The Government of Canada released details of special measures for the Work-Sharing Program in response to the threat or realization of tariffs are in effect from March 7, 2025 until March 6, 2026.
The Work-Sharing Program helps employers and employees avoid layoffs when there is a temporary decrease in the normal level of business activity, and the decrease is beyond the control of the employer.
The agreement provides income support to employees eligible for Employment Insurance benefits who work a temporarily reduced work week while their employer recovers. All employees participating in the agreement must experience a minimum 10% reduction to their normal weekly earnings to comply with the terms of the agreement.
Employees on a Work-Sharing agreement must agree to a reduced schedule of work, and share the available work equally over the term of the agreement.
The Canadian Trucking Alliance welcomed the news, stating the program could create some stability for the trucking industry and workers struggling with the worst freight economy in decades on top of economic blowback from US tariffs.
However, CTA has repeatedly warned that any government support program for workers and small independent business must not include those who operate under the misclassification and tax abuse scheme in trucking known as Driver Inc, and/or wrongly misclassify as personal service businesses (PSBs) to avoid paying taxes.
Click here to learn more about the eligibility of the Work-Sharing agreement, eligibility and how to apply.
For any further questions regarding the Work-Sharing special measures, please contact the Work-Sharing Employer Inquiry Unit at edsc.dgop.tp.rep-res.ws.pob.esdc@servicecanada.gc.ca