Tariff disruption can affect businesses through reduced production, shorter working hours, layoffs and changing workforce requirements. Federal and provincial measures are available to support affected workers and help employers retain and train employees.
Temporary Employment Insurance Measures
Temporary EI measures make benefits more accessible to affected workers, including waiving the normal one-week waiting period, changing the treatment of separation payments such as severance and vacation pay, and providing additional weeks of regular benefits for qualifying long-tenured workers.
Temporary Employment Insurance Measures →
Work-Sharing Program
Work-Sharing can help employers avoid layoffs during a temporary reduction in business activity. Employees agree to reduced working hours and receive Employment Insurance benefits for part of their lost income. Special tariff measures expand the normal program and currently allow qualifying agreements to run for up to 76 weeks.
Work-Sharing Program and Tariff Special Measures →
Worker Retention Grant
Employers with an approved and implemented Work-Sharing agreement can apply for funding to provide additional income support to eligible employees who participate in training while working reduced hours. Applications are currently open through December 31, 2026.
Worker Retention Grant for Work-Sharing Employers →
Skills Advance Ontario
Skills Advance Ontario provides workforce-development funding for employers and training partners responding to tariffs, trade disruption and changing labour-market needs. Support can include upskilling, reskilling and, in qualifying projects, wage support while employees participate in training.
New Federal Worker & Employer Supports
The federal tariff-response package announced August 25, 2026 includes further measures for worker retention, retraining and Employment Insurance. Some of these measures are newly announced and detailed program information may continue to be updated as they are implemented.
