The Government of Canada has announced new workforce support programs aimed at helping employees in the forestry and steel sectors adapt to changing industry conditions. These investments are designed to provide direct supports to workers while ensuring that funds reach the businesses most impacted.

The federal government has reached out to the chamber of commerce network to help identify businesses impacted by tariffs and trade disputes, to ensure they can access these programs. 

Through the Labour Market Development Agreements, Ottawa is investing $50 million to assist more than 6,000 affected softwood lumber workers. Supports will include:

• Upskilling and reskilling opportunities to help workers adapt to new technologies and shifting market demands.

• Income supports to provide stability during times of transition.

• Employment Insurance enhancements, including the Work-Sharing program, to help employers retain skilled staff through downturns.

Funds will be directed to employers in the following forestry-related NAICS categories:

• NAICS 113 – Forestry and Logging
  Businesses involved in growing, managing, and harvesting timber. This includes logging contractors, timber tract operations, and forest nurseries.

• NAICS 321 – Wood Product Manufacturing
  Manufacturers producing lumber, plywood, veneer, millwork, and other finished or semi-finished wood products. Examples include sawmills, flooring producers, and furniture component manufacturers.

• NAICS 322 – Paper Manufacturing
  Companies making pulp, paper, and paperboard, as well as paper-based packaging products like cardboard, tissue, and other converted paper goods.

In addition, the federal government has introduced a $70 million workforce support package to assist steel workers affected by tariffs and international trade pressures.

This program is targeted at employers in two specific steel-related NAICS categories:

• NAICS 3311 – Iron and Steel Mills and Ferro-Alloy Manufacturing
  Producers that smelt iron ore, manufacture pig iron, steel ingots, rolled steel products, and ferro-alloys used in steelmaking.

• NAICS 3312 – Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel
  Manufacturers that take purchased steel and produce items such as pipes, tubes, wire, and fabricated steel products for construction, automotive, and industrial uses.

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) has asked the BC Chamber of Commerce and local Chambers, including the Langley Chamber, to help identify eligible employers in our communities who fall under these NAICS categories. This will ensure that support is delivered quickly and directly to the businesses and workers who need it most.

If your business operates in the forestry (NAICS 113, 321, 322) or steel (NAICS 3311, 3312) sectors, you may be eligible for federal assistance under these new programs.

The Langley Chamber will be working with the BC Chamber to ensure our local employers are represented and identified. If your business falls under these categories, we encourage you to reach out so we can pass your information along.

Contact us if you are part of these industries and want to be included in this process >