Canada-Ontario Job Grant (COJG) — CLOSED
⚠️ Applications paused — current program wound down March 31 2026
Overview
Program wound down March 31 2026 — retained for historical reference
**COJG is no longer accepting applications.** Ontario says applications are paused while the program is reviewed and redesigned. The current COJG program wound down on March 31 2026.
The content below describes COJG as it operated prior to closure and is retained for historical reference only.
COJG was Ontario's employer-driven training program. If you needed to upskill employees — new technology, new processes, certifications — the government covered up to two-thirds of the cost.
Small employers (under 50 employees) get the best deal: government covers 83% of costs. Medium employers (50-100): 67%. Large employers (100+): 50%. The maximum per-employee contribution is $10,000.
Eligible training must be delivered by a third-party trainer. Internal training doesn't qualify. The training must lead to a credential, certification, or demonstrable skill that benefits the employer.
Who Qualifies
Hard Gates — Must Have
Ontario employer
Must operate in Ontario
Licensed in Ontario
Valid Ontario business license
Training employees
Must have employees to train (not contractors)
Soft Gates — Nice to Have
Under 50 employees
83% government contribution (best rate)
Under 100 employees
67% government contribution
Skills gap documentation
Demonstrating a clear training need improves approval
How Much
Range
$2K – $10K per employee
Rate
50–83% of training costs
Example Recovery
$10K government share
Government share depends on employer size: <50 employees = 83%, 50-100 = 67%, 100+ = 50%. Employer pays the remainder. Max $10K per trainee.
Worked Example
Your spend
$12K training for 3 employees (cloud certification)
You recover
$10K government share
Note
Based on 83% rate for <50 employee company, capped at $10K
Application Process
Identify training need
Determine what skills your team needs and find an eligible third-party trainer.
Apply through Employment Ontario
Submit application with training plan, provider details, and cost breakdown.
Approval
Employment Ontario reviews and approves the training agreement.
Training delivery
Employees complete the training. Employer pays full cost upfront.
Reimbursement
Submit completion proof and receipts. Government share is reimbursed.
Common Mistakes
Assuming old COJG rules still apply
Ontario has paused COJG applications while it reviews and redesigns the program. Treat prior provider rules as historical until a new intake opens.
Training contractors
Only employees on payroll qualify. Independent contractors and 1099 workers are not eligible.
Missing the per-employee cap
Maximum is $10K per trainee, not per application. Plan training budgets per person.
Key Deadlines
Intake
Paused
Ontario says COJG applications are paused while the program is reviewed and redesigned. Monitor Ontario.ca for replacement or reopening details.
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