Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities

To improve the employment situation for Canadians with disabilities, the Government of Canada provides $218 million each year through agreements with provinces (territories do not have signed agreements). These agreements (also called Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities) are based on the multilateral framework.

The arrangements give provinces the flexibility to determine their own priorities and approaches to best address the needs of persons with disabilities in their province, with the objectives of:

enhancing the employability of persons with disabilities;
increasing the employment opportunities available to persons with disabilities; and
building on the existing knowledge base.

Provinces are responsible for the design and delivery of employment programming within the following five areas:

education and training;
employment participation;
employment opportunities;
connecting employers and persons with disabilities; and
building knowledge.

A wide range of activities may be supported, including:

employment counselling;
career planning;
pre-employment preparation;
post-secondary education;
skills training;
wage subsidies;
self-employment assistance;
technical aids and other supports; and
assistance in accessing job opportunities;

Reporting

Provinces report every year on programs in order to demonstrate the measures taken to improve the employment situation of persons with disabilities.

Provincial reports are made available each December 3 (International Day of Disabled Persons) and include objectives, descriptions, target populations, and planned expenditures for programs and services funded through the labour market agreements for persons with disabilities.