiliated Indigenous people. This will advance reconciliation and respect the commitment towards renewed nation-to-nation, government-to-government and Inuit-Crown relationships with Indigenous Peoples.

The department also worked with Indigenous contribution recipients throughout the life of their contribution agreement, at the national and regional levels.

Name of transfer payment program

Youth Employment Strategy (voted)

Start date

April 1, 2003

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

ESDC vote 5 (Grants and Contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

Fiscal year 2016 to 2017

Link to department's Program Inventory

Core Responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment

Program: Youth Employment Strategy

Description

The Youth Employment Strategy (YES) helps youth aged 15 to 30 gain the skills, career information and work experience they need to find and maintain employment. YES assists youth in making a successful transition into today’s changing labour market.

The department leads the collaborative delivery of YES by 11 federal departments and agencies. The Youth Employment Strategy includes 3 streams of programming: Skills Link, Career Focus and Summer Work Experience. The Summer Work Experience stream includes the Canada Summer Jobs program which is delivered by Employment and Social Development Canada.

This program is delivered nationally, regionally and locally via contribution agreements. YES contribution is non-repayable.

Results achieved

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 Measure: Number of clients served who have started one or more interventions within the current fiscal year.

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 result: 86,353 (all streams: Career Focus, Skills Link, Canada Summer Jobs)

Performance Measure: Number of clients employed or self-employed

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 result: 8,615 (Career Focus and Skills Link only)

Performance Measure: Number of clients returned to school

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 result: 1,049 (Career Focus and Skills Link only)

Finding of audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

No audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019 and no audits currently planned.

Finding of evaluations completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

Summative evaluation planned for completion in fiscal year 2019 to 2020.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

The Government of Canada engaged recipients via contribution agreements.

Name of transfer payment program

Canada Service Corps (voted)

Start date

June 22, 2017

End date

March 31, 2020

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

ESDC vote 5 (Grants and Contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

Fiscal year 2017 to 2018

Link to department's Program Inventory

Core Responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment

Program: Canada Service Corps

Description

The Canada Service Corps (CSC) is a nationally delivered grants and contributions program. Its objective is to promote civic engagement among Canadian youth aged 15 to 30. It does this by creating and facilitating access to committed service opportunities that are meaningful to youth. These opportunities also assist them to gain valuable skills that will benefit them in life and work. These service opportunities will provide youth with the chance to make a difference in their communities.

This contribution is not repayable.

Results achieved

Youth service volunteers are engaged

Performance Measure: Number of youth participants in funded service projects

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 result: 2,920 (1,920 service placements and 1,000 micro-grants delivered to youth

Finding of audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

No audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019 and no audits currently planned.

Finding of evaluations completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

Summative evaluation planned for completion in fiscal year 2023 to 2024.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

The program held co-creation sessions with youth, including those the least likely to be able to participate in service placements, during the design phase to help shape the Canada Service Corps.

The Canada Service Corps (CSC) design phase was composed of the following parts:

1. Service Placements: funding national, regional or local organizations to undertake projects that allow youth to serve and benefit communities across Canada
2. Micro-grants and Outreach and Engagement: funding youth ($250-$5,000), via a third party, to start projects in their own community, and a national awareness campaign to promote youth service.
3. A research and evaluation base supported the development of CSC components and identification of best practices for engaging youth. An internal and external outreach strategy involved young Canadians and other interested parties in shaping the CSC.
4. Youth Service Website: to promote the initiative and the benefits of civic participation and facilitate access to service opportunities. The website also includes a survey that provides youth with a platform to share their feedback and views on meaningful service placements.

Name of transfer payment program

Workforce Development Agreements (voted)

Start date

April 1, 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

Fiscal year 2017 to 2018

Link to department's Program Inventory

Core Responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment

Program: Workforce Development Agreements

Description

Workforce Development Agreements (WDA) are transfer agreements between the Government of Canada and the provinces and territories. These agreements consolidate and replace the Canada Job Fund Agreements, the Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities and the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers, making transfers to provinces and territories simpler and more flexible. They support the delivery of employment assistance and skills training programs that meet the diverse needs of Canadians. WDAs are flexible and contain broad eligibility criteria. They allow provinces and territories to support more Canadians to gain skills and work experience, participate in the labour market, and find and keep employment. WDAs seek to help individuals who are further removed from the labour market to either find and maintain good jobs or reorient their careers. These people are unemployed, underemployed, or seeking to upskill. WDAs provide dedicated funding for programs aimed at persons with disabilities and can assist employers by supporting employer sponsored training.

While the Government of Canada provides funding under these agreements, decisions regarding the design and delivery of skills training and employment supports programs are the responsibility of the provincial and territorial governments.

Results achieved

WDAs have been signed with most provinces and territories, which have started implementing programs and services under these agreements.

This initiative supports the efforts of provinces, territories and employers to equip workers with training and skills. This reduces barriers to access employment, avoiding duplication, and promoting better outcomes for workers who need help. It is expected that these labour market transfers will result in increased access to training and employment programs for Canadians. To that end, WDAs provide provinces and territories with expanded program eligibility and increased funding.

Specifically, it would increase the number of clients served and the flexibility to serve a broader range of client needs. Additionally, a robust new performance measurement strategy will allow for the measurement of outcomes, including:

• participation of individuals and employers in programs and services
• progression of individuals along the continuum to labour market participation
• improved workforce capacity of employers/industries
• employers/industries better able to manage labour market challenges
• employment, increased earnings and positive net impacts for individuals
• sustainable employment of individuals

Provinces and territories have committed to implement most of the Performance Measurement Plan by April 1, 2019, and to complete implementation by April 1, 2020.

Performance measure: Number of participants benefiting from programs covered under the Workforce Development Agreements

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 result: Not available. The WDAs include a new Performance Measurement Strategy that is being phased in over the first 3 years of the agreements. The strategy will be fully implemented by April 1, 2020. Once the strategy is fully implemented, more data about WDA client outcomes will become available.

Finding of audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

No audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019 and no audits currently planned.

Finding of evaluations completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

An evaluation is planned for completion in fiscal year 2021 to 2022.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

Under the WDAs provinces and territories are responsible for the design and delivery of skills training and employment programming. Each year, as part of their planning process, provinces and territories are responsible for engaging with employees, employers and other stakeholders, including the disability community and official language minority communities. The Government of Canada engages provinces and territories through the bilateral committee set out in each WDA.

Name of transfer payment program

Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities (voted)

Start date

April 1, 1997

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

ESDC vote 5 (Grants and Contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

Fiscal year 2014 to 2015

Link to department's Program Inventory

Core Responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment

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. It also supports employers to hire persons with disabilities. This program supports a wide range of programs and services to encourage employers to hire persons with disabilities. These programs and services include job search supports, skills development, wage subsidies and employer awareness initiatives. The Opportunities Fund is delivered across the country via third-party organizations in the community.

These contributions are not repayable.

Results achieved

Persons with disabilities have enhanced their employability, obtained employment, become self-employed or returned to school.

Performance measure: Number of clients with enhanced employability

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 result: 4,452

Performance measure: Number of clients employed or self-employed

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 result: 2,718

Finding of audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

No audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019 and no audits currently planned.

Finding of evaluations completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

Evaluation of the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities – Phase 1 was completed in December 2018 and published online in April 2019.

Phase I of the Evaluation of the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities confirmed that the Program continues to align with the priorities, roles and responsibilities of the Department and the federal government. The evaluation found that, through the Program, persons with disabilities are given the opportunity to acquire or develop skills, and/or to obtain paid employment experience or assistance in becoming self-employed. It also found that the Program is relevant and meets the needs of persons with disabilities by filling a gap in employment services for those who are not eligible for Employment Insurance benefits and/or cannot access training support under Employment Insurance Part II.

Phase I of the evaluation contained 4 recommendations for the program:

• Continue enhancing employers' awareness of the valuable contribution that persons with disabilities can make and of the various supports available to facilitate their hiring and workplace integration.
• Explore the possibility of extending the availability of supports and follow-ups with participants.
• Better link the Program's logic model to the reforms and new policy directions of the Program, and continue improving indicators used for performance measurement purposes.
• Further clarify the concept of social innovation and its application within the context of the Program, and establish specific criteria for assessment and monitoring purposes.

The Department is currently working on addressing these recommendations in preparation for the next Call for Proposals.

Full evaluation report

Evaluation of the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities – Phase 2 is planned for completion in fiscal year 2019 to 2020.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

The Government of Canada engages recipients via both national and regional contribution agreements. It consults with employers and service providers to deliver programming for persons with disabilities to support enhanced employment outcomes.

Name of transfer payment program

Canadian Benefit for Parents of Young Victims of Crime (voted)

(formerly Federal Income Support for Parents of Murdered or Missing Children)

Start date

January 1, 2013 / Modified on September 30, 2018

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Grant

Type of appropriation

ESDC vote 5 (Grants and Contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

Fiscal year 2012 to 2013, modified in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

Link to department's Program Inventory

Core Responsibility: Social Development

Program: Canadian Benefit for Parents of Young Victims of Crime

Description

The Canadian Benefit for Parents of Young Victims of Crime (PYVC) provides income support to eligible parents who suffer 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 25 years of age as a result of a probable Criminal Code offence. Parents who are eligible receive a payment of $450 per week paid bi-weekly for a maximum of 35 weeks during the income support period of 2 years following the date of the incident.

This program is not a repayable contribution.

Results achieved

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 measure: Proportion of applications received and processed within the prescribed timeframe

Target for fiscal year 2018 to 2019: 90%

Result in fiscal year 2018 to 2019: 100%

Performance measure: Proportion of successful applicants*

Performance measure: Average number of weeks paid per recipient*

*Due to the sensitivity of the program and low volume, specific numbers are not made public.

Finding of audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

The Office of the Auditor General of Canada has launched an audit of Federal Support for Victims of Crime of which the PYVC is a part, to be completed by February 2020.

Finding of evaluations completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

Next evaluation is planned for completion in fiscal year 2022 to 2023.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

Outreach activities to law enforcement agencies and victim stakeholder groups are ongoing to raise awareness of this income support among eligible families. Given the sensitive situation for which applicants apply, the department does not engage recipients or applicants beyond the application process.

Name of transfer payment program

Union Training and Innovation Program (voted)

Start date

April 1, 2017

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

ESDC vote 5 (Grants and Contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019

Link to department's Program Inventory

Core Responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment

Program: Union Training and Innovation Program

Description

The Union Training and Innovation Program (UTIP) aims to strengthen union-based apprenticeship training. This is done by sharing the cost of training equipment and supporting innovative approaches. These address challenges which have an impact on apprenticeship outcomes.

The Program is delivered nationally through 2 streams. Stream 1 (equipment) funds unions with up to 50% of the cost of new, up-to-date equipment and materials for training in the Red Seal trades. Stream 2 (innovation) funds unions or other stakeholders (with unions as partners) for innovative projects that address challenges which limit apprenticeship outcomes. The program aims to improve participation and outcomes for underrepresented groups, including Indigenous people, women, persons with disabilities and newcomers.

The Women in Construction Fund (WCF) is a temporary 3-year program. It uses the UTIP terms and conditions and aims to increase participation of women in construction trades. Building on existing models, the WCF provides supports such as mentoring and coaching. This helps women progress through their training, and find and retain jobs in the trades.

Results achieved

Participants have improved skills to succeed in the trades.

Performance Measure: Number of participants in UTIP funded projects in Stream 1 (equipment)

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 result: Not available as performance indicators were recently introduced. Data will be available in Fall 2019.

Performance Measure: Number of participants in UTIP funded projects in Stream 2 (innovation)

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 result: Not available as performance indicators were recently introduced. Data will be available in Spring 2021.

Performance Measure: Percentage of participants in UTIP funded projects reporting an increase in skills after program intervention

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 result: Not available as performance indicators were recently introduced. Data will be available in Fall 2019.

WCF projects: Not available (Results for fiscal year 2018 to 2019 will be available in Winter 2021).

Finding of audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

No audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019 and no audits currently planned.

Finding of evaluations completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

An evaluation is planned for completion in fiscal year 2021 to 2022.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

A call for proposals was held in fiscal year 2018 to 2019 for Stream 1 (equipment) of UTIP. Projects from the fiscal year 2017 to 2018 Stream 2 (innovation) call for proposals were implemented.

In the 2018 to 2019 fiscal year, applications for WCF were solicited from organizations and 4 WCF projects are underway.

Name of transfer payment program

Apprenticeship Grants (voted)

Start date

January 1, 2007 (Apprenticeship Incentive Grant) / January 1, 2009 (Apprenticeship Completion Grant) / December 11, 2018 with eligibility retroactive to April 1, 2018 (Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women)

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Grant

Type of appropriation

ESDC vote 5 (Grants and Contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019

Link to department's Program Inventory

Core Responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment

Program: Apprenticeship Grants

Description

Apprenticeship Grants are intended to help apprentices enter, progress through and complete their training in the Red Seal trades. They target eligible Canadian citizens, permanent residents and protected persons who are out of high school and are registered apprentices in eligible Red Seal trades. The program consists of 3 different grants:

• the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, a taxable cash grant of $1,000 per year or level 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 or level of an apprenticeship program
• the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women, a taxable cash grant of $3,000 per year or level (up to a maximum of $6,000 per apprentice) for eligible women who completed the first or second year or level of their apprenticeship program in Red Seal trades where women are underrepresented
• 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 the Apprenticeship Grants is tied to the Red Seal trades since the Red Seal represents a standard of excellence that promotes the mobility of skilled tradespeople based on national standards.

Results achieved

Participant progression in and completion of an apprenticeship program in a designated Red Seal trade is increased.

Performance Measure: Total number of Apprenticeship Incentive Grants issued is 42,860, which includes:

Number of Apprenticeship Incentive Grants issued:

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 result: 41,719

Number of Apprenticeship Incentive Grants for Women issued:

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 result: 1,141

Performance Measure: Number of Apprenticeship Completion Grants that are issued:

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 result: 23,801

Finding of audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

No audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019 and no audits currently planned.

Finding of evaluations completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

The latest evaluation of the Apprenticeship Grant program was completed in July 2019.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

In the 2018 to 2019 fiscal year, the department worked with provincial and territorial apprenticeship authorities to identify opportunities and implement measures to increase program efficiency. The department also offered a simplified application process for an Apprenticeship Grant.

Name of transfer payment program

Literacy and Essential Skills (voted)

Start date

April 1, 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

Fiscal year 2012 to 2013

Link to department's Program Inventory

Core Responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment

Program: Literacy and Essential Skills

Description

The Office of Literacy and Essential Skills (OLES) aims to help Canadians improve their literacy and essential skills. This allows them to better prepare for, get and keep a job, and adapt and succeed at work. Literacy and Essential Skills funding is used to make strategic investments in transformative projects. These are meant to replicate and scale up proven approaches to skills upgrading across Canada. They also test innovative approaches to improve the quality of employment and training supports, so that these are more responsive to employer and worker needs.

Particular emphasis is placed on supporting individuals with low skills and facing multiple barriers to employment. These are, for example, Indigenous peoples, youth, newcomers and official language minority communities. In addition, OLES is working horizontally with other programs of the department such as the Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program and the Youth Employment Strategy. The goal is to embed essential skills training and supports into these programs. OLES is also partnering with other government departments, such as Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada, to enhance the availability of essential skills supports for those most in need.

Moreover, OLES continues to work closely with provincial and territorial governments to support the integration of essential skills into employment and training programs. Provinces and territories deliver these programs in large part, and are supported by federal labour market transfer agreements. The program also links with the Action Plan for Canada's Official Languages 2018 to 2023.

Results achieved

Implemented projects that test, replicate, scale-up and evaluate innovative training models to help Canadians better prepare for, get and keep a job, and adapt and succeed at work.

Performance measure: Number of organizations supporting essential skills training and development

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 result: 567

Performance measure: Number of Canadians having accessed essential skills training or supports

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 result: 26,228

Finding of audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

No audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019 and no audits currently planned.

Finding of evaluations completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

The next evaluation of Literacy and Essential Skills program is planned for completion in 2022 to 2023.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

The LES program made significant progress in the 2018 to 2019 fiscal year:

• Held an annual Essential Skills Forum to advance intergovernmental discussions on areas of shared interest, and connect funding recipients with provinces, territories and other stakeholders to share knowledge on proven essential skills models and approaches
• Collaborated with provincial and territorial partners, through the Federal, Provincial and Territorial (FPT) Literacy and Essential Skills Network to discuss areas of mutual interest including performance measurement, promising practices and themes for the fiscal year 2018 to 2019 targeted approach
• Implemented 12 multi-year Literacy and Essential Skills pilot projects that test, replicate or scale-up new approaches that helped Canadians to improve their essential and employability skills and to adapt and succeed at work
• Based on reported results of 7 recipient organizations, available data suggests a link between essential skills and psychosocial gains as predictors of employment success. Initial evidence indicates that gains in these areas resulted in 81% of program participants completing their training and 71% pursuing further education or employment
• Developed an Essential Skills playbook of past and present projects that highlight good practices and lessons learned. The evergreen playbook will be released in fiscal year 2019 to 2020 and shared widely among Essential Skills development practitioners.

Name of transfer payment program

Foreign Credential Recognition Program (voted)

Start date

2003

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

ESDC Vote 5 (Grants and Contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

Fiscal year 2016 to 2017

Link to department's Program Inventory

Core Responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment

Program: Foreign Credential Recognition Program

Description

The Foreign Credential Recognition Program (FCRP) aims to facilitate credential recognition processes and ensure they are fair, consistent, transparent and timely. To do so, the program works with provincial and territorial governments and various organizations (such as regulatory bodies, national associations and credential assessment agencies).

This program provides strategic financial support to its stakeholders through contribution agreements. It targets key high-demand professions and skilled trades as well as other occupations. It ensures 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 FCRP also works to implement domestic labour mobility initiatives. It also complements the Canada Free Trade Agreement by facilitating national coordination among partners. As well, it reduces barriers faced by workers in regulated occupations as they pursue employment opportunities across the country.^{Footnote 1}

The FCRP is not a repayable contribution.

Results achieved

Performance Measure: Foreign-trained individuals are better able to use their skills and experience gained abroad in the Canadian labour market.

Portion of skilled newcomers in regulated occupations targeted by systemic foreign credential recognition interventions

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 result: 81,4%

Performance Measure: Newcomer clients have their credentials recognized and have better employment outcomes.

Loans Program:

Performance Measure: Percentage of newcomer clients who complete their foreign credential recognition post intervention:

Results are expected to be achieved at post-intervention when newcomers have repaid loan and/or completed support services interventions. Loans must be repaid within 4 years; therefore, results for fiscal year 2018 to 2019 are not expected until 2021. (2021 Target: 25%)

Performance Measure: Percentage of newcomer clients who find employment in their intended or related occupation post intervention:

Results are expected to be achieved at post-intervention when newcomers have repaid loan and/or completed support services interventions. Loans must be repaid within 4 years; therefore, results for fiscal year 2018 to 2019 are not expected until 2021. (2021 Target: 35%)

Finding of audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

No audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019 and no audits currently planned.

Finding of evaluations completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

The latest summative evaluation of the program was completed in 2015. The next evaluation of the program is planned for completion in fiscal year 2020 to 2021.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

The department continued to engage with key stakeholders on foreign credential recognition issues through periodic meetings and conferences. The department also participated in regular federal/provincial/territorial activities through the Mobility and Qualification Recognition intergovernmental Working Group of the Forum of federal, provincial and territorial Labour Market Ministers.

Name of transfer payment program

Sectoral Initiatives Program (voted)

Start date

April 1, 2013

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

ESDC Vote 5 (Grants and Contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

Fiscal year 2013 to 2014

Link to department's Program Inventory

Core Responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment

Program: Sectoral Initiatives Program

Description

The Sectoral Initiatives Program is a contributions program with the objective of addressing current and future skills shortages. To this end, the program supports 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. This will help support labour mobility and labour market adjustments.

Results achieved

Number of labour market information reports or forecasting systems, national occupation standards, certification and accreditation regimes, and curricula developed or updated, and number of pilot project reports produced and shared via the Sectoral Initiatives Program projects.

Performance Measure: Number of labour market information reports and forecasting systems

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 result: 172 reports and 14 forecasting systems

Performance Measure: Number of national occupation standards

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 result: 76

Performance Measure: Number of certification regimes

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 result: 5

Performance Measure: Number of accreditation systems

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 result: 3

Performance Measure: Number of curricula developed or updated

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 result: 56

Performance Measure: Number of pilot project reports

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 result: 1

Finding of audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

No audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019 and no audits currently planned.

Finding of evaluations completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

An evaluation of SIP was completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019.

The 2018 Evaluation found the program was meeting its labour market objectives but made 2 recommendations:

• Encourage funding recipients to strengthen product outreach and dissemination to employers and other stakeholders
• Improve performance measurement practices and support increased sector data validity while reducing the reporting burden for funding recipients

Full evaluation report

The next evaluation is planned for completion in fiscal year 2023 to 2024.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

In fiscal year 2018 to 2019, the Sectoral Initiatives Program held ongoing stakeholder engagement to ensure the success of active projects and to explore ideas for program refinements. It also engaged recipients to get suggestions for streamlining program performance management and reporting.

Name of transfer payment program

Enabling Fund for Official Languages Minority Communities (voted)

Start date

April 1, 2005 (March 28, 2018: Launch of last Action Plan for Official Languages 2018 to 2023: Investing in Our Future)

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

ESDC Vote 5 (Grants and Contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

Fiscal year 2013 to 2014

Link to department's Program Inventory

Core Responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment

Program: Enabling Fund for Official Language Minority Communities

Description

The Enabling Fund (EF) for Official Language Minority Communities (OLMCs) is the department’s main contribution under the Action Plan for Official Languages 2018 to 2023: Investing in Our Future. It is also the main program through which the department meets its legal and mandated obligations under Section 41 of the Official Languages Act. The program has 3 main objectives:

strengthening community capacity building

promoting partnerships in the area of human resources development

enhancing community economic development

It is delivered through contribution agreements with a pan-Canadian network of 14 designated community economic development organizations (one in each jurisdiction and a national organization). It involves more than 130 employees working in 50 locations across the country.

Results achieved

Official Language Minority Communities are better able to implement and sustain community economic and human resource development.

Performance measure: Ratio of dollar(s) invested by non-Enabling Fund funded partners for every dollar invested by the Enabling Fund in community economic development and human resource development.

Result in fiscal year 2018 to 2019: $1.20

Finding of audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

No audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019 and no audits currently planned.

Finding of evaluations completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

No evaluation completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019. An evaluation is planned for completion in fiscal year 2021 to 2022.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

The department directly engages recipients through the renewal and implementation of contribution agreements. The department engages with key stakeholders regularly (for example, consultation on planned spending for early childhood development). It consults with agreement holders to design and deliver programming for OLMCs.

Name of transfer payment program

Skills and Partnership Fund (voted)

Start date

April 1, 2010

End date

March 31, 2028

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

ESDC Vote 5 (Grants and Contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

Fiscal year 2009 to 2010 (with the last amendment made in March 2016)

Link to department's Program Inventory

Core Responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment

Program: Skills and Partnership Fund

Description

The Skills and Partnership Fund (SPF) is a demand-driven, partnership-based program that complements the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy. It supports government priorities through strategic partnerships that fund projects that contribute to the skills development and training-to-employment of Indigenous people towards long-term, meaningful employment. 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.

SPF encourages innovations in Indigenous skills development, training-to-employment and service delivery, including new approaches to labour market training, and improving employment outcomes for Indigenous people. This is done by supporting innovative projects to prepare and train Indigenous people for the demands of the Canadian labour market, requiring the development of partnerships and leveraging of private sector and federal-provincial-territorial funding to maximize SPF investments and testing new service delivery models to embed long-term program improvements.

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. 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 delivery improvement.

The SPF is not a repayable contribution.

Results achieved

An increasing number of Indigenous people are employed and integrated into the Canadian labour market.

Performance measure: Number of clients who obtained employment following service intervention(s)

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 result: 1,914

Finding of audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

The Office of the Auditor General (OAG) has completed a performance audit on Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ASETS) and the Skills and Partnership Fund (SPF) programs and tabled its report in May 2018.

Overall, the OAG report concluded that the department did not collect the data or define the performance indicators necessary to demonstrate whether the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy and the Skills and Partnership Fund increased the number of Indigenous people getting jobs and staying employed. Audit findings included the following:

• Program results, data collection and analysis: lack of clearly defined performance indicators, data and targets, which limited the department’s ability to demonstrate achievement of objectives and identify potential improvements.
• Program management: combination of outdated funding allocation model, insufficient provision of labour market information, as well as inconsistent monitoring approaches.

The department has agreed with the OAG recommendations outlined in the audit report.

Finding of evaluations completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

The evaluation of SPF is underway and is planned for completion in fiscal year 2019 to 2020.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

The department works with Indigenous contribution recipients throughout the life of their contribution agreement. There is ongoing communication with agreement holders at the national and regional level, including regular monitoring activities.

Name of transfer payment program

Student Work Placement Program (voted)

Start date

April 1, 2017

End date

March 31, 2021

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

ESDC Vote 5 (Grants and Contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

Fiscal year 2017 to 2018

Link to department's Program Inventory

Core Responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment

Program: Student Work Placement Program

Description

The Student Work Placement (SWP) Program supports partnerships to create more work-integrated learning placements for young Canadians enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) and Business programs. In addition, SWP supports sustainable partnerships to align skills training with key and emerging sectors of the Canadian economy. It provides employers with part of the cost of wages for each new standard student placement. This wage subsidy is higher for new placements for under-represented students. These include women enrolled in STEM programs, Indigenous students, persons with disabilities, recent immigrants, and first-year students.

Funding will establish sustainable partnerships between employers and post-secondary institutions to create work placements that are aligned with the skills sought by employers. This will lead to a more successful labour market transition for students. The department has engaged employer consortia to lead the programs’ delivery, since they are well placed to develop project proposals that have a sustained impact on skills development across key economic sectors. Budget 2018 provided funding for the creation of 1,000 new student placements in the cyber security field, and ESDC Minister announced, during G7 meetings, the creation of up to 500 new student placements in the artificial intelligence field.

Results achieved

Increased number of post-secondary students participating in work-integrated learning opportunities and developing work ready skills

Performance Measure: Number of new work-integrated learning opportunities, including commitment to create opportunities, in STEM and business sectors

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 result: the SWP supported the creation of 2,543 placements, 49% of which were created for students in under-represented groups including women in STEM, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, recent immigrants, and first-year students.

Increased engagement of employers, including small- and medium-sized employers, in adopting and implementing work-integrated learning

Performance Measure: Number of new formalized post-secondary intitutions and industry partnership

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 result: 10 formalized partnerships, 88% of participating employers were small and medium entreprises.

Finding of audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

No audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019 and no audits currently planned.

Finding of evaluations completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

An evaluation is planned for completion in fiscal year 2020 to 2021.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

The Government of Canada engaged recipients via contribution agreements. The government regularly consults with employer consortia delivering activities and has put in place performance measurement and reporting requirements to which each recipient is required to adhere in order to secure additional funding.

Name of transfer payment program

Future Skills (voted)

Start date

September 27, 2018

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

ESDC vote 5 (Grants and Contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019

Link to department's Program Inventory

Core Responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment

Program: Future Skills

Description

Future Skills was launched in fiscal year 2018 to 2019. This federal initiative proactively responds to the effects of the unprecedented pace and scope of disruptive change in the workplace. Future Skills will build a resilient and confident workforce. It will also increase Canadians’ access to quality training by demonstrating what works for whom, under what conditions. The program will work in partnership with provinces and territories, the private sector, labour, educational and training institutions, and not-for-profit organizations. It will identify in-demand skills, develop and test innovative training approaches, and inform future skills investments and programming.

It is aligned with the results stated in the Departmental Results Framework, which are “Canadians access education, training and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need” and “Canadians participate in an inclusive and efficient labour market”.

Future Skills includes 3 components:

• The Future Skills Council will provide advice on emerging skills and workforce trends of pan-Canadian significance to the ministers of ESDC
• The Future Skills Centre, an arm’s length to government research centre, will develop, test and measure new approaches to skills assessment and development
• The Future Skills Office, housed within Employment and Social Development Canada, will monitor progress and results and support the adoption of proven approaches into government skills policy and programming

Future Skills will include a focus on addressing the needs of underrepresented groups. These are Indigenous People, persons with disabilities, low-income workers, newcomers to Canada and youth. This will ensure that all Canadians can benefit from emerging opportunities.

Results achieved

In Budget 2018, the Government of Canada committed to launching Future Skills as part of a broad agenda to ensure Canadian workers have the skills they need to succeed in an evolving economy.

Milestones achieved: February 14, 2019: Minister announced the Council members and consortium partners selected to operate the Centre.

The Centre: The department signed contribution agreement with Ryerson University in December 2018 (to initiate operations), and signed the major amendment in March 2019 to cover the full 6 years of operation (until March 2024).

Finding of audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

A Year-Two Review is expected to be completed by June 2021.

Finding of evaluations completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

An evaluation is planned for completion in fiscal year 2022 to 2023.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

Since the Summer of 2017, the department has engaged with provinces and territories, and over 400 organizations including private sector, educational institutions, labour, and not-for-profit. These consultations were meant to inform the design of Future Skills and raise awareness on the 2 open calls: one to support the appointment of Council members and the other to select the organizations partnering to operate the Centre.

Name of transfer payment program

Canada Student Loans Program – Interest Payments and Liabilities (statutory)

Start date

August 1, 1995

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

Statutory: Canada Student Financial Assistance Act

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

Canada Student Financial Assistance Act (S.C. 1994, c. 28)

Link to department's Program Inventory

Core Responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment

Program: Canada Student Loans Program and Canada Apprentice Loans

Description

From August 1, 1995, to July 31, 2000, the Canada Student Loans Program operated a risk-shared loans regime with Canadian financial institutions. This transfer payment represents consolidated costs related to that regime, including interest subsidy, repayment assistance benefits, the amount of loans forgiven, risk premium put-backs and administrative costs net of recoveries on affected loans.

Results achieved

On March 31, 2019, there were 212 students, compared to 367 a year before, who had borrowed under the risk-shared regime and received in-study student financial assistance. As well, 137,796 borrowers, compared to 143,950 on March 31, 2018, had started repayment, and were eligible to apply for and receive repayment assistance measures.

Canada met its obligations as set out under the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act in agreements with financial institutions.

Finding of audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

No audit completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019 and no audit currently planned.

Finding of evaluations completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

No evaluation completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019 and no evaluation is currently planned.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

Not applicable.

Name of transfer payment program

Canada Student Loans Program – Direct Financing Arrangement (statutory)

Start date

August 1, 2000

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

Statutory: Canada Student Financial Assistance Act

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

Canada Student Financial Assistance Act (S.C. 24, c. 28)

Link to department's Program Inventory

Core Responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment

Program: Canada Student Loans Program and Canada Apprentice Loans

Description

The Canada Student Loans Program provides loans to post-secondary students and apprentices who have a demonstrated financial need to help them participate in post-secondary education or technical training. The Program also offers debt management measures to those borrowers who are experiencing financial difficulty. This way, they can repay their student loans in periods of unemployment or low income. It is managed in partnership with the participating provinces and territories, educational institutions and agencies, technical training providers, financial aid administrators, financial institutions and a service provider. The clients and beneficiaries include full- and part-time students, apprentices and borrowers in repayment.

This transfer payment also includes a non-repayable contribution to provinces and territories that have elected to deliver programs comparable to the Canada Student Loans and Grants and Canada Apprentice Loans in their jurisdictions.

Results achieved

The fiscal year 2018 to 2019 Canada Student Loans Program Client Satisfaction Survey shows that 82% of the borrowers were satisfied with the quality of services they received.

The Canada Student Loans Program reports on loan years rather than fiscal years (August 1 to July 31). In the 2017 to 2018 loan year (the most recent data available), eligible full-time and part-time students received a total of over $3.4B in Canada Student Loans. Results for the 2018 to 2019 loan year will be available in 2020 and reported on in a subsequent report.

However, it is projected that during the 2018 to 2019 loan year, 55% of the full-time student population aged 15 to 29 (that is 628,000 students) will have used federal student financial assistance to help finance their participation in post-secondary education.

As a result of the alternative payment (non-repayable contribution to provinces and territories that provide their own comparable programs), post-secondary education students in the province of Québec, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut continued to access financial assistance similar to the assistance provided to students in those jurisdictions that participate in the Canada Student Loans Program. The total value of the alternative payments disbursed during the 2018 to 2019 loan year was $456.7M.

Finding of audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

No audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019.

Ongoing audit: Office of the Auditor General (OAG) Audit of Student Financial Assistance (Start date: March 2019, planned completion date: March 2020).

Finding of evaluations completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

No evaluations completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019.

The ongoing evaluation: Canada Student Loans Program effectiveness at achieving outcomes, is planned for completion in fiscal year 2022 to 2023.

The ongoing evaluation, Evaluation of the Canada Apprentice Loan Phase II, is planned for completion in fiscal year 2019 to 2020.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

Not applicable.

Name of transfer payment program

Canada Student Loans Program – Canada Student Grants (statutory)

Start date

August 1, 2009

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Grant

Type of appropriation

Statutory: Canada Student Financial Assistance Act

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

Canada Student Financial Assistance Act (S.C. 1994, c. 28)

Link to department's Program Inventory

Core Responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment

Program: Canada Student Loans Program and Canada Apprentice Loans

Description

The Canada Student Grants Program provides predictable, up-front grants to assist and encourage students from low- and middle-income families, student parents and students with disabilities to participate in post-secondary education. It is managed in partnership with participating provinces and territories.

While Canada Student Loans are repayable, Canada Student Grants provide non-repayable assistance.

Results achieved

It is projected that during the 2018 to 2019 loan year, 55% of the full-time student population aged 15 to 29 (that is 628,000 students) will have used federal student financial assistance to help finance their participation in post-secondary education.

The Canada Student Loans Program reports on loan years rather than fiscal years (August 1 to July 31). In the 2017 to 2018 loan year, $1.4 billion in Canada Student Grants funding was provided to approximately 490,000 students. Results for the 2018 to 2019 loan year will be available in 2020 and will be reported on in a subsequent report.

Finding of audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

No audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019.

Ongoing audit: Office of the Auditor General (OAG) Audit of Student Financial Assistance (Start date: March 2019, planned completion date: March 2020).

Finding of evaluations completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

No evaluation completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019.

The ongoing evaluation, Canada Student Loans Program effectiveness at achieving outcomes, is planned for completion in fiscal year 2022 to 2023.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

Not applicable.

Name of transfer payment program

Canada Education Savings Program (statutory)

Start date

January 1, 1998 (Canada Education Savings Grant); January 1, 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

Canada Education Savings Act (S.C. 2004, c. 26) Canada Education Savings Regulations (SOR/2005-151)

Link to department's Program Inventory

Core Responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment

Program: Canada Education Savings Program

Description

The Government of Canada encourages Canadians to save for a child’s post-secondary education. The department administers 2 education savings incentives linked to Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs).

The Canada Education Savings Grant is available to all eligible children. It provides 20% (basic grant) on the first $2,500 in 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 of 10% or 20% on the first $500 of personal contributions made each year. 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 is available for children from low-income families born in 2004 or later. It provides an initial payment of $500 into an RESP, plus $100 for each year of eligibility, up to age 15, for a maximum of $2,000. No personal contributions to the RESP are required to receive the Canada Learning Bond.

These education savings incentives are delivered through a unique service delivery arrangement with financial institutions, banks, mutual fund companies and scholarship foundations.

Results achieved

From January 1 to December 31, 2018, Canadians have accumulated savings of $56.1B dollars in Registered Education Savings Plans. These savings are meant to help finance their children’s post-secondary education. In addition, more children are benefiting from the Canada Education Savings Grant. In fact, 52.7% of children under 18 have received the grant at least once as of December 31, 2018, an increase of 0.7% from the previous year.

As well, more children from low- and middle-income families are benefiting from the education savings incentives. From January 1 to December 31, 2018, 135,364 new beneficiaries received the Additional Canada Education Savings Grant. This grant is available to those from middle and low-income families. During the same period, 149,532 new beneficiaries from low-income families also received the Canada Learning Bond.

These results were supported by innovative promotional and outreach activities in fiscal year 2018 to 2019. These activities included the continuation of mailing trials, to encourage the primary caregivers of children eligible to the Canada Learning Bond entering kindergarten to save for their child’s post-secondary education, as well as a newly-launched Education Savings Referral Service in partnership with the province of Ontario for parents of newborns.

Finding of audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

No audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019.

Ongoing audit: Office of the Auditor General (OAG) Audit of Student Financial Assistance (Start date: March 2019, planned completion date: March 2020).

Finding of evaluations completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

No evaluations completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019.

The ongoing evaluation, Evaluation of the Canada Education Savings Program, is planned for completion in fiscal year 2020 to 2021.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

The Government of Canada seeks to increase awareness and take-up of the education savings incentives through a variety of means. These include: communication products, direct mailings to low-income families of eligible children, and outreach activities undertaken in collaboration with internal and external partners and stakeholders. These activities include Canada Learning Bond sign-up events, Education Savings Week, an annual event designed to promote federal and provincial education savings incentives among low- and middle-income families.

The department also engages with applicants and recipients by ensuring information on the Canada Education Savings Grant and the Canada Learning Bond is available online at Canada.ca, by phone at the program’s direct line, by mail and from email inquiry services, and at 1 800 O-Canada.

All engagement activities were undertaken as planned.

Name of transfer payment program

Pathways to Education Canada (Multi-year funding agreement)

Start date

April 1, 2018

End date

March 31, 2022

Type of transfer payment

Grant

Type of appropriation

ESDC Vote 5 (Grants and Contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019

Link to department's Program Inventory

Core Responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment

Program: Canada Student Loans Program and Canada Apprentice Loans

Description

Pathways to Education Canada, a charitable organization founded in Toronto in 2001, is a community-based youth learning intervention program. The program was created to reduce poverty and its effects by lowering the high school dropout rate and increasing access to post-secondary education among disadvantaged youth. The Pathways to Education program provides non-financial supports such as tutoring, mentoring and counselling; and financial supports such as bursaries for post-secondary education and funding for certain immediate costs related to attending high school (such as bus tickets).

Results achieved

During the 2017 to 2018 school year, Pathways to Education Canada delivered its program to 6,206 students and supported 6,749 Pathways alumni.

Pathways average graduation rate is 76 percent.

71 percent of all Pathways students who graduated from high school while registered in the program have transitioned to post-secondary education or training.

Finding of audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

No audit completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019.

Finding of evaluations completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

The departmental evaluation of Pathways to Education Canada was published in 2019.

Summary of findings:

• Pathways to Education programs address a demonstrable need by providing support to disadvantaged youth to complete their education, transition to a successful future and better reach their potential.
• Pathways to Education contributed to increased enrollment to post-secondary education among participants.
• Adapted programming in Winnipeg positively affected Indigenous youth.
• Pathways to Education had a direct positive effect on high school graduation rates, enrollment to post-secondary education and educational attainment.
• The program also positively affected eligible participant’s labour market outcomes.

Moreover, the evaluation determined that Pathways to Education programming has a net positive social return on investment. Using the incremental impacts for Pathways-eligible students from one location (Regent Park) over a comparable population of students at locations not served by Pathways to Education programming as a proxy, the total net social benefit (to both individual participants and to governments) of an intervention for a single student represented a return on investment of approximately 50 percent over 25 years. Based on this analysis, an investment in the program “breaks even” (where the benefits equal the costs) after 22.5 years from a government perspective and after 20.8 years from a total social net benefit perspective.

Full evaluation report

Engagement of applicants and recipients in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

Pathways continued to engage youth to ensure that programming aligns with their needs. The organization also implemented the last portion of their Indigenous Youth Strategy by engaging youth in Thunder Bay as part of their strategy to support a future site opening. Through this engagement, the organization met with 110 youth from all 6 high schools in Thunder Bay by holding a Youth Gathering focused on Indigenous education.

Name of transfer payment program

Wage Earner Protection Program (statutory)

Start date

July 2008

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Grant

Type of appropriation

Statutory: Wage Earner Protection Program Act

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

Fiscal year 2008 to 2009

Link to department's Program Inventory

Core Responsibility: Working Conditions and Workplace Relations

Program: Wage Earner Protection Program

Description

The Wage Earner Protection Program (WEPP) is designed to reduce the economic insecurity of Canadian workers who are owed unpaid wages and vacation, termination and severance pay when their employer files for bankruptcy or becomes subject to receivership. Workers can now receive an amount equivalent to up to 7 weeks of maximum insurable earnings under the Employment Insurance Act. When eligible workers receive payments under the Wage Earner Protection Program Act, they sign over their rights as creditors of the employer to the federal government, but only up to the amount of the payment received from the Program. Applicants who disagree with Service Canada’s eligibility decision can request a review within 30 days of the initial decision, and an appeal can be requested within 60 days of the review decision. Appeals are handled by an independent adjudicator appointed by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. The federal government seeks recovery of the amounts as the creditor of the employer in the bankruptcy or receivership process. This program covers workers in all labour jurisdictions. Delivery of WEPP services and payments to eligible workers involves responding to calls for information, collecting and processing applications, issuing payments and monitoring payment accuracy.

There is no repayment of statutory transfer payments, unless a WEPP recipient receives an overpayment. When available, dividends from insolvent employer estates are returned to the fund.

Results achieved

Since its inception in 2008, the Wage Earner Protection Program (WEPP) has paid $337.4 million to nearly 129,000 workers. In fiscal year 2018 to 2019, the WEPP maximum payment was $7,148, and the average WEPP payment was $3,830.

Total payments issued to eligible recipients for fiscal year 2018 to 2019 increased to $64.8 million, up from $16 million in fiscal year 2017 to 2018. This significant increase is largely due to 2 factors. First, Budget 2018 increased the maximum WEPP payment from $3,977 to $7,148. Second, Sears Canada entered into receivership, and as a result, close to 11,000 former Sears Canada workers received a WEPP payment. In total, 18,165 Canadians received a WEPP payment in fiscal year 2018 to 2019, more than double the total number of WEPP recipients from the previous year.

Finding of audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

No audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019 and no audits currently planned.

Finding of evaluations completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

An evaluation of the Wage Earner Protection Program is planned for completion in fiscal year 2021 to 2022.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

In fiscal year 2014 to 2015, the Labour Program of the department completed the five-yearly statutory review of the Wage Earner Protection Program Act, the program operations and its administration. The review, which involved extensive stakeholder consultations, was tabled in both Houses of Parliament in June 2015.

The WEPP Joint Liaison Committee, which includes key internal and external stakeholders, meets on an annual basis to discuss the program’s policy and operations.

To improve the WEPP, a number of legislative changes were recently made to the act. These changes came into force in December 2018. A series of additional regulatory changes will further improve access to the WEPP for workers. Regulatory consultations are taking place through to June 28, 2019.

Name of transfer payment program

Old Age Security Pension (statutory)

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 department's Program Inventory

Core Responsibility: Pensions and Benefits

Program: Old Age Security

Description

The Old Age Security program is the first pillar of Canada’s retirement income system. Its objective is to ensure a minimum income for seniors, and to mitigate income disruptions at retirement. The Old Age Security program is funded by general tax revenues. The program includes 3 benefits: the Old Age Security Pension, the Guaranteed Income Supplement, and Allowances.

The Old Age Security 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 pension, an individual must have resided in Canada for at least 10 years after the age of 18.

Results achieved

Expected results: Canada’s eligible seniors have a basic income to live and receive the Old Age Security (OAS) pension to which they are entitled.

Performance measure: Percentage of seniors receiving the OAS pension in relation to the total number of eligible seniors.

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 target: 98%.

Results achieved in fiscal year 2018 to 2019: 97.1% (2016).

Since July 2013, individuals may defer receipt of their OAS pension for up to 5 years, in exchange of a higher pension, which may explain not meeting the 98% target.

Finding of audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

No audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019 and no audits currently planned.

Finding of evaluations completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

Phase 2 of the evaluation of the OAS program is under way and is planned for completion in fiscal year 2019 to 2020.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

As part of its modernization and transformation agendas, the department implemented automatic enrolment for the OAS pension, starting in 2013. This allows about half of new pensioners to receive the OAS pension automatically, without having to apply.

Name of transfer payment program

Guaranteed Income Supplement (statutory)

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 department's Program Inventory

Core Responsibility: Pensions and Benefits

Program: Old Age Security

Description

The Old Age Security program is the first pillar of Canada’s retirement income system. Its objective is to ensure a minimum income for seniors, and to mitigate income disruptions at retirement. The Old Age Security program is funded by general tax revenues. The program includes 3 benefits: the Old Age Security Pension, the Guaranteed Income Supplement, and Allowances.

The Guaranteed Income Supplement provides additional assistance to Old Age Security pensioners with little or no income. Entitlement to the Guaranteed Income Supplement is based on the marital status and the annual net income of the individual, and their spouse or common-law partner when applicable. The Guaranteed Income Supplement is income-tested to ensure that the highest benefits are paid to the lowest-income seniors.

Results achieved

Expected results: Canada's eligible seniors have a basic income to live, and receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) benefits to which they are entitled.

Performance measure: Percentage of seniors receiving the GIS in relation to the total number of eligible seniors.

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 target: 90%.

Results achieved: 91.2% (2016).

Finding of audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

An audit of the Guaranteed Income Supplement was completed in April 2018.

The audit concluded that eligibility, adjudication, payment and maintenance processes are adequate for GIS benefits. While components of a quality assurance process are in place for the processing of OAS files, these processes do not include specific requirements related to GIS. Opportunities exist to strengthen the quality assurance process for GIS benefits.

Management has agreed with the recommendations outlined in the audit report.

Finding of evaluations completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

Phase 1 of the evaluation of the Guaranteed Income Supplement was completed in September 2018.

The first phase of the evaluation covered the period between 2006 and 2015. It examined changes in a number of areas including :

• take-up rates by demographic characteristics, particularly among vulnerable groups
• the population of potentially eligible non-recipients
• barriers to take-up among vulnerable populations
• barriers common to all groups

In addition, the evaluation examined the effectiveness of actions taken to reach different groups, the impact of different measures, and the overall take-up rate among all eligible seniors between 2006 and 2015.

The key findings of the evaluation were that take-up rates remained higher for women, seniors 80 years of age and older, and those who are single or widowed compared to men, seniors with relatively higher incomes, seniors 65 to 69 years of age and couples. The overall take-up rate among seniors remained unchanged at 90% between 2006 and 2015.

The characteristics of potentially eligible non-recipients of the GIS remained fairly constant between 2006 and 2015. The take-up rate for immigrants was higher than for non-immigrants. Barriers such as language and difficulty understanding the application process were identified for immigrants and those who live in rural areas.

Actions seen as most useful for increasing take-up were already in place (tax clinics or assisted application sessions) or under development at the time of the evaluation (the integrated OAS/GIS application and GIS automatic enrolment for OAS pensioners).

Phase 2 of the evaluation of the Guaranteed Income Supplement is planned for completion in fiscal year 2019 to 2020.

Full evaluation report

Engagement of applicants and recipients in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

As part of its modernization and transformation agendas, the department implemented automatic enrolment for Old Age Security (OAS) benefits. Automatic enrolment for the OAS pension, which started in 2013, allows half of new pensioners to receive the OAS pension automatically, without having to apply. In December 2017, the department implemented automatic enrolment for the GIS. New pensioners who are automatically enrolled for the OAS pension are automatically assessed for the GIS year after year, as long as they file their tax return. For individuals who are not automatically enrolled for the OAS pension, the department implemented, in August 2018, a combined OAS/GIS application. These new pensioners only need to file one application for both benefits. These individuals are also automatically assessed for the GIS year after year, as long as they file their tax return.

Name of transfer payment program

Allowances (statutory)

Start date

1975 – Allowance; 1985 – Allowance for the Survivor

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 department's Program Inventory

Core Responsibility: Pensions and Benefits

Program: Old Age Security

Description

The Old Age Security program is the first pillar of Canada’s retirement income system. Its objective is to ensure a minimum income for seniors, and to mitigate income disruptions at retirement. The Old Age Security program is funded by general tax revenues. The program includes 3 benefits: the Old Age Security Pension, the Guaranteed Income Supplement, and Allowances.

The Allowances provide benefits to low-income 60 to 64 year-old individuals who are either the spouse or common-law partner of a Guaranteed Income Supplement recipient (the Allowance), or who are a widow/widower (the Allowance for the survivor). The Allowances are income-tested to ensure that the highest benefits are paid to the lowest-income seniors.

Results achieved

Expected results: Given that data does not allow a clear distinction between near-seniors who are entitled to the Allowances and those who are not, there are no indicators for these benefits.

Finding of audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

No audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019 and no audits currently planned.

Finding of evaluations completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

Phase 2 of the evaluation of the OAS program, which includes the evaluation of Allowance Payments, is under way and is planned for completion in fiscal year 2019 to 2020.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

The department undertakes a variety of initiatives to ensure individuals are aware of, and apply for, benefits to which they are entitled. This includes proactive mailings to potential beneficiaries, inclusion of information with annual tax slips, enhancement of Service Canada channels (web, phone, in person), outreach services for those potentially eligible and discussions with other government departments, municipal governments and community service providers to identify opportunities for partnership to increase take-up.

Name of transfer payment program

Canada Disability Savings Program – Canada Disability Savings Grants and Canada Disability Savings Bonds (statutory)

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 department's Program Inventory

Core Responsibility: Pensions and Benefits

Program: Canada Disability Savings Program

Description

The Canada Disability Savings Program (CDSP) was created to assist families in providing for the financial security of people with severe disabilities. Canada Disability Savings Grants (grants) are matching grants on private contributions to a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). They can amount to up to 300% of the private contributions depending upon the beneficiary’s family income and amount contributed. Grants may be paid into a plan until the end of the calendar year in which the beneficiary turns 49 years old. There is no annual contribution limit, but there is a maximum lifetime contribution limit of $200,000.

The government also deposits Canada Disability Savings Bonds into the plans of low- and modest-income Canadians. The bond amount can be up to $1,000 a year depending upon the beneficiary’s family income. No contributions are necessary to receive a bond. Bonds may be paid into the plan until the end of the calendar year in which the beneficiary turns 49 years old.

The program is administered by 2 directorates. The Office for Disability Issues, within the Income Security and Social Development Branch, is responsible for the overall policy development, communications and development of outreach products, performance measurement, monitoring, and evaluation. The Canada Education Savings Program, within the Learning Branch, is responsible for issuer and client support services, training, compliance and undertaking the necessary development and maintenance of the program’s administrative system.

Results achieved

Performance measure: Percentage of Canadians eligible for the Disability Tax Credit who have a RDSP to encourage private savings.

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 target: 33% (2018 calendar year)

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 results achieved: 34%

Performance measure: Percentage of RDSP beneficiaries who have received a grant and/or bond to assist them and their families to save for their long-term financial security.

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 target: 84%

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 results achieved: 83.1% of RDSP beneficiaries, aged 0 to 49, have received Government of Canada money (grant and/or bond) to help them save for their long-term financial security.

Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) take-up has been steadily increasing since the implementation of the program. However, the percentage of eligible Canadians that have received a grant and/or bond has decreased in 2017 (compared to 2016), which contributed to the 2018 target not being met.

Finding of audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

No audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019 and no audits currently planned.

Finding of evaluations completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

The evaluation of the Canada Disability Savings Program was completed in September 2018.

The summative evaluation of the Canada Disability Savings Program builds on Phase 1 evaluation to address the core evaluation issues of program effectiveness, performance, relevance and efficiency between 2009 and 2017. The second phase of the evaluation revealed that both plan holders and key informants believed that the program was making progress towards its ultimate outcome of “Improved long-term financial security for people with severe and prolonged disabilities’. An increase in the number of registered plans from about 72,000 in 2013, to nearly 170,000 plans in 2017, suggests that the ongoing outreach strategy is increasing awareness of the Program. However, challenges remain among the most difficult to reach segments of the population such as those in the lowest income bracket and those with multiple vulnerabilities.

The evaluation made the following 3 recommendations:

First recommendation: Continue working with all partners to increase awareness amongst people with severe and prolonged disabilities.

Management response: The Canada Disability Savings Program distributes information packages to stakeholders, attends conferences and events sponsored by disability organizations and provincial and territorial governments, and meets with representatives from provincial and territorial governments, as well as participating financial organizations in an effort to increase awareness about the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) and to promote the benefits of opening a RDSP for Canadians with severe and prolonged disabilities. Financial institutions offering the RDSP are provided formal training to increase their knowledge and capacity to disseminate factual information to prospective clients.

Second recommendation: Continue working with partners to deliver programs and address knowledge gaps that persist within partner organizations and among plan holder and beneficiaries.

Management response: The Canada Disability Savings Program continues to identify and address the persistent knowledge gaps that exist through consultation with RDSP holders and beneficiaries, gleaning information from the formal reports of the Disability Advisory Committee and the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, (Breaking Down Barriers: A Critical Analysis of the Disability Tax Credit and the RDSP), as well as working with and providing training to financial institutions offering RDSPs to ensure seamless service offerings.

Third recommendation: Continue working with partners to identify and address the barriers that hinder people with severe and prolonged disabilities who are aware of the program from opening or maintaining a RDSP and to improve the service experience of those who attempt to do so.

Management response: The Canada Disability Savings Program has entered into an agreement with Statistics Canada to survey Canadians with disabilities who have not opened a RDSP to identify the reasons and barriers that have hindered them from opening and maintaining a RDSP.

Full evaluation report

Engagement of applicants and recipients in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

The Department undertakes multiple activities to increase program awareness, understanding, and take-up. This includes mail-outs targeting Disability Tax Credit-eligible Canadians who do not have a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) and teleconferences following the mail-outs to answer inquiries. Awareness of RDSPs is also raised through working more closely with provincial and territorial front line workers. Fact sheets and brochures are distributed at conferences or provided to stakeholder groups. Engagement with stakeholders is enabled through exhibition at conferences and events across Canada where service providers, practitioners, people with disabilities and their families, and the general public meet. Moreover, there is an initiative to update and streamline the Canada Disability Savings Program web pages to ensure it is consistent and current.

Name of transfer payment program

Homelessness Partnering Strategy (voted)

Start date

April 1, 2014

End date

March 31, 2019

Type of transfer payment

Grants and Contributions

Type of appropriation

ESDC vote 5 (Grants and Contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

Fiscal year 2013 to 2014

Link to department's Program Inventory

Core Responsibility: Social Development

Program: Homelessness Partnering Strategy

Description

The Homelessness Partnering Strategy supports community-based solutions to prevent and reduce homelessness across Canada. It provides grant and contribution funding to communities and service providers with a focus on the Housing First approach. This approach provides access to permanent housing and supports to help clients remain housed. Services are targeted to individuals and families who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless in major urban centers, rural communities and the North.

Federal funding is prioritized based on input from Community Advisory Boards, in recognition that communities are best placed to identify their homelessness-related needs. The program collects and analyzes homelessness data through the Homeless Individuals and Families Information System, which collects statistics on shelter use, and the coordinated Point-in-Time count, by which communities measure their progress in reducing homelessness. The program shares knowledge among communities, partners and stakeholders, and explores innovative approaches to homelessness, and makes surplus federal properties available to communities for projects that prevent and reduce homelessness. Surplus properties are managed in partnership with Public Services and Procurement Canada and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

The program is a Transfer Payment Program with non-repayable grants and contributions; however, some repayment clauses are outlined in the Terms and Conditions.

Results achieved

Performance measure: Number of people placed in more stable housing through Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) interventions, including Housing First.

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 target: at least 15,000 people annually.

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 results achieved: 4,118*

Performance measure: Reduction in the usage of emergency shelters, as measured by number of 'bednights' utilized.

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 target: at least 15%

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 result achieved: Not available**

Performance measure: Reduction in the estimated number of shelter users who are episodically or chronically homeless.

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 target: at least 20%

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 result achieved: Not available**

First announced on June 11, 2018, Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy replaced the HPS on April 1, 2019. Reaching Home contribution agreements were established with community partners prior to April 1, 2019 to ensure the flow of funds and continuity of service delivery under the new program.

Finding of audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

An audit of the Social Infrastructure Funding (SIF) Homelessness Partnership Strategy (HPS) was completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019.

The audit concluded that the controls in place for managing the SIF HPS funding allocation and reporting results for the SIF are adequate. No recommendations were issued in this audit report.

Finding of evaluations completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

An evaluation of the program was completed in April 2018.

Following from the evaluation findings, 3 recommendations have been developed.

1) Increase flexibility under Housing First to enable the provision of Housing First interventions to a greater proportion of the homeless population beyond the episodically and chronically homeless.

2) Further promote the participation of diverse groups on Community Advisory Boards (CAB), such as the private sector, police and correction services, landlord associations and individuals with lived experience/experiential knowledge of homelessness.

3) Review reporting requirements in order to reduce the burden on communities to gather the necessary information to monitor and measure performance.

Management's response:

In preparation for the next cycle of the program (scheduled to start April 1, 2019), the department will identify ways to provide more flexibility to communities to develop and implement local homelessness responses that better meet the needs of vulnerable populations.

In preparation for the next cycle of the program (scheduled to start April 1, 2019), the department will:

• develop a new Directive on CAB composition to clarify federal expectations in this regard
• raise awareness within communities of federal expectations with regard to CAB composition

The department will also continue to monitor the evolution of CAB composition annually.

In preparation for the next cycle of the program (scheduled to start April 1, 2019), the department will:

• map all current federal reporting requirements with a view to identify redundancies and streamline processes
• review the Performance Measurement Strategy in advance of the next cycle of the program to ensure it contributes to a streamlining of federal reporting requirements
• identify opportunities to lessen administrative burden more generally, such as through the leveraging of partnerships (with recipients, provinces and territories or other stakeholders) and reporting systems

Full evaluation report

The next evaluation of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy is planned for completion in fiscal year 2022 to 2023.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

As the department prepared for the launch of Reaching Home on April 1, 2019, significant engagement occurred over fiscal year 2018 to 2019 with key program stakeholders, notably communities where federal funding is directed. Specifically, engagement activities directly informed the development of Reaching Home’s directives, including the framework for the transition to the outcomes-based approach, one of the key policy priority of the new program. The department also held a Community Entity Forum in Ottawa in January 2019. The Community Entity Forum provided a detailed overview of Reaching Home’s components, as well as information on the parameters of the transition between the Homelessness Partnering Strategy and Reaching Home, which sought to ensure service continuity.

Name of transfer payment program

Enabling Accessibility Fund (voted)

Start date

The Enabling Accessibility Fund was introduced in Budget 2007, renewed in Budget 2010 for an additional 3 years and extended on an ongoing basis through Budget 2013.

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Grant

Type of appropriation

ESDC vote 5 (Grants and Contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

New terms and conditions were approved in November 2017.

Link to department's Program Inventory

Core Responsibility: Social Development

Program: Enabling Accessibility Fund

Description

People with disabilities often experience barriers to their full participation and inclusion in activities of everyday living. To support full participation of people with disabilities in Canadian society, the Government of Canada, through the Enabling Accessibility Fund, is taking concrete action to ensure greater accessibility and opportunities for Canadians with disabilities.

The Enabling Accessibility Fund provides funding to increase accessibility and eliminate barriers in communities and workplaces across Canada. Grants or contributions are provided to eligible recipients for capital cost projects that increase access for people with disabilities to programs and services. This, in turn, can create an equal opportunity for people with disabilities to participate in community activities or access employment opportunities. The program has 2 funding streams: the Workplace Accessibility Stream and the Community Accessibility Stream. Competitive processes are usually held once a year to provide grant funding for small projects (up to $100K) and youth-driven projects (up to $10K). The program also allows mid-sized projects to be funded through multi-year contributions (up to $3M). Mid-sized projects have a greater scope and impact than small projects. Eligible recipients under the Enabling Accessibility Fund are: not-for-profit organizations; municipalities; indigenous organizations; Territorial governments, and for-profit organizations.

Results achieved

Expected results: Community spaces and workplaces are more accessible.

Performance measure: Number of community spaces and workplaces that are more accessible ue to Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) funding;

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 target: 637 (533 small projects + 100 youth-driven projects and 4 mid-sized projects).

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 results achieved: 473 (420 small projects + 53 youth-driven projects and 0 mid-sized projects).

The number of EAF projects supported in fiscal year 2018 to 2019 was lower than anticipated due to the maximum funding amount eligible under the call being increased to $100,000 from $50,000.

The funding of mid-sized projects was deferred to start in fiscal year 2019 to 2020 due to an increase in the number of applications anticipated, which also resulted in increased assessment time commitment by the department.

As a new program component, the Youth Innovation Component reached more than half of its set target. To fund more youth-driven projects in fiscal year 2019 to 2020, the department will modify its outreach strategy, test a new youth online communication platform and offer information sessions supporting youth applicants throughout the funding process.

In addition and for the first time in the program’s history, the maximum funding amount for small projects doubled to reach $100,000, which increased the average funding per project by $22,000 compared to 2017 data. This modification reduced the overall number of small projects that could receive funding in fiscal year 2018 to 2019, but allowed the department to fund projects of a greater scope and value that further increased accessibility in those community spaces or workplaces.

Finding of audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

No audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019 and no audits currently planned.

Finding of evaluations completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

The next evaluation of the EAF is planned for completion in fiscal year 2022 to 2023.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

In fiscal year 2018 to 2019, a call for proposals (CFP) was launched under each program component: mid-sized projects; small projects; and youth innovation projects. A complete communications package, including media lines and questions and answers, were developed for these CFPs. Also, departmental officials responded to public inquiries submitted through the generic email box of the program during the CFPs. These inquiries were related to eligibility criteria of the CFPs. Furthermore, online information sessions were provided to interested small project applicants to complement the Applicant Form. Answers provided by the department have helped interested applicants in developing and submitting their proposals for funding consideration.

Name of transfer payment program

Social Development Partnerships Program (voted)

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

Terms and Conditions were last amended in fiscal year 2017 to 2018

Link to department's Program Inventory

Core Responsibility: Social Development

Program: Social Development Partnerships Program

Description

The Social Development Partnerships Program (SDPP) is a grants and contributions program. It supports Government of Canada priorities through investment in not-for-profit organizations aiming to improve the life outcomes for people with disabilities, children and families, and other vulnerable populations. These groups have unique social development needs that are compounded by physical, economic and social pressures. As a result, they may experience a diminished quality of life, with limited ability to participate in the workplace or to contribute to their communities.

The program is comprised of 2 components: Disability, and Children and Families.

SDPP funding is provided through Grants and Contributions to eligible organizations, including, not-for-profit organizations. The use of grants and contributions represents a flexible and cost-effective way to support the role that communities, not-for-profit organizations and voluntary sector organizations play in helping vulnerable populations. The program supports the development of approaches, knowledge, partnerships, tools and skills to respond to current and emerging social issues.

Results achieved

Expected results: Not-for-profit organizations have improved services for children, families, people with disabilities and other vulnerable individuals.

Performance measure for both SDPP components: Amount invested by non-federal partners for every dollar invested through SDPP.

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 target: a range of $0.30 to $1.

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 results achieved through SDPP-Disability: $0.32;

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 results achieved through SDPP-Children and Families: $0.94.

Performance measure for SDPP-Children and Families: Number of children, families or other vulnerable individuals who directly benefitted from the services provided by the SDPP projects.

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 target: baseline year.

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 results achieved: 38,888

Performance measure for both SDPP components: Percentage of SDPP projects that leverage funds from non-federal partner.;

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 target: 90%

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 results achieved through SDPP-Disability: 88%

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 results achieved through SDPP-Children and Families: 83%.

While a majority of the projects usually leverage funds from other sources, it is not mandatory for them to do so. The program, however, encourages funded recipients to leverage additional resources from non-federal partners.

Finding of audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

No audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019 and no audits currently planned.

Finding of evaluations completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

The summative evaluation of the SDPP was completed on March 6, 2019.

The summative evaluation of the Social Development Partnerships Program, which covered the period between 2012 and 2017, assessed the program’s relevance, performance measurement strategy, and the extent to which the new partnerships and leveraging requirements, as well as the third-party delivery model, improved the capacity of not-for-profit organizations to address social issues facing vulnerable populations.

The evaluation concluded that there is a continued need for the program to support vulnerable populations through collaboration with, and funding for, not-for-profit organizations. These are well positioned to support vulnerable populations due to their connections to communities and understanding of their needs.

The key findings of the report show that the targets for raising funds from other sources were met by the majority of funding recipients but did not translate into new funding sources or significant amounts of cash contributions for most organizations. Overall, the new requirements and delivery model introduced by the program increased the capacity of funded organizations to implement their activities during the funding period. However, in most cases the funded organizations reported not having the capacity to continue delivering their activities beyond the funding period.

The evaluation made the following two recommendations:

First recommendation: Ensure that the program and funding recipients have a common understanding of the program’s objectives and expected results, as well as key concepts, in order to enable better performance measurement.

Management response: The program will work with relevant stakeholders, including internal partners, to develop common definitions for the program’s key terms and priorities such as social inclusion, sustainability, leveraging and partnership. The definitions will then be communicated clearly with all funding applicants to enhance their understanding of the program’s expectations.

The program will continue to develop and improve tools and products, making them widely available, to ensure that funded recipients are well informed of the program’s objectives, performance indicators, expected results and key priorities. 

Second recommendation: Improve monitoring and reporting templates, as well as data collection tools, to capture detailed information on how the program is impacting its intended beneficiaries.

Management response: In collaboration with funded recipients, the program will continue to improve the monitoring and reporting templates to enhance the quality of data collected on how the program is impacting its intended beneficiaries.

To further improve the capacity of funded recipients to conduct relevant performance measurement of their projects, the program will ensure funding is dedicated and support is available for the development of evaluation plans, including data collection, data analysis and reporting.

Full evaluation report

Engagement of applicants and recipients in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

SDPP-Children and Families uses various methods to engage applicants and recipients, such as targeted solicitation of applications, unsolicited proposals and expressions of interest or letters of intent.

With the launch of a call for proposals in late 2017 to 2018 fiscal year, the renewal of the SDPP-Disability component continued in fiscal year 2018 to 2019 with an assessment and selection process to determine which organizations would receive operating funding through the Performance and Accountability Framework (starting April 1, 2019). Twenty-eight organizations were engaged in the negotiation of these new agreements.

Additional funding was provided in 2019 for the Disability component of SDPP to support the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as well as the implementation of the Accessible Canada Act. Four funding processes (targeted and solicited) were launched in winter 2019 engaging national disability organizations; Indigenous groups; and, provincial and territorial governments.

Name of transfer payment program

New Horizons for Seniors Program (voted)

Start date

Original program: October 1, 2004; Expanded Program: September 27, 2007; Enhanced Program: September 30, 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 2018

Link to department's Program Inventory

Core Responsibility: Social Development

Program: New Horizons for Seniors Program

Description

The New Horizons for Seniors Program supports the Government of Canada’s overarching social goals to enhance the quality of life and promote the full participation of individuals in all aspects of Canadian society. In doing so, New Horizons for Seniors Program initiatives at the national, regional and community level address seniors’ issues through partnerships and the engagement and contributions of seniors themselves. The New Horizons for Seniors Program’s design includes 2 streams: Community-based grants and Pan-Canadian projects. Community-based grants, administered by Service Canada regional offices, 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, the one-year projects are up to $25K in value. Pan-Canadian projects, administered by the National Grants and Contributions Delivery Centre, receive up to $750K for up to 3 years in contribution or grant funding, and have a wider reach and impact to address a specific seniors' issue. In 2014, the focus on elder abuse awareness within the pan-Canadian stream was broadened in order to direct collective impact investments toward reducing the social isolation of seniors

Results achieved

Performance measure: Total number of New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) projects that received funding.

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 target: at least 1,850 projects

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 result achieved: 2,006 projects

Performance measure: Number of seniors who participated in community projects.

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 target: 369,000 seniors

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 result achieved: 817,647 seniors

Reduction in the number of targeted seniors who have been identified as being socially isolated: Data is not yet available as projects have been extended to be completed by December, 2019.

Finding of audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

No audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019 and no audits currently planned.

Finding of evaluations completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

The next evaluation of the NHSP is planned for completion in fiscal year 2020 to 2021.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

Information about New Horizons for Seniors Program calls for proposals (CFP) is posted on the department’s website and shared with networks. For the annual community-based projects CFP, potential applicants are engaged as part of the community outreach activities performed by Service Canada. In addition, a systematic approach to identify community-based projects best practices is being developed and once completed, these best practices will be disseminated broadly, including with future applicants.

Name of transfer payment program

Universal Child Care Benefit (statutory)

Start date

July 1, 2006

End date

Replaced by the Canada Child Benefit in July 2016. The department 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

Fiscal year 2006 to 2007

Link to department's Program Inventory

Core Responsibility: Social Development

Program: Early Learning and Child Care

Description

The Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) was established in 2006 to provide direct financial assistance to Canadian families with children. Budget 2016 introduced the Canada Child Benefit, which replaced the UCCB effective July 1, 2016. However, the Universal Child Care Benefit Act remains in force to allow for the processing of retroactive claims, adjustments, and remissions, and the department continues to be responsible for retroactive claims, write-offs and adjustments of the UCCB accounts receivable.

Results achieved

It has been estimated that most retroactive UCCB claims have been dealt with as of fiscal year 2018 to 2019.

Finding of audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

No audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019 and no audits currently planned.

Finding of evaluations completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

No evaluation completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019 and no evaluation is currently planned.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

Not applicable.

Name of transfer payment program

Early Learning and Child Care (voted)

Start date

April 2017

End date

March 2028

Type of transfer payment

Grants and Contributions

Type of appropriation

ESDC vote 5 (Grants and Contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

Fiscal year 2017 to 2018

Link to department's Program Inventory

Core Responsibility: Social Development

Program: Early Learning and Child Care

Description

Budget 2016 and Budget 2017 proposed federal investments totalling $7.5 billion over 11 years to support and create more high-quality, affordable child care across Canada. On June 12, 2017, the Government of Canada announced a historic agreement with provincial and territorial governments on a Multilateral Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Framework. The framework sets the foundation for governments to work towards a shared long‑term vision to increase the quality, accessibility, affordability, flexibility and inclusivity of ELCC, with consideration for families more in need. The Government of Canada entered into three-year bilateral agreements with provinces and territories, totalling $1.2 billion.

Results achieved

Expected results: Access to quality early learning and child care is increased.

Performance Measures: Number of children in regulated child care spaces and/or early learning programs and number of children receiving subsidies or other financial supports (bilateral agreements).

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019 target: up to 40,000 more affordable child care spaces by March 2020.

Fiscal year 2017 to 2018 results: More than 50% of the three-year target was achieved in 2017 to 2018 (representing an additional 21,205 more affordable child care spaces in the first year of funding)*.

*Results for fiscal year 2018 to 2019 will be available in the Spring of 2020 with the submission of provincial and territorial annual progress reports.

Finding of audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

No audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019 and no audits currently planned.

Finding of evaluations completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

No evaluations completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019. The next evaluation is planned for completion in fiscal year 2022 to 2023.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

The department works with provinces and territories throughout their bilateral agreements including the development of action plans and review of annual reporting.

Name of transfer payment program

Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Transformation Initiative (voted)

Start date

September 2018

End date

March 2028

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

ESDC vote 5 (Grants and Contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

Fiscal year 2018 to 2019

Link to department's Program Inventory

Core Responsibility: Social Development

Program: Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care

Description

The Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Transformation Initiative 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 initiative enables horizontal coordination of federal investments in Indigenous early learning and child care and related programs. This makes for a more flexible and adaptable process as a first step towards transferring control to Indigenous peoples.  

The department is the federal focal point guiding this horizontal initiative, with Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) as key federal partners.

Results achieved

On September 17, 2018, the Government of Canada jointly released the co-developed Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework with Indigenous partners. The framework reflects the unique priorities and cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. It also aims to strengthen early learning and child care programs and services for Indigenous children and families across Canada. The Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Initiative complements the Multilateral Early Learning and Child Care Framework announced in June 2017.

The Government of Canada has committed $1.7 billion over 10 years, starting in fiscal year 2018 to 2019, to support the implementation of the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework in partnership with Indigenous peoples. This is in addition to existing federal funding of approximately $132.6 million per year.

These new investments are part of the commitment of $7.5 billion over 11 years the government made in Budgets 2016 and 2017 for more high-quality affordable child care.

Upon release of the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework, federal departments collaborated with Indigenous partners to support Indigenous-led decision-making on allocations and priorities, and to flow funding. In fiscal year 2018 to 2019, more than $100 million was advanced to First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation communities to:

• enhance Indigenous ELCC programs and services
• strengthen capacity and governance

Funding that was expended focused on the following:

• approximately 460 First Nations received new funds for a range of early learning and child care needs
• Inuit priority to increase funding to 73 existing services in Inuit communities
• Métis Nation priority to roll-out new Métis-specific early learning and child care services

Joint results frameworks are being co-developed in collaboration with Indigenous partners. These are based on the principles, goals and distinctions-based priorities outlined in the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework.

Finding of audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

No audits completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019 and no audits currently planned.

Finding of evaluations completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

No evaluation completed in fiscal year 2018 to 2019. The next evaluation is planned for completion in fiscal year 2021 to 2022.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

In 2017, the government and Indigenous partners undertook a comprehensive consultation process on Indigenous early learning and child care. Over 100 consultation activities were conducted across the country by Indigenous organizations and the Government of Canada. These activities reached over 3,000 participants through town halls, regional and national meetings, and online surveys.

Informed by this consultation process, the government worked with Indigenous partners to co-develop the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework.

National and Regional Partnership Tables are being established under a “partnership model” that enables Indigenous-led decision-making on the allocation of federal funding. This will support national, regional and community level Indigenous early learning and child care goals and priorities. It will also ensure consistency with the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework.