Federal spring economic update introduces major investment in skilled trades workforce
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne tabled the 2026 Spring Economic Update (SEU) on April 28th. It is the first since the federal government shifted the budget cycle last fall.
Of most interest to AIA Canada members is a new, $6 billion ‘Team Canada Strong’ fund to recruit, train, and hire 80,000 to 100,000 new Red Seal skilled trades workers by 2030-31.
Key supports include:
- a $400/week Apprenticeship Training Grant during mandatory in-class training (up to $16,000 per apprentice, on top of EI);
- a $5,000 Red Seal completion bonus;
- and up to $10,000 in wage subsidies for SMEs hiring first-year apprentices through the Build Canada Apprenticeship Service, which appears available to union and non-union employers.
- Up to a 4-month paid job placement for new entrants leading directly into registered apprenticeships.
Support for skills training is directly linked to AIA Canada’s advocacy for the sector with the federal government, where we have consistently raised the importance of a skilled workforce able to equip todays and tomorrow’s vehicles.
While the program appears to prioritize trades linked to infrastructure, automotive service technicians are a designated Red Seal trade. As such, we see this as an opportunity to help address the ongoing technician shortage impacting repair and service shops across Canada.
Over the coming weeks, AIA Canada’s government relations team will provide more information to members as program details are finalized, to ensure our sector can take advantage of this new program.
Questions or comments? Please contact AIA Canada Vice President of Government Relations Emily Holtby at emily.holtby@aiacanada.com