The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Job Grant for employers and workers has been suspended by the provincial government “until further notice.”
The 2024 Federal Budget removed the 2017 top-up funding under the Labour Market Transfer Agreements, resulting in a funding reduction of more than $16.8 million per year for Newfoundland and Labrador, the province said in a press release.
“This painful decision to suspend the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Job Grant still leaves more than a $15 million shortfall for Newfoundland and Labrador to grapple with, and the status of many other employment programs in question, unless the federal cuts to Labour Market Transfer Agreements are reversed,” said Gerry Byrne, Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills.
“Provincial and Territorial governments are also grappling to make difficult cuts to much-needed funding that provides employment supports across a variety of groups, including persons with autism, Indigenous groups and persons with disabilities.”
With Ottawa’s decision to cut $625 million in jobs funding nation-wide, almost 200,000 fewer people will be served across the country, the province said.
Provinces and Territories are now forced to reduce or eliminate funding to service providers, including non-profit community organizations, as well as direct supports to job seekers, workers and employers at a time when acute skills and labour shortages are slowing economic growth, productivity and innovation, it said.