Labour Market Transfer Agreement Funding
Res #: 11-25A
Number: 11
Year: 2025
Midterm: No
Expired: No
Responses Received: Yes
Departments: Saskatchewan Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
WHEREAS many businesses, agricultural producers and municipalities require employees that have 1A driver licenses.
WHEREAS that in 2024-25, the federal government cut $17.6M in employment and skills training funding to the province but the province bridged this shortfall to keep the programs and services operational.
BE IT RESOLVED that SARM lobby the federal government to reverse cuts done through the labour market transfer agreements.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that SARM lobby the provincial government to develop a labour training grant program to compliment the federal program.
Responses From: Saskatchewan Ministry of Immigration and Career Training
March 28, 2025
On March 19, 2025, the Government of Saskatchewan released the provincial budget, which included a reduction in funding for Labour Market programs. This is due to the unexpected 2024 federal reduction of $17.6M in Labour Market Transfer Agreements.
This federal reduction has impacted the delivery of employment and training programs at a time when there is increasing demand across the province. The province has had to adjust and prioritize programs and services, resulting in the closure of the Canada-Saskatchewan Job Grant (CSJG).
To support the acquisition of a 1A license and meet Mandatory Entry Level Training requirements, the provincial budget introduced the Saskatchewan Class 1 Truck Driver Training Rebate which provides a $5,000 rebate to partially cover the cost of Class 1 truck driver training. The rebate will be paid out over five years, $1,000 annually after training is completed and if the driver continues to work and file income taxes in Saskatchewan. Further program details will be available in September 2025.
Jim Reiter – Minister of Immigration and Career Training, Government of Saskatchewan
