Breaking News: Retrain Manitoba Program

Beth Graddon

APPLY NOW: A $12.5M Retrain Manitoba Program that was just announced will reimburse Manitoba businesses up to $2,500 per employee for any training relevant to their industry and role.  Tax accounting and financial services business owners can use the money to train new and returning staff for tax season 2022, retroactive to April 1, 2021 will also be eligible to apply for reimbursement. Those who have trained their teams with Knowledge Bureau, and meet all other criteria, will be eligible for reimbursement through this program.

Employers will have an opportunity to apply for reimbursement of up to $2,500 per employee up to a maximum of $75,000. Both in-person and online industry-recognized training courses provided by a third-party trainer inside and outside Manitoba are eligible for reimbursement. Applications will be accepted until March 31, 2022 or until the program funds have been depleted.

Eligible businesses must have valid Manitoba business numbers, which includes non-profits and charities. However, those who receive more than 50% of their funding through the province or have government appointed boards aren’t eligible. In addition, businesses must have rectified arrears for taxes owing by March 20, 2020. Those with deferred remittances that were incurred between April to September 2020 and January to May 2021 are still eligible.

Employees must start their training courses between April 1, 2021 and August 31, 2022.

Retrain Manitoba is part of a federal funding initiative, which means that other provinces should have similar programs available. In their November 4 Fall 2021 Economic Statement, Ontario proposed an extension to the temporary Ontario Jobs Training Tax Credit by one year, providing Ontarians with an additional $275 million of support for eligible training expenses.

The Retrain Manitoba program has been released in partnership with the Manitoba Government Economic Development Winnipeg, and the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. The goal of this workforce skills development grant program is to help Manitoba to move to the next stage of economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Economic Development and Jobs Minister Jon Reyes.

Additional educational resource: The course from the November 10 Virtual CE Summit will be available as of November 11 and will include access to the live presentations. Don’t miss this opportunity to brush up on Year-End Tax Planning for Corporate Owner-Managers. Enrol for a limited time for only $695.