Each year, the Government of Canada invests over $2 billion through the Labour Market Development Agreements (LMDAs) with provinces and territories (PTs) so they can support Canadians with Employment Insurance (EI)-funded skills training and employment assistance.
Under the LMDAs, Employment Benefits enable eligible individuals – including current and former EI claimants as well as individuals who have made minimum EI premium contributions in at least five of the last ten years – to gain skills and work experience with a combination of EI-funded interventions such as skills training and wage subsidies.
LMDAs also support the provision of Employment Assistance Services (EAS) for all Canadians. EAS include activities such as employment counselling, job search assistance, needs assessments, information on government employment programs, and the development of return to work action plans.
Budget 2017 announced an additional $1.8 billion over six years, starting in 2017-18, for the LMDAs to help Canadians prepare for, find, advance in, and keep good jobs. In addition to these investments, the Government broadened eligibility for programs and services, allowing even more Canadians, including underrepresented groups such as persons with disabilities, women and Indigenous peoples, to access EI-funded skills training and employment supports. While Canada provides funding under the LMDAs, PTs have the flexibility to design and deliver employment programs and services best suits to the needs of their local labour markets.
