The Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
The Honourable John Zerucelli
Secretary of State (Labour)
As economic and technological change reshapes Canada’s labour market, new supports, skills training, and investments in the skilled trades are helping workers adapt and access new opportunities.
“The world of work is changing rapidly. The global economy is shifting, longstanding trade relationships are evolving, and new technologies are transforming the way work gets done. Across the country, workers, businesses and communities are adapting to these changes, and the Government of Canada will be there to help them seize new opportunities.
Like today, Canada has faced periods of change before and emerged stronger by working in partnership with Canadian workers and businesses. As workers and employers navigate economic uncertainty and the impact of U.S. tariff threats, the federal government is taking action to ensure Canadians have the support they need to adapt, succeed, and help build a stronger future.
That is why the Government of Canada has introduced a $7.5 billion package of new and enhanced measures that deliver fast, simple, and flexible support in response to recent U.S. tariff threats. These measures are designed to help workers and businesses weather immediate challenges, while positioning them for long-term success through income support, skills training, and employment services.
The Government of Canada is also investing in the workforce needed to build a more resilient economy. As demand grows for the skilled trades workers that are needed to build homes, infrastructure, and major nation-building projects, we are taking action. Through Team Canada Strong, an $8 billion nationwide effort launched in partnership with unions, workers, and provincial and territorial governments, Canada will recruit, train and hire 80,000 to 100,000 new Red Seal trades workers over the next five years.
Team Canada Strong builds on the federal government’s broader workforce plan, including $75 million in Budget 2025 to enhance the Union Training and Innovation Program (UTIP) and more than $1.5 billion to help young people gain the skills and experience they need for successful careers, supporting approximately 175,000 youth in 2026-27 alone.
As technological change continues to reshape many occupations, Canadians are understandably thinking about how work will evolve in the years ahead. Tech is the fastest-growing sector in Canada, with 150,000+ Canadians already working in AI and 800,000+ in tech overall. Investing in the skilled trades is part of a proactive approach that supports sectors where hands-on expertise, problem-solving and human judgment will continue to play an essential role, while helping meet Canada’s long-term labour and infrastructure needs.
At the same time, Canadians should expect workplaces to help them build the skills needed to succeed in an increasingly digital economy. Employers, in turn, will need the tools and support to adopt new technologies while helping workers adapt to change.
Through the Government of Canada’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy: AI for All, we are investing in training, support, and opportunities expected to create up to 250,000 AI-related job opportunities by 2031. We are also creating 90,000 AI-related jobs and placements for young Canadians, providing AI training for all Canadians, and providing targeted support and upskilling to ensure that nobody is left behind in this transition.
Workforce Alliances will also bring together employers, unions, training providers, Indigenous partners and other workforce experts to identify current and future skills needs in key sectors, creating stronger pathways into the jobs of tomorrow. By aligning our training investment and workforce development with real labour demand, the Alliances will help ensure Canadians gain the skills and experience needed to access good jobs while helping employers find the talent they need to grow, innovate and remain competitive.
Together, we are building a workforce that is ready for the future. By investing in the skills and talent Canadians need, whether in emerging technologies or the skilled trades, the Government of Canada will support pathways to good jobs for workers while ensuring employers have the workforce and talent they need to grow confidently.”
