Canada-Manitoba Workforce Tariff Response Program – Employee Training Program (Employers)

Also known as: CMWTR Employee Training

Federally funded (Canada's $570M, 3-year Workforce Tariff Response investment under the Labour Market Development Agreements — $70M earmarked for steel workers, $50M for softwood lumber workers, $450M for workers affected by tariffs and global market shifts generally) and delivered in Manitoba as the Canada-Manitoba Workforce Tariff Response Program. Its Employee Training Program reimburses eligible Manitoba employers up to 100% of direct training costs to retrain or upskill workers whose jobs are affected by tariffs or related market shifts, plus wage subsidies of up to 100% of wages for workers at risk of job loss — the wage-subsidy piece specifically requires the employer to demonstrate at least a 10% tariff-linked revenue decline over the past 12 months.

Who qualifies

• Employer permanently established in Manitoba, fully operational for at least 1 year at time of applying
• Employer must identify whether it is participating in a federal Work-Sharing Agreement
• Employer must demonstrate how its business/workforce were impacted by tariffs or related market changes (e.g. material cost increases, lost contracts, reduced export opportunities) and how the proposed training supports adaptation/recovery
• Eligible NAICS codes: Steel (3311, 3312), Softwood Lumber (113, 1153, 321, 322), or 'Other Tariff-Impacted Industries' — Agriculture (11), Construction (23), Manufacturing (31-33), Wholesale Trade (41), Transportation & Warehousing (48-49)
• Training participants: Canadian citizens/PR/protected persons entitled to work in Canada, residing in Manitoba, currently employed by the applicant employer at time of training
• ⚠️ Wage subsidies (up to 100% of wages during training) require the employer to demonstrate at least a 10% revenue decline over the past 12 months linked to tariffs — the training-cost reimbursement itself does not carry this revenue-decline test
• Training starting on or after April 1, 2026 is eligible for funding; funding agreements cannot exceed 12 months
• Ineligible training: leadership training, non-job-related professional development, training already funded by another federal/provincial program for the same participant
• No stated employer size cap (small business or large) found on the Employers page — unlike BUMP/IGP/RTRI, this program's eligibility does not gate on employee count or CCPC status
• Applications accepted on a continuous basis via intake form, followed by Workforce Development Consultant eligibility screening and consultation

Typical applicant

Manitoba employers of any size in steel, softwood lumber, or other tariff-impacted industries (agriculture, construction, manufacturing, wholesale trade, transportation/warehousing) needing to retrain or retain workers whose jobs are at risk due to tariffs — especially manufacturers facing material cost increases, lost contracts, or reduced export opportunities.

Verified against the official program page as of 2026-07-14. Programs change — always confirm current details with the program office before committing project spend.