Apprenticeship training a key feature of Ottawa’s Spring Economic Statement

The federal government’s Spring Economic Statement of last week was essentially to inform taxpayers of how promises made in the November budget are proceeding.

But there was also some new money announced of interest to Northerners and Indigenous people.

“One of the big initiatives, is the apprenticeship training,” Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Rebecca Alty told CKLB in a phone interview over the weekend. “When we talk about these major projects, we got to make sure that we have enough Canadians being able to sign up and work on them.”

The Team Canada Strong plan allocates roughly $6 billion over five years to recruit and train 80,000 to 100,000 new Red Seal skilled trades workers by 2030-31. The plan aims to address skilled trade shortages and directly supports young people entering the workforce.

Key financial supports for apprentices and employers include:

The Apprenticeship Training Grant provides apprentices with a $400 weekly income top-up while attending mandatory in-class technical training, totalling up to $16,000 per apprentice (on top of Employment Insurance).
A one-time $5,000 bonus awarded to apprentices who achieve Red Seal certification
Employers, particularly small and medium-sized businesses, can receive up to $10,000 in wage subsidies through the Build Canada Apprenticeship Service for hiring and training new first-year apprentices.

Alty said the Red Seal Certification Program is also being modernized, including digital log books, replacing paper ones.

“I was talking to an apprentice the other day who got their log book wet and lost 200 hours — they had to go and do 200 more before they could get their Red Seal,” said Alty, who is also the NWT’s sole MP.

The Team Canada Strong plan allocates roughly $6 billion over five years to recruit and train 80,000 to 100,000 new Red Seal skilled trades workers by 2030-31. (Photo: Adobe Stock)

The Carney government had earlier this year announced the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, a new, separate benefit starting this spring which will provide up to $1,890 this year for a family of four to help with essential costs, providing direct financial relief to many residents in Northern communities, states federal information.

Starting in July, the CGEB will replace the GST credit. Under the new program name, payment amounts will be increased, but the eligibility, payment calculation, and structure will be the same as the GST credit. Quarterly payment amounts will increase by 25% for 5 years (from 2026 to 2031).

As a part of the transition to the new CGEB, an additional one-time GST/HST credit top-up payment will be provided to individuals who were entitled to receive the GST credit in January 2026. This immediate support will be issued starting June 5.

However, the maximum income threshold cutoffs are the same across Canada, failing to take into consideration the much higher cost of living in the North.

For example, a single person without children is not be eligible for the GST credit and will not be eligible for the new CGEB payments if they make more than $56,181 annually.

A single person with two children can’t make more than $66,841. The levels are roughly the same for married or common-law couples with or without children.

Alty said she is aware of the issue and is “working with my colleagues on the Northern Residency Deduction, looking to address it through that avenue.”

Also recently announced was an additional $20 million to help local organizations and food banks improve food security.

The Spring Economic Update includes significant funding for Indigenous food security, traditional harvesting, and Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples.

These investments focus on supporting local, culturally appropriate food systems and community-led health services.

Here are the key funding areas mentioned:

A new five-year, $168 million investment was announced for Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples, starting in 2026–27. This directly supports the Friendship Centre movement, ensuring stability for centres to deliver culturally grounded programs for health, housing, and community wellness.
 As of April 2026, Harvesters Support Grant & Community Food Programs have provided over $257 million total to support Indigenous food sovereignty. For 2025–2026, $40.3 million is allocated to 112 isolated Northern communities, specifically supporting hunting, fishing, and community food-sharing.
Funding through Equipment & Community Hunts grants explicitly supports purchasing equipment for hunting, as well as organizing community hunts to produce and share traditional food.
The 2026 update provides an additional $6.3 million to the Northern Isolated Communities Initiatives Fund to support local and Indigenous food production systems in the North.

Canada Pension Plan contribution levels are being reduced, with the government estimating a $133 reduction in yearly CPP contributions for an employee earning $70,000, with employers saving the same amount per employee.

The initiative aims to put more money into Canadians’ pockets and reduce business payroll burdens, with an estimated $3 billion reduction in total annual contributions.

The change applies to base CPP contributions and takes effect on January 1, 2027.

The Spring Economic Update also included new money for Indigenous education and health, but the commitments were limited to one year, including $601 million for 2026–27 to support elementary and secondary education on reserve, which is nearly double the amount budgeted in previous years

The federal government’s update also invests $794 million for one year to support the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program.

The program provides First Nations and Inuit with coverage for a range of health products and services, such as medical travel, pharmaceuticals, and mental health counselling. APTN reports that’s an increase in funding compared to the $562 million the program was allotted for operations in 2025.

Finally, the 2026 economic update reallocates Indigenous housing funds first announced in Budget 2024.

The $2.8 billion over five years originally assigned to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation will now flow through Build Canada Homes, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, and Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada.

APTN reports the change is meant to better align Indigenous housing support with Canada’s current housing landscape.