Reinstate Apprenticeship Incentive Grant

AI summary

Petitioners ask the Government of Canada to reinstate the federal Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, provide an inflation‑indexed Red Seal apprentice grant tied to verified progression, and ensure timely payments during mandatory in‑school training. The government responds it will provide a $400/week top‑up, a $5,000 Red Seal completion bonus, and $3.4B over five years.

AI summaries describe petitioners’ requests and claims. Consult the official record for the full text.

Official petition

Petition to the House of Commons Whereas the elimination of the federal Apprenticeship Incentive Grant has increased financial barriers for apprentices— who must complete mandatory in-school training with reduced income and rising costs—contributing to higher dropout rates and worsening skilled labor shortages; Whereas employers across construction, mechanical, electrical, and industrial sectors report growing difficulty attracting and retaining apprentices—who are essential to delivering housing, maintaining infrastructure, and supporting Canada’s economy—impacting productivity and regional growth; Whereas federal apprenticeship incentives are a core workforce development tool and have historically improved apprenticeship completion outcomes; We, the undersigned, Citizens and Residents of Canada., call upon the House of Commons to the Government of Canada to : 1. Reinstate the federal Apprenticeship Incentive 2. Grant for apprentices in Red Seal–designated trades, index the grant to inflation, link eligibility to verified apprenticeship progression including successful completion of in-school technical training, and 3. Ensure timely and predictable payments to support apprentices during mandatory training periods.

Government response

Response by the Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario Signed by Annie Koutrakis The Government is investing in the skilled trades through the recent Team Canada Strong announcement, which proposes a multi-channel approach to recruit, train, and hire between 80,000 to 100,000 new Red Seal trades workers by 2030-2031, valued at $8 billion over five years. On July 16, 2026, the Government announced an additional $2 billion investment over five years, starting in 2026-27, for new bilateral agreements with provinces and territories to expand access to pre-apprenticeship and technical training. As part of this funding and to address the challenges that can stop apprentices from completing their training and moving into permanent jobs, the Government is proposing to provide $3.4 billion over five years, with $468 million ongoing, for new and redesigned financial supports directly to apprentices. This includes the new Apprenticeship Training Grant that will provide apprentices with a $400 weekly top-up while they attend mandatory in-class technical training, paid in addition to their Employment Insurance benefits. In addition, a new Red Seal Completion Bonus will provide $5,000 to apprentices who achieve their certification in a Red Seal trade, and continuation supports will provide income for apprentices between training and work. These new supports will help apprentices progress to and reach certification, contributing to the skilled workforce needed to build Canada strong. The significant investments through the Team Canada Strong initiative demonstrate the Government of Canada’s strong and ongoing commitment to building a resilient skilled trades workforce, expanding access to training, and driving Canada’s long-term economic growth. In addition, on September 5, 2025, and later reaffirmed in Budget 2025, the Government announced new measures to support Canada’s strategic industries, including through new Workforce Alliances. Through the Workforce Alliances, the Government of Canada is bringing together employers, unions, educational and training institutions, industry associations, Indigenous partners and underrepresented groups to help ensure that Canadians have the skills needed in the sectors that will drive Canada’s long-term prosperity. Through Workforce Alliances in key sectors such as Housing and Construction, Transportation and Supply Chains, Energy and Electricity, and Advanced Manufacturing, partners will work together to strengthen pathways into the skilled trades and support the workforce needed to meet Canada's current and future labour market needs. More information will be shared as programs and implementation details become available. Canadians are encouraged to regularly monitor the Employment and Social Development Canada website for the most up to date information.