Ottawa/CMEDIA: An investment reportedly of $70 million is being made by the Ontario government to protect Ontario workers by investing in expanded training and employment services for those affected by U.S. tariffs and policies.
Included in this funding is support for the province’s Protect Ontario Workers Employment Response (POWER) Centres to enhances existing ministry-supported action centres.
As announced in the 2025 Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario, the Ontario government is investing over the next three years nearly $1 billion in funding through the Skills Development Fund to support major industries and sectors to provide training to the workers needed to build and strengthen Ontario’s economy. This investment brings Ontario’s total SDF investment to $2.5 billion.
10 Action Centres were operational across Ontario this year to help almost 15,000 workers with services and supports.
Enhancements to Better Jobs Ontario (BJO) is also being provided by the Ontario Government to help more job seekers quickly train and upskill for in-demand, good-paying careers and become part of a strong and resilient Ontario workforce.
Since January 2021, nearly 16,000 jobs seekers have received retraining support through Better Jobs Ontario.
“Ontario has the best workers in the world…we won’t leave them behind,” said Premier Doug Ford. “By investing $70 million in new training and rapid-response centres, we’re making sure that…Ontario that can stand up to anything that comes our way.”
Ontario is also investing $20 million in POWER Centres to provide access to training, upskilling and employment services to workers affected by, or at risk of, layoffs.
Supported through labour market transfer agreements between the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario, and building and expanding on partnerships with unions, community organizations, colleges and universities, POWER Centres and Better Jobs Ontario will connect workers to more training opportunities, jobs search assistance and Employment Ontario programs.
The province would be enabled for the first time to launch centres proactively before a layoff has occurred with the added ability to respond within 24 hours.
“We’re helping Ontario workers get the training and support they need, when they need it the most,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “As we adapt to global economic shifts, our government is meeting the moment with a plan to protect our workforce and give them the training and tools they need to land secure, good-paying jobs.”
An additional investment of $50 million in Better Jobs Ontario (BJO) is also being done by the government to expand access to vocational and skills training for in-demand jobs.
To help job seekers, including those facing challenges finding a stable job (like youth and people on social assistance) up to $35,000 for costs such as tuition, transportation and child care would be provided.
“We are very excited to see that Minister Piccini and this government are enhancing their ability to help workers through the POWER Centres program, which will not only enable us to create new Action Centres and proactively respond to upcoming layoffs, but also provide more stable funding and allow the existing Job Action Centres to provide additional services,” said Kevon Stewart, Director, District 6 and Atlantic Canada, United Steelworkers (USW).
Being part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario workers, these investments in training and reskilling would provide the workers with the tools they need to land rewarding, good-paying jobs while strengthening Ontario’s economy to make our province the most competitive jurisdiction in the G7.
