The federal government intends to spend more to address Canada’s labour needs in the upcoming budget.
Jobs Minister Patty Hadju is revealing four initiatives.
It includes setting aside $75 million to expand on union-led training programs.
“This will support apprenticeships in the red seal trades and empower unions to train the next generation of Canadian builders,” says Hadju.
“We’re not just going to create those jobs, we’re going to create pathways to meaningful long-term careers that will really build Canada strong.”
Another $97 million will go to the creation of a Foreign Credential Recognition Action Fund.
It is to help provinces and territories improve credential programs and help qualified foreign-trained professionals get into Canada’s workforce faster.
“When we have such talent in our country, it’s such a waste to not ensure that people can reach their full potential by using the skills and the training that they’ve received in other countries,” says Hadju.
“And so we’re going to work even faster with provinces and territories so that healthcare professionals from other countries can fully utilize their skills so that we don’t lose out on the talent that already exists in this country.”
A third plan calls for amendments to the Canada Labour Code that limit the use of non-compete agreements in federally regulated sectors that restrict an employee from leaving a job to work for a competitor.
Hadju says the change will give workers more freedom to work where they want to.
The fourth labour measure sets aside $1.5 billion over five years for the development of a new personal support workers tax credit.
“This new refundable tax credit will enable eligible PSWs to claim a refundable credit of 5 % of eligible earnings, providing support of up to $1,100 per year,” says Hadju.
The credit will be available in provinces and territories that are not covered by a bilateral agreement with the federal government to increase PSW wages.
The federal budget will also include a new reskilling and support package for workers affected by trade disruptions.
This will include $50 million over five years and $8 million ongoing, to implement a new digital tool to assist with their job search and a national online training platform in partnership with the private sector.
Another $570 million will be issued to the provinces and territories to support provincial training and employment assistance programs.
An added $382.9 million over five years will help launch new Workforce Alliances that bring employers, unions and industry together to identify ways that help businesses and workers succeed.
