Backgrounder on measures introduced to build a strong and confident workforce

On September 5, 2025, the Government of Canada introduced several new measures and investments to protect, build and transform Canadian industries most impacted by tariffs and trade disruptions, including the following measures, focused on building a strong and confident workforce.

Reskilling package to train workers 

Building on the $120 million investment announced for steel and softwood lumber workers over the summer, the Government will invest an additional $450 million over the next three years under the Labour Market Development Agreements with provinces and territories to provide training programs for workers impacted by tariffs and global market shifts.

This investment will be delivered through Canada’s comprehensive employment assistance network. In partnership with provinces and territories, the Government will work with businesses and workers to help fill labour force gaps and address skills shortages, including through proactive outreach to impacted workers.

Workers will get access to targeted training and financial assistance while in training to retain their job or fill in-demand jobs, enabling them to continue contributing to the Canadian economy.

These measures will benefit workers across Canada, including mid-career, long-tenured workers affected by U.S. tariffs and global market shifts, as well as underrepresented groups, such as persons with disabilities, women and Indigenous Peoples.

Workforce Alliances and Sectoral Workforce Investment Fund

The Government is also investing $382 million over five years and $56 million ongoing to strengthen collaboration between industry stakeholders and address pressing labour market challenges.

Up to five newly created Workforce Alliances will bring together government, employers, unions, and industry organizations to develop and implement tailored workforce development strategies.

Focusing on sectors under pressure and those with growth potential, the Alliances will aim to align training efforts with sector needs and Industrial priorities, facilitating effective responses to labour shortages.

To further support workforce readiness, federal investments made through the Sectoral Workforce Investment Fund will tackle urgent labour market challenges, drive growth and advance industrial strategies. The investment will respond to federal priorities as well as sectoral, regional and local workforce development needs, ensuring that workers receive training and support that match industry needs, promoting a strategic and targeted response to acute labour shortages.

Employment Insurance Temporary Measures

In March 2025, the Government introduced a suite of temporary employment insurance (EI) measures in response to tariffs imposed on Canadian goods. These measures have already supported tens of thousands of workers impacted by tariffs by providing them with timely and reliable access to EI benefits. Two temporary EI measures will now be extended from October 2025 until April 11, 2026 to ensure income stability for workers, particularly those who are most vulnerable to income shocks.

• Waiving the one-week EI waiting period (for claims established between March 30, 2025 and April 11, 2026)
• Suspending the treatment of monies paid on separation (for claims established between March 30, 2025 and April 11, 2026)

Additionally, the Government is investing $1.6B over five years to temporarily give 20 extra weeks of income support, up to a maximum of 65 weeks, to long-tenured workers who may need more time in a softer job market to find a job that is similar to the one they lost. It is expected to support about 190,000 long-tenured workers.

This measure will begin on October 12, 2025 and will apply to eligible claims established between June 15, 2025 and April 11, 2026.

Modernize Job Bank and launch a new online training platform

Job Bank is the Government of Canada’s official national employment service. The Government is investing $50 million over five years to modernize Job Bank’s online job tools, making it easier for Canadians to find jobs by integrating AI on the Job Bank platform. The Government will also launch a national online training platform to help adults find short-duration training courses, sorted by skill type, location, and format, working with public and private sector partners.

Additional enhancements to Job Bank will include:

• Canadian job seekers will be able to apply to jobs via the Job Bank mobile application.
• Automatically enrolling EI claimants into advanced job matching services to align their job matches with their skills profile.
• A new feedback mechanism that will give a worker feedback on their skills gaps from employers after submitting a job application, which will support workers’ training decisions and increase their chances of success in the future.
• All jobs in Job Bank will include a salary, and if the employer uses AI in the job selection process, this information will be available on the job posting.
• A new worker dashboard will show registered job seekers at the local level to help employers find workers with the right skills.