Significant Special Measures For The Employment Insurance Work-Sharing Program Introduced For Businesses, Non-Profits Impacted By U.S. Tariffs

On March 7, 2025, the federal government introduced special measures to the Employment Insurance Work-Sharing Program (Program) to provide additional support to businesses and non-profit organizations impacted by the threat or realization of U.S. tariffs. These measures will be in place from March 7, 2025 to March 6, 2026, and significantly expand the potential application of the Program to businesses, non-profit organizations and employees who would not otherwise be eligible.

In our FTR Now of February 20, 2025, we provided an overview of the eligibility requirements for the Program. As a result of the special measures introduced, the following key adjustments to the Program's parameters will now apply to a business or non-profit organization that has experienced a decline in business activities (or general revenues, in the case of non-profit organizations) due to actual or threatened U.S. tariffs.