Ontario Hiring Grants 2026: Canada Job Grant, Apprenticeship Grants, and Wage Subsidies

Published March 2, 2026 · Updated for 2026

Hiring and training employees is one of the most significant costs for any growing Ontario business. Fortunately, both the federal and provincial governments offer substantial grant programs to offset wages, training costs, and the expense of bringing on new apprentices. In 2026, an Ontario employer can access anywhere from $1,000 to $30,000+ per employee through stacked hiring and training grants. This guide covers every major program and how to access it.

Canada Job Grant — Up to $10,000 Per Employee

The Canada Job Grant (delivered in Ontario as the Ontario Job Creation Partnership and through Employment Ontario) is the most widely used training grant for small and medium businesses. It covers two-thirds of eligible training costs, up to a maximum of $10,000 per employee per year.

How the Canada Job Grant Works in Ontario

• Government covers: Up to 83% of training costs for small businesses (fewer than 100 employees); up to 67% for larger employers
• Your contribution: A minimum of 17% of training costs for small businesses, 33% for larger ones
• Maximum per employee: $10,000 in grant funding per trainee, per year
• Maximum per application: No cap on number of employees trained — a manufacturer training 10 workers could theoretically receive $100,000

What Training Is Eligible?

Training must be delivered by an eligible third-party trainer — a college, private vocational school, industry association, software vendor, or certified training provider. Eligible training types include:

• Technical skills training (CNC programming, welding certification, electrical safety, forklift licensing)
• IT and software training (ERP systems, CAD/CAM, cybersecurity)
• Management and supervisory skills
• Industry certifications (ISO auditing, food safety, WHMIS)
• Customer service and sales training through accredited providers

On-the-job training by internal staff does not qualify — the trainer must be a third party with credentials. Training must be completed within 52 weeks of application approval.

Applying for the Canada Job Grant in Ontario

Apply through your local Employment Ontario service provider or the Ontario Employment Ontario portal at ontario.ca/page/canada-ontario-job-grant. You'll need: a description of the training, a quote from the training provider, a list of participants and their current wages, and confirmation that the training leads to a specific skill or credential. Applications are typically processed within 4–6 weeks.

Apprenticeship Grants

Ontario trades businesses — electricians, plumbers, welders, carpenters, HVAC technicians, automotive service technicians — can access significant federal and provincial grants for sponsoring apprentices.

Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG)

• Who receives it: The apprentice (not the employer) — $1,000 per year for the first two years of a Red Seal trade apprenticeship
• Maximum: $2,000 total per apprentice
• How it helps employers: Many employers gross up the AIG as a supplement to wages, making the apprenticeship more attractive to candidates

Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG)

• Who receives it: The apprentice upon completing their apprenticeship and receiving Red Seal certification
• Amount: $2,000 non-repayable grant
• Purpose: Encourages apprentices to complete their certification — completion rates in Ontario trades average around 50%, and the ACG was designed to improve that

Employer Apprenticeship Tax Credit (EATC) — Ontario

• Credit rate: 25–30% of eligible wages paid to an apprentice in the first 36 months of their apprenticeship
• Maximum: $5,000 per year per apprentice (higher for co-op and certain designated trades)
• Who qualifies: Ontario businesses employing registered apprentices in designated trades. The credit is claimed on the Ontario corporate tax return
• Refundable: Yes — if you owe no Ontario tax, you receive the credit as a cash payment

Canada Apprenticeship Loan

Apprentices can access interest-free loans of up to $4,000 per period to cover living expenses during in-school training periods. Employers can use this program to reduce apprentice attrition during school terms by informing candidates that financial support is available.

Canada Summer Jobs — Up to 100% Wage Subsidy

Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) is a federal wage subsidy program for hiring students aged 15–30 for summer positions. In 2026:

• Non-profit employers: Up to 100% of the federal minimum wage for each student hired (currently $17.30/hr federally)
• For-profit and public sector employers: Up to 50% of the federal minimum wage
• Maximum hours covered: Full-time positions for the summer (typically 12–16 weeks)
• Application window: Applications typically open in January–February for summer positions
• Priority sectors: Agriculture, accessibility services, environment, tourism, and businesses in underserved communities receive priority scoring

A non-profit employer paying a student $17.30/hr for 15 weeks at 35 hrs/week would receive approximately $9,000 in wage subsidy — essentially a free hire.

Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS)

For Ontario businesses willing to hire youth facing barriers (newcomers, youth with disabilities, Indigenous youth, rural youth), the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy provides:

• Wage subsidies covering up to 100% of wages for defined periods
• Wraparound support (mentorship, counselling) provided by the delivery organisation — not the employer
• Access through local non-profit employment organisations and youth-serving agencies

Targeted Wage Subsidy (TWS) / Workforce Development Agreements

Canada's Workforce Development Agreements with provinces fund employer-specific wage subsidies for hiring workers who have been unemployed, are transitioning careers, or face employment barriers. In Ontario, these are delivered through Employment Ontario service providers. Typical subsidies range from $2,000 to $15,000 per hire, depending on the candidate's circumstances and the training component involved. Contact your nearest Employment Ontario service provider to learn about current intake.

CDAP Youth Placement Component

An often-overlooked component of the Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) is its youth placement stream. Businesses that receive CDAP Stream 2 approval can also access a wage subsidy of up to $7,300 to hire a recent post-secondary graduate (within the last three years) to help implement their digital adoption plan. The graduate works for the business full-time for a defined term — typically 6 months — while the government covers 80% of their wages up to the cap.

Stacking Hiring Grants for Maximum Value

An Ontario trades business hiring a new apprentice in 2026 can reasonably stack:

• Ontario Employer Apprenticeship Tax Credit: up to $5,000/year per apprentice
• Canada Job Grant for initial trade certification training: up to $10,000
• Canada Summer Jobs subsidy if the apprentice is a student (up to ~$9,000)

A manufacturing company hiring five skilled workers and providing them technical training could receive $50,000 through the Canada Job Grant alone, plus additional support through NOHFC business internship programs (if in Northern Ontario) or CDAP youth placement.

The key to maximising hiring grants is planning ahead. Most programs require applications before the hire is made or the training begins. Build grant applications into your hiring timeline, not as an afterthought after the employee has already started.