Targeted Wage Subsidy Program

Note: HRDC has entered into agreements with most provinces and territories to define how the Benefits and Measures would be delivered in each region. As a result, in New Brunswick, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, programs similar to the Employment Benefits and Support Measures are delivered by the provincial or territorial government pursuant to agreements under Section 63 of the Employment Insurance Act. HRDC delivers the Employment Benefits and Support Measures in Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Ontario, British Columbia, and the Yukon. Contact the Human Resources Centre of Canada nearest you for details.

The Targeted Wage Subsidy Program enables employers to hire individuals who face barriers to employment by offering temporary wage subsidies and assists individuals experiencing difficulty in finding work to benefit from on-the-job work experience.

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible employers:
  • Businesses;
  • Organizations;
  • Individuals;
  • Public health and educational institutions;
  • Municipal governments;
  • Band/Tribal councils;
  • Provincial/territorial government deparments and agencies if specified in a federal-provincial/territorial agreement or Memorandum of Understanding, or specifically approved by the HRSDC.
• Eligible participants are unemployed individuals:
  • for whom an unemployment benefit period has been established or has ended within the 36 months prior to the date of requesting assistance; or
  • for whom a benefit period that included a maternity or parental claim within the 60 months prior to the date of requesting assistance, after which the individual remained out of the labour market in order to care for a newborn or newly adopted child and is now seeking to re-enter the labour force.
• Other criteria may apply.

Summary

How to become a sponsor

Employers must submit an application to their local Human Resource Centre of Canada (see list below).  Employers may also complete the application form (EMP5253) available on-line prior to visiting the local office.

Duration

Agreements may be approved for a period of up to 78 weeks.

Type of Financial Assistance

Financial assistance for participants, employers and community coordinators will be in the form of contributions including repayable contributions.

British Columbia Contact(s):
Service Canada Centres
For a complete list of all Service Canada Centres please visit the Web site or check the government listings in your telephone directory.
Web site: http://www1.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/gateways/where_you_live/regions/bc-yk.shtml

Newfoundland & Labrador Contact(s):
Service Canada Centres
For a complete list of all Service Canada Centres please visit the Web site or check the government listings in your telephone directory.
Web site: http://www1.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/gateways/where_you_live/regions/nl.shtml

Nova Scotia Contact(s):
Service Canada Centres
For a complete list of all Service Canada Centres please visit the Web site or check the government listings in your telephone directory.
Web site: http://www1.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/gateways/where_you_live/regions/ns.shtml

Ontario Contact(s):
Service Canada Centres
For a complete list of all Service Canada Centres please visit the Web site or check the government listings in your telephone directory.
Web site: http://www1.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/gateways/where_you_live/regions/on.shtml

Prince Edward Island Contact(s):
Service Canada Centres
For a complete list of all Service Canada Centres please visit the Web site or check the government listings in your telephone directory.
Web site: http://www1.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/gateways/where_you_live/regions/pe.shtml

Yukon Contact(s):
Service Canada Centres
For a complete list of all Service Canada Centres please visit the Web site or check the government listings in your telephone directory.
Web site: http://www1.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/gateways/where_you_live/regions/bc-yk.shtml