Funds for Fleets - Funding opportunities for trucking and logistics employers
FUNDS FOR FLEETS
Funding opportunities for employers in the trucking and logistics sector
Introduction
Welcome to Trucking HR Canada’s new comprehensive, digital book to help trucking and logistics businesses access financial incentives offered by governments across the country.
Funds for Fleets combines information about programs delivered by the federal, provincial, and territorial governments in one place to make it easier for businesses to see what they might be eligible for. It includes links, a description of each program, eligibility and funding details, all organized by province. The digital book will be updated as new opportunities are announced.
About Trucking HR Canada
Trucking HR Canada is the recognized national authority on workforce strategy for the trucking and logistics sector. We’re a non-profit centre of excellence, engaging with employers, governments, think tanks, industry groups, and stakeholders.
See all our programs and initiatives: truckinghr.com
National
Student Work Placement Subsidy
This program helps post-secondary students gain valuable work experience while reducing hiring and training costs for employers. Hire a student for an eligible work placement and receive funding to offset the cost of their wages. Access new talent pools and highlight the variety of opportunities available within your company to soon-to-be graduates who are actively looking for post-graduate employment opportunities.
Eligible participants:
• Canadian citizen, permanent residents or persons who have been granted refugee status in Canada
• Enrolled as a full-time student in a Canadian post-secondary institution
• Legally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial/territorial legislation and regulations
Eligible work placements:
• Full-time or part-time work opportunity (4-16 weeks in length at a minimum of 10 hours/week), directly related to the applicant’s program of study
• Not funded by any other federal grant program
• Students must be added to the company’s payroll during their work placement (students hired as contractors are not eligible for funding)
• Employer must provide a safe and harassment-free work environment for participants
Funding available:
• Up to 70% of student’s wages up to a maximum of $7000 per placement
Canada Summer Jobs
This program connects youth to quality summer employment opportunities so they can develop skills and transition into the labour market.
Eligible employers:
• Private sector employers with 50 or fewer full-time employees across Canada at the time of application
• Not-for-profit organizations
• Public sector employers
• Indian Band corporations
• Private Band Councils
• Private universities or colleges
Eligible participants:
• 15-30 years of age at the beginning of the work placement
• Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person who has been granted refugee status in Canada
• Have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations
Funding available:
• Up to 50% of the provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage for full-time placement of 6 to 16 weeks
Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit (AJCTC)
Non-refundable investment tax credit (ITC) equal to 10% of the eligible salaries and wages payable to eligible apprentices. The maximum credit an employer can claim is $2,000 per year for each eligible apprentice. If your business hires an eligible apprentice, you qualify to claim the credit.
Eligible apprentices:
• Currently working in a prescribed trade and in the first two years of their apprenticeship contract
• Apprenticeship contract must be registered with a federal, provincial, or territorial government under an apprenticeship program designed to certify or license individuals in the trade
Funding available:
• Up to $2,000 per year per eligible apprentice
Scale AI – Supply Chains Cluster
Scale AI is an accelerator group that invest in projects that deploy AI to enhance value chains. Collaborative projects that focus on AI adoption or commercialization may be eligible.
Eligible projects:
• Innovative, collaborative projects deploying AI to enhance value chains across various industries (e.g.: transportation and warehousing, construction, manufacturing, retail trade)
• Projects may be aimed at AI adoption or commercialization in supply chains
Funding available:
• Up to 50% of eligible costs up to a maximum of $50,000
Green Freight Program
This program offers financial support to help the on-road freight transportation sector to adopt energy efficiency measures.
Eligible employers:
• Company or industry association operating in Canada (Note: softwood lumber companies and those that are vertically integrated with softwood lumber companies are not eligible)
• Must have one or more heavy-duty vehicles for business use in their fleet that is licensed and insured to operate in Canada.
• Vehicles and/or trailers must be in service and be within the eligible vehicles weight classes.
Funding available:
• Up to $250,000 per applicant towards Third-Party Fleet Energy Assessments and Truck/Trailer Equipment Retrofits
Digital Skills for Youth
This program provides financial support to employers who host youth in internships where they gain digital skills after graduating from post-secondary education. The program is offered by several delivery organizations; application processes and program rules may vary depending on the delivery organization.
Eligible employers:
• Small- or medium-sized businesses (fewer than 500 employees)
• Must have legal operating status in Canada
Eligible participants:
• Must be 15-30 years of age
• Must be legally entitled to work in Canada (a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person who has been granted refugee status)
• Must be a post-secondary graduate (not required for participants living in Yukon, Northwest Territories or Nunavut)
• Must self-assess as underemployed (employed below their level of education or outside their field of study or work part time) or unemployed
Funding available:
• 80% of wages up to a maximum $30,000 per internship
• Up to $4000 in additional funding available for digital and soft-skills training
Science & Technology Internship Program (STIP) – Green Jobs
This program provides funding to Eligible employers across Canada to hire, train, and mentor youth in the natural resources sector, including in energy, forestry, mining, earth science, and clean technology. The program is offered by several different delivery organizations; application processes and program rules may vary depending on the delivery organization.
Eligible employers:
• Organizations in the natural resources sector who can offer full-time employment for up to 12 months (minimum 30 hours per week)
• Legal entities incorporated or registered in Canada, including for-profit and not-for-profit organizations
Eligible participants:
• Must be 15 to 30 years of age and available for at least 30 hours per week
• Eligible to work in Canada
• Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or have refugee status
Funding available:
• 75% of wages up to a maximum of $20,000 per intern hired for job ready youth
• 75% of wages up to a maximum of $24,000 per intern hired who self identifies as a woman or racialized youth
• 75% of wages up to a maximum of $30,000 per intern hired who self identifies as an Indigenous youth, Youth living with disabilities, Youth living in Northern and remote communities
Science Horizons Youth Internship Program
This program provides financial incentives to encourage employers across Canada to hire recent university, college and polytechnic graduates for 6-12 month internships in the environmental science, technology, engineering and mathematics sectors. The program is offered by several different delivery organizations; application processes and program rules may vary depending on the delivery organization.
Eligible employers:
• Organizations offering a work placement related to environmental sciences, technology, engineering, or mathematics, including:
• For-profit companies
• Not-for-profit organizations
• Indigenous organizations
• Public Health, educational or cultural institutions
• Municipal, provincial and territorial governments
Eligible interns:
• Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person who has been granted refugee status
• Must be graduate of a degree or diploma program from a recognized postsecondary institution
• Must be legally entitled to work in Canada
• Not in receipt of Employment Insurance during their internship
• 18 and 30 years of age at the start of the internship
Funding available:
• 80% of participant salary up to maximum of $25,000
• Up to $5000 in additional funding available: for wrap-around services (skills development, certification and training, job accessibility, other supports)
Alberta
Canada-Alberta Productivity Grant (CAPG)
Provides funding to help employers invest in training that focuses on enhancing productivity skills for their current and future employees that aligns with the needs of their business.
Eligible employers:
• Private sector employers including incorporated and unincorporated businesses and partnerships
• Non-profit organizations
• First Nations or Metis Settlements
• Located in Alberta and must be fully operational for at least one year before applying
Eligible employees:
• Current or prospective employees who are one of the following: Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or protected people under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act entitled to work in Canada.
• Must live in Alberta
Funding available:
• 50% of the cost to a maximum of $5,000 per employed trainee and if hiring and training an unemployed Albertan up to 75% to a maximum of $10,000 per trainee with an employer maximum of $100,000 per fiscal year.
Employment Pathway Grant
Provides funding to employers in the commercial transportation industry to invest in hiring and training Class 1 drivers.
Eligible employers:
• Private businesses, including sole-proprietors, general and limited partnerships, and corporations
• Non-profit organizations
• First Nations and Metis Settlements
• Employers must be established in Alberta for at least one year and must be in good standing with the province.
Funding available:
• Up to $10,000 per employee to cover the cost of Class 1 Learning Pathway driver training
• Up to $10,000 per employee to onboard new Class 1 drivers with fewer than 2 years of driving experience
• Up to $5,000 per employee to cover costs associated with professional development for a Class 1 driver (e.g.: advanced driver training programs)
British Columbia
Training Tax Credit for Apprentices
Note: this credit is for the apprentice. See next entry for employer tax credit.
Refundable income tax credits for apprentices enrolled in programs administered through SkilledTradesBC.
Eligible employers:
• BC resident as of December 31 of the taxation year for which the credit is being claimed
• Registered with SkilledTradesBC as an apprentice in an eligible program, and
• Not enrolled in a public high school, registered in a home schooling program or attending an independent school
Types of training tax credits
• Basic credit for the first two levels of non-Red Seal programs
• Completion credit for level 3 or level 4 for both Red Seal and non-Red Seal programs
• Enhanced credit for eligible First Nations individuals and eligible persons with disabilities
Funding available:
• Tax credits valued between $500 and $3750 are available to BC apprentices, depending on their apprenticeship level and other characteristics. See program website for details.
Training Tax Credit for Employers
Refundable income tax credits for employers who employ apprentices enrolled in apprenticeship programs administered through the SkilledTradesBC.
Eligible employers:
• Sole proprietors, partnerships and corporations that were subject to BC income tax for the taxation year in which the credit is being claimed
Eligible participants:
• In a business carried on in BC during the taxation year, and
• Related to the program they are registered in through SkilledTradesBC
• See a table of eligible programs and completion requirements for employers. If your apprentice is enrolled in a program through SkilledTradesBC that’s not listed, you may still be eligible for a training tax credit.
Funding available:
• The training tax credit amount is calculated based on the amount of eligible salary and wages you pay to an eligible employee during the eligible period.
BC Employer Training Grant
This program provides funding to employers to support workforce training, including training for prospective new hires.
New hires are eligible for the grant if they are currently unemployed and the training will lead to employment. Current employees are eligible for the grant if the training increases their job security or leads to a better job.
A “better job” is defined as:
• Increased pay
• Promotion or advancement to another position
• Move from part-time to full-time employment
• Move from temporary/casual/seasonal employment to permanent employment
Eligible employers:
• Must be one of the following organization types:
• Private businesses
• Non-profit organizations
• Municipalities and regional districts
• Indigenous governments
• Unions applying on behalf of workers they represent
• Must be fully operational for at least one year before applying
• Must have a business licence if the municipality or city requires one
• Must be in good standing with the Province.
Funding available:
• 80% of the cost of training up to $10,000 per employee, with a maximum annual amount of $300,000 per employer
Commercial Vehicle Pilots Program
This program provides financial support to help BC-based organizations deploy commercial zero-emission vehicles, including medium and heavy duty (class 3 and 5) on road vehicles, rail, marine, aircraft and off-road equipment. Funding is also available for charging/fueling infrastructure projects.
Eligible applicants:
• Businesses, not-for-profit organizations and eligible public entities licensed to operate in British Columbia
• Applicants in the following BC economic regions are currently prioritized:
• Nechako
• Northeast
Eligible ZEVs include:
• On-road class 3 and 5 vehicles
• Off-road vehicles or equipment
• Locomotives
• Marine vessels
• Aircraft
• Electric charging infrastructure and hydrogen fuelling infrastructure may also be eligible for funding. See program guide for more details.
Funding available:
• Up to one third of the total costs of the ZEV deployments and/or infrastructure projects
Manitoba
Industry Expansion Program
The program requires that all new jobs created by the launch or expansion be retained for a minimum 2080 hours of full-time employment throughout the agreement period.
Eligible applicants:
• Canadian for-profit companies licensed to operate in Manitoba
• Eligible project activities:
• Skills training for existing and new employees
• Development and/or purchase of training materials
• Lease/purchase of equipment directly related to and required for training
• Eligible expenditures related to development/delivery of training
Funding available:
• Funding amount contingent on project details and scope. Consideration is given to the number of jobs created, total project costs and company contributions, and the economic benefit to Manitoba resulting from these new employment opportunities.
Canada-Manitoba Job Grant
This program provides funding to employers to help cover the cost of training for new and existing employees. To be eligible for funding, training must meet business needs, support the development of a highly skilled workforce, boost economic growth, and increase employment opportunities in Manitoba.
Eligible employers:
• Private sector employers including sole proprietors
• Non-profit organizations
• Industry associations, sector councils, groups of employers
• Union halls
• First Nations
• Municipal governments
Eligible training participants:
• Must be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada
o Refugees and individuals who arrived through select immigration programs may be eligible; contact program to confirm. Temporary foreign workers and international students are not eligible.
• May be a full-time, part-time or seasonal employee, or an unemployed individual who is taking the training to qualify for a job with the employer (note: employer is responsible for paying for the training, even if the trainee is not yet employed with them)
• Employees may reside in another province, but must work in Manitoba
Funding available:
• Eligible employers can receive up to 75% of direct training costs to a maximum of $10,000 per individual participant and $100,000 in total funding.
New Brunswick
The Fuel Savings Transportation Program
This program provides financial support to help transportation businesses offset the costs of fuel saving devices and products that minimize their carbon footprint.
Eligible applicants:
• Owner or operator of a commercial transportation business in New Brunswick
• Eligible costs include purchase and installation (before tax) of devices/products that result in fuel savings and meet the following criteria:
o Must be purchased from a New Brunswick retailer or distributor
o Device/product must be new (used and/or refurbished are not eligible)
o Must be installed by an accredited professional
o Must be purchased and installed on or after April 1st, 2024
Funding available:
• Up to $250,000 in rebates on a range of fuel saving devices, including:
• Up to 30% of purchase cost of aerodynamic devices (maximum $3000 per device)
• Up to 30% of purchase cost of low-rolling resistance tires (maximum $1500 per truck or trailer)
• Up to 50% of purchase cost of anti-idle technologies (maximum $6000 per device)
• Up to 30% of purchase cost of refrigeration systems (maximum $7500 per unit)
• Up to 50% of purchase cost of fuel-efficient driving devices (maximum $1000 per device)
Newfoundland and Labrador
JobsNL Wage Subsidy
This program provides financial support to employers to create new long-term or seasonal/short-term jobs for individuals lacking work experience and/or skills.
Eligible employers:
• Private businesses (incorporated and/or sole proprietorship)
• Not-for-profit organizations
• In good standing with the Registry of Companies and Deed
• Must have an office in Newfoundland and Labrador
Eligible participants
• Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident residing in Newfoundland and Labrador
• Temporary residents may be eligible if they are international graduates with a Post-graduate Work Permit or have an Open Work Permit.
• Must be unemployed or underemployed (working less than 20 hours per week or in a field unrelated to their training)
• Must not be receiving federal or provincial pensions, Workplace NL benefits, or other benefits.
• Funding is not retroactive; individuals hired before the application date are not eligible
Funding available:
• Long-term employment:
o Wage subsidy offered for 28 weeks over a 42-week employment period
o First 14 weeks: 60% of wages, up to $12/hour
o Second 14 weeks: No subsidy
o Third 14 weeks: 80% of wages, up to $12/hour
• Seasonal/short-term employment:
o Wage subsidy offered for employment period of 10-28 weeks
o 60% of wages, up to $12/hour.
Northwest Territories
Wage Subsidy Program
This program provides financial support to help transportation businesses offset the costs of fuel saving devices and products that minimize their carbon footprint. This program provides funding to help employers hire NWT residents with minimal work experience and education.
Eligible employers:
• Registered businesses that have been in operation for at least 6 months and are licensed to operate in the NWT
• Industry associations
• Local housing authorities
• Non-government organizations
• Indigenous organizations
• Local, municipal, or Indigenous governments
Eligible participants:
• Must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person (e.g.: granted refugee status)
• Must be legally entitled to work in Canada
• Must be residing in the Northwest Territories
• Must be at least 16 years of age
• A new or recent hire (started their current position within the last 3 months)
• Must not be an immediate family member of the employer
Funding available:
• 80% of wages up to a maximum of $30,000 per participant
• Additional funding may be available to cover equipment costs and/or supports for participants with disabilities
Nova Scotia
Apprenticeship START
The Apprenticeship START program encourages employers to register and employ apprentices and support them as they complete their apprenticeship program.
Eligible employers:
• Businesses, not-for-profit organizations and/or social enterprises in Nova Scotia with 500 or fewer employees and 15 or fewer apprentices
• Employers operating in urban areas where populations exceed 20,000 (Halifax Regional Municipality, Truro, and Sydney) can only receive funding for apprentices belonging to an equity-deserving group.
Eligible apprentices:
• Must reside in Nova Scotia
• Must be a new apprentice or an unemployed apprentice
Funding available:
• For areas of the province with a population of less than 20,000:
• $2500 hiring incentive for the registration of a new apprentice
• $5000 payment for each level the apprentice completes
• $2500 when the apprentice completes their apprenticeship program
For apprentices belonging to an equity-deserving group:
• $5000 hiring incentive for the registration of an equity-deserving apprentice
• $5000 payment for each level the apprentice completes
• $5000 when the apprentice completes their apprenticeship program
Graduate to Opportunity Innovate (GTO Innovate)
This program offers a financial incentive to help businesses in Nova Scotia hire Masters and PhD graduates.
Eligible employers:
• Nova Scotia businesses with fewer than 200 full-time employees
Eligible positions:
• Must be a new, permanent full-time position located in Nova Scotia that pays at least $60,000 per year
• Position cannot be funded by any other government program
• Position must be approved for GTO Innovate funding before the graduate starts work
• Funding is not retroactive and graduates who started working for your company before you applied to GTO Innovate will not be eligible for funding
• Position must spend at least 50% of work time on activities such as:
• Applied research
• Product and service development
• Market analysis for complex products or activity
• Improvement of product quality, customer services and business efficiencies
• Process development or improvement, technical feasibility studies and pilots for product launches or market entry
Eligible participants:
• Masters or Doctoral graduates who obtained their degrees from an accredited post-secondary institution within the last year
• Must reside and work in Nova Scotia
Note: You can recruit candidates from outside the province, but they must have a NS address when they become employees of your company.
Funding available:
• Year one: 30% of the graduate’s salary up to a maximum of $21,000 (30% of $70,000 salary)
• Year two: 15% of the graduate’s salary up to a maximum of $10,500 (15% of $70,000 salary)
• Graduate’s salary must be at least $60,000. The subsidy amount is calculated by applying the rates to the actual salary, up until a maximum of $70,000. You can pay the graduate more than that but the subsidy rate will only apply to the first $70,000.
• Additional 10% subsidy available in the first year for graduates from equitydeserving groups
Graduate to Opportunity Grow (GTO Grow)
The Graduate to Opportunity Grow (GTO Grow) program offers financial incentives to help employers hire post-secondary graduates in Nova Scotia.
Eligible employers:
• Nova Scotia businesses with fewer than 100 full-time employees
• Nova Scotia start-ups incorporated within the last 2 years
• Social enterprise, non-profit, or charitable organization with recognized standing in the province
Eligible positions:
• Must be a new, permanent full-time position located in Nova Scotia that pays at least $37,500 per year
• Position cannot be funded by any other government program
• Position must be approved for GTO Grow funding before the graduate starts work
• Funding is not retroactive and graduates who started working for your company before you applied to GTO Grow will not be eligible for funding
Eligible participants:
• Post secondary graduates who received their degree or diploma from an accredited post-secondary institution within the last year
• Must reside and work in Nova Scotia
• Note: You can recruit candidates from outside the province, but they must have a NS address when they become employees of your company.
Funding available:
• Year one: 25% of the graduate’s salary up to a maximum of $15,000 (25% of $60,000 salary)
• Year two: 12.5% of the graduate’s salary up to a maximum of $7,500 (12.5% of $60,000 salary)
• Graduate’s salary must be at least $37,500. The subsidy amount is calculated by applying the rates to the actual salary, up until a maximum of $60,000. You can pay the graduate more than that but the subsidy rate will only apply to the first $60,000.
• Additional 10% subsidy available in the first year for graduates from equitydeserving groups
Co-operative Education Incentive (CO-OP)
The Co-operative Education Incentive (CO-OP) helps employers hire post-secondary co-operative education students for work placements.
Eligible employers:
• Private businesses
• Not-for-profit organizations
• Municipalities
• Charitable organizations and/or social enterprises
Eligible co-op placements:
• Must take place in Nova Scotia
• Must be full-time
• Must pay the student at least $18 per hour (preference will be given to placements that offer higher wages)
• Student must be enrolled in a work term as part of a cooperative education program at a Nova Scotia university or college
Funding available:
• $8 reimbursement for each hour worked by the student
• Bonus reimbursement of $1.50 per hour for students from equity-deserving groups
START
This program provides financial support to encourage employers to hire unemployed Nova Scotians.
Eligible employers:
• Private business, not-for-profit organization or social enterprise in Nova Scotia with 500 or fewer employees
• Companies with headquarters outside of Nova Scotia may be eligible if they have a physical location and employees working in the province
Eligible participants:
• Unemployed individuals who reside in Nova Scotia (must submit application through Nova Scotia Works centre)
• Funding is not retroactive and individuals who started working for your company before you applied to START will not be eligible for funding
Funding available:
• Up to $25,000 per participant, assessed on a case-by-case basis
Nunavut
Training Assistance Program (TAP)
This program provides financial incentives to help employers hire and train unemployed or under-skilled workers. Training may be up to 52 weeks in length and may be delivered on the job site, at an institution or training provider or a combination of both. Employers are expected to hire the trainee at the end of the training period.
Eligible employers:
• Private businesses with fewer than 50 employees
• Industry associations
• Not-for-profit organizations
• Municipal governments
• Inuit organizations
Eligible participants:
• Resident of Nunavut for a minimum of one year
• Non-Nunavut residents may be considered
• Must be at least 15 years of age
• Must be unemployed, under-employed or apprentices at the time of application
Funding available:
• For areas of the province with a population of less than 20,000: For nonapprentice trainees:
• 50% of trainee’s regular wages up to $15.00/hr for a maximum of 40 hours per week for 52 weeks
• If the trainee has a disability, 65% of regular wages up to $15.00/hr for a maximum of 40 hours per week for 52 weeks
For apprentices:
• Level 1 apprentice: 50% of the apprentice’s wages or $15.00/hr, whichever is less
• Level 2 apprentice: 50% of the apprentice’s wages or $12.50/hr, whichever is less
• Level 3 apprentice: 50% of the apprentice’s wages or $10.00/hr, whichever is less
Ontario
Ontario Together Trade Fund
This program provides financial support and complementary services to help businesses serve more interprovincial customers, develop new markets and re-shore critical supply chains in the face of U.S. tariffs.
Eligible applicants:
• For-profit businesses legally operating in Ontario
• Must have at least 3 years of operations and financial statements
• Must employ at least 5 full-time equivalent employees
• Must invest at least $200,000 in the proposed project and be able to secure financing by the project start date
• Must be able to demonstrate any of the following U.S. tariff impacts:
• Operating in a sector extensively targeted by U.S. tariffs (e.g.: steel sector, auto sector, aluminum)
• Significant exposure to trade risk (e.g.: revenue loss of 30% or higher)
• Pivoting operations to supply a customer that is looking to replace a current supplier due to tariffs
Eligible projects:
• Projects must be located in a community in Ontario during the project period
• Projects must be completed in two years
Eligible project activities include:
• Business development, such as market diversification and sales expansion
• Increasing capacity and creating and securing jobs in Ontario
• Procurement of advanced equipment and facility modification to enhance domestic manufacturing, support reshoring and growing Ontario’s supply chain
• Development of innovative technologies to boost the competitiveness of Ontario’s production and manufacturing capacity
• Localization for new markets (for example, certification, legal, labelling, testing costs)
• Modification of existing products to enter new sectors (e.g.: pivoting production from automotive fasteners to construction fasteners)
• Purchasing equipment and materials from local suppliers or shifting sales to non-U.S. markets
Funding available:
• Up to 75% of eligible project costs, up to a maximum $5 million
• Funding amounts based on an assessment of the project impact
• Funding may be administered as grants or loans, at the discretion of the province of Ontario
• Loans will be interest free during the project period (up to two years) typically with a 4 year pay-back period
• Up to 30% of the loan (to a maximum of $1.5 million) may be forgiven for projects that achieve their investment and job targets
Canada-Ontario Job Grant (COJG)
This program provides funding to help businesses access training to upgrade existing employees’ skills and/or to train new hires.
Eligible employers:
• Any of the following organization types licensed to operate in Ontario:
• Individual private and non-profit sector employers
• First Nations
• Organizations acting on behalf of employers (industry associations, union training halls)
• Must maintain appropriate Workplace Safety and Insurance Board or private workplace safety insurance coverage
• Must have adequate third-party general liability insurance
• Compliant with all applicable provincial and federal safety, labour and human rights regulations and/or legislation and other relevant standards
Eligible trainees:
• Individual already employed by the employer who will be upgrading their skills
• New hire obtaining training for a job they have been offered by the employer (must have permanent or conditional offer of employment)
• Must be Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person living in Ontario
• Must not be participating in any full-time training, education, or government training intervention
• Business owners and controlling parties of corporations are not eligible
Eligible training:
• Must address workforce skill gaps identified by the employer
• Must be delivered in Ontario and for an Ontario-based job
Funding available:
• For large employers (100 employees or more), 50% of training costs up to a maximum of $10,000 per trainee
• For small employers (fewer than 100 employees), up to 100% of training costs, up to a maximum $15,000 per trainee
• Note: the maximum subsidy rate and amount are for trainees who were previously unemployed and will gain employment as a result of the training. A lower rate and cap apply for incumbent employees – see program guidelines for details.
DCC Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan (DMAP)
The DMAP program helps SMEs with the development of an effective digital strategy and digital technology adoption plan
Eligible applicants:
• For profit, private, incorporated federally or provincially business
• SME (between 1-499 full-time employees)
• Have a permanent establishment in Ontario
Eligible projects:
• Development of an effective Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan
• Contract with eligible Digital Adoption Consultant (DAC) from the Digital Competence Centre (DCC) roster
Funding available:
• Up to 50% of total eligible project costs to a maximum of $15,000
Technology Demonstration Program
The TDP program provides funding to help SMEs implement recommendations from their DMAP digital modernization and adoption plan.
Eligible applicants:
• For profit, private, incorporated federally or provincially business
• SME (between 1-499 full-time employees)
• Have a permanent establishment in Ontario
• Must have at least $500,000 in annual revenue in one of the three previous tax years
• Already completed a DMAP project
Eligible projects:
• Adoption and/or implementation of commercial digital technology recommendations from the applicant’s completed DMAP digital modernization and adoption plan
• Must be in partnership with an eligible digital technology vendor, preferably one located in Ontario
• Project must have the potential to accelerate the applicant’s digital transformation and have a high impact on the business (e.g.: by creating jobs, increasing revenue, providing access to new customers, etc.)
Funding available:
• Up to 50% of total eligible project costs to a maximum of $100,000
Retail Modernization Project Grant (RMPG)
The RMPG program helps businesses with the purchase of effective digital equipment and software to help them transform and grow.
Eligible applicants:
• Incorporated federally or provincially, Ontario based for-profit business (between 1-50 employees)
• Have a permanent public physical “bricks and mortar” retail location in Ontario, engaged in consumer-facing retail activities
• Minimum 1 year in business with at least $100k of annual revenue
Eligible projects:
• Must support Ontario-based retail business to adopt digital technology (e.g.: purchase of hardware or software)
• Must significantly accelerate the business’s digital transformation
Funding available:
• Up to 50% of total eligible project costs up to a maximum $5000
FedDev Ontario
Funding that supports companies to adopt cutting-edge solutions, enhance productivity, break into new markets and build for the future.
Eligible employers:
• For-profit businesses, co-operatives and Indigenous businesses operational and located or expanding to southern Ontario at time of application
• 5 to 500 full-time employees (FTEs)
• Incorporated and registered to do business in Canada or Ontario for at least the past 3 years
Eligible projects:
• Developing, commercializing and/or producing new and innovative products, processes and services
• Late-stage development of a new product for sale
• Development of process improvements which reduce environmental impact of current operations (through use of new technology)
• Showcasing and demonstrating a new technology in an operational setting
• Market diagnostics and studies
• Improving productivity, capacity and competitiveness
• Acquiring, adapting or adopting new technologies or processes
• Improving production efficiency and capacity through equipment upgrades, and/or process improvements and related facility enhancements
• Adopting clean technologies
• Increasing business management capacity
• Improving processes to increase efficiency, including automation and related skills development
• Scaling-up or expanding business lines to tap into new markets or reach new customers
• Launching new products or services
• Integrating into domestic and global value chains/supply chains
• Leveraging venture capital or angel capital investment to support business growth
• Reshoring or onshoring of production, research and development mandates and/or highly qualified personnel/expertise to southern Ontario
Funding available:
• Up to 50% of eligible project costs from a minimum of $125,000 up to a maximum of $10 million
Protect Ontario Financing Program
A financing program designed to provide critical support for businesses that are facing significant tariff-related disruptions related to working capital challenges (E.g. payroll, lease/utility payments), as a result of s.232 tariffs on steel, aluminum and autos.
Eligible employers:
• For-profit businesses registered to carry out business in Ontario with a minimum of 10 full-time employees and at least $2 million in annual revenue.
• Operate for a minimum of 3 years within (either direct exporter or supporting the supply chain) the sectors subject to s.232 tariffs.
• Facing material working capital challenges or have difficulty meeting short term financial obligations (e.g. payroll) due to s.232 U.S. tariffs
• Have explored/exhausted or faced significant barriers in accessing federally offered financial support options
Financing available:
• Term loan minimum $250,000 repayable up to 72 months (6 years) which may include interest-bearing up to market prime-rate or potential for principalfree payments up to 12 months
Prince Edward Island
Employ PEI – For Employers
This program offers financial incentives to encourage employers to create long-term employment opportunities for PEI jobseekers.
Eligible employers:
• Registered private sector businesses
• Organizations
• Municipalities
• Band/tribal councils
Eligible participants:
• Must be unemployed and seeking full-time work
• Must be legally authorized to work in Canada (Canadian citizen or permanent resident)
• Other criteria may apply
Funding available:
• 50% of participant’s wages up to a maximum of $12.50 per hour for up to 20 weeks (full-time)
• Wage rate paid to the participant must be within the wage range for the targeted occupation
Graduate Mentorship Program – For Employers
This program offers financial support to help employers create long term employment opportunities for unemployed recent post-secondary graduates.
Eligible employers:
• Registered private sector businesses
• Organizations
• Municipalities
• Band/tribal councils
Eligible participants:
• Must be a recent graduate (graduated within the last 5 years)
• Must be unemployed and seeking full-time employment at the time of application
• Must be legally authorized to work in Canada (Canadian citizen or permanent resident)
• Other criteria may apply
Funding available:
• Up to 50% of participant’s wages to a maximum of $12.50 per hour for up to 52 weeks (full-time)
• Wage rate paid to the participant must be within the wage range for the targeted occupation
Student Summer Employment Programs – Youth & Post Secondary Students
This program provides financial incentives to encourage PEI employers to hire students during the summer. Funding is available for high school and postsecondary students.
Eligible employers:
• Any of the following organization types:
o Private businesses
o Non-for-profit organizations
o Public sector
• Priority given to employers who can provide students with an experiential learning opportunity related to their field of study
Eligible participants:
• Jobs for Youth program stream
o Must be between the ages of 15 and 29
o Must be available for a summer work placement of 8-12 weeks
o Must be returning to school in the fall
• Post-secondary Student program stream
o Must be a full-time post-secondary student available for a summer work placement of 12-18 weeks
o Must be returning to full-time post-secondary studies in the fall
• Employers may apply to both programs to fund multiple positions. Funding cannot be applied from both programs to a single position.
Funding available:
• For private sector employers: 50% of provincial minimum wage plus 4% vacation pay for up to 40 hours per week
• For non-profit employers: 100% of provincial minimum wage plus 4% vacation pay for up to 40 hours per week
• For public sector employers: 100% of provincial minimum wage plus 4% vacation pay for up to 40 hours per week
Workplace Skills Training
This program provides funding to help employers train new or existing employees. Training must be short term and meet job-specific and incremental industry requirements as determined by the employer.
Eligible employers:
• Registered private sector businesses
• Organization acting on behalf of a group of employers (e.g. employer consortia, industry associations and sector council businesses)
• Band/tribal councils
• Non-profit organizations
Eligible participants:
• Must be 18-59 years of age
• Must be legally authorized to work in Canada (Canadian citizens or permanent residents)
Funding available:
• Up to 50% of the direct training costs
Quebec
Wage Subsidy Program
This program offers financial incentives to encourage Quebec employers to hire persons facing difficulty in the labour market.
Eligible employers:
• For Employment Integration stream:
o All types of businesses operating in Quebec
• For Work Experience stream:
o Not-for-profit organizations
o Municipalities
o Band councils
Eligible participants:
• Must face challenges integrating into the labour market
• Must be deemed eligible by an employment assistance agent at a Services Quebec office
Funding available:
• Wage subsidies available at rates determined by the program
• Additional funding may be available to offset training costs and/or overhead costs related to disability accommodation. Contact the program for more information.
DEP Specialized truck transport
This program offers financial support to recruit, train, retain, and graduate candidates to take the Diploma of Professional Studies (DEP) in truck transport.
Eligible employers:
• Freight transport companies whose primary or secondary activity is road freight transport
• Available in all regions of Quebec
Eligible participants:
• Candidates who do not yet have their DEP in truck transport Class 1 driving license.
Funding available:
• Obtain salary reimbursement throughout duration of the 615-hour DEP training for 4 to 6 candidates
• Additional support may be available for digital recruitment campaigns
Truck driving trainer training
This program offers financial support to help freight transport companies train internal staff to become driver trainers.
Eligible employers:
• For companies in freight transport only
• Available in all regions of Quebec
Eligible participants:
• Current employees
Funding available:
• Salary reimbursement of 50% of the hourly rate for 2 to 6 employees for up to 40-hours in company training
Training in the use of a smart phone
This program offers free smart phone training for bulk truck drivers who are members of L'Association nationale des camionneurs artisans inc. (ANCAI)
Eligible participants:
• Available in all regions of Quebec
• Bulk truck drivers who are members of ANCAI
Funding available:
• Free 4-hour smart phone training for up to 8 participants
Eco-friendly driving
This program offers subsidized training for freight companies that wish to train their truck drivers eco-driving in cities and distribution centres.
Eligible employers:
• For companies in freight transport
• Available in all regions of Quebec
• Fee of $614 +tax per person for up to 10 participants (to qualify for wage subsidy described below)
Eligible participants:
• Current employees
Funding available:
• Salary reimbursement of 85% of the hourly rate up to $25/hour for up to 10 employees for 20 hours (8 theory/12 practice) training
Saskatchewan
Please refer to national programs.
Yukon
Staffing UP
This program provides financial support to help Yukon employers hire, train, and assess new and/or existing employees. Subsidies are available to offset wage, training and some HR related costs.
Employer eligibility:
• Yukon employer providing work for at least 1 individual (in addition to the business owner)
• Not a federal, provincial or territorial government, or Crown corporation.
Funding available:
There are 3 wage subsidy options:
1. Fill a permanent existing position with a worker who lacks experience
• 60% of base wage for up to 1 year
2. Perform a workplace-based assessment of a worker’s skills and interests
• All employer costs are eligible for a duration of up to 8 weeks
3. Provide on-the-job training so the worker gains work experience
• All employer costs are eligible for a duration of up to 24 weeks
Summer Career Placement subsidy
This program is for hiring a Yukon youth or student in secondary or post-secondary school.
Eligible employers:
• Any of the following organization types:
o Private business
o Non-profit organization
o Municipality
o First Nation
• Must have been operating in Yukon for at least 1 year
Eligible participants:
• Student or youth over 15 years of age
• Legally entitled to work in Canada
• New employee
• Not members of employer’s immediate family
• Attended a secondary, post-secondary or vocational school full-time during the current academic year for at least 1 semester
• Yukon resident since March 1, 2023
Funding available:
• $8.25 per hour the student works to a maximum of 600 hours between May 1 and September 1
Student Training and Employment Program (STEP)
This program offers wage subsidies to encourage employers to hire Yukon postsecondary students for summer jobs. Applications are processed in the fall/winter for the upcoming summer term.
Eligible employers:
• Any of the following organization types:
• Private sector business legally operating in Yukon
• Non-government organization or agency
• First Nation
• Municipal government
• Government of Yukon department
• Must have an office and a contact person located in Yukon
• Must have been operating in Yukon for at least 1 year
• Must be able to provide student with at least 32 hours of work per week
• Must guarantee at least 450 hours of work in total for the student’s work placement
Eligible participants:
• Must be a post-secondary student from Yukon
Funding available:
• The subsidy is $7.20 per hour for 450 to 600 hours of employment
• Minimum student wages are set by the program and correspond to student’s level of education:
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