The federal and Yukon governments will spend more than $1.5 million over three years to help workers affected by global tariffs retrain and find new jobs, the two governments announced Monday.
The new Canada-Yukon Workforce Tariff Response will support up to 200 workers in the territory, with a focus on the construction, transportation and mining sectors. Funding will also reach workers and employers indirectly hit by tariffs and shifting global markets.
“Canada’s workforce is strongest when employers and training partners work together. As global trade evolves, no worker will be left behind. Through the Workforce Tariff Response, that means providing the tools and training workers need to secure good jobs, continue building strong communities, and ensure Canada remains resilient in the face of global challenges,” said Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families.
Hajdu, who is also the minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, announced the agreement in Whitehorse with Yukon Minister of Economic Development, Tourism and Culture Jen Gehmair.
Who qualifies for support
Supports will flow through Yukon’s existing employment and training network, which is funded under the Labour Market Development Agreements. The territory will deliver services locally to keep them timely and tailored, according to the announcement.
Three groups of workers are eligible:
- Unemployed workers looking to gain new skills for in-demand jobs.
- Workers in Work-Sharing agreements, who can upskill or retrain as their industries adapt.
- Employed workers at companies affected by tariffs, or in communities that rely on a single industry, who want to build resilience.
“Yukoners are known for being resilient and innovative, adapting to change and rising to unique challenges. Our territory’s workforce lives up to this reputation, as it navigates shifts in the global economy. By supporting workers impacted by ongoing tariffs, we are helping them continue to succeed professionally while contributing to economic diversification. I want to thank Minister Hajdu and the Government of Canada for their support in building our Yukon labour force to meet the challenges of the day,” said Gehmair.
How the agreement will work
The two governments said they will use a mix of existing and new tools to deliver the training, and will draw on input from labour and business groups. Improved data sharing and direct coordination with affected employers are meant to help workers move into upskilling or retraining sooner.
The funding is delivered through training and employment services paid for by Employment Insurance contributions from workers and employers.
“In a rapidly changing global economy, our focus is on equipping workers with the skills they need to succeed – today and in the future. Through this new Canada-Yukon partnership, we are working closely with labour and industry partners to support workers to retrain and upskill so they can step into new opportunities in key sectors like construction, transportation, and mining. This will strengthen the Yukon’s workforce, bolster our flexibility and help communities grow for the long term,” said Brendan Hanley, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs.
Broader Yukon workforce funding
The federal government said it invests nearly $6 million each year in Yukon through the Labour Market Development Agreements and the Workforce Development Agreements. Those programs support training and employment services for about 700 people each year, including:
- 200 people who find work within about six months of getting support.
- 250 youth aged 15 to 29.
- 200 mid-career workers aged 35 to 54.
- 400 workers from the trades, including 200 apprentices.
At the national level, the federal government said the agreement is also designed to prepare workers for jobs expected to come out of initiatives such as Major Projects, Build Canada Homes and the Defence Industrial Strategy.
Yukon’s unemployment rate was 3.9 per cent as of March 2026, according to the announcement.
