Atlantic Canada Business Grants

Wage subsidy

JobsNL Wage Subsidy

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Amount:

No Fixed Amount

Type of Program:

Subsidy

Description:

The JobsNL Wage Subsidy program supports employers to create sustainable long-term employment or seasonal / short term employment. The subsidy is intended to offset salary costs to create new positions.

There are two subsidy options:

  1. 1
    JobsNL- 42 that provides a wage subsidy for 28 weeks of a minimum 42-week period of employment
  2. 2
    JobsNL- 28 that provides a wage subsidy for a period of 10 – 28 weeks, allowing funding for seasonal / short term employment.

Comments on Funding:

For the JobsNL- 42 option the subsidy is as follows:

  • first 14 weeks, 60% subsidy, to a maximum of $12 towards the hourly wage rate,
  • second 14 weeks, 0% subsidy towards wages,
  • third 14 weeks, 80% subsidy, to a maximum of $12 towards the hourly wage rate.

A completion bonus of $2,000 for the employer and $1,000 for the employee may be paid, only if the employee remains employed for ten (10) weeks after the end of the subsidy, meaning 52 weeks of continuous employment.

For the JobsNL- 28 option the subsidy is 60% subsidy, to a maximum of $12 towards the hourly wage rate.

A completion bonus of $2,000 for the employer and $1,000 for the employee may be paid to employers approved for a subsidy of 28 weeks, only if the employee remains employed for ten (10) weeks after the end of the subsidy period, meaning 38 weeks of continuous employment. 

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling deadline

Eligibility:

Applicants must:

  • be private or not-for-profit sector employers that are incorporated or sole proprietorship
  • have a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number,
  • be in good standing with Registry of Companies and Deeds,
  • have an office location/base in Newfoundland and Labrador,
  • adhere to the all relevant Terms and Conditions of the JobsNL program

Federal and provincial government departments, crown agencies and corporations, boards and commissions, municipalities and political parties are not eligible for funding

Participants must:

  • be Canadian citizens or permanent residents, who are residents of Newfoundland and Labrador
  • unemployed or underemployed (underemployed being someone who has been employed on average less than 20 hours per week or in a field not related to their training),
  • be recent post-secondary graduates who have not obtained employment in their field of study,
  • be international graduates of Memorial University of Newfoundland, or College of the North Atlantic with a Post-graduate Work Permit, and individuals with an Open Work Permit who are residents of the province,
  • not receive a federal or provincial pension, Workplace NL benefits or another benefit prescribed by the Minister,
  • not be an individual hired prior to the date an application is submitted.

Application Steps:

1

register and create an account in the Department of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills LaMPSS payment system to apply on-line,

2

complete and submit an online application and wait to be notified by email after a decision is made on the application – within 20 business days of receipt of a complete application,

3

submit the Consent Form after hiring an individual. When approval is granted, an individual must be hired within 30 business days.

Documentation Needed: 

The applicant must submit:

  • an online application form,
  • the most recent annual or general meeting minutes and financial statement to demonstrate the organization has an executive structure, decision making process and financial accountability, if the employer is a not-for-profit organization.

Other Things to Note: 

Employment Standards

Employers who participate in the JobsNL Wage Subsidy Program are required to comply with all relevant employment standards laws and regulations. This includes minimum wage requirements, hours of work, vacation pay, statutory holidays, and other applicable standards. Employers must also provide a safe and healthy work environment for their employees.

Reporting Requirements

Employers are required to submit regular reports to JobsNL regarding their participation in the Wage Subsidy Program. These reports must include information on the number of employees hired, the duration of employment, and the amount of wage subsidy received. Employers must also provide evidence of compliance with employment standards laws and regulations.

If an employer fails to comply with employment standards laws and regulations or fails to meet reporting requirements, JobsNL may terminate their participation in the Wage Subsidy Program and require repayment of any subsidy funds received.

Program Contact:

JobsNL Wage Subsidy

JobsNL Wage Subsidy Program Guidelines

START Program Nova Scotia

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Amount:

No Fixed Amount

Type of Program:

Subsidy

Description:

The START program offers financial incentives to businesses and organizations that have business locations and jobs in Nova Scotia to help them hire Nova Scotians who need work experience. There will be a focus on SMEs.

Benefits of the Nova Scotia Start Program:

The Start Program provides a range of career opportunities for unemployed individuals looking to enter the workforce. The program helps connect job seekers with employers who have vacancies that need to be filled.

One of the main benefits of the Start Program for job seekers is the letter of recommendation that they receive after applying. This letter helps market their skills and experience to potential employers, making it easier for them to find a job.

In addition to the letter of recommendation, the Start Program also provides job seekers with access to training and education opportunities. By participating in these programs, job seekers can improve their skills and increase their chances of finding employment in their desired field.

Employers who participate in the Start Program also benefit from the program’s incentives. These incentives include wage subsidies and other types of funding that can help offset the cost of hiring an unemployed Nova Scotian. By participating in the program, employers can find qualified candidates for their job vacancies and receive financial support to help with the cost of training and development.

Comments on Funding:

Funding is up to a maximum of $25,000 per hire, and at ENS’ discretion.
Incentives will vary depending on the type of employment offered and the skill level of the employee. Incentives can be used to pay for individual’s wages, MERC, training costs or other related costs associated with hiring of a new employee.

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling Deadline

Eligibility:

The applicant must:

  • be a business, organization (Not-for-profit and Social Enterprises), with a focus on SMEs,
  • be located in Nova Scotia,
  • have its employees working in the province.

The individual he hires must be:

  • Nova Scotia resident,
  • unemployed and actively seeking full time or increasing employment,
  • Canadian citizens or permanent residents legally entitled to work in Canada OR be an international graduate (additional criteria may apply).

Application Steps:

1

Applicant must register in the online Labor Market Programs Support System (LaMPSS),

2

Applicant must complete the application form and submit it electronically.

Documentation Needed: 

The applicants must attach a Job Description as supporting documentation.

Program Contact:

START program: hiring incentive

START-Program-Guidelines.pdf

Apprenticeship Wage Subsidy (AWS) Program

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Amount:

No Fixed Amount

Type of Program:

Subsidy

Description:

The Apprenticeship Wage Subsidy (AWS) program assists apprentices to gain work experience in their skilled trade, and progress to journeyperson certification by providing a wage subsidy to employers who hire apprentices. The program supports apprentices across all levels – First, Second, Third and Fourth year.

Comments on Funding:

Funding is a wage subsidy of 75%, to a maximum of $14 an hour, for all apprentices funded under the program, and is paid directly to the employers who hire the apprentice. 

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling deadline

Eligibility:

The applicant must:

  • be employers that are incorporated businesses, or sole proprietorships, and registered to conduct business in Newfoundland and Labrador
  • be in good standing with the Newfoundland and Labrador Registry of Companies and Deeds,
  • have an office or operation in the province,
  • have a signed Memorandum of Understanding with the department that confirms they have a qualified journeyperson on site in the appropriate trade,
  • be able to offer relevant work experience to the apprentice as required by the Institutional and Industrial Training Division.

Apprentices:

  • can be EI eligible or Non EI eligible, 
  • must be eligible to register, or already be registered, with the Institutional and Industrial Training Division as an apprentice,
  • are only eligible to be subsidized for two levels of their apprenticeship certification training under the AWS program. 

Application Steps:

1

register and create an account in the Department of Immigration, Skills and Labour LaMPSS payment system to apply on-line,

2

complete and submit an online application.

Apprentices can complete the Apprentice Application form and submit it to the department. This application will be kept on file with the department and may be shared with an employer looking to hire someone with a particular skilled trade.

Documentation Needed: 

Applicant must submit:

  • an online application form,
  • a job description, including any education or qualifications required for the position

Other Things to Note:

This funding program is made possible by the Canada-New Brunswick Agreement on the Provision of French-Language Services, administered jointly by Intergovernmental Affairs, with the New Brunswick Executive Council, and Heritage Canada.

Program Contact:

Apprenticeship Wage Subsidy (AWS) Program

Apprenticeship Wage Subsidy Program Guidelines

Employment Enhancement Program

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Amount:

No Fixed Amount

Type of Program:

Subsidy

Description:

The Employment Enhancement program supports employers in the forestry, aquaculture, agriculture, and fishing sectors engaged in value-added secondary processing by providing funding to employers to create sustainable, long-term employment or seasonal employment and a training allowance to support new employees.

Comments on Funding:

Funding is a wage subsidy of 75%, to a maximum of $15 per hour, for a period of 10-28 weeks, plus a training allowance up to $3,000 for the individual hired.

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling deadline

Eligibility:

The applicant must:

  • be an organization,
  • be incorporated or a sole proprietor,
  • have a Canada Revenue Agency business number,
  • be in good standing with Registry of Companies and Deeds,
  • have an office location/base in Newfoundland and Labrador.
  • adhere to the all relevant Terms and Conditions of the Employment Enhancement Program.

Application Steps:

1

Applicant must register and create an account in the Department of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills LaMPSS payment system to apply on-line,

2

Applicant must complete and submit an online application and wait to be notified by email after a decision is made on the application – within 20 business days of receipt of a complete application,

Documentation Needed: 

The applicant must submit:

  • an online application form,
  • a job description
  • a training description.

Activity and Financial reports for Self-employment Assistance Coordinator should be completed online using LaMPSS Self-serve functionality.

Program Contact:

Employment Enhancement Program

Employment Enhancement Program Program Guidelines

Innovate to Opportunity Hiring Incentive

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Amount:

No Fixed Amount

Type of Program:

Subsidy

Description:

Innovate to Opportunity (ITO) is providing Nova Scotia SMEs an incentive to hire recent masters and PhD grads for jobs that are focused on research and innovation that will help businesses begin, prepare for, or expand exports.

Employers can receive salary incentives in one of two streams: Innovation Stream, where the new graduate's work should be expected to help the company prepare for, begin or expand exports, or Advanced Innovation Stream, where his work must also have an explicit connection to export development or growth. 

Comments on Funding:

Funding under the Innovation Stream is 35% of the graduate’s annual salary in Year 1, 20% in Year 2 and 12.5% in Year 3, up to an annual salary of $100,000.

Funding under the Advanced Innovation Stream is 50% of the graduate’s annual salary in Year 1, 25% in Year 2, and 12.5% in Year 3, up to an annual salary of $100,000.

A diversity bonus of an additional 10% can be provided in the 1st and 2nd years of both streams, if the graduate is a woman in an under-represented occupation, self-identifies as a racially visible minority, is Mi’kmaq or Indigenous, an international student or a person with a disability.

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling Deadline

Eligibility:

The company must:

  • be a Nova Scotia operating SME,
  • have up to 500 full-time employees,
  • create a full-time position focused on innovation and pay a minimum annual salary of $60,000.

The new hire must:

  • have successfully completed a master’s or PhD program at a recognized university within a year of the date the employer’s application is received. 

Application Steps:

The applicant must:

1

register in the online Labor Market Programs Support System (LaMPSS),

2

complete the online application form.

Documentation Needed: 

Applicants must submit alongside the application form:

  1. 1
    a description of their organization and its mandate,
  2. 2
    contact details of a person at their organization who will be responsible for the agreement,
  3. 3
    a job description for the new position you wish to create, as well as its location,
  4. 4
    a T4 Summary or other documentation to show the number of employees,
  5. 5
    a complete Innovation Plan. 

Once the chosen graduate is hired, the employer must submit the following three documents to the Youth Initiatives Program Agreement Manager:

  1. 1
    a copy of the graduate’s degree or a letter from the respective university confirming that they have completed all program requirements, and the date of their convocation.
  2. 2
    a signed copy of the graduates’ employment letter of offer between your organization and the graduate, including the following information: salary, permanent/full-time Employment, new position, start date, signatures of the graduate (new hire) and employer
  3. 3
    a completed Graduate Information Form, which can be downloaded from the Innovate to Opportunity Program website. This is where the new hire has an opportunity to self-identify as aboriginal Canadian, a visible minority, a person with a disability, a woman in an under-represented occupation or an international graduate, which would make the employer eligible to receive an additional 10% diversity bonus in the first and second year.

Other Things to Note:

Issue Date: October 2022 (Guidelines)

Program Contact:

Innovate to Opportunity hiring incentive

Innovate_to_Opportunity_Book.pdf