Overview
Coming soon: Workforce Retention and Retraining Program (WRRP)
The Government of Canada has announced the proposed new WRRP. The WRRP will combine the Employment Insurance Work-Sharing Program and the Worker Retention Grant into a single program to help employers retain and retrain workers during periods of economic adjustment.
The WRRP will introduce additional Work-Sharing flexibilities and provide funding of up to $1,000 per participant to support training and administrative costs, subject to program requirements.
Current Work-Sharing agreements will remain in effect. Employers with an active agreement do not need to submit a new application and will continue to receive support under their existing agreement.
Did you know? Work-Sharing employers may be eligible for additional funding
Learn more about the Worker Retention Grant, a temporary funding opportunity designed to support employee training and skills development during Work-Sharing agreements.
Tariffs: Special measures
These Special Measures, originally implemented in response to the impact of tariffs, have been extended by one additional year and will now remain in effect to March 31, 2028, ensuring continued support for employers and workers facing temporary reductions in business activity.
More information is available under 'Special measures' on the Work-Sharing Program page.
The Work-Sharing Program helps employers and employees avoid layoffs when:
- there is a temporary decrease in the normal level of business activity, and
- the decrease is beyond the control of the employer
The agreement provides income support to employees eligible for Employment Insurance benefits who work a temporarily reduced work week while their employer recovers. All employees participating in the agreement must experience a minimum 10% reduction to their normal weekly earnings to comply with the terms of the agreement.
A Work-Sharing agreement is a three-party agreement involving employers, employees and Service Canada.
Employees on a Work-Sharing agreement must agree to:
- a reduced schedule of work, and
- share the available work equally over the term of the agreement
The employer and the employees involved (and the union, if applicable) must agree to participate in a Work-Sharing agreement. Then, the employer/employer representative, employee representative and, if applicable, the union representative apply to participate in a Work-Sharing agreement.
Agreement duration and extension
Work-Sharing agreements must have a minimum duration of 6 weeks and can last up to 26 weeks. If needed, an extension may be requested of up to 12 weeks bringing the initial agreement to a maximum total of 38 weeks. Work-Sharing agreements are not extended automatically. To request an extension of a Work-Sharing agreement, an application must be submitted a minimum of 4 weeks prior to the end date of the Work-Sharing agreement.
A mandatory cooling-off period must be served once the agreement has ended or has been terminated. The duration of the cooling-off period will be equal to the number of weeks utilized in the previous agreement (up to a maximum of 38 weeks).
Please note that Work-Sharing agreements can only start on a Sunday to align with the Employment Insurance payment cycle. Please consider this when planning the desired start date of your agreement in your Work-Sharing application.
Special measures
The Work-Sharing Program may introduce temporary special measures at any time to provide additional support for affected businesses during a period of economic downturn, natural disaster or if a national emergency is declared. The special measures provide targeted support for businesses impacted to recover and avoid layoffs for a specific period of time.
Tariffs
Employers experiencing a decline in business activity attributable to the threat or potential realization of tariffs may be eligible for Work-Sharing special measures if they:
- are operating in Canada for a minimum of 1 year
- have a minimum of 2 EI eligible employees who agree to a reduction in hours and to share any available work
Affected businesses may benefit from the Work-Sharing special measures if they are:
- new to the Work-Sharing program
- have an existing Work-Sharing agreement
- are serving a mandatory cooling-off period
Work-Sharing agreements approved under tariffs special measures:
- must have a minimum duration of 4 weeks, and
- may be extended, to a maximum total of 152 weeks, if required
Work-Sharing tariffs special measures flexibilities include:
- maximum duration of Work-Sharing agreement up to 152 weeks
- waiving the required cooling-off period between successive Work-Sharing agreements while special measures are in place
- focusing recovery measures on supporting the business' ability to maintain its viability related to the threat or potential realization of tariffs
Expanded employer eligibility:
- to businesses that have been in operation in Canada for 1 year
- to include non-profit and charitable organizations experiencing a reduction in revenue levels as a direct or indirect result of the tariffs
- to include cyclical or seasonal employers
- to employers experiencing a decrease in work activity over the past six months of less than 10% and allowing utilization of Work-Sharing to exceed 60%
Expanded employee eligibility:
- to employees who are not year-round, permanent, full-time or part-time employees, specifically seasonal or cyclical employees
- employees assisting the employer recovery efforts
If you have any questions regarding the Work-Sharing tariffs special measures, please contact our Work-Sharing Employer Inquiry Unit at edsc.dgop.tp.rep-res.ws.pob.esdc@servicecanada.gc.ca.