The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) recently launched a national employee grant program designed to support the attraction and retention of new employees in the horticulture and landscape industry.
Called Digging into our Future, the new program will provide 10 grants of $1,000 each to eligible new entrants working in qualifying horticulture and landscape roles across Canada. The grant is paid directly to the employee in two stages: $500 upon entry into a qualifying position and $500 after four months of continuous employment with the same employer.
Digging into our Future is intended to reduce barriers to entry, support employment continuity, and help strengthen the horticulture workforce by encouraging new people to build lasting careers in the industry.
“Labour remains one of the most pressing issues facing our sector,” said Jeff Foley, HR chair, CNLA. “This program is designed to support new entrants directly by helping reduce barriers at the start of employment and encouraging retention in the months that follow. It is a practical way to support people entering the industry and help strengthen the workforce over the long term.”
To be eligible, employees must be newly entering the horticulture or landscape industry, be legally eligible to work in Canada, work in a horticulture-related role, work a minimum of 35 hours per week, and not be an immediate family member of the employer. Grant payments will be issued only to the eligible employee, subject to program requirements and verification.
Eligible employers must operate within the horticulture or landscape sector, be members of a provincial nursery landscape association, comply with employment standards, remain in good standing with no outstanding violations, and agree to program verification and reporting requirements. Only one application per company will be accepted.
Applications must be submitted within 30 days of hire and must include proof of employment, an employer verification form, and an employee declaration. To receive the second payment, the employer must confirm that the employee has completed four consecutive months of employment with the same employer.
Applications will be reviewed based on eligibility, submission completeness, and funding availability. CNLA may audit applications and conduct random verification checks. False or misleading information may result in repayment of funds and disqualification from the program.
For more information about Digging into our Future, including eligibility details and the application form, visit www.cnla.ca/grants.
