Federal/Provincial
Canada-Ontario Job Grant (COJG) — 2026 Guide
Cost-sharing program where government covers 2/3 of eligible training costs for Ontario employees. Up to $10,000 per trainee, $300,000 per business per year.
Canada-Ontario Job Grant (COJG) — Complete Guide 2026
What Is the Canada-Ontario Job Grant?
The Canada-Ontario Job Grant (COJG) is one of the most underused grants for small businesses in Ontario. The government covers up to two-thirds of eligible training costs, up to $10,000 per employee and $300,000 per business per year. If you're paying for any staff training, certification, or skills upgrading, you should be applying for COJG.
How Much Funding?
- Up to $10,000 per trainee
- Up to $300,000 per employer per fiscal year
- Government pays 2/3 of training costs; employer pays 1/3
- Small businesses (under 100 employees) may pay as little as 1/6
What Training Is Covered?
- Technical certifications (electrical, HVAC, plumbing, welding Red Seal)
- Safety training (WHMIS, First Aid, construction safety)
- Software and technology training
- Leadership and management development
- Customer service and sales training
- Export readiness and marketing training
Who Is Eligible?
- Employer registered and operating in Ontario
- Training must be with a third-party provider (not your own staff training staff)
- Training must result in a certificate, credential, or demonstrable skill
- Trainees must be employed by the business (cannot be volunteers or contractors)
How to Apply
- Visit ontario.ca/page/canada-ontario-job-grant
- Create an Employer Account in the Employment Ontario portal
- Identify your training provider and get a quote
- Submit application before training begins (retroactive applications are rejected)
- Receive approval, complete training, then submit completion report for payment
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Starting training before application approval — this disqualifies your claim
- Using internal trainers — must be an external, qualified training provider
- Applying for generic courses without clear skill outcomes
- Missing the employer matching contribution requirement
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Canada-Ontario Job Grant?
- COJG pays up to 2/3 of eligible employee training costs — up to $10,000 per employee, $300,000 per business per year. Covers certifications, safety training, software, and skills upgrading.
- How do I apply for COJG?
- Apply at ontario.ca through the Employment Ontario portal. You must apply before training starts. The process takes 2–4 weeks for approval.
- What training does COJG cover?
- COJG covers third-party training that results in a certificate or credential: Red Seal trades exams, WHMIS, software, leadership programs, export training, and more. It does not cover on-the-job training or courses taught by your own staff.
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