Details on transfer payment programs

On this page

• Transfer payment programs of $5 million or more
  • Allowances
  • Canada Disability Savings Program - Grants and Bonds
  • Canada Education Savings Program (Canada Education Savings Grant and Canada Learning Bond)
  • Canada Emergency Response Benefit and Canada Emergency Student Benefit
  • Canada Recovery Benefit
  • Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit
  • Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit
  • Canada Service Corps
  • Canada Student Financial Assistance Program - Canada Student Grants
  • Canada Student Loans - Direct Financing Arrangement
  • Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit
  • Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy
  • Canadian Benefit for Parents of Young Victims of Crime
  • Community Workforce Development Program
  • Early Learning and Child Care
  • Enabling Accessibility Fund
  • Enabling Fund for Official Language Minority Communities
  • Foreign Credential Recognition Program
  • Future Skills
  • Guaranteed Income Supplement
  • Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Transformation Initiative
  • Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program
  • Labour Funding Program
  • Migrant Worker Support Program
  • New Horizons for Seniors Program
  • Old Age Security Pension
  • Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities
  • Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program
  • Skills and Partnership Fund
  • Skills for Success
  • Social Development Partnerships Program
  • Social Innovation and Social Finance Strategy - Investment Readiness Program
  • Social Innovation and Social Finance Strategy - Social Finance Fund
  • Student Work Placement Program
  • Supports for Student Learning Program
  • Wage Earner Protection Program
  • Workforce Development Agreements
  • Youth Employment and Skills Strategy
• Transfer payment programs of less than $5 million
  • Canada Student Financial Assistance Program (Interest Payment and Liabilities)
  • One-time payment for older seniors (formerly Additional support for Canadian seniors)
  • One-time payment to persons with disabilities pursuant to An Act respecting further COVID-19 measures
  • Payments of compensation respecting merchant seamen
  • Payments related to direct financing arrangement under the Apprentice Loans Act
  • Provision of funds for interest payments to lending institutions under the Canada Student Loans Act
  • Provision of funds for liabilities including liabilities in the form of guaranteed loans under the Canada Student Loans Act
  • Strategic Engagement and Research Program
  • Sustainable Development Goals Funding Program (SSPB)
  • Support for Labour Market Information in Canada
  • Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention Fund
  • Universal Child Care Benefit

Transfer payment programs of $5 million or more

Allowances

Start date: Allowance in 1975; Allowance for the Survivor in 1985

End date: ongoing

Type of transfer payment: grant

Type of appropriation: statutory (Old Age Security Act)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: not applicable

Link to departmental result(s):

• clients receive high quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Pensions and Benefits
• program: old Age Security

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

• the Old Age Security (OAS) program is the first pillar of Canada's retirement income system. Its objective is to ensure a minimum income for seniors, and to reduce income disruptions at retirement. The OAS program is funded by general tax revenues. The program includes 3 benefits:
  • the OAS pension
  • the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
  • the Allowances
• the Allowances provide benefits to low-income 60 to 64 year-old individuals who are either the spouse or common-law partner of a GIS recipient or who are a widow/widower. The Allowances are income-tested to ensure that the highest benefits are paid to the lowest-income seniors

Results achieved:

• expected results:
  • a measure of take-up for the Allowances is no longer reported as the data does not allow for a clear distinction between near-seniors who are entitled to the Allowances and those who are not
  • Note: in existing data sources, it is not possible to identify individuals aged 60 to 64 who are married to, or who are common-law partners of, GIS recipients. It is also not possible to identify those who are widowed. Therefore, it is not possible to establish a denominator for those entitled to the Allowances
• performance indicator: not applicable
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: not applicable

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: no evaluation was completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024. The next evaluation is planned to be completed in fiscal year 2027 to 2028

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: no engagement activities took place in fiscal year 2023 to 2024

Explanation of variances: no significant variance.

Canada Disability Savings Program - Grants and Bonds

Start date: December 2008

End date: ongoing

Type of transfer payment: grant

Type of appropriation:

• statutory (Canada Disability Savings Act and Canada Disability Savings Regulations)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: not applicable

Link to departmental result(s):

• persons with disabilities and their families have financial support
• clients receive high quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs (Pensions and Benefits)

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Pensions and Benefits
• program: Canada Disability Savings Program

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• the objective of the program is to support the long-term financial security of persons with disabilities. The Government of Canada provides incentives (grants and bonds) to open and contribute to a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). The grant and bond respond to long-standing and ongoing needs identified by people with disabilities, their families, and organizations supporting them to reduce barriers to saving for the future
• the Canada Disability Savings Grant is a limited matching grant. The government issues up to $3,500 a year per eligible beneficiary into a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) to match plan contributions. The limit is $70,000 of grants over the beneficiary's lifetime
• There is no annual RDSP contribution limit, but there is a maximum lifetime contribution limit of $200,000
• in addition, the government will issue a Canada Disability Savings Bond of up to $1,000 a year into the RDSPs of low and modest-income Canadians. The limit is $20,000 in bonds over the beneficiary's lifetime. No contributions are necessary to receive a bond
• grants and bonds may be issued to a plan until the end of the calendar year in which the beneficiary turns 49 years old

The grant and bond respond to long-standing and ongoing needs identified by persons with disabilities, their families, and organizations supporting them to reduce barriers to saving for the future

Results achieved:

• expected result: Disability Tax Credit approved individuals with severe and prolonged disabilities (and their families or guardians) open a RDSP to save for the future
• performance indicator: total number of registered plans since the inception of the program.
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: as of March 31, 2024, 309,377 RDSPs have been opened since the program was introduced in December 2008. This figure includes plans that remain open as well as those that have been closed prior to this date

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: an evaluation is ongoing. It is expected to be completed by the end of fiscal year 2024 to 2025

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: potential applicants to the RDSP were engaged through a mail-out strategy. The mail-out targeted promotional letters to a selection of Disability Tax Credit-approved Canadians aged 0 to 49

In 2023, approximately 137,400 letters were sent to randomly selected individuals across Canada, 0 to 49 years old, that had been approved for the Disability Tax Credit but at the time of mailing, had not opened a RDSP

In addition, the department, in partnership with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and disability-related stakeholder organizations across Canada, hosted several webinars and workshops and attended 7 in-person events. In person events included 5 CRA Community Volunteer Income Tax Program clinics in Manitoba and New Brunswick. Program representatives delivered webinars and attended events to provide information, raise awareness and foster an understanding about RDSPs, Canada Disability Savings Bond and Canada Disability Savings Grants

The program engaged current beneficiaries through its annual Statement of Grant entitlement letters. The letter highlights for each plan holder the grant entitlements available to them and the amount of contributions that would be required to maximize their grants that year

Explanation of variances: the variance between planned and actual spending for the Canada Disability Saving Grants is explained by the fact that payments in the fiscal year 2023 to 2024 were 21% lower than originally estimated. Bill C-19 amended the Income Tax Act in June 2022, allowing people with type 1 diabetes to qualify for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC). Registered Disability Savings Plans (RDSPs) are there to support the long-term financial security of people who are eligible for the DTC. However, the increase in the number of new RDSPs opened as a result of this change was lower than anticipated. In addition, there was a notable reduction in the average annual contributions from beneficiaries and also, a greater proportion of new RDSPs were opened by beneficiaries with higher incomes, making them eligible for lower grant amounts.

The variance between planned and actual spending for the Canada Disability Savings Bond is explained by the fact that payments in the fiscal year 2023 to 2024 were 30% lower than originally estimated. Bill C-19 amended the Income Tax Act in June 2022, allowing people with type 1 diabetes to qualify for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC). Registered Disability Savings Plans (RDSPs) are there to support the long-term financial security of people who are eligible for the DTC. However, the increase in the number of new RDSPs opened as a result of this change was lower than anticipated. In addition, a higher proportion of new RDSPs were opened by beneficiaries with higher incomes and therefore not entitled to the bond for the current and previous ten years.

Canada Education Savings Program (Canada Education Savings Grant and Canada Learning Bond)

Start date: Canada Education Savings Grant on January 1, 1998; Canada Learning Bond on January 1, 2005

End date: ongoing

Type of transfer payment: grant

Type of appropriation: statutory (Canada Education Savings Act).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: not applicable

Link to departmental result(s):

• Canadians access education, training and lifelong learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need
• students, including those from low- and middle-income families, use federally funded supports to help them participate in post-secondary education
• clients receive high quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs (Learning, Skills Development and Employment)

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Canada Education Savings Program

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• the Government of Canada encourages Canadians to save for a child's post-secondary education. The department administers 2 education savings incentives paid in Registered Education Savings Plans (RESP)
• the Canada Education Savings Grant is available to all eligible children. It provides 20% (basic grant) on the first $2,500 of personal contributions made to a RESP each year. It also provides a supplementary amount (additional grant) for eligible children from middle- and low- income families. This amount corresponds to 10% or 20% on the first $500 of personal contributions made each year. The Canada Education Savings Grant is available until the calendar year in which the child turns 17. The maximum lifetime amount, including the additional grant, is $7,200
• the Canada Learning Bond (CLB) is available for children from low-income families born in 2004 or later. It provides an initial payment of $500 into a RESP. It also adds $100 for each subsequent year of eligibility, up to the age of 15, for a maximum of $2,000. It can be requested retroactively up to the age of 20. No personal contributions to the RESP are required to receive the Canada Learning Bond. Eligible beneficiaries born in or after 2004 and aged between 18 and 20 years of age who have not received the CLB may open a RESP themselves and can apply for the CLB retroactively before the age of 21
• these education savings incentives are delivered through a unique service delivery arrangement with financial institutions, banks, mutual fund companies, and scholarship foundations

Results achieved:

• expected result: Canadians, including those from low- and middle-income families, request and receive education savings incentives
• performance indicator:
  • percentage of children under 18 (in the current calendar year) who have ever received the CESG (CESG participation rate)
  • percentage of eligible children under 21 (in the current calendar year) who have ever received a CLB (CLB participation rate)
  • percentage of children who were eligible for the CLB for the first time (in the current benefit year) who have received a CLB (new CLB annual take-up rate)
• 2023 to 2024 actual results:
  • CESG participation rate: 54.7%
  • CLB participation rate: 43.1%
  • new CLB annual take-up rate: 20.1%

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: an evaluation of the Canada Education Savings Program (CESP) was completed: Canada Education Savings Program part 2: Final evaluation report in June 2023. It examined the impact of the program on access to, and completion of, post-secondary education (PSE)

Key findings include:

• an increasing number of parents and caregivers are interested in CESP education savings incentives. The CESG take-up rate increased by 9.5 percentage points between 2012 and 2021, from 45.6% to 55.1%. However, while access to the CESG has improved over time, low-income families are less likely to benefit
• the CESG positively influences enrolment and completion of PSE. 18-year-olds who had received the CESG are more likely to access PSE and to graduate from a PSE institution than 18-year-olds who had not
• according to the 2020 Survey of Approaches to Educational Planning, the likelihood of saving for PSE increases with parental education and family income. Most parents who save for their children's education have an RESP. Still, some parents also rely on other savings vehicles or approaches
• non-financial barriers prevent people from accessing PSE, including:
  • low parental education
  • poor academic performance
  • living in remote areas, and
  • certain cultural influences

Low-income families and other distinct population groups are more likely to face these barriers.

the evaluation provides 2 recommendations:

• Explore ways of increasing take-up of education savings incentives

Explore outreach opportunities to increase awareness of education savings incentives and the benefits associated with pursuing PSE, with a focus on groups facing barriers

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: thirteen community-based organizations received funding and outreach support to explore new and innovative approaches to help families with lower incomes become aware of and access the CLB. A third-party evaluation of the CLB Pilot Project is underway

The department continues to advance coordinated outreach and engagement approaches for low-income and hard-to-reach Canadians with Service Canada and the Canada Revenue Agency. Of note, the department mailed information on related Government of Canada programs and benefits to CLB-eligible households to coincide with 13 CLB outreach events in Manitoba, Ontario, and New Brunswick. These events were attended by outreach officials from Service Canada and Canada Revenue Agency In fiscal year 2023 to 2024, these outreach events resulted in CLB payments for 1,791 children and youth totaling approximately $1.47 million

Explanation of variances: no significant variance

Canada Emergency Response Benefit and Canada Emergency Student Benefit

Start date: March 15, 2020

End date: October 3, 2020

Type of transfer payment: grant

Type of appropriation:

• Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
  • Statutory (Canada Emergency Response Act)
  • ESDC vote 5 (grants and contributions)
• Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB)
  • Statutory: (Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act) and (Canada Emergency Student Benefit Act)
  • ESDC Vote 5 (grants and contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2020 to 2021

Link to departmental result(s):

• Canadians receive financial support during employment transitions such as job loss, illness, or maternity/parental leave

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Canada Emergency Response Benefit

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

(CERB)

as part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government announced the temporary Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). It provided taxable income support to eligible workers who stopped working or whose working hours were reduced for reasons related to COVID-19

although the benefit ended in October 2020 and the deadline for CERB applications was December 2020, ongoing activities remain to close out the program

note: the CERB program was delivered by both the Canada Revenue Agency, under the authority of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit Act, and by Employment and Social Development Canada, under the authority of the Employment Insurance Act. The Government of Canada has committed to credit the EI Operating Account for the costs related to the CERB administered by Employment and Social Development Canada

(CESB)

the Government of Canada introduced the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) to provide financial support to eligible post-secondary students and recent graduates. The support was provided between May and August 2020 to offset the effects of the pandemic on the labour market. Students had to be unable to work, seeking work but unable to find it, or working but expecting to earn less than $1,000 per benefit period.

The deadline to submit CESB applications was September 30, 2020, however, funding for CESB has been extended to March 31, 2026, to account for outstanding claims where applicants have either requested a review of eligibility, or a review of client identity credentials is required to ensure payments are not made in error. Ongoing financial audits, enforcement, and cost recovery activities will remain active for up to ten years to close out the benefit

Results achieved:

(CERB)

• expected result: Canadian workers were able to apply for CERB and received temporary income support quickly
• performance indicator: given that the program is no longer available, no performance indicator is provided. The benefit was created to provide emergency financial relief to eligible workers affected by the pandemic as part of the Government of Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: not available - Program concluded in October 2020

(CESB)

• expected result: Students and recent graduates use federal financial assistance to help finance their post-secondary education, pay their bills and stay connected to the labour market
• performance indicator: Given that the program is no longer available, no performance indicator is provided. The benefit was created to provide emergency financial relief to students and recent graduates as part of the Government of Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: not available - program concluded in October 2020

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: no evaluation was completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024. No evaluation is planned since it was a temporary program

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: there were no engagement activities in fiscal year 2023 to 2024

Explanation of variances: variance between planned and actual spending is mainly attributable to the winding-down of the emergency benefits program after the emergency period, resulting in benefits expenditures lower than originally estimated; and to adjustments related to ongoing activities such as integrity and collection activities

Canada Recovery Benefit

Start date: September 27, 2020

End date: October 23, 2021

Type of transfer payment: grant

Type of appropriation: Statutory (Canada Recovery Benefits Act)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021 to 2022

Link to departmental result(s):

• canadians receive financial support during employment transitions such as job loss, illness, or maternity/parental leave

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Canada Recovery Benefits

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: the Canada Recovery Benefits were a suite of three temporary income support measures for those not eligible for Employment Insurance or who required tailored support when their employment was affected by COVID-19.

The Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) was one of these measures. It provided up to 54 weeks of benefits and was payable at $500 per week for the first 42 weeks. Claimants who had already received CRB payments for 42 weeks, and new CRB claimants as of July 18, 2021, received a weekly benefit of $300.

The CRB provided benefits to 2 categories of workers:

• workers who were not employed or self-employed due to COVID-19 and who were not eligible for Employment Insurance
• workers who had their employment/self-employment income reduced by at least 50% due to COVID-19 and who were not eligible for Employment Insurance

The program was delivered by the Canada Revenue Agency on behalf of ESDC

Results achieved:

• expected result: Canadians who are not employed or self-employed due to COVID-19 and who are not eligible for Employment Insurance received income support
• performance indicator: total unique applicants for the Canada Recovery Benefit
  • Total approved applications for the Canada Recovery Benefit
  • Total gross dollar value of Canada Recovery Benefit paid
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: not applicable. Program ended in October 2021

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: No audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: No evaluation was completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024. No evaluation is planned since it was a temporary program

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: There were no engagement activities in fiscal year 2023 to 2024

Explanation of variances: the variance between planned and actual spending is mainly attributable to collection activities and integrity work performed on Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) payments, resulting in repayments, cancellations and realignment between the Canada Recovery Benefit programs.

Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit

Start date: September 27, 2020

End date: May 7, 2022

Type of transfer payment: grant

Type of appropriation: statutory (Canada Recovery Benefits Act)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021 to 2022

Link to departmental result(s):

• canadians receive financial support during employment transitions such as job loss, illness, or maternity/parental leave

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Canada Recovery Benefits

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: the Canada Recovery Benefits were a suite of 3 temporary income support measures for those not eligible for Employment Insurance or who required tailored support when their employment was affected by COVID-19

the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) was one of these 3 measures. It provided income support for employed and self-employed workers who were unable to work at least 50% of the time that they would have otherwise worked or devoted to their work in the week for which they claimed the benefit in order to provide care for a child or family member. The person requiring care must have been a child under the age of 12 or another family member who requires supervised care because:

• their school, daycare, day program, or facility that they normally attend was unavailable, closed or open only certain times or for certain individuals due to COVID-19
• the care services or the person that usually cares for them was not available due to COVID-19
• they were sick and/or have been directed to quarantine for reasons related to COVID-19
• they were at high risk of serious health complications if they contracted COVID-19, as advised by a medical professional

The CRCB provided $500 per week for up to 44 weeks for eligible claimants

The program was delivered by the Canada Revenue Agency on behalf of ESDC

Results achieved:

• expected result: Canadian workers unable to work for reasons related to COVID-19 and who were not eligible for Employment Insurance received income support
• performance indicator:
  • percentage of workers in Canada who received Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit
  • total number of unique applicants for the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit
    note: a unique applicant is an individual. Individuals can move between benefit programs over time. Regardless of which benefit program an individual moves to, they are only eligible to receive one type in the same period. As a result, summing the total number of unique applicants across benefit programs can lead to over counting
  • total number of approved applications for the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit
    note: approved applications are total number of applications approved for every eligibility period
  • total gross dollar value of Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit paid
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: not applicable. Program ended in May 2022

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: no evaluation was completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024. No evaluation is planned since it was a temporary program

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: there were no engagement activities in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 as the program has ended

Explanation of variances: the variance between planned and actual spending is mainly attributable to collection activities and integrity work performed on Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) payments, resulting in repayments, cancellations and realignment between the Canada Recovery Benefit programs

Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit

Start date: September 27, 2020

End date: May 7, 2022

Type of transfer payment: grant

Type of appropriation: Statutory (Canada Recovery Benefits Act)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021 to 2022

Link to departmental result(s):

• Canadians receive financial support during employment transitions such as job loss, illness, or maternity/parental leave

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Canada Recovery Benefits

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: the Canada Recovery Benefits were a suite of 3 temporary income support measures for those not eligible for Employment Insurance or who required tailored support when their employment was affected by COVID-19

the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit was one of these 3 measures. It provided $500 per week for up to 6 weeks for workers who were unable to work for at least 50% of the time that they would have otherwise worked or devoted to their work in the week for which they claim the benefit, because they:

• were sick with or may have contracted COVID-19
• had to self-isolate for reasons related to COVID-19
• had underlying conditions, are undergoing treatments, or have contracted other sicknesses that make them more susceptible to COVID-19

The program was delivered by the Canada Revenue Agency on behalf of ESDC.

Results achieved:

• expected result: Canadian workers unable to work for reasons related to COVID-19 and who were not eligible for Employment Insurance received income support
• performance indicator:
  • percentage of workers in Canada who received Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit
  • total number of unique applicants for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit
    note: a unique applicant is an individual. Individuals can move between benefit programs over time. Regardless of which benefit program an individual moves to, they are only eligible to receive one type in the same period. As a result, summing the total number of unique applicants across benefit programs can lead to over counting.
  • total number of approved applications for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit
    note: approved applications are total number of applications approved for every eligibility period
  • total gross dollar value of Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit paid
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: not applicable. Program ended in May 2022

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: no evaluation was completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024. No evaluation is planned since it was a temporary program

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: there were no engagement activities in fiscal year 2023 to 2024

Explanation of variances: the variance between planned and actual spending is mainly attributable to collection activities and integrity work performed on Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit payments, resulting in repayments, cancellations and realignment between the Canada Recovery Benefit programs

Canada Service Corps

Start date: June 22, 2017

End date: ongoing

Type of transfer payment: contribution

Type of appropriation: ESDC vote 5 (grants and contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2023 to 2024

Link to departmental result(s):

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Canada Service Corps

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: the Canada Service Corps (CSC) is a grants and contributions program. It aims to promote civic engagement among Canadian youth aged 12 to 30, for Indigenous and under-served youth. CSC creates and facilitates access to volunteer service opportunities meaningful for youth that help them gain essential life skills and experience. These opportunities may take the form of either volunteer service placements or micro-grants for youth-led projects. These service opportunities will provide youth with the chance to make a difference in their communities

Results achieved:

• expected result: youth service volunteers are engaged
• performance indicator: number of volunteer service opportunities created
• 2023 to 2024 actual results:
  • for fiscal year 2023 to 2024, 12,205 volunteer service opportunities were created, consisting of 8,801 service placements and 3,404 micro-grants
  • the number of service opportunities provided is provisional, based on data provided by funding recipients to date. In addition to the reported participants, projects funded by the CSC have an impact on youth and communities, as additional youth are engaged and benefit from the program

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: an evaluation of the Canada Service Corps was completed in March 2024. This evaluation draws from multiple lines of evidence to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the program. It also examines the program's ability to meet its objectives and intended outcomes. CSC has and will continue to address the following three recommendations outlined in the evaluation:

• the program continues to explore alternative program design approaches, within a Grants and Contributions framework, to foster youth civic engagement among Indigenous and under-served youth
• the program continues to take steps to improve awareness and visibility of Canada Service Corps and the volunteer service opportunities available for youth
• the program take steps to improve its data capacity and collection methods to better support and inform policy analysis, research and evaluation activities

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: the department has regularly engaged with funding recipients to better understand their experience with CSC. In winter 2023, the department conducted outreach with a select number of recipient organizations in Toronto to discuss new initiatives and CSC overall programming. Building on this engagement, the department conducted further outreach in spring 2024 with recipient organizations in the West. The department also led orientation sessions with new funding recipients in fall 2023, as well as one-on-one meetings to support their understanding of program requirements

Explanation of variances: the variance between planned and actual spending is due to new projects starting later than anticipated, leaving less time for activities to take place

Canada Student Financial Assistance Program - Canada Student Grants

Start date: August 1, 2009

End date: ongoing

Type of transfer payment: grant

Type of appropriation: statutory (Canada Student Financial Assistance Act)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: not applicable

Link to departmental result(s):

• Canadians access education, training and lifelong learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need.
• students, including those from low- and middle-income families, use federally funded supports to help them participate in post-secondary education.
• student borrowers are able to repay their federal student debt.
• clients receive high-quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs (Learning, Skills Development and Employment).

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Canada Student Financial Assistance Program and Canada Apprentice Loans

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• Canada Student Grants are predictable, up-front grants to assist and encourage participation in post-secondary education. These grants are aimed at students from low- and middle-income families, students who are parents and students with disabilities. The grants are managed in partnership with participating provinces and territories
• while Canada Student Loans are repayable, Canada Student Grants provide non-repayable assistance

Results achieved:

• expected result: eligible students receive a Canada Student Grant to help them finance their post-secondary education
• performance indicator: percentage and number of full-time and part-time post-secondary students in participating provinces/territories who used a Canada Student Grant to help finance their participation in post-secondary education
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: at the time of publishing this report, data was not yet available. Detailed data results for the academic year 2023 to 2024 will be available in the 2023 to 2024 Canada Student Financial Assistance Program Annual Report and Statistical Review which will be released in Summer 2025

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: no evaluation was completed fiscal year 2023 to 2024. The next evaluation is planned to be completed in fiscal year 2028 to 2029

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: no engagement activities in fiscal year 2023 to 2024

Explanation of variances: the variance between planned and actual spending is due to the measure announced in Budget 2023 increasing the maximum Canada Student Grants amount by 40% above pre-pandemic levels. This measure was not accounted in the planned spending as this measure was announced after the completion of the Departmental Plan.

Canada Student Loans - Direct Financing Arrangement

Start date: August 1, 2000

End date: ongoing

Type of transfer payment: contribution

Type of appropriation: statutory (Canada Student Financial Assistance Act)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: not applicable

Link to departmental result(s):

• Canadians access education, training and lifelong learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need.
• students, including those from low- and middle-income families, use federally funded supports to help them participate in post-secondary education.
• student borrowers are able to repay their federal student debt.
• clients receive high-quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs (Learning, Skills Development and Employment).

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Canada Student Financial Assistance Program and Canada Apprentice Loans

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program (CSFA Program) provides financial assistance to eligible students who have a demonstrated financial need. This assistance takes the form of grants and loans to help them participate in post-secondary education
• the program also offers debt management measures to borrowers who are experiencing financial difficulty. As a result, they can continue to service their student loans in periods of unemployment or low income
• the CSFA Program is delivered in partnership with participating jurisdictions (9 provinces and Yukon). Quebec, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut do not participate in the CSFA Program. Students from these 3 jurisdictions do not qualify for Canada Student Grants or Loans. However, as per the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act, the non-participating jurisdictions receive an alternative payment on an annual basis. This payment is meant to offset the costs of operating their own student financial assistance programs

Results achieved:

• expected results:
  • post-secondary education students in the province of Quebec, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut continue to access financial assistance similar to the assistance provided to students in jurisdictions that participate in the Canada Student Financial. Assistance Program and Canada Apprentice Loans
  • students in non-participating jurisdictions with financial difficulty are able to receive repayment benefits
• performance indicator: the total amount of alternative payments disbursed by the Government of Canada to non-participating provinces and territories to operate their own student financial assistance programs
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: $1.138 million was disbursed in 2023 to 2024 based on expenses and revenues from the 2022 to 2023 academic year

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: no evaluation was completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024. The next evaluation is planned to be completed in fiscal year 2028 to 2029

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: no engagement activities took place in fiscal year 2023 to 2024

Explanation of variances: no significant variance.

Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit

Start date: October 24, 2021

End date: May 7, 2022

Type of transfer payment: grant

Type of appropriation: statutory (Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit Act)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021 to 2022

Link to departmental result(s): Canadians receive financial support during employment transitions such as job loss, illness, or maternity/parental leave

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit provided temporary income support of $300 ($270 after taxes withheld) per week to workers in designated lockdown regions who earned at least $5,000 in 2020 or the 12-month period prior to applying, and, due to the COVID-19 lockdown measures in their region:

• lost their job and were unemployed;
• were self-employed, but unable to continue their work; or
• were employed or self-employed but had a 50% reduction in average weekly income as compared to the previous year

Workers were able to apply for the benefit for each one-week period that they were affected by lockdown measures in a designated region. While the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit was available to both Employment Insurance (EI) eligible and non-EI eligible workers, claimants could not receive both benefits at the same time.

The benefit was available between October 24, 2021, and May 7, 2022, and was administered by the Canada Revenue Agency on behalf of Employment and Social Development Canada

Results achieved:

• expected result: workers whose income was interrupted as a result of a COVID-19 lockdown could have received temporary income support
• performance indicator: number of unique applicants for the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: not applicable. Program ended in May 2022

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: no evaluation was completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024. No evaluation is planned since it was a temporary program

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: there were no engagement activities in fiscal year 2023 to 2024

Explanation of variances: the variance between planned and actual spending is mainly attributable to collection activities and integrity work performed on Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit payments, resulting in repayments and cancellations

Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy

Start date: July 13, 2022

End date: ongoing

Type of transfer payment: grants and contributions

Type of appropriation: ESDC vote 5 (grants and contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2022 to 2023

Link to departmental result(s):

• Canadian access education, training, and lifelong learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need

Link to the department's program inventory

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy provides grants and non-repayable contributions to support apprenticeship and the skilled trades. Eligible recipients for funding include individuals, unions representing workers in Red Seal trades or organizations managing training funds for Red Seal trades workers, non-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, municipal governments, Indigenous organizations, provincial and territorial governments, institutions, agencies and crown corporations. Its objectives are to:

• promote the skilled trades as a good career option
• support the development of apprenticeship initiatives that help workers to explore, prepare for, participate and succeed in apprenticeship
• facilitate the participation of employers and unions in apprenticeship
• encourage the development of innovative tools and approaches to better prepare pre-apprentices, apprentices and journeypersons for the jobs of tomorrow

Results achieved:

• expected result: individuals access information and opportunities to explore skilled trades as a career option
• performance indicator: number of non-registered apprentices in funded projects that participate in awareness and exploration activities
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: 3,315 non-registered apprentices participated in awareness and exploration activities through funded projects
• expected result: Individuals are able to participate and succeed in apprenticeship training in the Red Seal trades
• performance indicator:
  • number of individuals in funded projects that participate in skills training activities
  • number of apprenticeship incentive grants issued based on attainment of outcome (such as completion of first year (level/block) or second year (level/block) of an approved apprenticeship program
• 2023 to 2024 actual results:
  • 41, 697 individuals participated in skills training activities through funded projects
  • 41,958 Apprenticeship Incentive Grants were issued
• expected result: Red Seal apprenticeship stakeholders are engaged
• performance indicator: number of employers who access Apprenticeship Service supports to hire apprentices
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: 6,906 employers accessed Apprenticeship Service supports to hire apprentices

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: no evaluation was completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024. An evaluation of the Apprenticeship Grant program is planned to be completed in fiscal year 2024 to 2025. A CAS evaluation will be completed by January 2027

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: in 2023 to 2024, the department:

• engaged with provinces and territories, through the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA)
• consulted with stakeholders (such as the National Stakeholder Meeting with employer associations, unions, training institutions, and industry associations)
• participated in stakeholder events including the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF)

These activities were done through information sessions about calls for proposals, and on an ad hoc basis throughout the year. In addition, the program engaged with other levels of government (e.g., municipalities) on initiatives of shared interest

Explanation of variances: the variance between planned an actual spending is attributable to lower than expected uptake of Apprenticeship Service and Apprenticeship Grants financial incentives, as well as delays in implementing a number of new projects

Canadian Benefit for Parents of Young Victims of Crime

Start date: January 1, 2013; modified on September 30, 2018

End date: ongoing

Type of transfer payment: grant

Type of appropriation: ESDC vote 5 (grants and contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2023 to 2024

Link to departmental result(s):

• clients receive high-quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs (Social Development)

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Social Development
• program: Canadian Benefit for Parents of Young Victims of Crime

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: the Canadian Benefit for Parents of Young Victims of Crime (PYVC) provides income support to eligible parents or legal guardians who suffer a loss of income while taking time away from work to cope with the death or disappearance of their child (or children) under 25 years of age as the result of a probable Criminal Code offence. Eligible parents receive a payment of $500 per week for a maximum of 35 weeks during 3 years following the date of the incident

Results achieved:

• expected result: the financial burden on parents of children who are deceased or missing due to a probable Criminal Code offence and who take time away from work to cope with the tragic situation is eased
• performance indicator: proportion of applications received and processed within the prescribed timeframe
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: 100%

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: no requirement to evaluate

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: outreach and stakeholder engagement activities are ongoing through victim service providers to ensure that families who find themselves in tragic circumstances are aware of this income support and provide greater accessibility to the benefit. Victim service providers can also facilitate the application process for those who may be eligible

Explanation of variances: the variance between planned an actual spending is due to fewer applications being received than forecasted at the grant's initiation in 2013. Changes to the program were made in Spring 2023 to enhance the grant by expanding eligibility criteria, increasing flexibility, and enhancing financial support for eligible working parents by raising the grant amount to $500 from $450. It is expected that, over time, these changes will have a modest but important impact on uptake of the grant

Community Workforce Development Program

Start date: 2021 to 2022

End date: 2025 to 2026

Type of transfer payment: contribution

Type of appropriation: ESDC vote 5 (grants and contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021 to 2022

Link to departmental result(s):

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need
• Canadians participate in an inclusive and efficient labour market

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Community Workforce Development Program

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: the Community Workforce Development Program supports communities to develop local plans that identify high growth areas and connect employers with training providers to upskill and reskill workers to fill current and emerging jobs in demand. It tests innovative community-based approaches to helping communities recover and improve resiliency through workforce planning and skills training

The program funds projects led by national and community-based organizations that address whole-of-government priorities. It contributes towards strengthening local economic diversification efforts.

Results achieved:

• expected result: participants access tailored skills training
• performance indicator: number of participants who access a training intervention
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: 1,181 participants

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: no requirement to evaluate.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: the department engaged all 13 funding recipients over the course of 2023 to 2024. This allowed the department to learn more about the projects and seek feedback on implementation, including challenges and lessons learned to inform program advice going forward

Explanation of variances: the variance between planned and actual spending is mainly due to delays in new projects, starting later than anticipated, leaving excess funding available. The department is aiming to reprofile unspent authority to future years

Early Learning and Child Care

Start date: April 2017

End date: ongoing

Type of transfer payment: other transfer payments

Type of appropriation: ESDC vote 5 (grants and contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021 to 2022

Link to departmental result(s):

• affordability of early learning and child care is increased

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Social Development
• program: Early Learning and Child Care

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• the Multilateral Early Learning and Child Care Framework sets the foundation for federal, provincial and territorial governments to work towards a shared long term vision for early learning and child care. The Framework lays the groundwork for collaboration and additional federal investments in provincial and territorial early learning and child care systems. The governments recognized that each jurisdiction has the responsibility to develop systems that best responds to the needs and priorities of their communities
• agreements have been signed with all provinces and territories, except Quebec due to its asymmetric agreement, that have committed to lowering fees for regulated child care by 50% on average by December 2022, with a further reduction to $10-a-day, on average, by March 2026. Provinces and territories have also committed to creating more than 250,000 child care spaces by March 2026, as well as a variety of measures to increase the quality and inclusiveness of child care across the country
• provincial and territorial governments use federal funding under bilateral agreements to support the delivery of early learning and child care systems that reflect their particular needs in support of the objectives of the Multilateral Early Learning and Child Care Framework
• in addition, the Federal Secretariat on Early Learning and Child Care provides grant and contribution funding to support projects that explore, test, and develop innovative approaches to early learning and child care to improve outcomes for children and their families. Grant and contribution funding also supports data and research projects that identify gaps and improve data collection in an effort to build capacity for reporting on common quality and outcome indicators

Results achieved:

• expected result: affordability of early learning and child care is increased
• performance indicator: average fees for regulated child care spaces
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: by March 31, 2024, seven provinces and territories (Quebec, Yukon, Nunavut, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, Saskatchewan) were delivering regulated child care for an average of $10-a-day, or less, and the Northwest Territories had announced plans to lower fees to $10-a-day effective April 1, 2024. The remaining provinces and territories had all reduced parent fees by at least 50%

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: a 3-year summary report was prepared by the Federal Secretariat on Early Learning and Child Care with the support of the Evaluation Directorate to outline the results achieved under the Early Learning Child and Care Bilateral Agreements from fiscal years 2017 to 2018 until 2019 to 2020

An evaluation of the Early Learning and Child Care Innovation Funding is planned for fiscal year 2026 to 2027.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: the department engaged with all provinces and territories throughout the fiscal year as part of the implementation and administration of multiple bilateral transfer payment agreements. Engagement was also part of regular Canada-wide Implementation Committee meetings between officials, partners, and stakeholders.

The National Advisory Council on Early Learning and Child Care provides expert advice and a forum for consultation to the department, in support of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, on issues and challenges facing the early learning and child care sector in Canada. In 2023 to 2024, the Council engaged with professional early learning and child care associations to inform them of workforce challenges.

As part of its regular and ongoing work, the department regularly engages experts, advocates, and other stakeholders to inform the design and implementation of the Canada-wide early learning and child care system.

Explanation of variances: no significant variance.

Enabling Accessibility Fund

Start date: the Enabling Accessibility Fund was introduced in Budget 2007. It was renewed in Budget 2010 for an additional 3 years. It was extended on an ongoing basis through Budget 2013

End date: ongoing

Type of transfer payment: grants and contributions

Type of appropriation: ESDC vote 5 (grants and contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2022 to 2023

Link to departmental result(s):

• barriers to accessibility for persons with disabilities are removed
• clients receive high quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs (Social Development)

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Social Development
• program: Enabling Accessibility Fund

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: persons with disabilities often experience barriers to their participation and inclusion in daily activities. To support their participation in society, the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) provides funding for eligible capital projects that increase accessibility and eliminate barriers for persons with disabilities in communities and workplaces. The EAF creates more opportunities for persons with disabilities to participate in community activities, programs and services, or to access employment opportunities. Eligible recipients are not-for-profit, for-profit and Indigenous organizations, as well as municipal and territorial governments. They can apply for funding through periodic funding processes under 3 program components:

• the small projects component supports small-scale construction, renovation or retrofit projects that increase accessibility in communities or workplaces
• the youth innovation component empowers youth to identify accessibility barriers within their communities and work with local organizations to find solutions. The goal is to increase accessibility and safety in community spaces and workplaces
• the mid-sized projects component supports larger retrofit, renovation or construction projects of facilities or venues that house or will house programs and services geared towards addressing the social and/or labour market integration needs of persons with disabilities

Results achieved:

• expected result: organizations undertake accessibility improvements to their facilities as a result of EAF funding
• performance indicator: number of community spaces and workplaces that are more accessible due to Enabling Accessibility Fund funding
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: under the EAF program, the department funded 398 community projects and 39 workplace projects. The average value of youth-led projects was lower than anticipated which allowed the program to fund 121 more projects than projected

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: no evaluation was completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024. The next evaluation is planned to be completed in fiscal year 2027 to 2028

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: there were no engagement activities in fiscal year 2023 to 2024

Explanation of variances: the variance between planned and actual spending is primarily due to internal reallocation to support the program's needs

Enabling Fund for Official Language Minority Communities

Start date: April 1, 2005

End date: ongoing

Type of transfer payment: contribution

Type of appropriation: ESDC vote 5 (grants and contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2023 to 2024

Link to departmental result(s):

• Canadians participate in an inclusive and efficient labour market
• clients receive high quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs (Learning, Skills Development and Employment)

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Enabling Fund for Official Language Minority Communities

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• the Enabling Fund for Official Language Minority Communities (EF-OLMC) Program's objective is to enhance the economic development and vitality of official language minority communities (OLMCs) across Canada.
• the EF-OLMC Program follows the "by and for" approach, which considers the needs and priorities of OLMCs in the design and delivery of initiatives. As a result, projects that receive funding are implemented by OLMC organizations for the benefit of individuals living in OLMCs, as well as their organizations and businesses.

Results achieved:

• expected result: OLMCs entities and individuals have access to, and make use of, expertise and services provided by local OLMCs stakeholders
• performance indicator: number and percentage of OLMCs benefiting from community economic development and human resource development
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: the program is not reporting on this indicator as they are in the process of having it removed in the upcoming review cycle
• performance indicator: number and types of services in the areas of community economic development and human resource development provided to OLMC members
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: 95,883 services. This includes business services, services for entrepreneurs, services to not-for-profit organizations, services to jobseekers and general services (e.g., sector-development services, community-planning services, entrepreneurship awareness services)

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: no evaluation was completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024. The next evaluation is planned to be completed in fiscal year 2026 to 2027

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: the department held engagement sessions with stakeholders beginning in June 2023 with 25 key OLMC organizations, including EF-OLMC funding recipients

In October 2023, the department met with the 13 stakeholders of the francophone network of Economic Development and Employment for a day of consultation and strategic planning.

On November 21 and 22, 2023, approximately 90 OLMC organizations, including EF-OLMC funding recipients, were engaged.

Explanation of variances: no significant variance.

Foreign Credential Recognition Program

Start date: May 26, 2010

End date: ongoing

Type of transfer payment: contribution

Type of appropriation: ESDC vote 5 (grants and contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2020 to 2021

Link to departmental result(s):

• Canadians participate in an inclusive and efficient labour market

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Foreign Credential Recognition Program

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: the Foreign Credential Recognition Program supports the labour market integration of skilled newcomers by providing funding to provinces and territories, regulatory authorities and other organizations to:

• improve the efficiency of foreign credential recognition processes
• provide loans and support services to help skilled newcomers through the foreign credential recognition process
• provide employment supports, such as work placements, wage subsidies, training, mentoring and coaching, to help internationally trained professionals gain Canadian work experience in their field of study.

Program objectives are to develop and strengthen Canada's foreign credential assessment and recognition capacity, contribute to improving labour market integration outcomes of skilled newcomers and enhance labour mobility in targeted occupations and sectors.

Results achieved:

• expected result: skilled newcomers benefit from foreign credential recognition systems improvements and are directly supported in their labour market integration
• performance indicator: proportion of participants in employment support projects (excluding foreign credential recognition loans) who gain Canadian work experience relevant to their profession or field of study
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: 26.9% of participants in employment support projects (excluding credential recognition loans) gained Canadian work experience relevant to their profession or field of study
• expected result: skilled newcomers are working in occupations in their field of expertise
• performance indicator: proportion of participants in employment support projects (excluding foreign credential recognition loans) who found employment in their intended or related occupation
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: 20.5% of participants in employment support projects (excluding foreign credential recognition loans) found employment in their intended or related occupation

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: no evaluation was completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024. The next evaluation is planned to be completed in fiscal year 2024 to 2025

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: key stakeholders, including funding applicants and recipients, were engaged through direct meetings and conferences. Provinces and territories were also engaged through Federal-Provincial-Territorial multilateral fora and bilateral meetings

Explanation of variances: the variance between planned and actual spending resulted from project implementation delays. Most of the approved projects commenced in January 2024, later than anticipated.

Future Skills

Start date: May 24, 2018

End date: March 31, 2024

Type of transfer payment: contribution

Type of appropriation: ESDC vote 5 (grants and contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2018 to 2019

Link to departmental result(s):

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need
• Canadians participate in an inclusive and efficient labour market

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Future Skills

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: rapid technological advancements (such as artificial intelligence) and new business models are now realities of the labour market. These are affecting job seekers', workers' and employers' ability to adapt and keep up with the pace of change. Future Skills introduced proactive and innovative measures to support workforce development strategies that adapt to the pace and scope of changes in the workplace. The program works with governments, private sector, labour, educational and training institutions, Indigenous and not-for-profit organizations to adopt proven practices.

Results achieved:

• expected result: increase access to quality training and supports that address the changing nature of work, especially for underrepresented and disadvantaged groups
• performance indicator: number of participants, disaggregated by gender, age, race, income, geographic location, etc., in Future Skills Centre innovation projects that are testing a skills development intervention
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: 656,247

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: in June 2023, a five-year evaluation of Future Skills was completed. It found that the initiative has effectively engaged a pan-Canadian network of stakeholders, set the stage for innovation and developed knowledge to help inform policies and programs. Most projects focused on underrepresented, disadvantaged and equity-deserving groups. It is too early to assess program impacts

The review provided the following recommendations:

1. continue to improve and strengthen data collection and reporting on the program's performance to support better decision-making;
2. strengthen knowledge synthesis and mobilization activities for evidence generated by the Future Skills Centre; and
3. take steps to clarify the role of ESDC and increase its visibility to support efforts to mobilize knowledge and influence labour market policies and programming.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: the department engaged with the Future Skills Centre, its consortium partners and organizations that partnered with the Centre to lead research and innovation projects to gather evidence on emerging in-demand skills and effective assessment and training approaches tailored to Canadians' diverse needs

Explanation of variances: no variance

Guaranteed Income Supplement

Start date: 1967

End date: ongoing

Type of transfer payment: grant

Type of appropriation: statutory (Old Age Security Act).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: not applicable

Link to departmental result(s):

• clients receive high quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Pensions and Benefits
• program: Old Age Security

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The Old Age Security (OAS) program is the first pillar of Canada's retirement income system. Its objective is to ensure a minimum income for seniors, and to reduce income disruptions at retirement. The OAS program is funded by general tax revenues. The program includes 3 benefits: The OAS pension, the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), and the Allowances.
• The GIS provides additional assistance to OAS pensioners with little or no income. Entitlement to the GIS is based on marital status and income of the individual, and their spouse or common-law partner for couples. The GIS is income-tested to ensure that the highest benefits are paid to the lowest-income seniors.

Results achieved:

• expected result: seniors have income support for retirement
• performance indicator: percentage of seniors receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement in relation to the estimated total number of eligible seniors
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: not available at the time of publication

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: no evaluation was completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024. The next evaluation is planned to be completed in fiscal year 2027 to 2028

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: the department continues to undertake a variety of initiatives to ensure individuals are aware of, and apply for, benefits to which they are entitled. This includes proactive mailings to potential beneficiaries, inclusion of information with annual tax slips, enhancement of Service Canada channels (web, phone, in person), and outreach services for those potentially eligible

Explanation of variances: no significant variance

Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Transformation Initiative

Start date: September 2018

End date: ongoing

Type of transfer payment: contribution

Type of appropriation: ESDC vote 5 (grants and contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions:

• the terms and conditions were last amended in 2023, while the initiative was made permanent and ongoing in 2021

Link to departmental result(s): access to early learning and childcare is increased

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Social Development
• program: Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Transformation Initiative

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care (IELCC) Transformation Initiative supports the implementation of the co-developed Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework. The Framework sets out a vision for the transfer of IELCC programming to enable Indigenous Peoples' full control over design, delivery and administration and to support self-determination. The Framework reflects the unique cultures and priorities of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children across Canada. The implementation of the Framework and associated investments is supported by a partnership model comprised of national and regional partnership tables. Under this partnership model, Indigenous leadership make decisions on regional allocations, work plans and priorities for the use of funding prior to its dispersion. The IELCC Transformation Initiative allows for investments in a wide range of programs and services including daycare and Head Start programming, enhancing early childhood development and school readiness for children regardless of where they live. Employment and Social Development Canada is the federal lead department guiding this horizontal initiative. Indigenous Services Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada are key federal partners.

Results achieved:

• expected result: Indigenous partners have greater influence over Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care programming
• performance indicator: number of National Partnership Tables established
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: three National Partnership Tables are now established and active, representing First Nations, Inuit, and Métis
• note: Additional performance indicators and targets to be determined in collaboration with Indigenous partners. Joint results frameworks are being co-developed in collaboration with Indigenous partners, based on the principles, goals and distinctions-based priorities outlined in the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework. The development of results frameworks are anticipated to be completed by March 2025.

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: together with two other programs in the department, the IELCC Transformation Initiative participated as a program case study of the ESDC Audit of Program Design for Grants and Contributions. This audit will be finalized and published in 2024 to 2025

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: during 2023 to 2024, the first, formative evaluation of the IELCC Transformation Initiative significantly progressed and included participation and feedback from Indigenous partners. The evaluation was completed in July 2024. The evaluation will be published by the end of 2024

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: engagement is ongoing and facilitated through national and regional partnership tables established with First Nations, Inuit and Métis governments and their representatives

Explanation of variances: the variance between actual and planned spending is due to transfers of funding, after the Departmental Plan was approved, to other federal departments that participate in the delivery of the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care horizontal initiative. These transfers were made to reflect Indigenous leadership decisions on funding allocations and agreements

Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program

Start date: April 1, 2019

End date: March 31, 2029

Type of transfer payment: contribution

Type of appropriation: ESDC vote 5 (grants and contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2019 to 2020

Link to departmental result(s):

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need
• Canadians participate in an inclusive and efficient labour market

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• the Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) Program helps reduce skills and employment gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Under the program, Indigenous service delivery organizations provide skills development and job training to First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and urban/non-affiliated Indigenous Peoples through a distinctions-based approach. Funding comes from both the Consolidated Revenue Fund and Employment Insurance Act, Part II

Results achieved:

• expected result: an increasing number of Indigenous Peoples are employed and integrated into the Canadian labour market
• performance indicator: number of clients who obtained employment following service interventions
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: 19,401

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: no evaluation was completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024. The next evaluation is planned to be completed in fiscal year 2025 to 2026

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: in 2023 to 2024, there were discussions about various issues impacting Indigenous labour market programming. This included engagement with Indigenous partners as part of the co-development of the evaluation of the ISET program

The department continued to have ongoing discussions with Indigenous contribution recipients throughout the life cycle of their contribution agreement, as well as through distinctions-based working groups.

Explanation of variances: no significant variance.

Labour Funding Program

Start date: April 2012

End date: ongoing

Type of transfer payment

• International Trade and Labour
  • grants for low- to moderate-risk proposals
  • contributions for higher-risk proposals
• Occupational Health and Safety
  • grants for low- to moderate-risk proposals
  • contributions for higher-risk proposals
• Workplace Opportunities: Removing Barriers to Equity
  • grants for low- to moderate-risk proposals
  • contributions for low, moderate, and higher-risk proposals

Type of appropriation: ESDC vote 5 (grants and contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2013 to 2014

Link to departmental result(s):

• work conditions are fair and inclusive.
• workplaces are safe and healthy.
• clients receive high quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs.

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Working Conditions and Workplace Relations
• programs:
  • International Labour Affairs
  • Labour Relations
  • Occupational Health and Safety
  • Labour Standards
  • Employment Equity

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

To work in collaboration with Canadian and international labour-related stakeholders to promote safe, healthy, fair and inclusive work conditions and cooperative workplace relations in Canada and abroad.

Results achieved

International Trade and Labour:

• expected result: enhanced awareness by Canada and/or partner countries of fundamental international labour principles
• performance indicator: number of agreements, instruments, action plan and joint activities adopted, undertaken or implemented to strengthen respect for international labour standards
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: results include seven new multi-year technical assistance projects (Costa Rica, Panama, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Southeast Asia region) to advance compliance with international labour standards. This is in addition to active monitoring of ongoing projects in Mexico, Honduras, Colombia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Jordan and Ukraine

Occupational Health and Safety:

• expected result: contribution to the building and sharing of knowledge on prevention of accident and illness for workers as well as fire protection, fire prevention and safety
• performance indicator: number of projects/activities that support knowledge building and sharing to address workplace accident and illness
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: 0
• note: no funding agreements were put in place under this stream in 2023 to 2024.

Workplace Opportunities: Removing Barriers to Equity:

• expected result: projects promote meaningful collaboration and dialogue between employers and stakeholders
• performance indicator: percentage of completed activities made possible by grants and/or contributions funding
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: 10%
  • One project was completed within the established Agreement timeline in 2023 to 2024
• expected result: project-based tools and resources are developed to support capacity building among federally regulated private-sector employers and federal contractors
• performance indicator: percentage of projects developed to support capacity-building tools and resources
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: 100%
  • ten projects aiming to develop capacity-building tools and resources remained active at the end of 2023 to 2024
• expected result: employers and stakeholders have access to information concerning employment equity, diversity and inclusion in Canadian workplaces
• performance indicator: percentage of tools and resources made available to employers within 6 months of receiving final project deliverables from funding recipients
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: 100%
  • all tools and resources developed for the project that concluded in 2023 to 2024 were made available to employers within 6 months by publishing on-line

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: no evaluations were completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024. The next planned evaluations are:

• the Evaluation of Occupational Health and Safety will be completed in fiscal year 2025 to 2026
• the Evaluation of Labour Standards will be completed in fiscal year 2025 to 2026
• the Evaluation of the Workplace Equity Program will be completed in fiscal year 2025 to 2026

The International Labour Affairs Program is considered exempt.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024:

• International Trade and Labour: dialogue with Free Trade Agreement partner countries, international and regional labour organizations, and other stakeholders, resulted in the design, delivery and evaluation of technical assistance projects in partner countries
• Workplace Opportunities: Removing Barriers to Equity (WORBE): two round-table discussions were hosted for the ongoing projects under WORBE in 2023 to 2024
• Occupational Health and Safety (OHS): in 2023 to 2024, there was no funding agreement under the OHS stream

Explanation of variances: the variances between planned and actual spending is mainly due to additional authorities accessed by the department in-year, from Fall Economic Statement 2022 to implement Canadaʼs Indo-Pacific Strategy.

Migrant Worker Support Program

Start date: January 25, 2022.

End date: December 31, 2024

Type of transfer payment: contribution

Type of appropriation: ESDC vote 5 (grants and contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2022 to 2023

Link to departmental result(s):

• Canadians participate in an inclusive and efficient labour market
• clients receive high quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs (Learning, Skills Development and Employment)

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• the purpose of the Migrant Worker Support (MWS) program is to provide migrant workers with accurate information and access to available services and supports. The program also helps them understand and exercise their rights while living and working in Canada
• the MWS program is part of a suite of measures aimed at addressing the power imbalance between migrant workers and employers, while supporting a stable labour supply for Canada. It supports the protection of workers and their well being, one of the core pillars of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Results achieved:

• expected result: temporary foreign workers increase their knowledge about their rights and the mechanisms and supports available to exercise their rights
• performance indicator: temporary foreign workers exercise their rights when needed or feel that they are able to exercise their rights hypothetically
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: the MWS program provided funding directly to organizations across Canada and supported the organization's provision of migrant worker-centric programs and services, including on-arrival orientation and community-based services such as assistance in emergencies and helping workers better understand and exercise their rights. The program funds 10 recipients that have over 100 sub-agreement holders.
• From April 1^st until December 31, 2023, there were over 300,000 service interactions with temporary foreign workers across Canada.

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: no evaluation was completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024. The next evaluation is planned to be completed in fiscal year 2026 to 2027. The full scope of this evaluation has yet to be determined

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: the Ministerial roundtable held on June 30, 2023, allowed the department to engage with over 100 stakeholders, including community organizations, migrant worker advocates and service providers, to discuss what works, what is not working, and what needs to change to address the needs and vulnerabilities of temporary foreign workers across Canada. The roundtable also allowed funded organizations under the program to give feedback on outstanding gaps in funding and services for temporary foreign workers and to collaborate to identify priorities and issues that are national in scope.

Between October 6 and December 31, 2023, the program administered an online survey. The survey evaluated whether organizations funded through the program are helping temporary foreign workers to understand and exercise their rights while in Canada and strengthened the department's understanding of program impacts, and knowledge of temporary foreign workers. The survey gathered information about temporary foreign workers' work history and experiences, and demographic data (e.g. gender, geographic location, language, and nationality). Findings from the survey will support the evaluation of the effectiveness of the program and inform future iterations of the program.

Explanation of variances: no significant variance.

Note: 2021 to 2022 Actuals Spending (2021 to 2022 Departmental Result Report) were reported under the Social Development Partnership Program.

New Horizons for Seniors Program

Start date: original program on October 1, 2004; expanded program on September 27, 2007; enhanced program on September 30, 2010

End date: ongoing

Type of transfer payment: grants and contributions

Type of appropriation: ESDC vote 5 (grants and contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions:

• terms and conditions were last amended in fiscal year 2018 to 2019

Link to departmental result(s):

• not-for-profit organizations, communities and other groups have an enhanced capacity to address a range of social issues such as the social inclusion of persons with disabilities, the engagement of seniors, and support for children and families
• clients receive high quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs (Social Development)

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Social Development
• program: New Horizons for Seniors Program

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• the New Horizons for Seniors Program enhances the quality of life and promotes the full participation of individuals in all aspects of Canadian society. These are 2 overarching social goals of the Government of Canada. Program initiatives are implemented at the national, regional and community levels. They address seniors' issues through partnerships and the engagement and contributions of seniors themselves. The program's design includes 2 streams: Community-based grants and Pan-Canadian grants and contributions.
• ommunity-based grants address social challenges ‘on the ground' and recognize communities as the focal point for program and service delivery. Funded projects are volunteer-based; supported by communities; inspired or led by seniors; and, address one or more of the 5 program objectives. Selected through annual calls for proposals, one-year, community-based projects are eligible to receive up to $25,000 in grant funding.
• pan-Canadian grants and contributions support innovative projects that create a significant impact in communities. These projects invest in large initiatives that meet the growing social needs of seniors. Organizations can apply for projects up to 5 years in duration and up to $5 million in funding under the pan-Canadian stream.

Results achieved:

• expected result: communities have the capacity to address local issues by engaging seniors
• performance indicator: number of seniors who participated in community projects
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: 926,890 participating seniors

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: there is an ongoing audit of programs to assist seniors, covering the New Horizons for Seniors Program and other seniors' programming. This audit will be completed in fiscal year 2024 to 2025

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: no evaluation was completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024. The next evaluation is planned to be completed in fiscal year 2025 to 2026

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: in 2023 to 2024, the department engaged with Pan-Canadian funding recipients through a Community of Practice session where participants learned about the evaluation of collective impact and exchanged their experience and perspectives. Funding recipients also have regular contact with Service Canada project officers. The current cohort of Pan-Canadian projects will close in 2024 to 2025. For the next cohort of Pan-Canadian projects, a Call for Concepts was launched in fiscal year 2023 to 2024. The department has been engaged with applicants through information sessions and direct correspondence to facilitate this process.

For the Community-based stream, in the lead up to the 2023 Call for Proposals, there were 57 information sessions conducted by the department which were attended by 1,887 participants.

Explanation of variances: no significant variance.

Old Age Security Pension

Start date: 1952

End date: ongoing

Type of transfer payment: grant

Type of appropriation: statutory (Old Age Security Act)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: not applicable

Link to departmental result(s):

• clients receive high quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Pensions and Benefits
• program: Old Age Security

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• the Old Age Security (OAS) program is the first pillar of Canada's retirement income system. Its objective is to ensure a minimum income for seniors, and to reduce income disruptions at retirement. The OAS program is funded through general tax revenues. The program includes 3 benefits: the OAS pension, the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), and the Allowances.
• OAS pension is a monthly payment to all Canadians aged 65 or older who meet the residence and legal status requirements. To be eligible for the OAS pension, an individual must have resided in Canada for at least 10 years after the age of 18.

Results achieved:

• expected result: seniors have income support for retirement
• performance indicator:
  • percentage of seniors receiving the OAS pension at age 65 and over in relation to the estimated total number of eligible seniors aged 65 and over
  • percentage of seniors receiving the OAS pension at age 70 and over in relation to the estimated total number of eligible seniors aged 70 and over
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: not available at the time of publication

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: no evaluation was completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024. The next evaluation is planned to be completed in fiscal year 2027 to 2028

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: there were no engagement activities in fiscal year 2023 to 2024

Explanation of variances: no significant variance.

Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities

Start date: April 1, 1997

End date: ongoing

Type of transfer payment: contribution.

Type of appropriation: ESDC vote 5 (grants and contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2022 to 2023

Link to departmental result(s):

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: this program helps persons with disabilities to get ready for, find and keep quality jobs, and advance their careers. The program also provides supports to employers to help them create more inclusive and accessible workplaces. Projects funded by the program may provide training, job search help and job placements. Third-party organizations in the community deliver this program

Results achieved:

• expected result: persons with disabilities have enhanced their employability, obtained employment, become self-employed or returned to school
• performance indicator:
  • number of clients with enhanced employability
  • number of clients employed or self-employed
  • number of clients who return to school
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: not available*
• expected result: participating employers have increased ability to hire and support persons with disabilities in the workplace
• performance indicator: number and proportion percentage of employers who report increased ability to hire and support persons with disabilities in the workplace
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: not available*.
• expected result: participating employers hire, retain and promote persons with disabilities
• performance indicator: percentage of employers that hired one or more persons with a disability as part of their Opportunities Fund activities
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: not available*
• expected result: participating persons with disabilities advance in their careers or have increased job responsibilities
• performance indicator: percentage of participants who report a promotion or have increased responsibilities
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: not available*

*Data is not yet available, as reporting requirements have changed and funded organizations are in a transition year to implement and collect results from programming in 2023 to 2024. Results will be reported in the 2024 to 2025 Departmental Result Report.

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: no evaluation was completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024. The next evaluation is planned to be completed in fiscal year 2025 to 2026

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: in 2023 to 2024, engagement took place with organizations delivering seven new projects that will support persons with disabilities who are Black, Indigenous Peoples, or persons of colour, to overcome barriers to participate in the labour market. The purpose was to better understand the needs of these communities and to identify and address any issues at the project start up phase

Explanation of variances: the variance between planned and actual spending is attributable to lower than anticipated capacity of third-party organizations delivering projects funded by the Opportunities Fund; and to delays in negotiations with organizations. The department is aiming to reprofile unspent authority to future years

Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program

Start date: June 17, 2021

End date: ongoing

Type of transfer payment: contribution

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5 (grants and contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021 to 2022

Link to departmental result(s):

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need
• Canadians participate in an inclusive and efficient labour market

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: the objective of the SWSP is to help employers and workers by supporting key sectors of the economy to develop and implement solutions to address current and emerging, and workforce needs

The SWSP funds organizations to deliver sectoral projects that focus on a range of industry-driven activities such as training and reskilling workers, helping employers retain and attract a skilled and diverse workforce and other creative solutions to help sectors address labour market needs. This will help employers find skilled workers and connect Canadians with the training they need to access good jobs in key sectors. It will also support equity-deserving groups by promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce and providing wrap-around supports as needed to those facing barriers to participation.

Results achieved:

• expected result: Canadian workers participate in sectoral training and transition initiatives to enhance their skills and employability
• performance indicator: number of Canadians who access or participate in training or transition initiatives, including those from equity-deserving groups
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: 89,546 Canadians accessed or participated in training or transition initiatives, including 37,298 from equity-deserving groups

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: no evaluation was completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024. The next evaluation is planned for fiscal year 2027 to 2028

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: no evaluation was completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024. The next evaluation is planned for fiscal year 2027 to 2028

Explanation of variances: no significant variance.

Skills and Partnership Fund

Start date: April 1, 2010

End date: March 31, 2029

Type of transfer payment: contribution

Type of appropriation: ESDC vote 5 (grants and contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions:

• 2009 to 2010 (with the latest amendment made in March 2016)

Link to departmental result(s):

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need
• Canadians participate in an inclusive and efficient labour market

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Skills and Partnership Fund

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: the Skills and Partnership Fund (SPF) is a project-based fund that funds partnerships between Indigenous organizations and industry employers. These partnerships provide skills training for Indigenous Peoples linked to economic opportunities at the local, regional and national level. By increasing access to training that is demand-driven, the SPF plays a key role in directly linking training efforts and Indigenous Peoples to specific jobs to improve their employment outcomes

Results achieved:

• expected result: an increasing number of Indigenous Peoples are employed and integrated into the Canadian labour market
• performance indicator: number of clients who obtained employment following service intervention(s)
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: 495

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: no evaluation was completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024.The next evaluation is planned to be completed in fiscal year 2024 to 2025

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: in 2023 to 2024, program officials provided ongoing support to new project recipients. Agreements were put in place for new projects in 2022 to 2023 as part of the renewed approach to the program. This included discussions about reporting requirements to support program reporting and evaluation

Explanation of variances: the variance between planned and actual spending can be explained by internal reallocations between Departmental programs aimed at helping Indigenous people improve their skills and find employment.

Skills for Success

Start date: April 1, 2006

End date: ongoing

Type of transfer payment: grants and contributions

Type of appropriation: EDSC vote 5 (grants and contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021 to 2022

Link to departmental result(s):

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need
• clients receive high quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Skills for Success

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: the Skills for Success Program funds organizations to help Canadians improve their foundational and transferable skills so they can better prepare for, get and keep a job. The program funds organizations to deliver training, and to develop assessment tools and training resources. Assessment tools and training resources developed through the program will be made available to Canadians

In addition, the Skills for Success program includes the Women's Employment Readiness Pilot Program, a 2-year pilot which will end on March 31, 2024. The pilot funds organizations to provide and test pre-employment and skills development models to help women facing multiple barriers. The pilot also tests models to improve workplace inclusivity. Results of the pilot will be used to inform future programming to better serve women facing multiple barriers.

Results achieved:

• expected result: Canadians access employment supports and skills training opportunities to help them build their skills to better prepare for, participate and succeed in the labour market
• performance indicator: total number of Canadians taking part in foundational and transferable skills training
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: 75,719. This total includes the number of participants for the Skills for Success Program (72,194) and for the Women's Employment Readiness Pilot Program (3,525)

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: no evaluation was completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024. The next evaluation is planned to be completed in fiscal year 2027 to 2028

The Women's Employment Readiness Pilot Program is not scheduled for a formal evaluation because it is a 2-year pilot. Final results, including a public "What We Heard" Report, will be available in fall 2024.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: in 2023 to 2024, the program engaged with funding recipients on project implementation. This included performance measurement, such as the program's annual survey tool and promotion of tools and resources developed by recipient projects that are available on the program website. The program held its annual Skills for Success Forum in the fall of 2023 for all funding recipients.

Explanation of variances: the variance between planned and actual spending is primarily attributable to ongoing negotiations with the province of Quebec. The department is aiming to reprofile unspent authority to future years.

Social Development Partnerships Program

Start date: April 1998

End date: ongoing

Type of transfer payment: grants and contributions

Type of appropriation: ESDC vote 5 (grants and contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions:

• children and Families component: 2020 to 2021
• disability component: 2020 to 2021

Link to departmental result(s):

• not-for-profit organizations, communities and other groups have an enhanced capacity to address a range of social issues such as the social inclusion of people with disabilities, engagement of seniors, and support for children and families
• clients receive high quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs (Social Development)

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Social Development
• program: Social Development Partnerships Program

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• the Social Development Partnerships Program is a grants and contributions program. It supports Government of Canada priorities through investment in not-for-profit organizations. These organizations aim to improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities, children and families, Black Canadian communities, and other vulnerable populations facing physical, economic and social pressures. The program has an annual budget supporting 2 components: Disability, and Children and Families
  • grants and contributions support communities, not-for-profit, voluntary sector organizations, and Indigenous organizations. These organizations provide vulnerable Canadian populations with the tools and skills to respond to current and emerging social issues that they are facing. These issues include a limited ability to participate in the workplace or to contribute to their families and communities.
  • the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative is delivered under the Children and Families component. It allows the federal government to strengthen the capacity and infrastructure of Black Canadian communities and organizations. These groups can then deliver much-needed programs and services and reduce long-standing socio-economic disparities faced by marginalized communities.

Results achieved:

• expected result: not-for-profit sector and partners have improved capacity to respond to existing and emerging social issues for target populations
• performance indicator: percentage of Social Development Partnerships Program projects that leverage funds from non-federal partners (see note below)
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: 100% (Children and Families Component)
• expected result: not-for-profit organizations, communities, and other groups have an enhanced capacity to address a range of social issues such as the social inclusion of persons with disabilities, the engagement of seniors and support for children and families
• performance indicator: Percentage of partnerships newly developed by recipient organizations to address a range of social issues such as the social inclusion of persons with disabilities, children and families and other vulnerable populations (see note below)
• 2023 to 2024 actual results:
  • 72.5% (Children and Families Component)
  • 32.7% (Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative of the Children and Families Component)

note: Although not included in the 2023 to 2024 Departmental Results Framework, this indicator about partnerships is the one the program is going to report on from now on. The program is no longer collecting data on leveraging

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: an evaluation was completed in early 2024. The evaluation focused on the Disability and Children and Families Components. The final evaluation report, published in June 2024, includes:

Key Findings

1. The program aligns with Government of Canada priorities and departmental objectives on social development, including the priorities on diversity, inclusion and accessibility.
2. Stakeholders and interviewed participants mentioned that additional and clear information (such as expectations, resources, eligibility, timelines, final reporting, etc.) may help clarify the application processes.
3. Overall, the majority of funding recipients agreed that reporting requirements were reasonable, and the program's communication of these requirements was clear. However, evaluation found low uptake in the usage of the final reporting templates over the evaluation period. This finding should be considered within the context that the funding agreements do not mandate the use of customized templates.
4. The program's data requirements positively impacted the organizational capacity of the Disability component's funding recipients, while funding recipients from the Children and Families component experienced a neutral impact. Some ambiguities emerged regarding the program's use of the collected data.
5. All interviewed or surveyed stakeholders agreed that the program increased social inclusion by decreasing barriers to participation, in Canadian society, while increasing opportunities for community engagement
6. Projects' approaches were generally sustained, beyond the funding terms, by funding recipients and partner organizations.

Recommendations

7. The program should explore different communication methods to improve stakeholder access to information on funding application intakes and how to apply.
8. The program should explore the barriers experienced by funding recipients related to reporting tools, to better support their performance assessment.

Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative (SBCCI) of the Children and Families Component

In addition, a mid-term assessment of SBCCI, which is part of the program's Children and Families Component, was conducted. The assessment found that Black communities in Canada require a high-degree for support, and SBCCI fills a key need. However, community feedback indicates a need for further, less restricted support, which could include support for operational funding and increasing capacity around data and technological skills for community organizations. Challenges include a lack of information on the non-profit sector broadly, and as a result, on Black non-profit organizations.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024:

Children and Families Component

• engagement activities occurred 1 to 2 times per year and will continue until the projects' completion in fiscal year 2027 to 2028

Disability Component

• engagement occurred with many organizations with a priority for newly funded organizations

Explanation of variances: the variance between planned and actual spending is primarily due the reallocation of funding from various program areas within the department to meet the needs of the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative. Furthermore, in-year funding was received from Budget 2023 to support the capacity building for non-profit disability organizations.

Social Innovation and Social Finance Strategy - Investment Readiness Program

Start date: April 1, 2021

End date: March 31, 2024

Type of transfer payment: grants and contributions

Type of appropriation: ESDC vote 5 (grants and contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021 to 2022

Link to departmental result(s): not applicable

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Social Development
• program: Social Innovation and Social Finance Strategy

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• based on the success of the pilot program, the renewed Investment Readiness Program (IRP) will continue to advance Social Innovation and Social Finance (SI/SF) in Canada. It will support social purpose organizations (SPOs) to build their capacity to access social finance and to strengthen the SI/SF ecosystem. SPOs are organizations with a social or environmental mission. They straddle the charitable and non-profit sector and the private sector.
• the program offers support to SPOs through 2 streams:
  • stream 1 - Readiness support partners will provide funding to SPOs to build skills and capacity to access social finance investment. SPOs will use the funding to get help to do market analyses, develop new products and services, build business plans and acquire technical expertise
  • stream 2 - Ecosystem builders do projects that help grow and strengthen the SI/SF ecosystem. This provides another layer of support to SPOs

Results achieved:

• expected result: Social purpose organizations (such as non-profits, charities, co-operatives, hybrid social enterprises, and mission-focused for-profits) have an enhanced capacity to participate in the social finance market
• performance indicator: Number of social purpose organizations that increased their investment readiness by accessing IRP funding
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: the Investment Readiness Program was due to come to an end but was extended into 2023 to 2024. No new SPOs were added in this period
• expected result: The social innovation and social finance (SI/SF) ecosystem in Canada has been strengthened
• performance indicator: Percent of IRP recipients actively using IRP research and tools in their SI/SF work
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: 100%

In fiscal year 2023 to 2024, 26 funding recipients completed activities that further strengthened the SI/SF ecosystem. All 26 recipients reported that they actively used IRP research and tools in their SI/SF work.

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: no evaluation was completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024. No evaluation is planned since it was a temporary program

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: there were no engagement activities in fiscal year 2023 to 2024

Explanation of variances: no significant variance

Social Innovation and Social Finance Strategy - Social Finance Fund

Start date: March 2023

Note: previous reports identify start date as April 1, 2021. The program start date was delayed until March 2023

End date: March 31, 2039

Type of transfer payment: contributions

Type of appropriation: ESDC vote 5 (grants and contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021 to 2022

Link to departmental result(s): not applicable

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Social Development
• program: Social Innovation and Social Finance Strategy

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: the Social Finance Fund (SFF) seeks to accelerate the growth of a vibrant and self-sustaining social finance market in Canada. It seeks to attract new investment in social finance and improve access to capital for social purpose organizations. The SFF will provide repayable and non-repayable contributions to social finance wholesalers (professional investment managers) that will in turn, invest in social finance intermediaries and subsequently in social purpose organizations, to increase the capacity of those organizations to generate social and environmental impacts

Results achieved:

• expected result: increased private capital is leveraged by social finance wholesalers and intermediaries into the social finance market
• performance indicator: sum value (in dollars) of private capital co-investment commitments
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: not available - Initial investments were made in 2023 to 2024 and data for this performance indicator is not expected to be available until 2025 to 2026
• expected result: increased access to capital by social purpose organizations
• performance indicator: number of investments in social purpose organizations
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: not available - Initial investments were made in 2023 to 2024 and data for this performance indicator is not expected to be available until 2025 to 2026

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: no evaluation was completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024. The next evaluation is planned to be completed in fiscal year 2027 to 2028

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: there were no engagement activities in fiscal year 2023 to 2024

Explanation of variances: no variance

Student Work Placement Program

Start date: April 1, 2017

End date: March 31, 2025

Type of transfer payment: contributions

Type of appropriation: ESDC vote 5 (grants and contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2023 to 2024

Link to departmental result(s):

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need.

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Student Work Placement Program

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The Student Work Placement Program funds a variety of work integrated learning opportunities for post-secondary students in all academic disciplines

• work-integrated learning opportunities help students to develop the "work-ready" skills that Canadian employers are looking for.
• The program supports two types of opportunities including work placements and innovative work-integrated learning (I-WIL) opportunities.
• the program supports third party, sector-based organizations. These build partnerships between post-secondary education institutions and employers, to better align learning and demand.
• employers offering work placements are eligible to receive 50% of wages (up to $5,000) for a standard placement. Increased wage subsidies of 70% (up to $7,000) encourage employers to hire students in under-represented groups and first-year students. Under-represented groups are defined as women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, Indigenous students, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, and newcomers.

Post-secondary students participating in I-WIL opportunities receive a stipend to compensate their efforts and/or cover some of their costs, with amounts ranging from $200-$2,000.

Results achieved:

• expected result: increased number of post-secondary students participating in work placement opportunities and developing work-ready skills
• performance indicator:
  • number of new work placement opportunities created for post-secondary students, in all fields of study
  • number of Innovative Work-Integrated Learning (I-WIL) activities created through the I-WIL initiative
• 2023 to 2024 actual results:
• total number of Work-Integrated Learning opportunities: 57,467 opportunities.
  • number of new work placement opportunities created for post-secondary students, in all fields of study: 23,008 work placements.
  • number of Innovative Work-Integrated Learning activities: 34,459 activities.
• expected result: increased engagement of employers, including small- and medium-sized employers, in adopting and implementing work placement opportunities
• performance indicator: number of formalized post-secondary education and industry partnerships
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: the SWP Program does not require funding recipients to create these partnerships every year and as such no result for 2023 to 2024 can be provided

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: no evaluation was completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024. The next evaluation is planned to be completed in fiscal year 2026 to 2027

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: in 2023 to 2024, the program regularly engaged with youth and work-integrated learning focused organizations through ongoing stakeholder relations activities

Explanation of variances: no variance

Supports for Student Learning Program

Start date: June 13, 2019

End date: Ongoing.

Type of transfer payment: contributions

Type of appropriation: ESDC vote 5 (grants and contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021 to 2022.

Link to departmental result(s):

• Canadians access education, training and lifelong learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need.
• Students, including those from low- and middle-income families, use federally funded supports to help them participate in post-secondary education.

Link to the department's program inventory:

• Core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• Program: Supports for Student Learning Program

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• The Supports for Student Learning Program (SSLP) is an umbrella program that provides funding through contribution agreements to organizations that support youth at risk of educational disengagement to succeed in school, complete high-school and successfully transition to and succeed in post-secondary education and the labour market.
• Funding is provided to/for the following:
  • youth-serving organizations working primarily in the after-school space, to support youth facing barriers to stay in school, complete high-school and transition to post-secondary education and/or employment
  • Global Skills Opportunity, also known as the Outbound Student Mobility Pilot, which seeks to enable Canadian college and undergraduate university students to acquire in-demand skills through study or work abroad opportunities

Results achieved:

• expected result: more students receive financial and non-financial supports to help them succeed in their studies

• Performance indicator: percentage change in students receiving supports from the Supports for Student Learning Program

• 2023 to 2024 actual results: the Student and After-School Supports Stream of the SSLP has compiled annual results from 17 funded-projects, which reported serving 152,792 learners, including Indigenous learners, racialized learners, learners with a disability, learners from low-income households, 2SLGBTQ+ learners, and learners from rural, remote, and Northern communities

In addition, the Global Opportunity Stream of the SSLP supported 5,687 learners during the same period

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: A formative evaluation of the SSLP was completed in 2023. It examined the relevance, design and effectiveness of the program in achieving its objectives and intended outcomes between the period of April 2019 and March 2022. The findings and recommendations are informing current work.

A summary of the recommendations from the evaluation includes the following:

• continue to gather evidence to understand and best support underserved or under-represented students in post-secondary education
• explore ways to improve the sustainability of projects by supporting development of partnerships, increase the program's role in generating and disseminating lessons learned and promising practices
• continue to improve and strengthen data collection to to inform results, impact and to support decision-making

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: the department regularly engaged with funding recipients on a bilateral basis. In-person site visits were conducted with organizations to further understand on-the-ground programming and project needs. The department conducted multilateral engagement sessions and in-person networking sessions with funding recipients in fall 2023 and winter/spring 2024. The goal of these sessions was to provide organizations with the opportunity to learn more about SSLP, work with other SSLP-funded projects, build sectoral capacity, and discuss targeted topics of importance to the sector.

During summer of 2023, the department engaged a variety of Global Skills Opportunity stakeholders (e.g., funding recipients and other organizations in the international education sector), as well as provincial and territorial governments, to seek their views on the Global Skills Opportunity pilot program to inform its potential renewal.

Explanation of variances: the variance between planned and actual spending is largely due to new authorities accessed by the department in-year, from Fall Economic Statement 2022, for the Supports for Student Learning program (SSLP), with $9.5 million for Pathways to Education Canada, $8 million for Indspire, and $9.5 million for SSLP not included in the planned spending. Also, additional funding was allocated internally to Indspire in the amount of $6.0 million

Wage Earner Protection Program

Start date: July 2008

End date: ongoing

Type of transfer payment: statutory

Type of appropriation: statutory (Wage Earner Protection Program Act)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: not applicable

Link to departmental result(s):

• work conditions are fair and inclusive
• clients receive high quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs (Working Conditions and Workplace Relations)

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Working Conditions and Workplace Relations
• program: Wage Earner Protection Program

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• this program is designed to reduce the economic insecurity of Canadian workers whose employer files for bankruptcy or has a receiver appointed to sell its assets. It protects workers who are owed unpaid wages, vacation pay, disbursements, termination pay and/or severance pay
• workers can receive a one-time payment of up to a maximum amount equivalent to 7 times the maximum weekly insurable earnings under the Employment Insurance Act ($8,507.66 for 2024). When eligible workers receive payments under the Wage Earner Protection Program Act, they sign over their rights as creditors of the insolvent employer to the federal government, but only up to the amount of the payment received from the program. The Government of Canada is subrogated to the former employee's rights, up to the amount of the WEPP payment. Once a payment is made, the Government recovers any payment made from the estate before an employee is paid, up to the WEPP amount the employee has received. This program covers workers in all labour jurisdictions

Results achieved:

• expected result: Wage Earner Protection Program applicants receive a payment, or a non-payment notification, in a timely manner
• performance indicator: percentage of initial Wage Earner Protection Program payments and non-payment notifications issued within 35 calendar days
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: 86.6%

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: no evaluation was completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024. The next evaluation is planned to be completed in fiscal year 2026 to 2027

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: no engagement activities took place in fiscal year 2023 to 2024

Explanation of variances: the variance between planned and actual spending is due to the rising number payments issued from an increased number of applications, stemming from a higher number of bankruptcies compared to previous years. The amounts recovered from Trustees remained stable

Workforce Development Agreements

Start date: April 1, 2017

End date: in perpetuity, unless terminated in accordance with the agreement

Type of transfer payment: other transfer payments

Type of appropriation: ESDC vote 5 (grants and contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2017 to 2018

Link to departmental result(s):

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need
• Canadians participate in an inclusive and efficient labour market

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Workforce Development Agreements

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• each year, the Government of Canada provides funding for individuals and employers through the Workforce Development Agreements (WDAs) with provinces and territories
• the WDAs enable provinces and territories to provide employment assistance and skills training with added flexibility to respond to the diverse needs of their respective clients. Under the WDAs, skills training and employment programming can be offered to individuals regardless of their employment status. This includes individuals that have no ties to the Employment Insurance (EI) program. The agreements allow for the provision of supports to employers seeking to train current or new employees
• these agreements include specific funding targeted for persons with disabilities. Each year, $225 million are set aside for persons with disabilities, which must be cost matched by provinces and territories. The agreements can also be used to support members of underrepresented groups such as Indigenous Peoples, youth, older workers, and newcomers to Canada

Results achieved:

• expected result: Canadians gain skills, become or remain employed, and increase their income, while employers develop the skilled workforce they require
• performance indicator: number of clients benefiting from programs funded by the WDAs
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: in 2022 to 2023, there were a total of 264,655 clients (unique individuals) served under the WDA. 445,480 training and employment supports were provided to Canadians under the WDA

note: There is a 1-year lag in data availability. Results shown reflect the previous years' result for 2022 to 2023

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: no evaluation was completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024. The next evaluation is planned to be completed in fiscal year 2028 to 2029

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: this is a transfer program to the provinces and territories. The provinces and territories undertook engagement activities in 2023 to 2024

Explanation of variances: the variance between planned and actual spending is due to a $200 million in-year funding received from Budget 2023 to support one-year top-up and not included in the planned spending

Youth Employment and Skills Strategy

Start date: April 1, 2003, modified on May 30, 2019

End date: ongoing

Type of transfer payment: contribution

Type of appropriation:

• ESDC Vote 5 (grants and contributions); statutory (Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2022 to 2023

Link to departmental result(s):

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need
• Canadians participate in an inclusive and efficient labour market
• clients receive high quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Youth Employment and Skills Strategy

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) helps youth aged 15 to 30, particularly those facing barriers to employment, transition into the labour market. It helps them access the information and gain the skills, work experience and abilities they need to do so

• the strategy includes 2 programs:
  • YESS Program, which is an Employment and Social Development Canada-led horizontal initiative involving 11 other federal departments, agencies, and crown corporations
  • Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ)

Results achieved:

• expected result: youth have access to programs that allow them to acquire the skills, learning experiences and opportunities they need to find and maintain employment or return to school
• performance indicator:
  • number of youth served
  • percentage of youth employed / self-employed
  • percentage of youth returned to school
  • percentage of youth served facing barriers to employment:
    • Indigenous youth
    • racialized (visible minority)
    • youth with a disability
    • youth living in official language minority communities
    • youth living in rural and remote areas
    • women
• 2023 to 2024 actual results:
  • total youth served:
    • ESDC YESS Program: 18,803
    • CSJ: 74,527
  • percentage of clients employed or self-employed:
    • ESDC YESS Program: 55%
    • CSJ: 69%
  • percentage of clients returned to school:
    • ESDC YESS Program: 18%
    • CSJ: 56%
  • Youth facing barriers to employment
    • Indigenous
      • ESDC YESS Program: 14%
      • CSJ: 8%
    • Visible minority
      • ESDC YESS Program: 39%
      • CSJ: 24%
    • Youth with a disability
      • ESDC YESS Program: 21%
      • CSJ: 4%
    • Women:
      • ESDC YESS Program: 43%
      • CSJ: 62%

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024. The next audit is expected to be completed in fiscal year 2024 to 2025

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: the Mid-cycle assessment of the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) was completed in August 2023. The report examined the period from the start of YESS modernization (June 2019) to December 2022

Canada Summer Jobs component:

• nearly 368,900 youth participated in Canada Summer Jobs between June 2019 to December 2022
• approximately 97% of surveyed youth reported developing or strengthening transferable skills, and 89% reported developing or strengthening employment skills after participation

ESDC YESS Program component:

• nearly 20,900 youth participated in the ESDC YESS Program between April 2020 to December 2022. Most participants receive 2 or more interventions that help them overcome barriers to employment. Early outcomes for the YESS Program participants found that on average 68% were employed, and 13% returned to school following participation in the program. The YESS Program reached a diverse range of youth facing employment barriers, including Indigenous youth (20%), youth with disabilities (24%), and visible minority youth (42%)
• the Horizontal Evaluation of the Strategy is planned to be completed in late 2024 to 2025

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: there were no program-specific engagement activities in 2023 to 2024. However, the program engaged with stakeholders on an ad-hoc basis throughout the year, including with funding recipients, potential funding recipients and youth-serving organizations

Explanation of variances: no significant variance

Transfer payment programs of less than $5 million

Canada Student Financial Assistance Program (Interest Payment and Liabilities)

Start date: August 1, 1995

End date: ongoing

Type of transfer payment: contribution

Type of appropriation: statutory (Canada Student Financial Assistance Act)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: not applicable

Link to departmental result(s):

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need
• students, including those from low- and middle-income families, use federally funded supports to help them participate in post-secondary education (PSE)
• student borrowers are able to repay their federal student debt
• clients receive high-quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs (Learning, Skills Development and Employment)

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Canada Student Financial Assistance program and Canada Apprentice Loans

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: from August 1, 1995, to July 31, 2000, the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program (formerly known as the Canada Student Loans Program) operated a risk-shared loans regime with Canadian financial institutions. This transfer payment represents consolidated costs related to that regime. This includes interest subsidy, repayment assistance benefits, the amount of loans forgiven, risk premium put-backs and administrative costs net of recoveries on affected loans

Results achieved:

• expected result:
  • students who borrowed under the risk-shared regime continue to receive in-study student financial assistance and debt management assistance in repayment
  • Canada meets its obligations as set out under the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act in agreements with financial institutions
• performance indicator: there are no performance indicators for this transfer payment because it is made up of consolidated costs from a former loan regime that ended on July 31, 2000
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: not applicable

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: the evaluation Canada Student Financial Assistance Program: Loan Repayment was completed in February 2024. This evaluation examined if borrowers were able to repay their federal student loans in Canada and the factors contributing to repayment challenges, such as missed payments, defaults, and non-repayment.

Key findings:

• the ability to repay student loans has improved. Trends show a higher rate of full loan repayment and a lower default rate over time for borrower cohorts in repayment between 2007 to 2008, and 2020 to 2021. Specifically, by the end of the first year, 24% of borrowers who began repayment in 2020 to 2021 paid in full, compared to 19% of borrowers who began repayment in 2007 to 2008
• more than half (52%) of borrowers surveyed said that it was difficult to make payments, with certain demographic subgroups experiencing more difficulties than others
• since 53% of borrowers reported that they would not be able to make payments on their loans if the repayment moratorium was not in place, this indicates that temporary Government income support measures introduced in March 2020 effectively alleviated short-term repayment challenges
• early results of borrowers who started loan repayment during the pandemic (2019 to 2020) show a slightly higher percentage (29%) of borrowers who paid in full compared to previous cohorts after the second year of repayment

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: no engagement activities took place in fiscal year 2023 to 2024

Explanation of variances: the variance between planned and actual spending is due to the recoveries on defaulted loans being higher than previously anticipated as the portfolio of risk-shared loans was repurchased in totality in fiscal year 2023 to 2024

One-time payment for older seniors (formerly Additional support for Canadian seniors)

Start date: August 1, 2021

End date: March 31, 2023

Type of transfer payment: grant

Type of appropriation: ESDC Vote 5 (Grants and Contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021 to 2022

Link to departmental result(s): seniors have income supports for retirement

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Pensions and Benefits
• program: Old Age Security (OAS) program

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• the One-time payment for older seniors was issued as a first step towards implementing a permanent 10% increase to the OAS pension for seniors aged 75 and over, starting in July 2022
• it consisted of a one-time taxable payment of $500 to OAS pensioners who were aged 75 or over as of June 30, 2022
• the payment was issued in August 2021. Individuals who were eligible for the OAS pension in June 2021, and were at least 75 years old as of June 30, 2022, received the payment. Individuals did not need to apply to receive the payment

Results achieved:

• expected result: eligible OAS pensioners aged 75 and over receive the one-time grant payment
• performance indicators: not applicable
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: not applicable. Program sunset on March 31, 2023

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: no evaluation was completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no evaluations currently planned

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: there were no engagement activities in fiscal year 2023 to 2024

Explanation of variances: the variance between planned and actual spending is explained by the sunset of this measure in the fiscal year 2022 to 2023. For the fiscal year 2023 to 2024, the net decrease in actual spending represents adjustments made to payments to eligible recipients

One-time payment to persons with disabilities pursuant to An Act respecting further COVID-19 measures

Start date: August 10, 2020

End date: March 31, 2022

Type of transfer payment: grant

Type of appropriation: statutory (An Act respecting further COVID-19 Measures)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021 to 2022

Link to departmental result(s):

• people with disabilities and their families have financial support

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Pensions and Benefits
• program: Canada Pension Plan

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: the purpose of the one-time payment to persons with disabilities was to recognize the financial impact of the pandemic on persons with disabilities and help them cope with it. The objective of the one-time payment to persons with disabilities was to provide financial assistance to persons with disabilities to mitigate the additional financial costs incurred as a result of the pandemic

Results achieved:

• expected result: it is expected that financial relief will be provided to eligible persons through the One-time payment to persons with disabilities to mitigate the increased costs caused by COVID-19
• performance indicator: number of recipients of the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) Certificate, Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPPD) benefits, Québec Pension Plan Disability (QPPD) pension or one of the veterans disability support programs, as a proportion of the number of persons with disabilities who were eligible
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: no results to report. The One-time payment to persons with disabilities program ended on March 31, 2022

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: no evaluation was completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no evaluations currently planned

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: there were no engagement activities in fiscal year 2023 to 2024

Explanation of variances: the variance between planned and actual spending is explained by the sunset of this measure in the fiscal year 2022 to 2023. For the fiscal year 2023 to 2024, the net decrease in actual spending represents adjustments made to payments to eligible recipients

Payments of compensation respecting merchant seamen

Start date: the powers and duties of the Merchant Seamen Compensation Act were transferred to the Labour Program, who is responsible for the administration of the act since October 30, 2013

End date: ongoing

Type of transfer payment: statutory

Type of appropriation: statutory (Merchant Seamen Compensation Act).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: not applicable.

Link to departmental result(s):

• work conditions are fair and inclusive
• clients receive high quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs (Working Conditions and Workplace Relations)

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Working Conditions and Workplace Relations
• program: Federal Workers' Compensation

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: this program ensures that certain merchant seafarer injured in work-related accidents can receive health benefits and financial compensation. The Merchant Seamen Compensation Act can also provide financial assistance for surviving dependents if a work-related injury results in the death of the seamen

Results achieved:

• expected result: eligible merchant seamen receive the benefits (or support) to which they are entitled to under the Act
• performance indicator: there is no indicator because the timeliness of the calculations of eligible benefits depends on the type of injury and availability of medical documentation
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: not applicable

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: no requirement to evaluate

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: no engagement activities took place in fiscal year 2023 to 2024

Explanation of variances: no significant variance

Payments related to direct financing arrangement under the Apprentice Loans Act

Start date: January 2, 2015

End date: ongoing

Type of transfer payment: contribution

Type of appropriation: statutory (Apprentice Loans Act)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: not applicable

Link to departmental result(s):

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need
• students, including those from low- and middle-income families, use federally funded supports to help them participate in post-secondary education (PSE)
• student borrowers are able to repay their federal student debt
• clients receive high-quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs (Learning, Skills Development and Employment)

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Canada Student Financial Assistance Program and Canada Apprentice Loans

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• budget 2014 announced an expansion of the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program to include the Canada Apprentice Loan. This is an interest-free loan of up to $4,000 per period of technical training that will help apprentices registered in Red Seal trades with the cost of training.
• per the Apprentice Loans Act, annual compensation is provided to jurisdictions in the form of a special payment where apprentices are not able to benefit from the Canada Apprentice Loan. Quebec is currently the only province with an apprenticeship system structured in such a way that apprentices are not able to qualify for the Canada Apprentice Loan. This transfer payment represents all costs related to these loans.

Results achieved:

• expected result: eligible apprentices receive loans to participate in apprenticeship training, including students in non-participating jurisdictions
• performance indicator: number of students receiving Apprentice Loans to help finance their apprenticeship training in a designated Red Seal trade
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program reports on performance indicators by academic year, which ends on July 31. At the time of publishing this report, data needed to measure results was not yet available

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: no evaluation was completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024. The next evaluation is planned to be completed in fiscal year 2027 to 2028

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: no engagement activities took place in fiscal year 2023 to 2024

Explanation of variances: the variance between planned and actual spending reflects the decrease in interest revenue in the Special Payment calculation due to the permanent elimination of interest on apprentice loans as announced in Budget 2023. This measure was not accounted in the planned spending as it was announced after the Departmental Plan was published

Provision of funds for interest payments to lending institutions under the Canada Student Loans Act

Start date: November 1, 2019

End date: ongoing

Type of transfer payment: contribution

Type of appropriation: statutory (Canada Student Loans Act)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: not applicable

Link to departmental result(s):

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need
• students, including those from low- and middle-income families, use federally funded supports to help them participate in post-secondary education (PSE)
• student borrowers are able to repay their federal student debt
• clients receive high-quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs (Learning, Skills Development and Employment)

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Canada Student Financial Assistance Program and Canada Apprentice Loan

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• the Canada Student Loans Program was created in 1964 as a statutory spending program under the Canada Student Loans Act. Between 1964 and 1995, financial assistance in the form of loans was provided by financial institutions (such as banks), under the guaranteed loans regime. The Canada Student Loans Act continues to apply to loans issued prior to August 1, 1995
• budget 2019 proposed changes to the Canada Student Loans interest rate policy. These changes provide relief to students during the repayment period. They respond to today's realities, including higher tuition, higher living costs and the changing nature of work faced by young workers. The government lowered the floating interest rate - used by 99% of student borrowers - to prime for all loans including guaranteed loans
• in recognition of the ongoing hardships faced by students and youth during the COVID-19 pandemic and in an effort to make student loan repayment more manageable, the Government of Canada has waived interest on Canada Student Loans from April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2023. The Fall Economic Statement 2022 proposed to make this measure permanent
• as of April 1, 2023, all Canada Student Loans, including guaranteed loans, are interest-free. This reduces the monthly payments required from borrowers, and the total interest accrued will be reduced over the lifetime of the loan

Results achieved:

• expected result:
  • students who borrowed under the guaranteed regime continue to receive in-study student financial assistance and debt management assistance in repayment
  • canada meets its obligations as set out under the Canada Student Loans Act in agreements with financial institutions
• performance indicator: there is no performance indicator for this program given that the loan regime will be extinguished in the next few years
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: not applicable

note: this portfolio is comprised of guaranteed loans and will most likely end in the next few years

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: The evaluation Canada Student Financial Assistance Program: Loan Repayment was completed in February 2024. This evaluation examined if borrowers were able to repay their federal student loans in Canada and the factors contributing to repayment challenges, such as missed payments, defaults, and non-repayment.

Key findings:

• the ability to repay student loans has improved. Trends show a higher rate of full loan repayment and a lower default rate over time for borrower cohorts in repayment between 2007 to 2008, and 2020 to 2021. Specifically, by the end of the first year, 24% of borrowers who began repayment in 2020 to 2021 paid in full, compared to 19% of borrowers who began repayment in 2007 to 2008
• more than half (52%) of borrowers surveyed said that it was difficult to make payments, with certain demographic subgroups experiencing more difficulties than others
• since 53% of borrowers reported that they would not be able to make payments on their loans if the repayment moratorium was not in place, this indicates that temporary Government income support measures introduced in March 2020 effectively alleviated short-term repayment challenges
• early results of borrowers who started loan repayment during the pandemic (2019 to 2020) show a slightly higher percentage (29%) of borrowers who paid in full compared to previous cohorts after the second year of repayment

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: no engagement activities took place in fiscal year 2023 to 2024

Explanation of variances: the variance between planned and actual spending is due to the recoveries on defaulted loans being higher than previously anticipated as the portfolio of guaranteed loans was repurchased in totality in fiscal year 2023 to 2024

Provision of funds for liabilities including liabilities in the form of guaranteed loans under the Canada Student Loans Act

Start date: not applicable

End date: ongoing

Type of transfer payment: contributions

Type of appropriation: statutory (Canada Student Loans Act)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: not applicable

Link to departmental result(s):

• Canadians access education, training, and life-long learning supports to gain the skills and work experience they need
• students, including those from low- and middle-income families, use federally funded supports to help them participate in post-secondary education (PSE).
• student borrowers are able to repay their federal student debt
• clients receive high-quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs (Learning, Skills Development and Employment)

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Canada Student Financial Assistance Program and Canada Apprentice Loans

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: between 1964 and 1995, the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program operated a guaranteed loans regime with Canadian financial institutions. If a student defaulted on a guaranteed loan, the government paid out the bank and the student's debt was then owed directly to the government. This transfer payment represents consolidated costs related to that regime.

Results achieved:

• there is no expected result or measurable performance indicator for this portfolio as it is comprised of guaranteed loans that were disbursed prior to August 1, 1995. The portfolio will most likely end in the next few years
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: not applicable

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: the evaluation Canada Student Financial Assistance Program: Loan Repayment was completed in February 2024. This evaluation examined if borrowers were able to repay their federal student loans in Canada and the factors contributing to repayment challenges, such as missed payments, defaults, and non-repayment

Key findings:

• the ability to repay student loans has improved. Trends show a higher rate of full loan repayment and a lower default rate over time for borrower cohorts in repayment between 2007 to 2008, and 2020 to 2021. Specifically, by the end of the first year, 24% of borrowers who began repayment in 2020 to 2021 paid in full, compared to 19% of borrowers who began repayment in 2007 to 2008
• more than half (52%) of borrowers surveyed said that it was difficult to make payments, with certain demographic subgroups experiencing more difficulties than others
• since 53% of borrowers reported that they would not be able to make payments on their loans if the repayment moratorium was not in place, this indicates that temporary Government income support measures introduced in March 2020 effectively alleviated short-term repayment challenges
• early results of borrowers who started loan repayment during the pandemic (2019 to 2020) show a slightly higher percentage (29%) of borrowers who paid in full compared to previous cohorts after the second year of repayment

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: not applicable. This portfolio is solely comprised of guaranteed loans disbursed prior to August 1, 1995. Program only engages with recipients for administrative purposes

Explanation of variances: no significant variance

Strategic Engagement and Research Program

Start date: May 15, 2020

End date: ongoing

Type of transfer payment: grants and contributions

Type of appropriation: ESDC vote 5 (grants and contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2020 to 2021

Link to departmental result(s): increase inclusion and opportunities for participation of Canadians in their communities

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Social Development
• program: Strategic Engagement and Research Program

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• the Strategic Engagement and Research Program (SERP) is a grant and contribution program. The program funds research, and research-related events undertaken by, and with, international and domestic organizations. It is also used to fund assessed contributions to international organizations
• to be considered for funding, research and activities must be related to the department's mandate and priorities. In addition, they must not fit with the objectives of any other grant and contribution programs in the department. Finally, they must contribute to the overall knowledge base and dialogue on employment and social development issues for the benefit of Canadians

Results achieved:

• expected result: the department supports international and domestic research and activities
• performance indicator: the percentage of the SERP annual funding envelope disbursed
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: in fiscal year 2023 to 2024, 100% of the funding envelope was disbursed for both SERP Domestic and SERP International funding streams
• expected result: Canada is able to access international organizations to contribute and share responsibility for the management of international issues related to employment and social development
• performance indicator: SERP-International - the percentage of payments of assessed contributions to international organizations of which Canada is a member that are paid in full and on time
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: in fiscal year 2023 to 2024, 100% of assessed contributions to international organizations of which Canada is a member were paid in full and on time
• expected result: public access to an expanded knowledge base related to current and emerging employment and social development issues is increased
• performance indicator: SERP-Domestic - the percentage of completed projects funded through the domestic stream of the SERP resulting in at least one final product made public
• to 2024 actual results: there are 5 multi-year projects underway that will be completed and published in the future

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: no requirement to evaluate

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: no engagement activities took place in fiscal year 2023 to 2024

Explanation of variances: the variance between planned and actual spending for the Strategic Engagement and Research Program is due to the program only having permanent funding available for international grants to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), in the amount of $0.1 million per year, as it absorbed the former OECD Named Grant upon its creation. As a result, the Strategic Engagement and Research Program largely relies on the reallocation of existing resources within the department each fiscal year in order to be able to carry out its mandate, which causes actuals to exceed planned spending. Total authorities were fully spent

Sustainable Development Goals Funding Program (SSPB)

Start date: 2018 to 2019

End date: 2030 to 2031

Type of transfer payment: grants

Type of appropriation: ESDC vote 5 (grants and contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2019 to 2020

Link to departmental result(s): not-for-profit organizations, communities, and other groups have an enhanced capacity to address a range of social issues such as the social inclusion of persons with disabilities, the engagement of seniors and support for children and families

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Social Development
• program: Sustainable Development Goals Funding Program

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: the purpose of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Funding Program is to support the federal government's implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The program works with partners to build a more peaceful, inclusive and prosperous world that leaves no one behind. This includes provinces and territories, municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, academia, the private sector, Indigenous Peoples, women, youth and vulnerable and/or marginalized populations

The SDG Funding Program supports projects that aim to increase public awareness and implementation of the SDGs. Projects also develop partnerships and networks, improve knowledge, support engagement in SDG-related events, identify innovative approaches, and contribute to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.

Results achieved:

• expected result: knowledge and data gaps are identified, and innovation is supported in furthering Canada's implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs

• performance indicator: number of supported and completed projects that identify knowledge/data gaps or ways to support innovation to advance Canada's implementation of 2030 Agenda and the SDGs

• 2023 to 2024 actual results: 14 projects were funded through the SDG Funding Program which helped to address knowledge and data gaps in relation to Canada's 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.

Funds from the SDG Funding Program were also provided to the three distinctions-based National Indigenous Organizations to ensure that Indigenous voices, views, perspectives and traditional knowledge are reflected in Canada's work to advance the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: no requirement to evaluate

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: the department actively promotes the SDG Funding Program to whole of society partners and stakeholders through communications and engagement activities.

The department has ongoing discussions with funding recipients throughout the life cycle of their agreements. This occurs through various activities, including annual review of project activities and expenditures, meetings, and events.

Examples of engagement between funding recipients and departmental officials include:

• the department's participation in the 2023 edition of Together | Ensemble, Canada's annual national conference on the SDGs.
• the department's participation in the Université Laval's online training session on the prioritization of SDG targets and implementing sustainable development in local communities in March 2024.
• the department's participation in the Aga Khan Foundation Canada and Brookings Center for Sustainable Development event held on October 5, 2024.
• in May 2023, the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development participated in the official opening of the SDG Idea Factory, a community of collaborators located in the City of Kitchener; an important partner and collaborator of this project and recipient of funding from the SDG program.
• department officials are continuing collaboration and engagement with three distinction-based National Indigenous Organizations (the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Métis National Council) to ensure that Indigenous voices, views and traditional knowledge are reflected in Canada's work to advance the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
• the program funded the Métis National Council Global Summit held in February 2024 where departmental officials participated.
• the department supported organizations to participate in international events such as the United Nations High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. Nine recipients of the SDG Funding Program were members of Canada's official delegation at the 2023 United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development that took place in July 2023 in New York City.

Explanation of variances: the variance between planned and actual spending is due to internal reallocations from the Sustainable Development Goals Funding Program within ESDC's Vote 5 program to Indigenous distinction-based Engagement Protocol Agreements

Support for Labour Market Information in Canada

Start date: 2017

End date: ongoing

Type of transfer payment: grants

Type of appropriation: ESDC vote 5 (grants and contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2020 to 2021

Link to departmental result(s):

• Canadians participate in an inclusive and efficient labour market
• clients receive high-quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs (Learning, Skills Development and Employment)

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Learning, Skills Development and Employment
• program: Job Bank

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: the Labour Market Information Council (LMIC) has a mandate to improve the timeliness, reliability and accessibility of labour market information. This information facilitates decision-making by employers, workers, job seekers, academics, policy makers, educators, career practitioners, students, parents and under-represented populations.

Results achieved:

• expected result: labour market informational products, services and tools are provided in a timely manner to labour market information users and stakeholders
• performance indicator:
  • the timely online publication of the Annual Report
  • the timely online publication of LMI products and research findings
• 2023 to 2024 actual results:
  • the LMIC is on track to release its 2023 to 2024 Annual Report on its website in fall 2024
  • In 2023 to 2024, the LMIC published 4 labour market reports/articles as well as 19 blogs
• expected result: increased awareness of labour market information products and insights among users
• performance indicator: increased social media presence and website traffic
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: LMIC's followers increased on all social media platforms in 2023 to 2024:
  • X (Twitter) followers: 2,132 (1.91% increase from 2022 to 2023)
  • LinkedIn followers: 5,325 (6.86% increase from 2022 to 2023)
  • Newsletter subscribers: 3,659 (2.46% increase from 2022 to 2023)
  • LMIC's website traffic decreased by 0.47%, with 62,021 visitors in 2023 to 2024

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: no evaluation was completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no evaluations are currently planned

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: in 2023 to 2024, the department engaged regularly with the LMIC and had representation on the Council's Board of Directors

Explanation of variances: no variance

Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention Fund

Start date: 2018 to 2019

End date: ongoing

Type of transfer payment: grants and contributions

Type of appropriation: ESDC vote 5 (grants and contributions)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2018 to 2019

Link to departmental result(s):

• workplaces are safe and healthy
• clients receive high quality, timely and efficient services that meet their needs (Working Conditions and Workplace Relations)

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Working Conditions and Workplace Relations
• program: Occupational Health and Safety

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: the Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention (WHVP) Fund will provide grants and contributions to eligible organizations for the promotion and co-development of labour-management tools and resources. This financial assistance will enable the required culture shift and ensure the physical and psychological health and safety of the employees

Results achieved:

• expected result: increase awareness of sector specific workplace practices that contribute to the development of positive workplace cultures
• performance indicator: number of sector specific training programs, tools and resources developed
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: the funded organizations have developed 33 sector-specific resources, ranging from an App for employees to report events of harassment and violence in the banking and uranium mining/processing sectors, to a "Train-the Trainer" certificate program for the marine, air, and road transportation sectors
• expected result: improve the capacity of employers and unions to communicate the new harassment and violence prevention provisions in the Canada Labour Code and associated regulations
• performance indicator: number of tools and resources that have been integrated into the organizations' programs, policies and training
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: funded organizations have integrated 7 tools and resources into their programs, policies and training
• expected result: improve dissemination, transfer, and application of knowledge and information among partners, stakeholders, employers, and unions
• performance indicator: number of events and information-sharing sessions delivered/facilitated
• 2023 to 2024 actual results: funded organizations have successfully delivered a total of 101 events and information-sharing sessions on the topic of workplace harassment and violence prevention

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no audits completed in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and no audits currently planned

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: no requirement to evaluate

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: the department continued to communicate with funding recipients on a regular basis, for quarterly and annual project updates

Explanation of variances: no variance

Universal Child Care Benefit

Start date: July 1, 2006

End date: replaced by the Canada Child Benefit in July 2016. Employment and Social Development Canada continues to be responsible for retroactive claims, write-offs and adjustments of the Universal Child Care Benefit accounts receivable

Type of transfer payment: grants

Type of appropriation: statutory (Universal Child Care Benefit Act)

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2006 to 2007

Link to departmental result(s):

• access to early learning and childcare is increased

Link to the department's program inventory:

• core responsibility: Social Development
• program: Early Learning and Child Care

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• the Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) provided financial support to help all Canadian families with young children choose the child care option that best suits their families' needs.
• the UCCB was replaced by the Canada Child Benefit effective July 1, 2016. This transfer payment program ensures the department meet its administrative obligations related to retroactive claims, write-offs and adjustments of the Universal Child Care Benefit accounts receivable.

Results achieved:

• expected result: no longer applicable

Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024: no longer applicable, as the program has been sunset

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024: no longer applicable, as the program has been sunset

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024: no longer applicable, as the program has been sunset

Explanation of variances: the variance between planned and actual spending in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 is due to the fluctuation in claims and adjustments. Budget 2016 introduced the Canada Child Benefit (CCB). The CCB replaced the UCCB effective July 1, 2016 with a new, simple tax-free and more generous benefit targeted to families who need it most. However, the Universal Child Care Benefit Act remains in force to allow for the processing of retroactive claims, adjustments, and remissions