A federal grant program aimed at encouraging more women to enter the skilled trades was exploited by men who falsely self-identified as female to receive the higher funding, according to a report by the Department of Employment.The Apprenticeship Grants: Evaluation Report found that applications were approved solely based on self-identification, with “a few focus group participants, 18%,” reporting that male apprentices received the grant by declaring themselves female on forms. Blacklock's Reporter said auditors did not quantify how widespread the issue was but acknowledged it contributed to negative perceptions of the program.Launched in 2018, the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women offered up to $8,000 — double the amount available to men — to boost female participation in trades such as plumbing, welding and electrical work. .Then-prime minister Justin Trudeau said the initiative was designed to support women and help grow the economy by broadening access to skilled labour.But the employment department noted backlash among male apprentices, with 61% of focus group participants reporting negative views of the program and 45% specifically citing complaints that the grants were unfair or discriminatory. Some women also felt the program’s credibility was undermined, with 7 of 38 key informants noting that men falsely claiming to be women harmed its public image..The report said the grants had only a limited influence on career choices, with many women already enrolled in trades before learning about the funding. Participation by women in male-dominated trades rose after the program’s launch, but began to slow again after the pandemic. The program expired in 2023 after paying $38.6 million to 13,200 recipients.A 2020 evaluation similarly found that the grants had limited success in shifting women toward non-traditional trades like construction or electrical work, noting stronger interest remained in fields like cooking and hairstyling.Labour Minister Patty Hajdu testified in 2018 that the grants were intended to promote gender equality in the skilled trades. “It’s very important that women and other vulnerable workers have the same opportunities when it comes to getting a job and succeeding in that job,” she said.
