CANADA-ALBERTA PRODUCTIVITY GRANT UPDATES

Effective immediately:

• Employed family members and business owners are now eligible trainees.
• All eligible trainees may now receive up to a 75% total government contribution toward training costs

These changes are intended to make the program more accessible and provide increased support to Alberta employers investing in workforce skills development and productivity.

EMPLOYER WAGE SUBSIDY WEBINAR WITH

CANADA SUMMER JOBS AND

STUDENT WORK PLACEMENT PROGRAM

Join the Workforce Consultant Team from the Government of Alberta for a free 1.5-hour webinar delivered by representatives from Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) and the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP), Powered by Magnet. This session will explore funding opportunities available to employers.

Canada Summer Jobs provides wage subsidies to help employers create summer employment opportunities for youth aged 15 to 30. The Student Work Placement Program provides wage subsidies to employers who hire post-secondary students for work-integrated learning opportunities, including Co-operative Education, Internships and Work Experience.

Date: November 19, 2026

Time: 9:00 am – 10:30 am MST

WORKFIRST ALBERTA'S TALENT EXCHANGE

Alberta’s government has launched WorkFirst Alberta’s Talent Exchange, a new online service that helps connect qualified job seekers with Alberta employers.

Talent Exchange uses skills and experience, not just job titles, to match candidates with available opportunities. This helps employers find the right people faster while giving more Albertans a better chance to be recognized for what they can do.

Talent Exchange is available across Alberta and is part of WorkFirst Alberta’s broader effort to connect Albertans with meaningful employment.

PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The Government of Canada has committed to increasing defence spending to 2% of gross domestic product (GDP) - approximately $63 billion - in 2025–26, and to 5% of GDP by 2035.

Projects at CFB Wainwright, as well as initiatives from other government departments, are posted on merx.com or canadabuys.canada.ca where full project details, closing dates, and contact information are available.

To help local businesses stay informed about procurement opportunities, the Wainwright Economic Development Office periodically shares MERX listings that are specifically relevant to Wainwright and the surrounding area.

HEALTH SKILLS DAY

Health Skills Day is a fantastic opportunity for Grade 9 - 12 students in the Town and Municipal District of Wainwright No. 61.

Students can attend the 2026 RHPAP Health Skills Day on Tuesday, November 10th. This event provides students with an engaging, hands-on opportunity to explore a variety of healthcare careers and skills.

Registration DEADLINE is October 30th. Contact Carley at the Town of Wainwright office to register. 780.842.3381 | cherbert@wainwright.ca

AVAILABLE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY LISTINGS

Economic Development maintains a directory of commercial properties currently available within the Town of Wainwright.



If you have a commercial property you would like included (free of charge), please contact Economic Development Officer Carley Herbert at 780-842-3381 or cherbert@wainwright.ca.

To access property information on the map, please select Guest when prompted to sign in.

Please note that while we strive to keep the information current and accurate, the Town of Wainwright cannot guarantee the completeness or accuracy of all listings. Users are encouraged to verify property details independently.

BUSINESS EDUCATION

ALBERTA GOVERNMENT

Employment Standards in Alberta - Termination and Termination Pay

October 21

Temporary Foreign Worker Advisory Office - TFW and Employer Rights and Responsibilities

October 28

BUSINESS LINK

Preparing Your Business for Financing

October 15

How to Start Your Business Without Overthinking It

October 29

Get Your First Customers

November 5

Set Up Your Business in Alberta

November 12

LOOKING FOR MORE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES?

Check out www.digifutures.ca hosted by Community Futures Lloydminster and Region - this is an online training portal for entrepreneurs with a variety of FREE and small fee videos.

GRANTS AND FUNDING

General

• Canada-Alberta Productivity Grant
• Canada-Alberta Workforce Resilience initiative
• Indigenous Employment Training Partnerships Program
• Training on the Job Program
• Workforce Partnership Grant
• Workplace Training Program

Industry-Specific

• Alberta Manufacturing Productivity Grant
• Addressing the Agriculture Labour Task Force Grant Program
• Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII)
• Training & Wage Subsidies for Environmental Jobs
• Trucking HR Student Work Placement Program

Tariff Programs

• AgriMarketing Program: 1. What this program offers - agriculture.canada.ca 
• Advance Payments Program: 1. What this program offers - agriculture.canada.ca 
• Biofuels Production Incentive - Natural Resources Canada 
• Buy Canadian - Canada.ca 
• LETL Overview | Canada Enterprise Emergency Funding Corporation | Canada Enterprise Emergency Funding Corporation 
• Level Up | Alberta.ca
• Pivot to Grow Program | Financing for Trade Resilience 
• Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) in the Prairie provinces – Apply - Canada.ca
• Resources for Alberta exporters | Alberta.ca
• Strategic Response Fund (SRF) 
• Tariff assistance programs for Canadian businesses
• Tariff-related resources for Alberta businesses | Alberta.ca
• Tariff support for Canadian exporters | EDC
• Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) | Export Planning & Training | CED
• Trade Disruption Customer Support Program | FCC 

Apprenticeship related Incentives for Employers:

• Apprenticeship Grants: Funding opportunities for skilled trades and apprenticeship
• Apprenticeship job creation tax credit
• Canada Apprentice Loan
• Apprenticeship Grants: Funding opportunities for skilled trades and apprenticeship
• Canada Tradesperson’s Tool deduction – up to $500 per year
• Supplementary unemployment benefit plan (SUBP)
• Supports for skilled trades and apprenticeship

Youth and Apprenticeships

• CAREERS - Alberta Youth Employment Incentive
• CAREERS - Youth Internship Incentive Program (YIIP)
• Empowering Futures for Apprentices
• FIRST (First Industry Research Science Technology) Jobs Pilot Program (Technology Alberta)
• Student Work Placement Program
• Trade Pathways Program
• Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) Funding Programs
• Youth Internship Incentive Program (YIIP) - Careers The Next Generation

BUSINESS RESOURCES

• Alberta Innovates
• Alberta Women Entrepreneurs
• Agriculture Job Connector
• Alberta Online Learning Centre
• Ask Kate | Tourism Industry Association
• Battle River Alliance for Economic Development
• Business Link
• Community Futures East Central Alberta
• East Central Regional Innovation Network
• Futurpreneur Canada
• Government of Alberta Supports for Business
• Prairies Economic Development Canada - Canada.ca
• Startup Lloydminster
• Wainwright & District Chamber of Commerce

ECONOMY STATISTICS

• Indicators at a Glance
• Weekly Economic Review
• Economic Trends
• Labour Market Notes
• Q2 2026 Population Report
• Annual population report, Alberta 2025-2026

EVENT CALENDAR

To find out what's happening in Wainwright, please visit the below sites:

• Town of Wainwright Event Calendar: We welcome organizers to submit their events into this calendar.

• Recreational Calendar: Peace Memorial Multiplex, Communiplex, ball diamonds, fitness classes etc.

BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT

If you would like to be featured as a Business Highlight in an upcoming newsletter, please email cherbert@wainwright.ca