Province invests $8.7 million to protect skilled workers in eastern Ontario

Amidst economic uncertainty highlighted by the United States’ tariff war, the province is investing in protections for skilled workers in eastern Ontario.

Premier Doug Ford announced a $8.7 million investment through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training Stream Monday. That money is earmarked  to help more than 1,500 people in the Ottawa region prepare for well-paying jobs in high-demand sectors, including construction, manufacturing, skilled trades and automotive.

“This investment is about giving people in Ottawa the tools to succeed. Whether it’s preparing for careers in construction, manufacturing or the skilled trades, we’re making sure jobseekers and workers have access to training that leads to better jobs with bigger paycheques,” Mohamed Firin, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, said in a press release. “By supporting organizations right here in the nation’s capital, we’re strengthening local families, building a stronger workforce and ensuring that workers are prepared to meet the challenges of today.”

The funding is part of the government’s $2.5 billion investment through the SDF to protect Ontario workers by giving them the tools they need to land rewarding, good-paying jobs while keeping Ontario competitive in the face of U.S. tariffs.

Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said the funding is welcomed and essential to keep talent in Ottawa.

“We are fortunate to have exceptionally skilled workers in our community and this support will help us continue to build on that reputation,” he said.

The province is also providing funding to several other organizations to deliver training programs in sectors facing uncertainty amidst the economic relationship with the U.S. Among those organizations are the YMCA of the National Capital Region and the John Howard Society of Ottawa.

The YMCA is receiving just shy of $1 million to equip unemployed and underemployed jobseekers with training in green construction and home renovation. The John Howard Society is receiving over $150,000 to connect underrepresented jobseekers with training, certifications and employment opportunities in the skilled trades.