April 9, 2026 Gatineau, Quebec Employment and Social Development Canada
The global trade landscape is shifting rapidly, creating uncertainty and challenges for workers, industries and communities across Canada. In a rapidly changing world, Canada must focus on what it can control: building a stronger, more resilient nation. This calls for decisive action from governments at all levels to protect jobs, strengthen local economies and ensure workers can adapt to changing economic realities.
Workers whose jobs have been directly or indirectly impacted by global tariffs will receive support to help them adapt, retrain and succeed, as a result of a joint partnership agreement titled the Canada-Quebec Workforce Tariff Response and announced today by the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, and Pascale Déry, Quebec's Minister of Employment and Minister Responsible for the Lanaudière Region..
Specifically, today's agreement provides $122.5 million over three years to support workers and businesses within the softwood lumber steel and other directly and indirectly tariff-affected industries through a period of significant economic adjustment. The agreement will provide tailored skills development for the impacted workforce where workers can navigate a changing labour market so that industries can remain competitive in the global marketplace.
Public employment services are offered in Services Québec offices, which can be found in every region. Specialized services for individuals are adapted to the needs of job seekers or people who want to gain new skills in an evolving labour market. Services are also available for employers and their workers to help with skills development.
This transformative new approach reflects a shared commitment by the governments of Canada and Quebec to support Canadians through a period of significant economic adjustment, while building a strong, confident workforce-one where workers can navigate global uncertainty and industries can remain competitive in the global marketplace.
