Wage Subsidy Program

• Employer Application Form
• Detailed job description
• Employee Development Plan
• Proof of general liability insurance
• Proof of Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC) registration

• The employer must be an eligible organization (registered business, industry association, local housing authority, non-government organization, Indigenous organization, or local/municipal/Indigenous government).
• Registered businesses must have been operating for at least six months.
• The position must be for an NWT resident employee of school-leaving age (16+) who is eligible to work in Canada (Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person).
• The employer must apply within three months of the individual starting the position (or starting a new position within the organization).
• The job must be at least 30 hours per week and may be supported for up to 52 weeks.

Who is eligible?

• Registered businesses
• Industry associations
• Local housing authorities
• Non-government organizations (NGOs)
• Indigenous organizations
• Local, municipal, or Indigenous governments

Who is not eligible

• Federal government positions (this program cannot be used to fund these positions).
• Territorial government positions (this program cannot be used to fund these positions).
• Federal and territorial government agencies, including Crown Corporations (not eligible employers under the Employer Programs).

Eligible expenses

• Employee wages subsidized under the program (up to the current NWT minimum wage rate; based on actual hours worked).
• Special equipment costs for the employee (up to $500 per client).

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Federal or territorial government positions (including Crown corporations and government agencies)
• Part-time positions
• Summer student positions
• Wages above the Northwest Territories minimum wage rate (the subsidy rate will not exceed minimum wage)
• Employer mandatory costs/benefits (e.g., vacation leave, statutory holiday pay, sick leave/special leave)

Eligible geographic areas

• Northwest Territories (Canada).

• The Regional ECE Service Centre processes and decides on applications.
• Career Development staff assess requests based on regional labour market priorities, needs, and available budgets.
• If approved, the employer requests reimbursement monthly through the Regional ECE Service Centre with supporting payroll documentation.
• The Career Development Officer conducts monitoring during the agreement and completes a 12-week follow-up with the client after course completion.
• Reimbursement requests must be submitted within three months after the wage subsidy is completed; after that, outstanding reimbursements are no longer available.

• Jobs supported under the program must be at least 30 hours per week and can last up to 52 weeks.
• Part-time and summer student positions are not supported; seasonal jobs may be considered if there is a reasonable employment guarantee after the subsidy period.
• The program is not intended to displace existing employees whose wages are not subsidized.
• An employer cannot have more than three staff receiving a wage subsidy at the same time.