On August 25, 2026, the Canadian federal government announced a $7.5 billion package of new and enhanced measures to support workers and businesses impacted by the latest round of U.S. tariffs. This builds on nearly $25 billion in supports rolled out over the past eighteen months. For employers with Canadian operations, several of these measures have immediate workforce planning implications.
Quick Hits
On August 25, 2026, Canada announced new support programs to help employers impacted by the latest round of U.S. tariffs retain workers, fund training, and avoid layoffs.
Extended Employment Insurance (EI) measures allow laid-off or separated employees to access benefits sooner and alongside severance payments.
Employers may want to assess eligibility for workforce, EI, and financial support programs when planning staffing or separation decisions.
Here is a summary of what matters most.
The New Workforce Retention and Retraining Program
The government is consolidating the existing… Read the complete article here...
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