February 17, 2026 Windsor, Ontario Employment and Social Development Canada
In a rapidly changing world, we are focusing on what we can control: building a stronger more resilient Canada, and Ontario. Canada's labour market is experiencing sustained pressure from tariffs, skills shortages, supply chain disruptions and broader economic shifts. In response, the Government is focusing on transforming the economy to one that is stronger, more sustainable, and more independent, built on the solid foundation of strong Canadian industries and bolstered by diverse international trade partners.
Today, during a visit to Unifor Local 444 in Windsor, Ontario, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, Patty Hajdu announced measures to help workers and employers navigate current pressures while preparing to meet the workforce needs of tomorrow.
Workforce Alliances being struck in six priority areas
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the creation of a Workforce Alliance in Advanced Manufacturing, which will bring together governments, industry, labour and training partners to address bottlenecks and catalyse investments.
Minister Hajdu announced today that five additional Workforce Alliances are being created in the following priority sectors, which have a significant impact on aspects of everyday life for Canadians:
- Housing and Construction
- Transportation and Supply Chains
- Energy and Electricity
- Mining and Minerals
- Care Economy
The Workforce Alliances are unified by one core mission: to identify and address pressing labour market challenges and to coordinate public and private investments in skills development to produce lasting opportunities for Canada's workers where they are most needed to Build Canada Strong.
The Minister and officials will conclude discussions with employers, unions, educational institutions, industry associations and Indigenous partners in the coming weeks to confirm and announce the leadership and priorities for all six Workforce Alliances. In Windsor, Minister Hajdu met with advanced manufacturing stakeholders in the auto sector to discuss investments in training to meet industry needs.
Worker Retention Grant for Work-Sharing Employers now available
Minister Hajdu also announced that the Government of Canada is now accepting applications for the new Worker Retention Grant for Work-Sharing Employers . A federal government investment of about $102.7 million over two years for the grant builds on the Work-Sharing program, which helps businesses avoid layoffs by letting eligible workers share available work and claim Employment Insurance (EI) for the lost hours.
Employers with active Work-Sharing agreements can now apply for the Grant and use the funds to support their Work-Sharing employees to upskill and adapt to changing labour market needs. The top-up will allow them to maintain their income while training during lost work time at levels closer to their normal wages, up to 70% of their full-time pay.
To make it easier to identify training options, Job Bank, Canada's national employment service, has created a dedicated section for Work-Sharing employers. It includes a new Training Finder and direct connections to upskilling platforms with information about thousands of courses, including low- or no-cost options.
Alongside the Workforce Alliances and the new grant for Work-Sharing employers, the federal government will provide employment assistance and reskilling supports for up to 66,000 workers across Canada, including for displaced auto workers, with a $570 million investment through labour market agreements with the provinces and territories.
These measures build on previously announced initiatives to help transform strategic Canadian industries. Together, they form an industrial strategy that will build a stronger, more resilient, more independent Canadian economy and ensure workers and industries can seize future opportunities.
