Ottawa, Alberta announce $68.5‑million tariff response

HR professionals in Alberta’s steel, softwood lumber and related supply‑chain sectors will have access to new publicly funded training and adjustment supports under a $68.5‑million, three‑year initiative announced by the Governments of Canada and Alberta. 

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) says the Canada–Alberta Workforce Tariff Response is intended to help workers retrain and move into in‑demand jobs as global tariffs affect export‑reliant industries.

“Canada’s workforce is strongest when employers and training partners work together,” said Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario. “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.”

The program – unveiled in Edmonton on May 12, 2026 – will support more than 7,800 workers in sectors directly and indirectly impacted by tariffs, according to ESDC. 

“As the global trade landscape shifts, Alberta and Canada are focused on what can be controlled: building a stronger, more resilient economy,” ESDC said in its news release. The department stated that the funding will help workers “build new skills and transition into the in‑demand jobs being created by Alberta’s strong economic growth and significant major project demand,” positioning the program as a response to both disruption and labour demand.

Canada’s economy has weathered a year of U.S. tariff shocks better than expected, but the impact on jobs, regions and sectors is highly uneven, according to a previous report.

‘Timely, local and personalized support’

Under the Canada–Alberta Workforce Tariff Response, skills training and employment services will be delivered through Alberta’s existing network of employment and training service providers. ESDC said these providers will co‑ordinate directly with impacted employers and sector partners to offer “timely, local and personalized support” to workers, creating a structured channel for organisations to connect employees to external training and placement assistance.

According to ESDC, the funding will target three main groups of workers. These are unemployed workers seeking to gain new skills for in‑demand jobs; 

• workers whose employers are participating in Work‑Sharing agreements

• who may upskill or retrain as their industries adapt

• and employed workers seeking new skills to improve their resiliency within companies directly affected by tariffs and global market shifts, within their supply chains, or in single‑industry communities reliant on those employers.

Implementation of the partnership will “leverage Alberta’s full suite of existing workforce programs alongside new and enhanced supports,” ESDC said. The department noted that the initiative will benefit from the input of labour and business representatives. Co‑ordination with affected businesses and strengthened data‑sharing are intended to give tariff‑impacted workers and those in Work‑Sharing agreements opportunities to upskill and retrain, while helping employers maintain access to experienced workers.

Federal officials framed the initiative as a joint effort by governments, employers and training partners to keep workers connected to good jobs during a period of global uncertainty. 

“Canada’s workforce is strongest when employers and training partners work together. As global trade evolves, no worker will be left behind,” said Minister Hajdu. “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.”

Below is a table of the main federal tariff-support programs available to Canadian employers over the past year: