Details on transfer payment programs

Allowances

Start date: 1975 for the Allowance; 1985 for the Allowance for the survivor

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grant

Type of appropriation: Statutory: Old Age Security Act

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: Not applicable

Link to departmental results: Seniors have income support for retirement

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Pensions and Benefits
• Program: Old Age Security

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The Old Age Security (OAS) program is the first pillar of Canada’s retirement income system. Its objective is to ensure a minimum income for seniors, and to mitigate income disruptions at retirement. The OAS program is funded through general tax revenues
• The program includes 3 benefits: the OAS pension, the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), and the Allowances (Allowance and Allowance for the survivor)
• The Allowances provide benefits to low-income 60 to 64-year-old individuals. These individuals must be either the spouse or common-law partner of a GIS recipient (the Allowance), or a widow/widower (the Allowance for the survivor). The Allowances are income-tested to ensure that the highest benefits are paid to the lowest-income seniors

Expected results:

• This measure is no longer reported on, since the data does not allow for a clear distinction between near-seniors who are entitled to the Allowances and those who are not

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2019 to 2020

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2022 to 2023, as part of the Old Age Security Service Improvement Strategy Evaluation

General targeted recipient groups:

• Low-income near-seniors aged 60 to 64

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• No engagement activities planned for fiscal year 2021 to 2022

Apprenticeship Grants

Start date: January 1, 2007 for the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant; January 1, 2009 for the Apprenticeship Completion Grant; December 11, 2018 for the Apprenticeship Incentive Grants for Women (5-year pilot project)

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grant

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5, Grants and Contributions

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2019 to 2020

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• Program: Apprenticeship Grants

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The program provides grants (up to $4,000 for all apprentices and up to $8,000 for women in trades where they are under-represented) to eligible apprentices in designated Red Seal trades. These grants are provided for completing their first and second year of their apprenticeship or upon receipt of their journeyperson certification. The program provides these grants through the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women, and the Apprenticeship Completion Grant
• The objective of the program is to support entry and progression, and completion or certification within an apprenticeship program in a designated Red Seal trade
• Eligibility for this program is tied to the Red Seal trades, which support the mobility of skilled tradespeople based on national standards
• Apprenticeship grants are not repayable contributions

Expected results:

• Expected result: Red Seal trades apprentices access financial support to progress and complete their apprenticeship
• Performance indicator: Proportion of apprentices in Red Seal trades receiving Apprentice Grants on a yearly basis (for Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, Apprenticeship Incentives Grant for Women, and Apprenticeship Completion Grant)

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2019 to 2020

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2024 to 2025

General targeted recipient groups:

• Eligible recipients are registered apprentices who meet eligibility criteria for Apprenticeship Grants

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• No engagement activities planned for fiscal year 2021 to 2022

Canada Disability Savings Program – Grants and Bonds

Start date: December 2008

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grant

Type of appropriation: Statutory: Canada Disability Savings Act and Disability Savings Regulations

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: Not applicable

Link to departmental results:

• People with disabilities and their families have financial support

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Pensions and Benefits
• Program: Canada Disability Savings Program

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The objective of the program is to encourage long-term savings to help ensure the financial security of people with severe and prolonged disabilities. To do so, the government provides incentives (grants and bonds) to open and contribute to a Registered Disability Savings Plan. The grant and bond respond to long-standing and ongoing needs identified by people with disabilities, their families, and organizations supporting them to reduce barriers to saving for the future
• The Canada Disability Savings Grant is a limited matching grant of up to $3,500 a year. The government deposits it into a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) to match contributions to the plan. Grants may be paid into a plan until the end of the calendar year in which the beneficiary turns 49 years old. The limit is $70,000 of grants over the beneficiary’s lifetime. In addition, the government will deposit a Canada Disability Savings Bond of up to $1,000 a year into the RDSPs of low and modest-income Canadians. The limit is $20,000 in bonds over the beneficiary’s lifetime. There is no annual RDSP contribution limit, but there is a maximum lifetime contribution limit of $200,000. No contributions are necessary to receive a bond. Bonds may be paid into a plan until the end of the calendar year in which the beneficiary turns 49 years old

Expected results:

• Expected result: Eligible individuals with severe and prolonged disabilities (and their families/ guardians) open a RDSP to save for the future
• Performance indicator: Total number of registered plans since the inception of the program

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2018 to 2019

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2023 to 2024

General targeted recipient groups:

• Canadian residents under the age of 60 (if they are 59, they must open a Registered Disability Savings Plan by the end of the calendar year in which they turn 59) who have a valid social insurance number and are eligible to claim the Disability Tax Credit

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• Engagement will continue through the Minister’s COVID-19 Disability Advisory Group

Canada Education Savings Program (Canada Education Savings Grant and Canada Learning Bond)

Start date: January 1, 1998, for the Canada Education Savings Grants; January 1, 2005, for the Canada Learning Bond

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grant

Type of appropriation: Statutory: Canada Education Savings Act

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: Canada Education Savings Act (S.C. 2004, c.26) Canadian Education Savings Regulations (SOR/2005-151)

Link to departmental results:

• Students, including those from low- and middle-income families, use federally funded supports to help them participate in post-secondary education

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• Program: Canada Education Savings Program

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The Government of Canada encourages families to save for a child’s post-secondary education. Employment and Social Development Canada administers 2 education savings incentives linked to Registered Education Savings Plans:
  • The Canada Education Savings Grant is available to all eligible children. It provides an amount equal to 20% (Basic Grant) of the first $2,500 in personal contributions made to a Registered Education Savings Plan each year. It also provides an additional amount (Additional Grant) for eligible children from middle- and low- income families of 10% or 20% on the first $500 of personal contributions made each year. The Canada Education Savings Grant is available until the calendar year in which the child turns 17, and the maximum lifetime amount, including the Additional Grant, is $7,200
  • The Canada Learning Bond is available for children from low-income families born in 2004 or later. It provides an initial payment of $500 into a Registered Education Savings Plan plus $100 for each year of eligibility, up to age 15. That allows for a maximum of $2,000. No personal contributions are required to receive the Canada Learning Bond
• These education savings incentives are provided through financial institutions, banks, mutual fund companies and scholarship foundations

Note: Where “Basic Grant” or “Additional Grant” is not specified, Canada Education Savings Grant refers to both

Expected results:

• Expected result: Canadians, including those from low- and middle-income families, request and receive education savings incentives
• Performance indicators:
  • Percentage of children under 18 (in the current calendar year) who have ever received the CESG (CESG participation rate)
  • Percentage of eligible children under 21 (in the current calendar year) who have ever received a CLB (CLB participation rate)

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2015 to 2016

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2021 to 2022

General targeted recipient groups:

• Canada Education Savings Grant beneficiaries are children aged 0–17. The Canada Learning Bond is available to children born on or after January 1, 2004, from low-income families or in care of a child services agency

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• As part of Budget 2017, the department reallocated $12.5M to explore ways to help families with lower incomes become aware of and access the CLB. In fiscal year 2021 to 2022, it will share promising approaches from 12 projects funded in Phase I of the grants and contributions CLB pilot project with the CLB Champions’ network. These organizations can use this knowledge to improve their practices and help families access the CLB
• ESDC will initiate new projects to increase CLB take-up as part of the Phase II of the pilot project

Canada Recovery Benefit

Start date: September 27, 2020

End date: September 25, 2021

Type of transfer payment: Grant

Type of appropriation: Statutory (Canada Recovery Benefits Act)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021 to 2022

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians receive financial support during employment transitions such as job loss, illness, or maternity/parental leave

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• Program: Canada Emergency Response Benefit

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The Canada Recovery Benefit provides $500 per week for up to 26 weeks for 2 categories of workers:
  • workers who are not employed or self-employed due to COVID-19 and who are not eligible for Employment Insurance
  • workers who have had their employment/self-employment income reduced by at least 50% due to COVID-19
• The program is delivered by the Canada Revenue Agency on behalf of ESDC

Expected results:

• Expected result: Canadians who are not employed or self-employed due to COVID-19 and who are not eligible for Employment Insurance received income support
• Performance indicators:
  • Total unique applicants for the Canada Recovery Benefit
  • Total approved applications for the Canada Recovery Benefit
  • Total gross dollar value of Canada Recovery Benefit paid

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Not applicable

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: No requirements to evaluate. Decision will be made according to departmental priorities

General targeted recipient groups:

• Unemployed individuals

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• No engagement activities planned for fiscal year 2021 to 2022

Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit

Start date: September 27, 2020

End date: September 25, 2021

Type of transfer payment: Grant

Type of appropriation: Statutory (Canada Recovery Benefits Act)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021 to 2022

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians receive financial support during employment transitions such as job loss, illness, or maternity/parental leave

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• Program: Canada Emergency Response Benefit

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit provides $500 per week for up to 26 weeks per household for workers unable to work for at least 50% of the time that they would have otherwise worked or devoted to their work in the week for which they claim the benefit, because they had to care for a child under the age of 12 or another family member who requires supervised care because:
  • their school, daycare, day program, or facility that they normally attend is unavailable, closed or open only certain times or for certain individuals
  • the care services or the person that usually cares for the child or family member is not available due to COVID-19
  • they are sick and/or have been directed to quarantine for reasons related to COVID-19
  • they are at high risk of serious health complications if they contracted COVID-19
• The program is delivered by the Canada Revenue Agency on behalf of ESDC

Expected results:

• Expected result: Canadians who are unable to work because they had to care for a child under the age of 12 or another family member who requires supervised care due to COVID-19 received income support
• Performance indicators:
  • Total unique applicants for the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit
  • Total approved applications for the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit
  • Total gross dollar value of Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit paid

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Not applicable

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: No requirements to evaluate. Decision will be made according to departmental priorities

General targeted recipient groups:

• Unemployed individuals

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• No engagement activities planned for fiscal year 2021 to 2022

Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit

Start date: September 27, 2020

End date: September 25, 2021

Type of transfer payment: Grant

Type of appropriation: Statutory (Canada Recovery Benefits Act)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021 to 2022

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians receive financial support during employment transitions such as job loss, illness, or maternity/parental leave

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• Program: Canada Emergency Response Benefit

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit provides $500 per week for up to 2 weeks for workers who:
  • are unable to work because they contracted COVID-19
  • self-isolate for reasons related to COVID-19
  • have underlying conditions, are undergoing treatments, or have contracted other sicknesses that make them more susceptible to COVID-19
• The program is delivered by the Canada Revenue Agency on behalf of ESDC

Expected results:

• Expected result: Canadians who are unable to work because they contracted COVID-19, need to self-isolate, or have underlying conditions making them susceptible to COVID-19 received income support
• Performance indicators:
  • Total unique applicants for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit
  • Total approved applications for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit
  • Total gross dollar value of Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit paid

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Not applicable

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: No requirements to evaluate. Decision will be made according to departmental priorities

General targeted recipient groups:

• Unemployed individuals

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• No engagement activities planned for fiscal year 2021 to 2022

Canada Service Corps

Start date: June 22, 2017

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5, Grants and Contributions

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2020 to 2021

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• Program: Canada Service Corps

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The Canada Service Corps (CSC) creates, promotes and facilitates access to volunteer service placements. These placements provide meaningful opportunities for youth, with a particular focus on youth from underrepresented groups. It seeks to provide youth with opportunities to engage in civic participation, as well as transferable skills to support them for the future
• CSC supports:
  • Youth Service Opportunities which funds national, regional and local organizations to undertake service projects that allow youth to serve and benefit communities across Canada
  • Micro-Contributions (also known as micro-grants) which support the implementation of small-scale youth led projects and innovative community service ideas. CSC also engages with youth and organizations to support creating a culture of youth service in Canada

Expected results:

• Expected result: Youth service volunteers are engaged
• Performance indicators:
  • number of volunteer service placements created in fiscal year 2021 to 2022: 10,000 service placements
  • number of youth-led projects created: 1,000 micro-grants per year

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Not applicable; new program

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2023 to 2024

General targeted recipient groups:

• Not-for-Profit organizations and other eligible organizations under Canada Service Corps terms and conditions

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• Program will engage with funded recipients on a quarterly basis, to discuss future policy direction for the design and delivery of the Canada Service Corps. The program will be engaging with funded recipients using means that may include, but are not limited to: meetings, emails and surveys

Canada Student Loans Program – Canada Student Grants

Start date: August 1, 2009

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grant

Type of appropriation: Statutory: Canada Student Financial Assistance Act

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: Canada Student Financial Assistance Act (S.C. 1994, c. 28)

Link to departmental results:

• Student borrowers are able to repay their federal student debt

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• Program: Canada Student Loans Program and Canada Apprentice Loans

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• Canada Student Grants provide predictable, up-front grants to assist and encourage participation in post-secondary education. They are meant for students from low- and middle-income families, students who are parents and students with disabilities. They are managed in partnership with participating provinces and territories
• While Canada Student Loans are repayable, Canada Student Grants provide non-repayable assistance
• The department has introduced changes to Canada Student Grants and Loans. These changes will support students facing financial challenges due to COVID-19 to access and afford post-secondary education

Expected results:

• Expected result: Eligible students receive a Canada Student Grant to help them finance their post-secondary education
• Performance indicator: Percentage and number of full-time post-secondary students in participating provinces/territories who used a Canada Student Grant to help finance their participation in post-secondary education

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2016 to 2017

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: Phase 1 Evaluation will be completed in fiscal year 2020 to 2021 (March 2021)

General targeted recipient groups:

• Low- and middle-income students, students who are parents and students with disabilities pursuing post-secondary education

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• Ongoing outreach will be conducted with current and prospective PSE students through multiple channels, including surveys and focus groups. This engagement will support the CSLP Evaluation Phase I: Effectiveness at Achieving Outcomes. Contributions from grant recipients will assist with the design, delivery and evaluation of the program and assists the program to measure and report on results

Note: Excludes COVID-19 statutory resources in 2020 to 2021

Canada Student Loans Program – Direct Financing Arrangement

Start date: August 1, 2000

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Statutory: Canada Student Financial Assistance Act

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: Canada Student Financial Assistance Act S.C. 24, c. 28

Link to departmental results:

• Students, including those from low- and middle-income families, use federally funded supports to help them participate in post-secondary education

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• Program: Canada Student Loans Program and Canada Apprentice Loans

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The Canada Student Loans Program (CSLP) provides financial assistance in the form of grants and loans. This assistance is aimed at eligible students who have a demonstrated financial need to help them participate in post-secondary education
• The program also offers debt management measures to borrowers who are experiencing financial difficulty. This helps them to repay their student loans in periods of unemployment or low income
• The Canada Student Loans Program is delivered in partnership with participating jurisdictions (9 provinces and the Yukon). Québec, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut do not participate in the CSLP. Students from these 3 jurisdictions do not qualify for Canada Student Loans or Grants. However, as per the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act, the non-participating jurisdictions receive an Alternative Payment on an annual basis. This payment is meant to offset the costs of operating their own student financial assistance programs

Expected results:

• Expected result:
  • Post-secondary education students in the province of Quebec, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut continue to access financial assistance similar to the assistance provided to students in those jurisdictions that participate in the Canada Student Loans Program and Canada Apprentice Loans
  • Students in non-participating jurisdictions with financial difficulty are able to receive repayment benefits
• Performance indicators:
  • The total amount of alternative payments disbursed by the Government of Canada to non-participating provinces to operate their own student financial assistance programs

Note: The assessment of non-participating provinces’ Student Financial Assistance programs – which need to have “substantially the same effect” as the CSLP – is conducted in the fall after the school year has ended. As per legislation, the payment is made before the end of January. Such that the payment made in January 2022 will be for the 2020 to 2021 school year.

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2017 to 2018

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2020 to 2021 (March 2021)

General targeted recipient groups:

• Non-participating provinces and territories for the benefit of low- and middle-income students

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• No engagement activities planned for fiscal year 2021 to 2022

Canada Student Loans Program – Interest Payment and Liabilities

Start date: August 1, 1995

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Statutory: Canada Student Financial Assistance Act

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: Canada Student Financial Assistance Act (S.C. 1994, c. 28)

Link to departmental results:

• Student borrowers are able to repay their federal student debt

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• Program: Canada Student Loans Program and Canada Apprentice Loans

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• From August 1, 1995, to July 31, 2000, the Canada Student Loans Program operated a risk-shared loans regime with Canadian financial institutions. This transfer payment represents consolidated costs related to that regime, including interest subsidy, repayment assistance benefits, the amount of loans forgiven, risk premium put-backs and administrative costs net of recoveries on affected loans

Expected results:

• Expected results:
  • students who borrowed under the risk-shared regime continue to receive in-study student financial assistance and debt management assistance in repayment
  • Canada meets its obligations as set out under the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act in agreements with financial institutions
• Performance indicator: There is no performance indicator for this program as it is comprised of consolidated costs from a former risk-shared loans regime that ended on July 31, 2000

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation:

• The Summative Evaluation of the Budget 2008 Canada Student Loans Program Enhancements was completed in fiscal year 2016 to 2017
• The Summative Evaluation of the Canada Apprentice Loan was completed in fiscal year 2017 to 2018

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2023 to 2024

General targeted recipient groups:

• Financial institutions that provided Canada Student Loans to low- and middle-income students pursuing post-secondary education

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• Ongoing outreach to current and prospective PSE students through multiple channels, including surveys and focus groups. This engagement will support the CSLP Evaluation Phase I: Effectiveness at Achieving Outcomes. Contributions from grant recipients will assist with the design, delivery and evaluation of the program and assists the program to measure and report on results.

Canadian Benefit for Parents of Young Victims of Crime

Start date: January 1, 2013; modified September 30, 2018

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grant

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5, Grants and Contributions

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2012 to 2013, modified in 2018 to 2019

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians receive financial support during employment transitions such as job loss, illness, or maternity/parental leave

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Social Development
• Program: Canadian Benefit for Parents of Young Victims of Crime

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The Canadian Benefit for Parents of Young Victims of Crime provides income support to eligible parents or legal guardians who suffer a loss of income while taking time away from work to cope with the death or disappearance of their child (or children) under 25 years of age as the result of a probable Criminal Code offence. Eligible parents receive a payment of $450 per week for a maximum of 35 weeks during 2 years following the date of the incident. This program is not a repayable contribution

Expected results:

• Expected result: The financial burden on parents of children who are deceased or missing due to a probable Criminal Code offence and who take time away from work to cope with the tragic situation is eased
• Performance indicator: Proportion of applications received and processed within the prescribed timeframe

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2017 to 2018

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: Not applicable. Actual program spending does not meet Financial Administration Act requirements

General targeted recipient groups:

• Parents of children who have disappeared or are deceased due to a probable Criminal Code offence

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• The department will engage with key stakeholders who work with impacted families, such as law enforcement agencies and victim’s advocacy groups. Communications efforts use multiple existing channels (online, by telephone, by e-mail, or in person at Service Canada Centres)

Early Learning and Child Care

Start date: April 2017

End date: March 2028

Type of transfer payment: Other transfer payment

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5, Grants and Contributions

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2017 to 2018

Link to departmental results:

• Access to early learning and childcare is increased

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Social Development
• Program: Early Learning and Child Care

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The Multilateral Early Learning and Child Care Framework sets the foundation for governments to work towards a shared long term vision. As per this vision, all children across Canada can experience the enriching environment of quality early learning and child care. Governments have committed to increase the quality, accessibility, affordability, flexibility, and inclusivity of early learning and child care, in particular for families that need child care the most. This will help Canadian children get the best start in life and better support Canadian families. The government will also support innovative practices in early learning and child care and address data gaps to better understand what child care looks like in Canada and track progress. This will give the government an opportunity to work closely with partners including the provinces and territories, stakeholders, and advocates

Expected results:

• Expected result: Access to early learning and child care is increased
• Performance indicator: Number of children in regulated child care spaces and/or early learning programs and number of children receiving subsidies or other financial supports

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Not applicable; new program

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2022 to 2023

General targeted recipient groups:

• Provinces and territories

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• Engagement will occurs through federal, provincial and territorial meetings
• The Fall Economic Statement announced key early investments to lay the groundwork for a Canada-wide child care system, in partnership with provinces, territories and Indigenous peoples
• To help bring governments, experts and stakeholders together to collaborate in designing and implementing this new child care vision for Canada, the Government of Canada will establish a Federal Secretariat on early learning and child care

Enabling Accessibility Fund

Start date: The Enabling Accessibility Fund was introduced in Budget 2007, renewed in Budget 2010 for an additional 3 years and extended on an ongoing basis through Budget 2013

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grant

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5, Grants and Contributions

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: New terms and conditions were approved in September 2013

Link to departmental results:

• Barriers to accessibility for people with disabilities are removed

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Social Development
• Program: Enabling Accessibility Fund

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• Persons with disabilities often experience barriers to their full participation and inclusion in activities of everyday living. To support their full participation, the Enabling Accessibility Fund is taking concrete actions to ensure greater accessibility and opportunities for Canadians with disabilities. The Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) provides funding to increase accessibility and eliminate barriers in communities and workplaces across Canada. Grants or contributions are provided to eligible recipients for capital cost projects that increase access for persons with disabilities to public spaces and workplaces, programs and services. This increased access in turn can create an equal opportunity for persons with disabilities to participate in community activities or access employment opportunities
• The program has 2 funding streams that focus on workplaces and communities. Competitive processes for funding are usually held once a year to provide grant funding for small projects (up to $100K) and youth-driven projects (up to $10K). The program also allows mid-sized projects to be funded over multiple years (up to $3M). Mid-sized projects have a greater scope and impact than small projects. Eligible recipients who receive program funding to complete construction, renovation or retrofit projects are: not-for-profit organizations; municipalities; Indigenous organizations; territorial governments, and for-profit organizations

Expected results:

• Expected result: Organizations undertake accessibility improvements to their facilities as a result of EAF funding
• Performance indicator: Number of community spaces and workplaces that are more accessible due to Enabling Accessibility Fund funding

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2017 to 2018

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2022 to 2023

General targeted recipient groups:

• Persons with disabilities across Canada through eligible funding recipients, that is, not-for-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, municipalities, Indigenous organizations (including band councils, tribal councils and self-government entities) and territorial governments

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• No engagement activities planned in fiscal year 2021 to 2022

Enabling Fund for Official Languages Minority Communities

Start date: April 1, 2005

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5, Grants and Contributions

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2013 to 2014 (with the latest amendment in 2019)

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians participate in an inclusive and efficient labour market

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• Program: Enabling Fund for Official Languages Minority Communities

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The Enabling Fund for Official Language Minority Communities (EF-OLMC) aims to enhance the development and vitality of OLMCs. The EF-OLMC provides funding to a network of 14 organizations across Canada, with more than 130 employees in 50 locations. The organizations help OLMCs to strengthen their capacity in the areas of human resource and community economic development. It provides local leadership, promotes partnerships, implements projects, and leverages networks for concerted action
• The EF-OLMC is the ESDC’s main program to meet its Official Languages Act obligations to enhance the vitality of the English and French linguistic minority communities in Canada and support and assist their development. It is also ESDC’s main contribution under the Action Plan for Official Languages, 2018 to 2023: Investing in Our Future

Expected results:

• Expected result: Official Language Minority Communities are better able to implement and sustain community economic and human resource development
• Performance indicator: Amount invested by non-Enabling Fund funded partners for every dollar invested by the Enabling Fund in community economic development and human resource development

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2017 to 2018

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Adjustments were made to reduce reporting burden, streamline performance measurement, and raise the sharing of best practices as recommended by the 2017 evaluation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2021 to 2022

General targeted recipient groups:

• Official Language Minority Communities

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• The department engages and works with recipients throughout the life cycle of their contribution agreement, from renewal to implementation and close-out. It maintains ongoing communication with recipients, including regular monitoring activities. The department engages with key stakeholders regularly. It consults with agreement holders to design and deliver programming for OLMCs

Foreign Credential Recognition Program

Start date: 2003

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5, Grants and Contributions

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2016 to 2017

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians participate in an inclusive and efficient labour market

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• Program: Foreign Credential Recognition Program

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The Foreign Credential Recognition Program supports the labour market integration of skilled newcomers by:
  • simplifying and harmonizing national credential recognition processes
  • providing loans and support services to help navigate foreign credential recognition processes
  • helping highly skilled newcomers gain their first Canadian work experience in their profession/field of study
• The objective of the program is to support skilled newcomers and reduce barriers that keep them from fully participating in the Canadian labour market
• The Foreign Credential Recognition Program is not a repayable contribution

Expected results:

• Expected result: Skilled newcomers get streamlined access to skilled/regulated occupations
• Performance indicator: Proportion of newcomer clients who found employment in their intended or related occupation

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2020 to 2021

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2024 to 2025

General targeted recipient groups:

• Eligible recipients include, but are not limited to:
  • not-for-profit organization
  • regulatory bodies
  • national organizations
  • provincial governments
  • sectoral and cross-sectoral councils
  • professional associations
  • industry associations
  • unions
  • school boards
  • municipal governments
  • public health institutions
  • universities, colleges, Collèges d'enseignement général et professionnel
  • consortia composed of all or some of the aforementioned types of recipient organizations

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• The department will continue to engage with key stakeholders through meetings and conferences, and participate in regular federal/provincial/territorial engagement through the Forum of Labour Market Ministers

Future Skills

Start date: May 24, 2018

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5, Grants and Contributions

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2018 to 2019

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• Program: Future Skills

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• Disruptive factors (for example, artificial intelligence, new business models, unforeseen events) are changing on-the-job expectations for workplaces. Future Skills was launched in February 2019 to ensure that Canada’s skills policies and programs adapt and respond to jobseekers’, workers’ and employers’ evolving needs. Working with provinces and territories, private sector, labour, educational and training institutions, not-for-profit, and Indigenous organizations to adopt proven practices, Future Skills helps ensure that Canadians are prepared for jobs of the future. Future Skills includes:
  • a ministerial advisory Council of multi-sectoral leaders to advise on skills and workforce trends; identify and mobilize action on priorities of pan-Canadian significance
  • an independent Centre that identifies emerging in-demand skills, and prototypes, tests and evaluates innovative approaches to skills assessment and development
  • an Office to provide a secretariat function to the Council, liaise with the Centre, establish partnerships across the federal government, and, through the Forum of Labour Market Ministers, with provincial and territorial governments and supports policy innovation in labour market programming
• Future Skills is aiming to ensure that Canada’s skills development system is equitable and responsive to the diverse needs of Canadians, with a focus on underrepresented groups in the labour market

Expected results:

• Expected result: Actors in the skills development systems are aware of in-demand skills and effective practices
• Performance indicator: Number of partners and stakeholders who report awareness of in-demand skills

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Not applicable; new program

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2022 to 2023

General targeted recipient groups:

• Targeted recipient groups include private sector, educational and training institutions, not-for-profit and Indigenous organizations

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients will be undertaken by the Future Skills Centre. These initiatives will be reported by the Centre to the department on an ongoing basis

Guaranteed Income Supplement

Start date: 1967

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grant

Type of appropriation: Statutory: Old Age Security Act

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: Not applicable

Link to departmental results:

• Seniors have income support for retirement

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Pensions and Benefits
• Program: Old Age Security

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The Old Age Security (OAS) program is the first pillar of Canada’s retirement income system. The OAS program’s objective is to ensure a minimum income for seniors, and to mitigate income disruptions at retirement. The OAS program is funded by general tax revenues. The program includes 3 benefits: the OAS pension, the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), and the Allowances
• The GIS provides additional assistance to OAS pensioners with little or no income. Entitlement to the GIS is based on marital status and the annual net income of the individual, and their spouse or common-law partner, when applicable. The GIS is income-tested to ensure that the highest benefits are paid to the lowest-income seniors

Expected results:

• Expected result: Seniors have income support for retirement
• Performance indicator: Percentage of seniors receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement in relation to the estimated total number of eligible seniors

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2020 to 2021

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2025 to 2026

General targeted recipient groups:

• Low-income seniors aged 65 and over

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• No engagement activities planned for fiscal year 2021 to 2022

Indigenous Early Learning and Childcare Transformation Initiative

Start date: September 2018

End date: March 2028

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5, Grants and Contributions

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2018 to 2019

Link to departmental results:

• Access to early learning and childcare is increased

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Social Development
• Program: Indigenous Early Learning and Childcare Transformation Initiative

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care (IELCC) Transformation Initiative supports the implementation of the co-developed Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework. This framework reflects the unique cultures and priorities of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children across Canada. The initiative enables greater control in IELCC through a new partnership model to facilitate Indigenous-led decision making to advance national and regional priorities
• Employment and Social Development Canada is the federal focal point guiding this horizontal initiative, with Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) as key federal partners

Expected results:

• Expected result: To be determined
• Performance indicator: To be determined

Note: Joint results frameworks are being co-developed in collaboration with Indigenous partners, based on the principles, goals and distinctions-based priorities outlined in the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework. These frameworks will include indicators and targets

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Not applicable; new program

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2023 to 2024

General targeted recipient groups:

• Indigenous children and families

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• National and Regional Partnership Tables will be established under a “partnership model” that enables Indigenous-led decision-making on the allocation of federal funding. This will support national, regional and community level Indigenous early learning and child care goals and priorities and ensure consistency with the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework

Note: Excludes COVID-19 statutory resources in 2020 to 2021.

Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program

Start date: April 1, 2019

End date: March 31, 2029

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5, Grants and Contributions

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2019 to 2020

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• Program: Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program aims to help reduce the skills and employment gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. It does so by providing Indigenous people with opportunities to develop and improve their skills and attain employment. The program funds and supports a network of Indigenous agreement holders (service delivery providers) across Canada. These agreement holders design and deliver a full suite of skills development and employment training and supports targeting all Indigenous people. Co-developed with Indigenous partners, the program is grounded in a distinctions-based approach to better meet the needs of First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and Urban/Non-affiliated Indigenous people

Expected results:

• Expected result: An increasing number of Indigenous people are employed and integrated into the Canadian labour market
• Performance indicator: Number of clients who obtained employment following service interventions

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2019 to 2020

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2024 to 2025

General targeted recipient groups:

• Indigenous organizations (may include incorporated for-profit and not-for-profit Indigenous-controlled organizations, Indigenous-controlled unincorporated organizations, Indian Act bands, tribal councils and Indigenous governments under modern treaties)

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• Indigenous service providers and Indigenous leadership co-developed implementation of the ISET program, including measures to improve the administration and implementation of agreements. The department will also work with Indigenous contribution recipients throughout the life of their contribution agreement, at the national and regional levels

International Education Strategy: Outbound Student Mobility Pilot Project

Start date: June 13, 2019

End date: March 31, 2024

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5, Grants and Contributions

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2020 to 2021

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• Program: Supports for Student Learning Program (SSLP)

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The objective of the SSLP is to help all learners succeed in their studies so that they can get the skills they need to transition to the labour market
• This transfer payment program seeks to enable Canadian college and undergraduate university students to acquire in-demand skills through study or work abroad opportunities

Expected results:

• Expected result: More post-secondary education students, including underrepresented students, participate in the pilot to study or work abroad as part of their studies at a Canadian post-secondary education institution
• Performance indicator: Cumulative number of pilot participants

Note: In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, full implementation of the Outbound Student Mobility Pilot is postponed until travel can safely resume

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Not applicable; new program

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2024 to 2025

General targeted recipient groups:

• Universities Canada and Colleges and Institutes Canada have been identified as the delivery organizations (recipients) for the Outbound Student Mobility Pilot component of the SSLP
• Universities Canada and Colleges and Institutes Canada will fund sub-projects at post-secondary institutions who will provide supports directly to Canadian college and undergraduate university students

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• ESDC will be engaging with the recipients (Universities Canada and Colleges and Institutes Canada) on an ongoing basis

Labour Funding Program

Start date: April 1, 2012

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment:

• International Trade and Labour:
  • Grants for low- to moderate-risk proposals
  • Contributions for higher-risk proposals
• Occupational Health and Safety:
  • Grants for low- to moderate-risk proposals
  • Contributions for higher-risk proposals
• Workplace Opportunities: Removing Barriers to Equity
  • Grants for low-to-moderate risk proposals
  • Contributions for low, moderate and higher-risk proposals

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5, Grants and Contributions

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2013 to 2014

Link to departmental results:

• Work conditions are fair and inclusive
• Workplaces are safe and healthy

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Working Conditions and Workplace Relations
• Programs:
  • International Labour Affairs
  • Labour Relations
  • Occupational Health and Safety
  • Labour Standards
  • Employment Equity

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• To work in collaboration with Canadian and international labour-related stakeholders to promote safe, healthy, fair and inclusive work conditions and cooperative workplace relations in Canada and abroad

Expected results:

• International Trade and Labour
  • Expected result: Enhanced awareness by Canada and/or partner countries of fundamental international labour principles
  • Performance indicator: Number of agreements, instruments, action plan and joint activities adopted, undertaken or implemented to strengthen respect for international labour standards
• Occupational Health and Safety
  • Expected result: Contribution to the building and sharing of knowledge on prevention of accident and illness for workers as well as fire protection, fire prevention and safety
  • Performance indicator: Number of projects/activities that support knowledge building and sharing to address workplace accident and illness
• Workplace Opportunities: Removing Barriers to Equity
  • Expected results:
    • Employer and industry dialogue occurs to address labour issues related to diversity and inclusion in federally regulated workplaces subject to the act
    • Partnerships, collaboration, and cooperation will be fostered to increase knowledge and understanding among stakeholders of the industry specific barriers to inclusion in order to increase representation of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities) in federally regulated workplaces
    • Capacity is developed to address labour issues related to diversity and inclusion in federally regulated workplaces. Opportunities for dialogue, knowledge building and information sharing are expected to increase capacity to address barriers and labour issues
  • Performance indicator: Number of projects that support sustained and constructive dialogue

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation:

• The Evaluation of Multilateral Labour Affairs was completed in 2018 to 2019
• The Evaluation of Occupational Health and Safety was completed in 2018 to 2019
• The Evaluation of Labour Standards was completed in 2018 to 2019
• The Evaluation of Employment Equity was completed in 2018 to 2019

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation:

• The Evaluation of International Labour Affairs will be completed in 2022 to 2023
• The Evaluation of Occupational Health and Safety will be completed in 2022 to 2023
• The Evaluation of Labour Standards will be completed in 2022 to 2023
• The Evaluation of Employment Equity will be completed in 2023 to 2024

General targeted recipient groups:

• International labour or labour-related organizations
• International and national organizations mandated to assist countries in meeting their FTA labour obligations
• Legally incorporated, national and international, not-for-profit organizations
• Publicly funded universities and colleges
• Aboriginal organizations, including Band Councils
• Legally incorporated not-for-profit organizations with objectives that address workplace occupational health
• Non-governmental organizations
• Not-for-profit organizations and academic institutions
• Sector associations
• Employer associations
• Unions
• Labour associations

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• International Trade and Labour
  • Engagement is done through ongoing discussion with countries that have signed a free trade agreement with Canada and countries with which Canada is negotiating or engaged in exploratory free trade talks
• Occupational Health and Safety
  • Engagement is done through the Canadian Association of Administrators of Labour Legislation (CAALL). This is an association of federal, provincial and territorial departments of labour that provides a continuous forum for senior officials to develop strong and cooperative working relationships. The OHS Advisory Committee has the objective to provide the Labour Program with strategic advice and expertise on any matter concerning the improvement of occupational health and safety of workers under federal jurisdiction. The OHS Advisory Committee is comprised of members representing employers and employees that work in federally regulated areas
• Workplace opportunities: Removing Barriers to Equity
  • Engagement is done through ongoing discussion with recipient organizations

Literacy and Essential Skills

Start date: April 1, 2006

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grants and Contributions

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5, Grants and Contributions

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2012 to 2013

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Development
• Program: Literacy and Essential Skills

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The Office of Literacy and Essential Skills (OLES) funds projects that test new ways of delivering skills training and measuring results. The goal of projects is to improve the quality of essential skills training in order to meet both employer and worker needs. These projects typically support adult Canadians, including those facing barriers to employment, to improve their essential skills. Successful projects can be expanded in other areas across Canada

Expected results:

• Expected result: Adult Canadians have the literacy and essential skills they need to do their job, adapt and succeed in the labour market and contribute to their communities and families
• Performance indicators:
  • Number of organizations supporting essential skills training and development
  • Number of Canadians having accessed essential skills training or supports

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2017 to 2018

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2022 to 2023

General targeted recipient groups:

• These projects typically support people requiring extra assistance in increasing their skills, such as women, Indigenous people, youth, newcomers and people from official language minority communities
• Eligible recipients for program funding include: Not-for-profit organizations; for-profit organizations; Indigenous organizations (including band councils, tribal councils and self-government entities); municipal governments; provincial and territorial governments, institutions, agencies and Crown Corporations

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• The OLES will host regular webinars and meetings with organizations and provinces/territories to support them in measuring outcomes, delivering projects, reporting on progress and to share learnings

New Horizons for Seniors Program

Start date: October 2004

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grants and Contributions

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5, Grants and Contributions

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions were last amended in 2018

Link to departmental results:

• Not for profit organizations, communities and other groups are supported to address a range of social issues such as the social inclusion of people with disabilities, the engagement of seniors, and support for children and families

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Social Development
• Program: New Horizons for Seniors Program

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The New Horizons for Seniors Program supports the Government of Canada’s overarching social goals to enhance the quality of life and promote the full participation of individuals in all aspects of Canadian society. Program initiatives at the national, regional and community-level address seniors’ issues through partnerships and the engagement and contributions of seniors themselves. The program’s design includes 2 streams: Community-based grants and Pan-Canadian grants and contributions
• Community-based grants address social challenges ‘on the ground’. They recognize communities as the focal point for program and service delivery. In addition to supporting 1 or more of the 5 program objectives, funded projects are:
  • volunteer-based
  • supported by communities
  • inspired or led by seniors
• Selected through annual calls for proposals, 1-year community-based projects are eligible to receive up to $25,000 in grant funding
• Pan-Canadian grants and contributions support innovative projects that create a significant impact in communities. They invest in large initiatives that meet the growing social needs of seniors. Organizations can apply for projects of up to 5 years in duration and up to $5M in funding under the pan-Canadian stream

Expected results:

• Expected result: Communities have the capacity to address local issues by engaging seniors
• Performance indicators:
  • Total number of New Horizons for Seniors Program projects that received funding
  • Number of seniors who participated in community projects

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2020 to 2021

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2025 to 2026

General targeted recipient groups:

• The New Horizons for Seniors Program has a broad array of eligible recipients, including not-for-profit organizations, coalitions, for-profit enterprises, Indigenous organizations, Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and 2‑spirit (LGBTQ2) organizations, official languages minority communities (OLMC), municipal governments and research and educational institutions

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• A systematic approach to identify community-based projects best practices is being developed and once completed, these best practices will be disseminated broadly, including with future applicants

Note: Excludes COVID-19 statutory resources in 2020 to 2021.

Old Age Security Pension

Start date: 1952

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grant

Type of appropriation: Statutory: Old Age Security Act

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: Not applicable

Link to departmental results:

• Seniors have income support for retirement

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Pensions and Benefits
• Program: Old Age Security

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The Old Age Security (OAS) program’s objective is to ensure a minimum income for seniors, and to mitigate income disruptions at retirement. The OAS program is funded by general tax revenues. The program includes 3 benefits: The OAS pension, the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), and the Allowances
• The OAS pension is a monthly payment to all Canadians aged 65 or older who meet the residence and legal status requirements. To be eligible for the pension, an individual must have resided in Canada for at least 10 years after the age of 18

Expected results:

• Expected result: Seniors have income support for retirement
• Performance indicator: Percentage of seniors receiving the Old Age Security pension in relation to the estimated total number of eligible seniors

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2019 to 2020

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2022 to 2023, as part of the Old Age Security Service Improvement Strategy Evaluation

General targeted recipient groups:

• Seniors aged 65 and over

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• No engagement activities planned for fiscal year 2021 to 2022

Note: Excludes COVID-19 statutory resources in 2020 to 2021.

One-time payment to persons with disabilities

Start date: The Terms and Conditions of the one-time payment to persons with disabilities were approved by the Treasury Board and came into effect on August 10, 2020. These Terms and Conditions were modified and approved by the Minister of ESDC on October 23, 2020

End date: The third and last round of payments is expected in spring 2021. The grant will sunset on May 31, 2021

Type of transfer payment: Grant

Type of appropriation: Statutory appropriation authority under section 10 of An Act respecting further COVID-19 measures

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2020 to 2021

Link to departmental results:

• People with disabilities and their families have financial support

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Pensions and Benefits
• Program: The one-time payment to persons with disabilities is a new program (it has a link to the Canada Pension Plan)

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The purpose of the one-time payment to persons with disabilities is to recognize the financial impact of the pandemic on persons with disabilities and help them cope with it. The objective of the one-time payment to persons with disabilities is to provide financial assistance to persons with disabilities to mitigate the additional financial costs incurred as a result of the pandemic

Expected results:

• Expected result: It is expected that financial relief will be provided to eligible persons through the one-time payment to persons with disabilities to mitigate the increased costs caused by COVID‑19
• Performance indicator: Number of recipients of the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) Certificate, Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPPD) benefits, Québec Pension Plan Disability (QPPD) pension or 1 of the veterans disability support programs, as a proportion of the number of persons with disabilities who were eligible

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Not applicable

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: Not applicable

General targeted recipient groups:

• Persons with disabilities

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• There is no application process for the one-time payment to persons with disabilities, which is automatically issued to eligible recipients. However, engagement through social media and stakeholder organizations were launched so that eligible persons with disabilities were aware that there was a short period of time available to apply to feeder programs (that is, Disability Tax Credit) in order to get the one-time payment.

Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities

Start date: April 1, 1997

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5, Grants and Contributions

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2020 to 2021

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians access education, training and lifelong learning support to gain the skills and work experience they need
• Canadians participate in an inclusive and efficient labour market

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• Program: Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities helps reduce skills and employment gaps between persons with disabilities and persons without disabilities
• This program helps persons with disabilities to get ready for, find and keep jobs, and get the skills and training for upward mobility. The program also helps employers integrate persons with disabilities in the workplace, and create inclusive and accessible workplaces. Projects funded under the program may provide training, job search help and job placements and career advancement opportunities. Third-party organizations in the community deliver this program

Expected results:

• Expected result: Persons with disabilities have enhanced their employability, obtained employment, become self-employed or returned to school
• Performance indicators:
  • Number of clients with enhanced employability
  • Number of clients employed or self-employed
• Expected result: Workplaces make accessibility improvements for persons with disabilities
• Performance indicator: Number of workplaces that are more accessible due to program funding

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2020 to 2021

Decision following the results of last evaluation: The decision is to build on the positive outcomes of the program, to make some improvements to the performance measurements

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2023 to 2024

General targeted recipient groups:

• The program targets persons with disabilities and employers. Eligible recipients include individuals, other levels of government, provincial and territorial institutions, agencies, Crown corporations; and not-for-profit, for-profit and Indigenous organizations

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• The program will engage with key stakeholders to ensure that programming remains responsive to the needs of persons with disabilities and employers.

Note: Excludes COVID-19 statutory resources in 2020 to 2021.

Pathways to Education Canada

Start date: April 1, 2018

End date: March 31, 2022

Type of transfer payment: Grant

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5, Grants and Contributions

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2020 to 2021

Link to departmental results:

• Students, including those from low- and middle-income families, use federally funded supports to help them participate in post-secondary education

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• Program: Supports for Student Learning Program

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The Supports for Student Learning Program (SSLP) provides funding through a Named Grant to the not-for-profit organization Pathways to Education Canada. The SSLP is an umbrella program. It aims to help learners succeed in school and develop the skills they need to transition to post-secondary education and the labour market. It especially targets those historically facing barriers
• Pathways to Education Canada is a not-for-profit organization that provides a community-based, after-school program. The organization was created to reduce poverty and its effects by lowering the high school dropout rate. It also increases access to post-secondary education among youth living in low-income communities. The Pathways to Education program provides non-financial supports such as tutoring and mentoring. It also provides financial supports. These include bursaries for post-secondary education and funding for certain immediate costs related to attending high school (such as bus tickets and meal vouchers)

Expected results:

Note: The expected results below cover the grant period of April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2022.

• Expected result: expand supports to reach more students in more areas of the country
• Performance indicators:
  • increase enrolments to 6,500 students annually (approximate 20% increase)
  • open an additional site in Thunder Bay
• Expected result: improve rates of high school graduation and acceptance to post-secondary education among program participants
• Performance indicators:
  • increase high school graduation rates among participants to within 10% of local school boards graduation rates, where local school board data is available
  • ensure 85% of participants are accepted into post-secondary studies by the end of the grant period

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2018 to 2019

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2022 to 2023

General targeted recipient groups:

• The only eligible recipient of funding is Pathways to Education Canada, a not-for-profit organization

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• The department will engage with Pathways to Education Canada on an ongoing basis to inform program design and delivery

Reaching Home

Start date: April 1, 2019

End date: March 31, 2028

Type of transfer payment: Grants and Contributions

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5, Grants and Contributions

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2019 to 2020

Link to departmental results:

• Homelessness in Canada is prevented and reduced

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Social Development
• Program: Reaching Home

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• Reaching Home supports community-based responses to prevent and reduce homelessness across Canada. Communities and service providers receive grants and contributions funding to support services targeted to individuals, families and Indigenous peoples who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in urban centers, rural communities and in the territories
• Outside of Quebec, federal funding is prioritized based on input from Community or Regional Advisory Boards, as communities are best placed to identify their needs. In Quebec, Reaching Home is administered through the Canada-Quebec Agreement that respects the jurisdiction and priorities of both governments
• Reaching Home works with communities to develop and deliver data-driven system plans with clear outcomes. Communities are asked to report publicly on community-wide outcomes. The program also collects and analyzes national homelessness data, and shares knowledge with communities, partners and stakeholders. Federally-funded projects, and federal leadership that fosters transformation of the sector, together promote the prevention and reduction of homelessness in Canada
• The government of Canada is 1 of many funding partners addressing homelessness, and performance indicators and expected results are impacted by multiple factors. The program is a transfer payment program with non-repayable grants and contributions; however, some repayment clauses are outlined in the Terms and Conditions

Expected results:

• Expected result: Homeless individuals and families are placed in more stable housing
• Performance indicator: Number of people placed in more stable housing
• Expected result: Improved housing stability for homeless individuals and those at risk of becoming homeless
• Performance indicator: Percentage of clients who were placed in more stable housing and, 12 months later, have remained housed, or have successfully exited the program
• Expected result: Homelessness is prevented and reduced
• Performance indicator: Reduction in the estimated number of shelter users who are chronically homeless

Note: As the Government of Canada does not have sole jurisdiction over homelessness, this last expected result is considered a shared one with attribution distributed across a range of stakeholders, community service providers, and other orders of government

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Evaluation of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy was completed in 2018 to 2019

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2022 to 2023

General targeted recipient groups:

• The program targets individuals, families and Indigenous peoples who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness in urban centers and rural communities
• The following recipients are eligible for funding:
  • not-for-profit organizations
  • individuals
  • municipalities
  • for-profit organizations
  • public health and educational institutions
  • Indigenous organizations
  • provincial and territorial governments and their entities, including institutions and agencies
• These groups are eligible to receive funding and act as coordinators for activities. In Quebec, health and social services agencies are eligible for funding consistent with a formal Canada-Quebec agreement
• For-profit organizations may be eligible for funding provided that the nature and intent of the activity is:
  • non-commercial
  • not intended to generate profit
  • based on fair market value
• The nature and intent of for-profit activities must also support program priorities and objectives. In addition, it must fit within the community plan (or identified local need where community plans are not required)

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• Reaching Home engages and seeks to build relationships with a wide range of partners and stakeholders. The department hosts a range of regular engagement activities to receive feedback and foster innovation, such as:
  • The Community Entities’ Forum
  • Meetings of the National Indigenous Homelessness Forum
  • Regional workshops with communities on the effective adoption and use of the Homelessness Individuals and Families Information System (HIFIS)
  • Supporting the Homelessness Data Advisory Committee

Note: Excludes COVID-19 statutory resources in 2020 to 2021.

Sectoral Initiatives Program

Start date: April 1, 2013

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5, Grants and Contributions

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2013 to 2014

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians participate in an inclusive and efficient labour market

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• Program: Sectoral Initiatives Program

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The program supports sectors and employers to address current and future skills shortages. It does so by funding the development and distribution of sector-specific labour market intelligence, national occupational standards, and skills certification and accreditation systems. The program also supports innovative skills training approaches
• The objective of the program is to help key sectors of the Canadian economy identify, forecast and address their human resources and skills issues

Expected results:

• Expected results:
  • Number of labour market information reports or forecasting systems, national occupation standards, certification and accreditation regimes, and curricula developed or updated
  • Number of pilot project reports produced and shared via the Sectoral Initiatives Program projects
• Performance indicators:
  • Number of labour market information reports and forecasting systems
  • Number of national occupation standards
  • Number of certification regimes
  • Number of accreditation systems
  • Number of curricula developed or updated
  • Number of pilot project reports

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2018 to 2019

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2022 to 2023

General targeted recipient groups:

• The targeted recipients are organizations that represent a partnership of key players within a sector such as employers, associations and educational institutions, and include:
  • Employee or employer associations
  • Not-for-profit organizations
  • Indigenous organizations (including band councils, tribal councils and self-government entities)

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• The department will engage program partners on developments in key sectors to better inform and target its sector supports and training initiatives as the overall economy transitions from pandemic responses to recovery

Note:

• Planned spending for fiscal year 2021 to 2022 includes spending for COVID-19 related measures
• Excludes COVID-19 statutory resources in 2020 to 2021.

Skilled Trades Awareness and Readiness Program

Start date: 2018 to 2019

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5, Grants and Contributions

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2018 to 2019

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians participate in an inclusive and efficient labour market

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• Program: Skilled Trades Awareness and Readiness Program

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The program encourages Canadians – particularly those facing barriers, such as women, Indigenous peoples, youth, newcomers and persons with disabilities – to explore and prepare for careers in the skilled trades
• The objectives of the program are to: build awareness of the trades as viable, good quality careers; help equip individuals with the skills and supports they need to pursue a career in the skilled trades; and provide opportunities to explore the trades

Expected results:

• Expected result: Participants have access to information and opportunities to explore skilled trades as a career choice, along with access to skills training and work experience opportunities
• Performance indicator: Total number of participants in projects that offer awareness and exploration activities, skills training and/or work experience
• Expected result: Participants have increased awareness, an increase in skills and/or gained work experience
• Performance indicator: Percentage of participants in projects that have reported an increase in awareness, skills and/or gained work experience

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Not applicable; new program

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2022 to 2023

General targeted recipient groups:

• Women, Indigenous People, newcomers, persons with disabilities and youth

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• The department engages and works with recipients throughout the life cycle of their contribution agreement, including regular monitoring activities. The program also provides information sessions to further support interested applicants in the development of their project proposals
• The department meets with provinces and territories as well as key stakeholders on a regular basis to discuss the program

Skills and Partnership Fund

Start date: April 1, 2010

End date: March 31, 2029

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5, Grants and Contributions

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2009 to 2010 (with the last amendment in March 2016)

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• Program: Skills and Partnership Fund

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The Skills and Partnership Fund (SPF) is a demand driven, project-based program. It encourages stakeholders, such as training institutions, community organizations, local business and industry, to partner with Indigenous organizations to support skills development, job training and employment supports for Indigenous people. These partnerships are intended to better meet local labour market demands. Under the Fund, Indigenous service providers design and implement projects to meet their partners’ specific employment goals, with the objective of employment and increased integration in the labour market
• The Skills and Partnership Fund is not a repayable contribution

Expected results:

• Expected result: An increasing number of Indigenous people are employed and integrated into the Canadian labour market
• Performance indicator: Number of clients who obtained employment following service intervention(s)

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2019 to 2020

Decision following the results of last evaluation: ESDC is committed to ensuring that Indigenous labour market programs respond to the needs of Indigenous people, communities and organizations. The department will review and refine data collection for SPF to support future analysis and improve program management. Comments about the similarities between programs will be taken into account in future investments in SPF as current projects wrap up

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2024 to 2025

General targeted recipient groups:

• Indigenous organizations (may include incorporated for-profit and not-for-profit Indigenous-controlled organizations, Indigenous-controlled unincorporated organizations, Indian Act bands, tribal councils and Indigenous governments under modern treaties)

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• The department works with Indigenous organizations throughout the life of their contribution agreement. There is ongoing communication with recipients at the national and regional level, including regular monitoring activities

Social Development Partnerships Program

Start date: April 1998

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grants and contributions

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5, Grants and Contributions

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions were last amended in fiscal year 2017 to 2018

Link to departmental results:

• Not for profit organizations, communities and other groups have an enhanced capacity to address a range of social issues such as the social inclusion of people with disabilities, the engagement of seniors, and support for children and families

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Social Development
• Program: Social Development Partnerships Program

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The Social Development Partnerships Program (SDPP) is a grants and contributions program. It supports the Government of Canada’s priorities through investment in not-for-profit organizations aiming to improve the quality of life of:
  • people with disabilities
  • children and families
  • Black Canadian communities
  • other vulnerable populations facing physical, economic and social pressures
• The program has 2 components: Disability, and Children and Families. Grants and contributions support communities, not-for-profit, and voluntary sector organizations. These can then provide vulnerable Canadian populations with the tools and skills to respond to current and emerging social issues that they are facing. These issues include a limited ability to participate in the workplace or to contribute to their families and communities

Expected results:

• Expected result: Not-for-profit sector and partners have improved capacity to respond to existing and emerging social issues for target populations
• Performance indicator: Percentage of SDPP projects that leverage funds from non-federal partners
• Expected result: Not-for-profit organizations, communities, and other groups have an enhanced capacity to address a range of social issues such as the social inclusion of people with disabilities, the engagement of seniors and support for children and families
• Performance indicator: Percentage of partnerships newly developed by recipient organizations to address a range of social issues such as the social inclusion of people with disabilities, children and families and other vulnerable populations

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2018 to 2019

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation for both components

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2024 to 2025

General targeted recipient groups:

• The program targets persons with disabilities, children and families, Black Canadian communities, and other vulnerable populations facing physical, economic and social pressures
• Eligible recipients include not-for-profit organizations, such as registered charities and social enterprises actively pursuing activities in line with SDPP objectives

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• SDPP-Disability (SDPP-D) will continue to engage and work with 28 national disability organizations throughout the duration of their operating funding agreements. The program will help them to capture the reporting requirements on an as-needed basis. Under a renewed Community Inclusion Initiative, SDPP-D will engage with 13 regional operating funding recipients (affiliates of Inclusion Canada). The program will do so to support a new performance measurement framework under the agreements that will start in fiscal year 2021 to 2022

Note: Excludes COVID-19 statutory resources in 2020 to 2021.

Student Work Placement Program

Start date: April 1, 2017

End date: March 31, 2024

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5, Grants and Contributions

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2017 to 2018

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• Program: Student Work Placement Program

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The department aims to help students transition from post-secondary education to employment with the work-ready skills sought by employers. Through the Student Work Placement (SWP) program and Innovative Work-Integrated Learning (I-WIL) initiative, ESDC funds a variety of work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities for post-secondary students in all academic disciplines
• The SWP program supports third party sector-based organizations to build partnerships between post-secondary education (PSE) institutions and employers, to better align learning and demand. The majority of funding supports wage subsidies for employers to create new work integrated learning (WIL) opportunities for students. Employers are eligible to receive 50% of wages (up to $5,000) for a standard placement. Increased wage subsidies of 70% (up to $7,000) encourage employers to hire students in under-represented groups and first-year students. Under-represented groups are defined as Women in STEM, Indigenous students, Persons with Disabilities, and newcomers
• The I-WIL initiative broadens the scope of WIL opportunities to include new and emerging types. The funding supports various types of learning experiences aimed at connecting students with employers and applying their skills in a work-related context (concretely or virtually simulated through the use of technologies). The I-WIL initiative also supports collaborative partnerships between PSE institutions, employers and students to work on aligning skills development and skills requirements of the labour market in key sectors of the Canadian economy

Expected results:

• Expected result: Increased number of post-secondary students participating in work placement opportunities and developing work ready skills
• Performance indicators:
  • Number of new work placement opportunities, created for post-secondary students, in all fields of study.
  • Number of I-WIL activities created through the I-WIL initiative
• Expected result: Increased engagement of employers, including small- and medium-sized employers, in adopting and implementing work placement opportunities
• Performance indicator: Number of formalized post-secondary education and industry partnerships

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Not applicable; new program

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2021 to 2022

General targeted recipient groups:

• Employer consortia, not-for-profit organizations; for-profit organizations, Indigenous organizations (including band councils, tribal councils and self-government entities); and student organizations

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• The department holds multiple delivery partner meetings where success stories are shared and new areas of opportunity are identified. Continuous outreach to sector organizations is done on a regular basis and include the administration of Student and Employer Surveys at the end of each placement

Note: Excludes COVID-19 statutory resources in 2020 to 2021.

Supports for Indigenous Post-Secondary Education (Indspire)

Start date: June 13, 2019

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5 - Appropriated annually through the Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2020 to 2021

Link to departmental results:

• Students, including those from low- and middle-income families, use federally funded supports to help them participate in post-secondary education

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• Program: Supports for Student Learning Program

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The objective of the SSLP is to help all learners succeed in their studies so that they can get the skills they need to transition to post-secondary education and the labour market
• This program will provide Indigenous students with scholarships and bursaries to pursue post-secondary education as well as support other Indspire programming such as mentorship and career development

Expected results:

• Expected result: More Indigenous students have the financial means to access post-secondary education
• Performance indicator: Yearly percentage change of scholarship recipients

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Not applicable; new program

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: No requirement to evaluate Indspire under the Financial Administration Act, as the program is below the threshold. Supports for Student Learning Program will be evaluated in fiscal year 2022 to 2023

General targeted recipient groups:

• The program targets Indigenous students. Indspire has been identified as the delivery organization (recipient) for the program

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• The department will engage with Indspire on an ongoing basis to inform program design and delivery

Union Training and Innovation Program

Start date: April 1, 2017

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grants and Contributions

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5, Grants and Contributions

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: Established in fiscal year 2017 to 2018 (updated in fiscal year 2018 to 2019)

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• Program: Union Training and Innovation Program

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The program supports union-based apprenticeship training, innovation, and enhanced partnerships in the Red Seal Trades through 2 streams of funding:
  • Investments in Training Equipment (Stream 1): Unions are provided with up to 50% of the cost of purchasing new, up-to-date equipment and materials to meet industry standards or investments in technology, leading to a more skilled, inclusive, certified and productive trades workforce
  • Innovation in Apprenticeship (Stream 2): Unions and other partners are provided with support for innovative approaches and enhanced partnerships to address long-standing challenges limiting apprenticeship outcomes, for key target groups such as women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, newcomers and racialized persons
• The Women in Construction Fund funds projects that expand or replicate models that have demonstrated success in increasing women’s participation in construction trades. This includes:
  • Attracting and recruiting women to the trades (for example, through site visits, hands-on experiences and career exploration)
  • Supporting apprentice training and skill development through upgrading of essential skills, as well as tailored services for women (for example, childcare, transportation, purchase of tools, coaching and mentoring)
  • Supporting employers by developing recruitment/ retention tools and supports that promote inclusive and respectful workplaces

  The objective of the Women in Construction Fund is to support women to participate in and succeed in the construction trades

Expected results:

• Expected result: Participants have improved skills to succeed in the trades
• Performance indicators:
  • Number of participants in funded projects in Stream 1 (equipment)
  • Number of participants in funded projects in Stream 2 (innovation):
  • Percentage of participants in funded projects reporting an increase in skills after program intervention
  • Number of participants in funded projects in WCF

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Not applicable; new program

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2021 to 2022

General targeted recipient groups:

• Women, Indigenous people, newcomers, and persons with disabilities

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• The department engages and works with recipients throughout the life cycle of their contribution agreement, including regular monitoring activities. The program also provides information sessions to further support interested applicants in the development of their project proposals
• The Government of Canada meets with provinces and territories as well as key stakeholders on a regular basis to discuss the program

Wage Earner Protection Program

Start date: July 2008

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grant

Type of appropriation: Statutory: Wage Earner Protection Program Act

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2008 to 2009

Link to departmental results:

• Work conditions are fair and inclusive

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Working Conditions and Workplace Relations
• Program: Wage Earner Protection Program

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• This program is designed to reduce the economic insecurity of Canadian workers who are owed unpaid wages and vacation pay, disbursements, termination pay and severance pay when their employer files for bankruptcy or becomes subject to receivership
• Workers can receive an amount up to 7 weeks of maximum insurable earnings under the Employment Insurance Act. When eligible workers receive payments under the Wage Earner Protection Program Act, they sign over their rights as creditors of the employer to the federal government, but only up to the amount of the payment received from the program. The federal government seeks recovery of the amounts as the creditor of the employer in the bankruptcy or receivership process. This program covers workers in all Labour jurisdictions

Expected results:

• Expected result: Wage Earner Protection Program applicants receive a payment, or a non-payment notification, in a timely manner
• Performance indicator: Percentage of initial Wage Earner Protection Program payments and non-payment notifications issued within 35 calendar days

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2013 to 2014

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2021 to 2022

General targeted recipient groups:

• All employed workers in Canada, irrespective of jurisdiction

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• The Wage Earner Protection Program Joint Liaison Committee, which includes key internal and external stakeholders, meets on an annual basis to discuss the program’s policy and operations

Workforce Development Agreements

Start date: April 1, 2017

End date: In perpetuity unless terminated in accordance with the Agreement

Type of transfer payment: Other transfer payments

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5, Grants and Contributions

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2017 to 2018

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• Program: Workforce Development Agreements

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The Workforce Development Agreements transfer funding to provinces and territories to support skills training and employment programs. These agreements support individuals with challenges to finding employment and include funding for programs for persons with disabilities
• These agreements also help employers train their staff. Provinces and territories develop and deliver programs and services, and work with employers and other stakeholders to implement programs

Expected results:

• Expected result: Canadians gain skills and become or remain employed and employers develop the skilled workforce they require
• Performance indicator: Number of clients benefiting from programs funded by the Workforce Development Agreements

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Previous evaluations conducted involved various programs (for example, Labour Market Agreements, Targeted Initiative for Older workers, Canada-Manitoba Labour Market Agreement for Persons with Disabilities)

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2021 to 2022

General targeted recipient groups:

• Targeted recipients are unemployed individuals and persons with disabilities

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• The Government of Canada meets with provinces and territories on a regular basis to discuss agreements. Provinces and territories develop and deliver programs and services and work with employers and other stakeholders to implement programs

Note: Excludes COVID-19 statutory resources in 2020 to 2021.

Youth Employment and Skills Strategy

Start date: May 30, 2019

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5, Grants and Contributions

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2019 to 2020

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• Program: Youth Employment and Skills Strategy

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) is the Government of Canada's commitment to help youth aged 15 to 30, particularly those facing barriers to employment, access the information and gain the skills, work experience and abilities they need to make a successful transition into the labour market
• The YESS is an Employment and Social Development Canada-led horizontal initiative involving 10 other federal departments. YESS includes 3 programs at ESDC:
  • YESS Program
  • Canada Summer Jobs
  • Goal Getters.
• ESDC YESS program is delivered through non-repayable contribution agreements

Expected results:

YESS Program and CSJ:

• Expected results: Youth have access to programs that allow them to acquire the skills, learning experiences and opportunities they need to find and maintain employment or return to school
• Performance Indicator:
  • Number of clients served who have started one or more interventions within the current fiscal year^{Footnote i}
  • Percentage of clients employed or self employed^{Footnote ii}
  • Percentage of clients returned to school^{Footnote iii}
  • Percentage of youth served who are facing barriers to employment

Goals Getters

• Expected result: More youth facing barriers in Canada can graduate from high school and successfully transition into post-secondary education
• Performance indicators:
  • Number of youth served
  • Number of youth who demonstrated strengthened or new soft skills
• Note: Baseline data was to be collected in fiscal year 2020 to 2021 to set targets for fiscal year 2021 to 2022 and onwards. Given the impacts of COVID-19, baseline data will continue to be collected in fiscal year 2021 to 2022, to set targets in fiscal year 2023 to 2024

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2019 to 2020 (Youth Employment Strategy)

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Amendment

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2022 to 2023

General targeted recipient groups:

• Individuals, not-for-profit organizations and other eligible recipients under the YESS Terms and Conditions

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• The program will conduct outreach with youth organizations and service providers, which will include sharing details about new investments in the Fall Economic Statement. The department will also work with contribution recipients throughout the life of their contribution agreement, at the national and regional levels.

Note: Excludes COVID-19 statutory resources in 2020 to 2021.

Payments of compensation respecting merchant seamen

Start date: In October 2013, the administration of the Merchant Seamen Compensation Act was transferred to the Labour Program

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Statutory Fund

Type of appropriation: Statutory: Merchant Seamen Compensation Act

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: Not applicable

Link to departmental results:

• Work conditions are fair and inclusive

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Working Conditions and Workplace relations
• Program: Federal Workers’ Compensation

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• To provide certain merchant seamen who are injured in work-related accidents with health benefits and medical compensation. Employers pay disability and survivor benefits directly to claimants. In certain cases, additional financial assistance for dependants can be paid from the Consolidated Revenue Fund

Expected results:

• Expected result: Eligible Merchant seamen receive the benefits (or support) to which they are entitled to under the act
• Performance indicator: There is no indicator because the timeliness of the calculations of eligible benefits depends on the type of injury and availability of medical documentation

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Not applicable

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: Not applicable

General targeted recipient groups:

• Injured Merchant Seaman, their survivors and dependants

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• No engagement activities planned for fiscal year 2021 to 2022

Payments related to direct financing arrangement under the Apprentice Loans Act

Start date: January 2, 2015

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Statutory: Apprentice Loans Act

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: Apprentice Loans Act (S.C. 2014, c. 20, s. 483)

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• Program: Canada Student Loans Program and Canada Apprentice Loans

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• Budget 2014 announced an expansion of the Canada Student Loans Program to include the Canada Apprentice Loan, an interest-free loan of up-to $4,000 per period of technical training that will help apprentices registered in Red Seal trades with the cost of training. This transfer payment represents consolidated costs related to these loans, including interest subsidy, repayment assistance benefits and administrative costs net of recoveries on affected loans

Expected results:

• Expected result: Eligible apprentices receive loans to participate in apprenticeship training
• Performance indicator: Total number of Canada Apprentice Loan borrowers

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2020 to 2021

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2024 to 2025

General targeted recipient groups:

• Apprentices registered in Red Seal Trades

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• No engagement activities planned for fiscal year 2021 to 2022

Provision of funds for liabilities including liabilities in the form of guaranteed loans under the Canada Student Loans Act

Start date: Not applicable

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Statutory: Canada Student Loans Act

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: Not applicable

Link to departmental results:

• Student borrowers are able to repay their federal student debt

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• Program: Canada Student Loans Program and Canada Apprentice Loans

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• Between 1964 and 1995, the Canada Student Loans Program operated a guaranteed loans regime with Canadian financial institutions. If a student defaulted on a guaranteed loan, the Government paid out the bank and the student’s debt was then owed directly to the Government. This transfer payment represents consolidated costs related to that regime

Expected results:

• There is no expected result or measurable performance indicator for this portfolio as it is comprised of guaranteed loans that were disbursed prior to August 1, 1995. The portfolio will most likely be extinguished in the next few years

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2020 to 2021

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation:

• Evaluation of Canada Student Loans will be completed in 2023 to 2024
• Evaluation of Canada Apprentice Loan will be completed in 2024 to 2025

General targeted recipient groups:

• Students from low- and middle-income families. This is only for Class A interest payments and for the Repayment Assistance Plan Stage 1

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• Not applicable. This portfolio is solely comprised of guaranteed loans disbursed prior to August 1, 1995. Program only engages with recipients for administrative purposes

Provision of funds for interest payments to lending institutions under the Canada Student Loans Act

Start date: November 1, 2019

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Statutory: Canada Student Loans Act

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: Not applicable

Link to departmental results:

• Student borrowers are able to repay their federal student debt

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• Program: Canada Student Loans Program and Canada Apprentice Loans

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• Budget 2019 proposed changes to the Canada Student Loans interest rate policy. These changes will provide relief to student during the repayment period. They will respond to today’s realities, including higher tuition, higher living costs and the changing nature of work faced by young workers. The government will lower the floating interest rate — used by 99 per cent of student borrowers — to prime for all loans including guaranteed

Expected results:

• Expected results:
  • Students who borrowed under the guaranteed regime continue to receive in-study student financial assistance and debt management assistance in repayment
  • Canada meets its obligations as set out under the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act in agreements with financial institutions
• Performance indicator: There is no performance indicator for this program given that the loan regime will be extinguished in the next few years

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Not applicable

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: Not applicable

General targeted recipient groups:

• Financial institutions that have Canada Student Loans

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• No engagement activities planned for fiscal year 2021 to 2022

Planning information (dollars)

Strategic Engagement and Research Program

Start date: May 15, 2020

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grants and contributions

Type of appropriation: Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2020 to 2021

Link to departmental results:

• Increase inclusion and opportunities for participation of Canadians in their communities

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Social Development
• Program: Strategic Engagement and Research Program

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The Strategic Engagement and Research Program (SERP) is a grant and contribution program. It is used to fund assessed contributions to international organizations, research, and research-related events undertaken by and with international and domestic organizations. In order to be considered for funding, research and/or events must be related to the department’s mandate and priorities. It must also contribute to the overall knowledge base and dialogue on employment and social development issues for the benefit of Canadians
• To note, the OECD Named Grant, created in 2004, was permanently transferred to the SERP

Expected results:

• Expected results:
  • Canada maintains membership with international organizations and supports international research and activities to inform the development and implementation of domestic and international employment and social development programs and policies
  • Public access to expanded knowledge base related to current and emerging employment and social development issues is increased
• Performance indicators:
  • Percentage of payments of assessed contributions to multilateral organizations of which Canada is a member that are paid in full and on time
  • Percentage of agreements signed through the domestic stream of the SERP resulting in at least 1 final product made public

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Not applicable; new program

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: To be determined

General targeted recipient groups:

• For-profit organizations
• Not-for-profit organizations and charities.
• Academia and public institutions
• Aboriginal recipients
• Governments
• International (non-government)

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• No engagement activities planned for fiscal year 2021 to 2022

Support for Labour Market Information in Canada

Start date: 2017

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grant

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5, Grants and Contributions

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021 to 2022

Link to departmental results:

• Canadians participate in an inclusive and efficient labour market

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• Program: Job Bank

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The Labour Market Information Council (LMIC) has a mandate to improve the timeliness, reliability and accessibility of labour market information to facilitate decision-making by employers, workers, job seekers, academics, policy makers, educators, career practitioners, students, parents and under-represented populations

Expected results:

• Expected Result: The LMIC’s Annual Report is available to support decision-making by those who require labour market information
• Performance Indicators: The timely online publication of the Annual Report
• Expected Result: Labour Market Information is more accessible through a range of innovative labour market information insights and products
• Performance Indicator: Increased social media presence and website traffic

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: The LMIC committed to undertake an independent evaluation of the organization’s performance as part of its initial 3-year Strategic Plan (2018 to 2020). The LMIC Board received the results of the independent evaluation in February 2020

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Findings include that mandate and strategic goals remain valid, and organization has been successful in achieving its targets. The evaluation will also allow LMIC to make impactful changes in its operations to help it best carry out its mandate

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: A discussion of LMIC 2020 Evaluation with the Forum of Labour Market Ministers, in Fall/Winter 2020 to 2021, will assess a path forward

General targeted recipient groups:

• The Labour Market Information Council has a broad mandate to improve the collection, analysis and dissemination of labour market information destined for a variety of users, including: employers, workers, job seekers, policy makers, researchers, educators, career practitioners, students, parents and under-represented populations. The Labour Market Information Council is the only eligible funding recipient

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• ESDC engages regularly with the LMI Council, as the council uses national foundational LMI data and systems to undertake its research and initiatives. These data and systems include the National Occupational Classification (NOC), information on wages and outlooks), as well as data and survey information from Statistics Canada

Sustainable Development Goals Funding Program

Start date: 2018 to 2019

End date: 2030 to 2031

Type of transfer payment: Grant

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5, Grants and Contributions

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2019 to 2020

Link to departmental results:

• Increase inclusion and opportunities for participation of Canadians in their communities

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Social Development
• Program: Sustainable Development Goals Funding Program

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The purpose of the Sustainable Development Goals Funding Program is to support the federal government's implementation of the 2030 Agenda. It also supports its objective of leaving no one behind by strengthening partnerships and engagement with Canadians. This includes provinces and territories, municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, academia, the private sector, Indigenous peoples, women, youth and vulnerable and/or marginalized populations. It is an opportunity to work in partnership with organizations to make progress on the SDGs and deliver improved social, economic and environmental outcomes for Canadians
• The program is intended to complement existing government of Canada efforts by supporting priorities and initiatives related to the 2030 Agenda that do not fall under existing departmental programs

Expected results:

• Expected result: Knowledge and data gaps are identified and innovation is supported in furthering Canada’s implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals
• Performance indicator: Number of supported projects that identify knowledge/data gaps or ways to support innovation to advance Canada's implementation of Agenda 2030 and sustainable development goals

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Not applicable; new program

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: Not Applicable. Program spending does not meet Financial Administration Act requirements

General targeted recipient groups:

• Eligible recipients of the Sustainable Development Goals Funding Program include:
  • Non-profit organizations
  • Municipalities
  • Provincial and territorial governments, institutions and Crown Corporations
  • Indigenous organizations (including band councils, tribal councils and self-government entities)
  • International organizations
  • Coalitions, networks and committees
  • Research organizations and institutes
  • Educational institutions
  • Public health and social services institutions
  • Environmental organizations
  • Individuals
  • For-profit organizations*

*For-profit organizations may be eligible for funding provided that the nature and intent of the activity is non-commercial, not intended to generate profit, and supports program priorities and objectives

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• ESDC will actively engage with stakeholders on the development of a national approach for implementing Agenda 2030. Input from these consultations will be taken into consideration in developing the parameters of the SDG Funding Program

Universal Child Care Benefit

Start date: July 1, 2006

End date: Replaced by the Canada Child Benefit in July 2016. Employment and Social Development Canada continues to be responsible for retroactive claims, write-offs and adjustments of the Universal Child Care Benefit account receivable

Type of transfer payment: Grant

Type of appropriation: Statutory: Universal Child Care Benefit Act

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2006 to 2007

Link to departmental results:

• Access to early learning and childcare is increased

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Social Development
• Program: Early Learning and Child Care

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The Universal Child Care Benefit provided financial support to help all Canadian families with young children choose the child care option that best suits their families’ needs. Effective January 1, 2015, the UCCB was enhanced to provide eligible families with $160 per month (up to $1,920 per year) for each child under age 6. It also provided a new benefit of $60 per month (up to $720 per year) for each child aged 6 through 17. The new amounts began to be reflected in monthly payments to recipients in July 2015 and included payments retroactive to January 2015
• The UCCB was replaced by the Canada Child Benefit effective July 1, 2016. This transfer payment program ensures the department meets its administrative obligations related to retroactive claims, write-offs and adjustments of the Universal Child Care Benefit accounts receivable

Expected results:

• Not applicable

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2011 to 2012

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: No longer applicable as the program has been sunset

General targeted recipient groups:

• Families with children under the age of 18

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• No engagement activities planned for fiscal year 2021 to 2022

Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention Fund

Start date: 2018 to 2019

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grants and Contributions

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5, Grants and Contributions

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2018 to 2019

Link to departmental results:

• Labour relations are cooperative

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Working Conditions and Workplace Relations
• Program: Occupational Health and Safety

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention Fund will provide grants and contributions to eligible organizations for the promotion and co-development of labour-management tools and resources. This financial assistance will enable the required culture shift and ensure the physical and psychological health and safety of the employees

Expected results:

• Expected results:
  • Increase awareness of sector specific workplace practices that contribute to the development of positive workplace cultures
  • Improve the capacity of employers and unions to communicate the new harassment and violence prevention provisions in the Canada Labour Code and associated regulations
  • Improve dissemination, transfer, and application of knowledge and information among partners, stakeholders, employers, and unions
• Performance indicators:
  • Number of sector specific training programs, tools and resources developed.
  • Number of tools and resources that have been integrated into the organizations' programs, policies and training.

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Not applicable; new program

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: To be determined

General targeted recipient groups:

• Program targets unions and federally regulated private sector organizations, as well as organizations associated with federally regulated private sector organizations

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• Program plans to engage recipients and other interested stakeholders by convening a forum where tools and resources will be developed