Helping Ontarians develop the skills they need to find good jobs

December 10, 2020              Gatineau, Quebec              Employment and Social Development Canada

As the Canadian economy recovers from the impact of COVID-19, workers are facing new challenges. Ontario residents and all Canadians need access to training and employment supports to develop new skills and find good jobs.

Today, Canada’s Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, and Monte McNaughton, Ontario’s Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development, highlighted that the Government of Canada is investing an additional $1.5 billion in the Workforce Development Agreements (WDAs) with provinces and territories. The Government of Ontario has received $614 million to help respond to the increased number of Ontarians looking to re-enter the workforce, particularly those in hard-hit sectors and groups disadvantaged as a result of the pandemic. Supports include skills training, on-the-job training, employer-sponsored training, financial assistance and benefits, employment counselling and services, and job opportunities. This funding is in addition to the $3.4 billion already being provided to provinces and territories under the Labour Market Development Agreements (LMDAs) and WDAs in 2020–21.

The Government of Ontario outlined its economic recovery plan in the 2020 Ontario Budget, Ontario’s Action Plan: Protect, Support, Recover, which includes $4.8 billion in new supports for recovery efforts that will be built on over time. As part of the action plan, Ontario is building the foundation for strong economic recovery—and growth—by modernizing Ontario’s skilled trades and apprenticeship system and supporting workers to acquire in‑demand skills through an additional $100 million of dedicated investments in Employment Ontario and a redesigned Second Career program. By building on the province’s strong Employment Ontario delivery network, these additional federal investments will ensure quick access to training for those who need it the most and will help job seekers who are affected by the pandemic retrain and upgrade their skills.

In its 2020 Speech from the Throne, the Government of Canada committed to making the largest training investment in Canadian history and announced that it will launch a campaign to create over one million jobs, restoring employment to pre-pandemic levels. This will be done by using a range of tools, including immediate training to quickly skill up workers. As a first step, this one-time investment through the WDAs will help contribute to this goal and create a stronger workforce. 

To further support recovery efforts, the Government of Canada is also ensuring that provinces and territories have flexibility under the LMDAs and the WDAs by broadening the scope of eligible costs to include things such as the costs related to online training, accommodating new physical distancing requirements and providing mental health supports.

As we work toward our economic recovery from the pandemic, the Government of Canada will continue to support the people of Ontario and help them grow their potential. By working together with the Government of Ontario, we can build a stronger workforce and position the country for an economic recovery that leaves no Canadian behind.