P.E.I. Department of Agriculture  Minister’s Dedication to Agriculture Award 2025

The ideal candidate for this award is an agricultural employee that through long serving dedication, devotion, involvement and thoughtfulness has contributed to the success and long term profitability of the agriculture enterprise.

Please forward all nominations by December 15, 2025 to:

P.E.I. Agriculture Sector Council                               Phone: (902) 892-1091
420 University Avenue                                               
Farm Centre, Suite 113                                               Fax: (902) 892-1891
Charlottetown, PE C1A 7Z5                                       Email: laurie@peiagsc.ca
 
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P.E.I. AGRICULTURE EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR AWARD 2025
Sponsored by: Kool Breeze Farms

The ideal candidate for this award is an agricultural employee that makes an invaluable contribution to any farm operation. The candidate will have demonstrated a strong work ethic and shown dedication and commitment to the agricultural industry. Agriculture employers are encouraged to nominate an employee for the 2025 PEI Agriculture Employee of the Year Award. 

Nomination deadline December 15th, 2025
Please send the completed nomination forms to laurie@peiagsc.ca or drop off to PEIAgSC at 420 University Ave., Farm Centre #113

 
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P.E.I. AGRICULTURE EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR AWARD 2025
Sponsored by: T&K Fire & Safety Ltd.

The ideal candidate for this award is an agricultural employer that goes above and beyond to ensure that their employees have a positive work experience. The candidate will have demonstrated a tremendous level of support and dedication to employees working on their farm operation.
 

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First aid regulations changed on January 1^st , 2025 to meet with the CSA Standard Z1210-17 First Aid Training for Workplaces across Canada. Employers are required to have at least one first aider on site per shift and anyone who works alone is also required to have first aid training. The major change to the agriculture industry is that the training is based on "risk now" instead of the "number of workers".

Most farms on PEI would be considered Medium-Risk workplaces on the first aid risk assessment. Therefore, most farm employers are now required to provide Intermediate-Level first aid training. 

We will be offering a 2 day agriculture first aid course to help your farm meet the new requirements. Day 1 will be 7 hours of theory in classroom. Day 2 will be 7 hours hands-on agriculture stations with scenarios that you may face at the farm. 

We will be offering this training across the Island. Training is good for 3 years. 

Please indicate your commodity and the region that you want to take it. Cost for training for the 2 days with food & Intermediate First Aid Kit included is $350.00. Cheques can be mailed, dropped off to PEIAgSC at 420 University Ave. #113 or e-transfered(contact finance@peiagsc.ca)

Intermediate Level first aid training with an agricultural aspect provided to employers and workers would greatly help employers in this industry meet their obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and prevent injuries across the industry. 

Minimum wage in PEI will increase from $16.50 per hour to $16 per hour on October 1, 2025. The Employment Standards Board reviews minimum wage annually and provides their recommendations to government.
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Register now for Block II- Farm Equipment- registration closing soon!
Start date- Jan 12th, 2026 
End date- Feb 13th, 2026
5 Week Block Release
 

PEI Farm Technician Apprenticeship Program

2026 Training Block

Monday, January 12- Friday,  February 13, 2026
Farm Centre, 420 University Avenue, Charlottetown PE

 

Developed in consultation with the PEI Agricultural Trade Advisory Committee, this one-of-a-kind, two-year registered apprenticeship program combines classroom learning with on-farm experience, earning students a Certificate of Qualification in Farm Technician by the PEI Department of Innovation and Advanced Learning.

The program highlights the important contribution of farm technicians to Canada’s agri-food system.  

Apprentices work throughout the year gaining skills on-farm with a farm mentor in addition to participating in five weeks of in-class training delivered by Extended Learning, Dalhousie Faculty of Agriculture, on PEI.  

This unique program was developed to address the demand for a skilled, sustainable, agricultural workforce on P.E.I.

Those interested in starting the journey to become a Blue Seal Certified Farm Technician must first register with the PEI Department of Innovation and Advance Learning or PEI Agriculture Sector Council- laurie@peiagsc.ca

Congratulations on Achieving your Farm Technician Blue Seal Class of 2025! 

• Lucas de Oliveira
• Patrick Chappell

We now have 58 Apprentices that have received their Blue Seals from Apprenticeship PEI !! Amazing job!
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submit your CSJ 2026 funding application


The annual Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program Call for Applications will be launched on November 4, 2025, and will close on December 11, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.
Don’t risk missing the deadline and prepare now to apply for Canada Summer Jobs funding!
Are You Ready?
Not-for-profit employers can receive a wage subsidy of up to 100% of the current provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage. Public and private sector employers are eligible to receive a wage subsidy of up to 50% of the current provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage.
Are you ready to:

• Provide quality work experiences for youth?
• Provide opportunities for youth to develop and improve their skills?
• Respond to national and local priorities to improve access to the labour market for youth who face unique barriers?

If so, stay tuned for the launch of Canada Summer Jobs 2026 by visiting the CSJ website!
Prepare to Apply
Read the Prepare to Apply section of the Applicant Guide and the Articles of Agreement in their entirety before you start your application. Consult the section 4 – How to apply to determine if you should submit more than one application.
How to Apply
If you already have an existing Grants and Contributions Online Services (GCOS) account, you’ll be able to log in to your account and apply once the Call for Applications has opened.
If you do not have a GCOS account, register today and be ready to apply for CSJ 2026 this November!
Creating a GCOS account is a one-time process. If you are unsure whether you or someone in your organization created an account, please contact us and include your Canada Revenue Agency business number. Opening a second account could delay your registration.
Watch this GCOS video to learn to learn the benefits of creating and using a GCOS account, including how it helps you apply for ESDC programs like CSJ, save and resume applications, and track the status of submitted documents.
Lastly, Canada Post has announced that a postal service disruption has begun on September 25, 2025, across the country. As all applications must be received or date stamped by Service Canada or by a messenger service by December 11, 2025, we strongly encourage submitting your application through GCOS or the online fillable application form, by messenger services, or in person at a Service Canada Centre.
Have questions on a GCOS account?
For more information or assistance with your GCOS account, please use the Contact Us button in your account or call us at 1-800-367-5693. Our business hours are Monday to Friday, from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm Eastern Time.
Have questions on the program?
Consult the CSJ website CSJ website, or call us at 1-800-935-5555 (ATS: 1-800-926-9105).
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The Achieving Success through Community ENgagement & Development (ASCEND) program is transforming youth employment across Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Nunavut. 

Funded by the Government of Canada and led by Community Sector Council Newfoundland and Labrador (CSCNL), ASCEND is delivered in partnership with Community Sector Network PEI (CSNPEI) and Impact Organizations of Nova Scotia (IONS). This initiative provides meaningful employment opportunities for youth aged 15-30 who are Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET), while strengthening the community sector. 

Through provincial minimum wage subsidized 19-21 week work placements in community sector organizations, ASCEND gives youth the hands-on experience, mentorship, and career development they need to succeed. Before placements begin, participants complete two weeks of career and personal development training, equipping them with the skills and confidence to thrive in the workforce. 

Any questions can be directed to Cbatten@csnpei.com
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NOW LIVE!

You can now access the Agricultural workforce resource hub! The purpose of the page is to offer a collection of resources and services for employers and job seekers alike looking to build a career in Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector permanently or temporarily.

https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/sector/canadian-food-system/agricultural-workforce-resource-hub
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AgPal helps farmers and agri-businesses find relevant resources by gathering agricultural information and presenting it all in one place. Search and navigation tools make it quick and easy to find exactly what you are looking for. Find programs, services, market intelligence, research and more! To begin, select a topic below or proceed to the AgPal search page.

https://agpal.ca/


 
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Jelly Academy is excited to provide fully funded digital marketing skills training through Digital Marketing Skills Canada in partnership with the Government of Canada. Upon completion of this course, you will gain knowledge and skills that you can apply directly to your marketing efforts.

https://jellyacademy.ca/digital-marketing-bootcamp-funding-2025
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The Workers Compensation Board (WCB) provides Prince Edward Island workplaces with occupational health and safety services, as well as insurance for work-related injuries and illnesses. We are pleased to provide these courses free of charge to both workers and employers!

Courses:
Hazard Assessment and Control
Joint Occupational Health & Safety Committee Basics
Supervisor Safety
Workplace Disability Management
Workplace Safety for Young Workers

https://wcbpei.skillspass.com/
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HELPING
SMALL BUSINESS
WITH THEIR HUMAN
RESOURCES NEEDS

What You Need To Know

The following employment related legislation is the legal foundation for provincially regulated employers:

• Employment Standards Act
• Human Rights Act
• Youth Employment Act
• Occupational Health and Safety Act
• Workers Compensation Act
• Privacy Act

Depending on the nature of your business, other pieces of legislation may also apply to your workplace. At a minimum, employers need to comply with all legislation.  Many employers will have internal policies and procedures to communicate rights, roles, and responsibilities on a number of different matters, including those required by legislation.

Policies identify the broad principles/standards for expected workplace action, behaviour, and/or compliance.  The procedure may outline step-by-step instructions, such as templates, forms, or simple visual aids.

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