The Government of Ontario announced special relief programs for apprentices and hospitality-sector workers on May 22.

Front and centre in the announcement was a new program called the Ontario Tools Grant. The grant will provide $10 million in funding over the next two fiscal years to help eligible apprentices but equipment for their trades. The program includes $2.5 million in funding this year and $7.5 million next.

The funding amounts will be distributed as follows: $1,000 for those in motive power sector trades; $600 for those in construction and industrial sector trades; and $400 for those in service-sector trades.

To be eligible for the grant, apprentices must have: completed their level 1 training on or after April 1, 2020; an active registered training agreement; and been registered as an apprentice for at least 12 months.

"The impact of COVID-19 has been devastating for many business owners, workers, and families, and that's why we are doing everything we can to help people through this difficult period," said Premier Doug Ford. "Hospitality workers and our skilled tradespeople have been among those hardest hit by this pandemic. These new programs will ensure they're ready to get back on the job and play an important role in our economic recovery."

“As more construction gets going, we’re making sure our skilled tradespeople are set up for success, making sure they have the tools they need, so this summer we are launching the all new Ontario Tools Grant Program, a program that will help up to 11,600 apprentices get a head start on their careers in the skilled trades,” said Ford.

The government also said it will forgive more than $10 million in outstanding loans owed by apprentices for tool purchases made at the beginning of their careers. The Loans for Tools Program allowed thousands of new apprentices to buy tools, equipment, clothing, manuals and code books required for their trade. About 19,000 apprentices who participated in the program owed, on average, $495.

"If we are going to rebuild our economy, we must reach out and help the workers and businesses that are suffering as a result of COVID-19," said Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development Monte McNaughton. "The programs that we are announcing today will leave more money in the pockets of our apprentices and support those hospitality workers who have been laid-off by providing access to the training and services they need to recover and rejoin the workforce."

The province also announced it will invest nearly $2 million to open a Virtual Action Centre—an online counselling and training portal for laid-off and unemployed hospitality workers—in partnership with UNITE HERE Local 75. The virtual job training resource will provide up to 7,000 unemployed workers in the hospitality sector with access to a wide range of services and supports online and over the phone, including: stress management and mental health resources; health and safety online training for workers who return to work at designated quarantined sites; technical skills training; and training to upgrade English language and digital skills.

The Virtual Action Centre will be run by UNITE HERE, a union that represents workers in hotels, restaurants, racetracks and casinos, laundry and food service companies, airport concessions and apparel, textile and general manufacturing and distribution centres.

"Ontario's hotel and hospitality sectors create thousands of jobs across the province," said Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries. "This new virtual platform will make sure that those workers are supported as we gradually reopen the province and prepare our $35 billion tourism sector to welcome visitors back."