Labour & skills

So much uncertainty surrounding AI and its impact on jobs has many Canadian workers asking themselves, “who’s next?” With 60% of Canadian workers in roles at risk of AI-driven job transformations, business and political leaders are champing at the bit to automate workforces. As Danny Parys writes, with so many livelihoods at stake, it’s clear that the Canadian economy needs to make bold changes, such as taking a page from many European countries' books and building employee consultation into their governance models. Codetermination could not only help ensure that the productivity gains of AI and automation are realized, but that workers are consulted first.

When U.S. tariffs threaten to strike creativity and culture, we can't afford to stay quiet. SCP Fellow and POV executive director Biju Pappachan explores the implications of the U.S. imposing a tariff on foreign-made films and explains why this is the moment for Canada to stand up for its filmmakers, crews and cultural sovereignty. Film and television are not luxuries; cultural production is a strategic sector that delivers exports, jobs and soft power. Just as we negotiate for agricultural or industrial tariff exemptions, cultural production deserves equal protection.

Many Canadian businesses and workers are facing looming furloughs and layoffs. As CEO of Challenge Factory Lisa Taylor argues, these workforce disruptions should be seen as an opportunity to invest in our workers, in our businesses and industries and in the future we want for our families and communities. We must evolve government programs to incentivize businesses to train and upskill workers to meet new market demands and execute on new strategies, rather than lay those employees off. Recovery from workforce shocks is possible with creative ways to reinvent and transform.

The story of the Rate Drop Rebate pilot, including key milestones, successes, dilemmas, insights and lessons learned. The Rate Drop Rebate was a unique partnership that brought SCP together with financial institutions, publicly funded employment service providers and the Government to reduce unfair barriers to employment and help grow the province’s small and mid-sized businesses.

Ontario is launching an innovative partnership with financial institutions to help businesses in London grow and increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities and facing other barriers. Through the new Rate Drop Rebate program, small- and medium-sized businesses that hire eligible people can receive discounted rates on financial products, such as loans. The rebate is made possible through funding from Ontario's two-year, $4-million Community Loans Fund.

Rate Drop Rebate™ pilot is expected to significantly impact those facing barriers to employment include students with limited work experience, long-term unemployed, older unemployed, people with disabilities, newcomers to Canada and unemployed Indigenous persons. The program aims to generate up to 1,100 new employment opportunities.

Ontario is partnering with leading financial institutions to build on Social Capital Partners existing loan program and create a fund aimed at increasing employment opportunities for people facing employment barriers.

The Partnership Council champions the hiring of people with disabilities and provides strategic advice to the Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure to enhance employment opportunities for Ontarians with disabilities.

Social Capital Partners announces innovative collaboration with the Government of Ontario designed to explore a novel social finance approach that provides employment opportunities for people with disabilities and other vulnerable populations.

Social Capital Partners collaborates with Ontario government’s Office of Social Enterprise to explore a pay-for-performance model that will increase access to employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, new Canadians and other traditionally disadvantaged groups.