The Government of Alberta is not pleased with the federal government’s decision to cut the Canada Alberta Job Grant and has acted swiftly.
Alberta Minister of Trade, Economy and Jobs Matt Jones responded to the decision Aug. 7.
“As a result of Ottawa’s unexpected and unreasonable decision to cut $70.8 million in Labour Market Transfer Agreement (LMTA) funding for Alberta, our government has been forced to put an indefinite hold on the Canada-Alberta Job Grant program for the remainder of the 2024-25 fiscal year,” said Jones in a news release.
He added the provincial government pleaded with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his government to keep the program.
The result of the cuts will be significant.
“As a result of this cut, Alberta’s employers will be short roughly $10 million in skills and training funding for 2024-25. This mean approximately 1,000 businesses, and the training for up to 4,000 Albertan employees, will be impacted,” said Jones.
He added the LMTA’s workforce development program helped Albertans get the training they needed to find and keep good jobs.
The Canada-Alberta Job Grant program provided nearly $27 million in 2023-24 to Alberta employers so new workers could be properly trained. This funding also supported existing employees in gaining job-related skills, with small- and medium-sized business receiving about 80 per cent of the overall money.
“This cut to funding has serious, far-reaching consequences for workers and comes at a time when Alberta continues to face critical skills shortages in several industries, including construction, health care and education,” said Jones.
“Our government understands the impact a strong and skilled labour force has on the success of Alberta’s economy.”
Jones added his government is working to develop and implement new employer-led training programs that will provide Albertans with similar opportunities the LMTA provided.