What employers need to know about the proposed workforce program
The federal government has announced a forthcoming program intended to help businesses retain and retrain employees during periods of temporarily reduced work. However, employers cannot yet confirm whether they qualify or submit an application based on the information published as of October 10, 2026.
The proposed Workforce Retention and Retraining Program, or WRRP, would provide employers with up to $1,000 per participating employee to support training costs. This is a maximum announced amount, not a guaranteed payment, and future program requirements will apply.
What the proposed program would provide
The WRRP was announced as an Employment Insurance-funded measure that would combine the existing Work-Sharing Program and Worker Retention Grant. It was announced on August 25, 2026 and highlighted in a federal news release on August 28, 2026.
The program is intended for businesses facing economic challenges, including tariff-related challenges. Its stated purpose is to help employers retain and retrain workers who have agreed to work temporarily reduced hours.
Training activities are intended to take place during a participating employee’s non-working hours. The program is expected to be delivered in collaboration with regional development agencies.
| Proposed support | What the official description says |
|---|---|
| Employer training support | Up to $1,000 per participating employee for training costs, subject to future program requirements. |
| Support for participating workers | EI-eligible participating workers are intended to be able to receive total support equal to 70% of lost earnings for time not worked. |
| Government comparison | The government compares the intended 70% support with 55% of insurable earnings. |
The 70% figure applies specifically to participating workers who are eligible for Employment Insurance. It should not be treated as a benefit available to every employee.
Can a business qualify?
The published description indicates that the WRRP is intended for businesses facing economic challenges and for employees who agree to temporarily reduced work hours. Those broad descriptions are not complete qualification rules.
The government has not yet published the full employer or employee eligibility criteria, exclusions, eligible-cost rules or required documents. As a result, a particular business cannot currently confirm that it will qualify for the proposed support.
Other important details also remain unpublished, including:
- How the maximum $1,000 amount would be calculated, approved and paid.
- Which training or administrative expenses would qualify.
- Whether the assistance would be a grant, reimbursement, contribution or another form of support.
- What documents employers and employees would need.
- How long decisions would take.
- Whether there would be an application deadline.
Applying once the program opens would not guarantee funding.
When can employers apply?
No WRRP application-opening date, effective date, deadline or application portal is stated in the supplied official sources as of October 10, 2026.
An application page exists for the current Worker Retention Grant, but its application period does not apply to the forthcoming WRRP. Businesses should not use dates from that existing program as WRRP dates.
Employers interested in the new program should monitor the official WRRP page for final requirements and application instructions.
What happens to current Work-Sharing agreements?
Current Work-Sharing agreements remain in effect. An employer with an active agreement does not need to submit a new application solely because the WRRP was announced.
This is important for businesses already using Work-Sharing: the announcement does not replace an active agreement immediately or create a requirement to reapply.
Other regional tariff assistance may be available
The WRRP was included in a broader $7.5-billion package of new and enhanced tariff-response measures. That figure represents total announced package funding and is not an amount available to a single business.
Separate from the WRRP, the expanded Regional Tariff Response Initiative is accepting applications through the supplied British Columbia and Atlantic Canada sources. Eligibility and application administration are regional.
In British Columbia and Atlantic Canada, the supplied guidance includes requirements such as being an incorporated, for-profit business located and operating in the applicable region, having at least $1 million in annual revenue in one of the last two fiscal years, demonstrating pre-tariff viability, and showing an impact from tariffs or trade disruption. Other regional requirements and assessments also apply.
Businesses should use the application process for their applicable regional development agency. A business can also use the federal Canada Strong support finder to identify possible programs based on its location, revenue, sector and needs, but a search result does not establish eligibility.
Do You Need to Do Anything?
- If you are interested in the WRRP: Monitor the official WRRP page. Do not treat the program as open until application instructions and an opening date are published.
- If you have an active Work-Sharing agreement: Continue under that agreement. No new application is required solely because of the WRRP announcement.
- If you need assistance now: Review the applicable regional tariff-response program and its regional application requirements.
- If you are comparing programs: Remember that the WRRP, Worker Retention Grant and Regional Tariff Response Initiative are separate programs with different rules and application processes.
Bottom Line
The federal government has announced that the proposed WRRP would offer employers up to $1,000 per participating employee for training costs. It is intended to support businesses retaining and retraining workers during temporarily reduced work hours.
However, the WRRP is not documented as currently effective or open for applications. Complete eligibility rules, eligible expenses, payment details, application documents and key dates remain unpublished. Businesses cannot yet confirm qualification or apply for the announced $1,000 support using the information currently available.
Official Government Sources
- Workforce Retention and Retraining Program
- Federal tariff-response package news release
- Canada Strong support programs for workers and businesses
- Canada Strong business support finder
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative eligibility in British Columbia
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative in Atlantic Canada
This article provides general information based on official Canadian government sources. Government programs, amounts, eligibility rules and deadlines can change. Check the official sources linked above for information specific to your situation.