$5,000 Red Seal completion bonus opens November 16
Eligible journeypersons certified in a designated Red Seal trade on or after April 1, 2025, can apply for the federal payment.
Applications for the federal $5,000 Red Seal Completion Bonus are scheduled to open November 16, Employment and Social Development Canada announced October 23.
The payment is available to journeypersons who completed an apprenticeship and received certification in a designated Red Seal trade on or after April 1, 2025. Applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons and cannot be attending high school.
Documents and deadlines
Applicants should be ready to provide a Social Insurance Number, mailing address, banking details for direct deposit, their trade and certification date, province or territory of certification and apprentice identification number. Supporting documents must be submitted within 28 calendar days after an application begins.
People certified between April 1, 2025, and November 15, 2026, have until May 31, 2027, to apply. For certifications issued on or after November 16, applications are due within 12 months of the certification date.
Source: Employment and Social Development Canada, news release published October 23, 2026.
Featured image: electrician working on an electrical panel, by Raze Solar via Unsplash. Illustrative stock photo.
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