New Brunswick:

• The provincial and federal governments are partnering to implement the Canada – New Brunswick Housing Benefit. The program will support approximately 6,600 New Brunswick households over the next seven years.
• This portable benefit aims to help low-income working parents and their children access adequate and affordable rental accommodations that meet their needs.
• It will consist of a short-term benefit available for up to three years, averaging between $300 to $475 per month depending on household income, composition and location. It will help low-income families with children directly with costs associated with shelter and, indirectly, with costs of food, clothing, child care and transportation.
• The application process will be open to eligible low-income families in the coming months.
• Read the official release to learn more.

Quebec:

• The provincial government announced additional financial support for businesses affected by public health orders, including up to $10,000 to compensate for the cost of closing a restaurant or gym.
• A moratorium on repayment of principal and interest related to the financial assistance was extended until September 1, 2021.
• Read the official release to learn more.

 

• The provincial government announced several investments to support workforce training in various regions.
• The investments include $2.2 million for the Center-du-Québec and Mauricie regions, $1.3 million for the Outaouais region, $464,855 for the Bas-Saint-Laurent region, $200,000 for the Chaudière-Appalaches region, $114,000 for the Côte-Nord region, and $100,00 for the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region.
• The training is linked to fields where employment prospects are good, such as information, construction and health.
• Interested job seekers wishing to upgrade their skills should contact their local Services Québec office.

Ontario:

• The provincial government is investing $600,000 in a skills training project in the Waterloo region to prepare 30 women and individuals from underrepresented groups for careers in the trucking industry.
• The fourteen-week training focuses on improving the participants’ soft and technical skills. 
• Participants will obtain their AZ drivers license, which is required to become a commercial truck driver in Ontario, as well as a certificate of completion that demonstrates to employers one has met training requirements. 
• Childcare services and supports will also be provided for eligible program participants.
• The first cohort will begin training on May 3, 2021.
• Click here to apply for training opportunities.

 

• The provincial government is providing $10 million to allow more farmers and agri-food operators to purchase personal protective equipment, enhance cleaning and disinfection, and redesign workstations to better protect workers.
• Under the new Enhanced Agri-food Workplace Protection Program, farms and agri-food businesses that hire three or more employees will be eligible for funding.
• Detailed program information and application forms will be available when the intake opens on April 22, 2021 and cover costs retroactive to March 13, 2021. 
• Applications will be accepted while funding is available or until November 30, 2021.
• Read the official release to learn more.

Saskatchewan:

• The provincial government extended the Re-Open Saskatchewan Training Subsidy by three months until June 30, 2021.
• The program operates as a temporary training subsidy to provide businesses with financial support to train employees as they adjust to the impacts of the pandemic and safely align business activities with the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan.
• Eligible private-sector employers are reimbursed 100 percent of employee training costs, up to a maximum of $10,000.
• Visit the program website to learn more.

 

• The provincial government will contribute up to $1.84 million in 2021-22 to continue supporting the Discounted Bus Pass program, which allows Saskatchewan residents who receive income assistance to buy bus passes at a more affordable price.
• Through the program, the cost of a monthly bus pass is reduced by $25. Some cities also offer further discounts to those with low incomes.  
• Visit the program website to learn more.

British Columbia:

• The provincial government will provide more than $50 million to help the 14,000 restaurants, bars, breweries, wineries, gyms and fitness centres affected by the March 30, 2021, provincial health orders.
• The new Circuit Breaker Business Relief Grant will provide affected businesses with up to $10,000 in one-time funding to help with expenses like rent, insurance, employee wages, maintenance and utilities, or the purchase of perishable goods.
• The Circuit Breaker Business Relief Grant is open to eligible businesses of any size that have been in operation since February 1, 2021.
• Read the official release to learn more.

 

• Students attending post-secondary institutions have access to emergency assistance funding to help them cope with financial pressures caused by COVID-19 thanks to a one-time investment of $3.5 million in financial aid.
• The non-repayable emergency assistance can be used to help with a broad range of costs, including living expenses, food, travel, portable computers and other supports for students who are returning to campuses for 2021-22.
• Students may apply to access these funds by contacting their school’s financial aid office or Indigenous student service centre.
• Read the official release to learn more.

 

• Employers and employees throughout B.C. who work in the tourism, hospitality, and community social services sectors now have access to vital mental health resources with the creation of a digital resource hub.
• The hub offers a range of tools to help address common workplace concerns, such as bullying, harassment, COVID-19 exposure, coping with stress, and more.
• Click here to access the hub.