sample resume for federal government job canada

How to write a resume for a Canadian government job

Today, I show you how I structure my resume for government jobs. In the next couple of videos, I will be covering the most common questions I get about the government hiring process.

Want to learn my process for applying for government jobs?

Our D.I.Y Course Fedjobs help you understand what happens at each stage of the hiring process and provides honest advice from the applicant’s perspective. I also share my techniques to “tick all boxes” in the process to ensure your application moves forward to the next step. 

Here is what you will learn

6 videos that walk you through the major steps in the hiring process:

Reading the job posting

There are a lot of acronyms and jargon in Government of Canada job postings that can be hard to decipher. I'll teach you how to analyze a job posting so that you can understand exactly what is being asked for.

Preparing your application

The first step in the application process are the screening questions, which can be very time consuming to complete. I'll show you how to formulate your responses and how to create a system that will help you apply for multiple jobs fast.

Written exercise

In my opinion, this is the most challenging part of the application process. I'll show you the key elements that should be included in a high quality written exercise and how an exercise can be structured.

Federal government interviews are not your typical interview, they are extremely structured and impersonal. They are, however, usually easier to prepare for because you will know in advance what you will be asked about. I'll teach you how to prepare for the interview and how to structure you answers to get as many "points" as possible.

Final steps

Depending on the type of competition, there are a few different things that can take place once you have successfully passed the interview stage. I'll go through the different scenarios and outline what to expect from situations like reference checks and receiving a letter of offer.

Plus additional resources

3 templates that will be useful tools for allowing you to efficiently apply for jobs, nail your written tests and present your best self during an interview. 

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Government of Canada Resume and Cover Letter Samples

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Writing a federal government resume

This page provides an overview with examples of how to write a federal government resume, which have content and formatting that differ from most private sector resumes.

How to write a federal resume

Written by , external, Amanda Costello , 18F content designer and gummi bear enthusiast, July 2019. (Revised March 2024)

Writing a US federal resume is hard. When I started writing mine, all I wanted was a solid example. What needs to be included, in what order, and what would it look like with real information. This is that example. ( Law and Order chimes )

It can be helpful to think about a federal resume like an academic CV, an overview of your whole career. Also, these are long documents . This is not the place for a 1-2 page resume. When I applied, my resume was 7 pages long; after 5 years at 18F, it’s close to 15 pages.

Below are excerpts from my federal resume, along with details and notes about how it’s written and formatted. I want more awesome folks from all backgrounds and experiences as colleagues. I don’t want the resume formatting or particulars to be a mystery; it’s already a very challenging piece of writing.

General things to keep in mind:

• Pay particular attention to the Specialized Experience section of a federal job posting. These items must be clearly represented on your resume to show you’ve done the work to be qualified.
• New in 2024! Another tactic that’s been successful for me has been making the job posting’s Specialized Experience the headers for duties and responsibilities. Obviously you can’t do this until you’re looking at a specific job, but it can be a good way to organize your work for readability.
• Throw out your formatting. I used CAPS for headers, italics for mission statements, and bullet points. Expect that the bulk of your formatting will be stripped out. No columns, no fanciness. Just write. Hard.
• Speaking of writing: get your words going, and then get more words. I had to submit two writing samples, and that was where I could show off my content strategy particulars. Remember the job of the resume content: clear, straight lines between the requirements and your experience.

Explicit disclaimer: This resume format is what I chose to use in applying to 18F in the US Federal Government’s General Services Administration. It is not the only acceptable format, but is what worked well for me. I currently work as a content designer at 18F, but put this together on my own time, using no government resources to do so. Using this formatting is not a guarantee of consideration. You still gotta do the work.

Want to chat more about this? Shoot me an email at [email protected]

My comments below will all be in text boxes

Resume formatting

AMANDA COSTELLO 123 Lutefisk Street You Betcha, MN 55555

Mobile: 555-555-5555 Email: [email protected]

Availability: April 1, 2024

Job Type: Permanent, Telework Work Schedule: Full-Time

Desired locations:

United States - MN Remote

WORK EXPERIENCE

Workplace name, Unit name if relevant - City, State, Country

Your job title - MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY - Hours per week: xx

Mission statement(s) of the workplace, or summary of the company’s work on a larger scale.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

A paragraph-long description of what the work was overall. Describe your work using a wide scope, leaving the specific details for later.

SPECIFIC TOPIC (e.g. CONTENT STRATEGY)

• Examples are in a bulleted list, each point describing a project or part of a project, or a piece of work that fits the heading, plus matches up with the qualifications/reqs.
• I chose to start each bullet with a past tense verb (Collaborated, Wrote, Managed, Edited), because that’s how I usually write resumes.
• Some of these bullets reference specific things I wrote, and those were included as writing samples with my application.

TECHNICAL SKILLS:

Software you know, tools you use, best practices and methods. This can’t just be a list, but has to have context in your work overview of how and why they were used. Also, please throw Microsoft Word on there because I was once rejected from a job in 2007 because I put “Microsoft Office” and the listing said “Microsoft Word.” Word matching! Seriously!

SELECTED WORK:

• Another bulleted list, this time of URLs related to work I did.
• They had quick little blurbs underneath about what they were, and what I did.
• Photos won’t come through on this resume, so no screenshots or anything.

Work experience example from my 2018 resume

University of Minnesota, College of Education and Human Development - Minneapolis, MN

Lead Content Strategist - 07/2012 to Present - Hours per week: 40

The mission of the College of Education and Human Development is to contribute to a just and sustainable future through engagement with the local and global communities to enhance human learning and development at all stages of the life span. The college is part of the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, a land-grant high-level research institution, dedicated to generating and preserving knowledge through research, sharing that knowledge through teaching and learning, and apply that knowledge through outreach and public service.

Developed and led college-wide content strategy combining current and prospective student needs with college goals for recruitment and retention. Worked as a member of a cross-functional team including designers, developers, business analysts, marketers, and well as content strategists across 7 academic departments to promote and deliver effective processes and consistent content strategy.

CONTENT STRATEGY:

• Collaborated with college academic departments, research centers, student support offices, and senior leadership to develop a “bottom up” content strategy, prioritizing student needs based on their relationships with academic programs. Assessed content through the lens of recruitment and retention.
• Wrote “Stakeholder’s Guide To Launch,” a two-page reference for the launch of a new college website. By anticipating the top questions stakeholders might field, this guide gave talking points surrounding new features, along with contacts for further questions.
• Served as strategist, editor, and project manager for regular essay series on college diversity and inclusion work, written by academic leadership. This generated authentic, meaningful content and helped stakeholders better understand the time commitment involved in content production.
• Established user-centered college voice and tone guidelines, using “A, but not B” format. This was informed by close work with students in formal and informal usability testing, and brand sort activities with college leadership and key stakeholders.

USER EXPERIENCE (UX) WRITING:

• Combined findings from user research, new graduate student interviews, faculty and researcher focus groups, higher ed industry trends, and analytics to consolidate more than 600 areas of academic research expertise into 111 categories. Categories were deployed across the college for consistent organization and increased findability of research work.
• Developed strategy and standards to categorize and sort 127 academic programs and 111 areas of research expertise. This was incorporated into two web-based tools developed in-house and allowed students to explore college offerings and expertise independent of department. Wrote and edited descriptions for each area, capped at 25 words to promote ease of reading and top-level understanding.
• Planned, edited, and delivered a “Web Writing Best Practices” guide for college content strategists. Formatted as a “one-pager” for printing and pinning up as a reference, this collected links to and recommendations from external tools and guides (Hemingway, 18F, King County Editorial Guide), internal editorial recommendations from the university and college, and voice and tone particulars. Strategists often felt intimidated and overwhelmed by the sheer amount of recommendations connected to good web content; this guide promoted four starting points to improve content: addressing the user (you/your/yours and we/our/ours), employing structured content, concise writing, and using plain language.

USABILITY TESTING AND USER RESEARCH:

• Led and managed annual process of web usability testing, including project kick-offs, stakeholder workshops, scenario development, task analysis, lab and field-based testing, issues analysis, research and recommendation presentations to project team members, key stakeholders and college senior leadership.
• Helped subject-matter expert teams and stakeholders understand their users through research and usability testing methods, defining problems and crafting effective solutions based on both quantitative and qualitative data.

COLLABORATION ON CROSS-FUNCTIONAL TEAMS:

• Contributed to responsive redesign of college website by conducting a content audit, editing student-facing content for an overall 75% file reduction, and migrating updated content to custom-built CMS. Collaborated with design and development teams to create comprehensive style guides, pattern library interface copy.
• Convened monthly “coworking days” among all college web professionals, bringing us together as a team of peers for a day of training, collaborative problem solving, idea sharing, and camaraderie. Set programming, mentored colleagues on presentations, and collected feedback to regularly adjust how our central content strategy was best supporting the specific work of the departments.

ADVOCACY AND OUTREACH:

• Advocated for content strategy best practices to over 30 University departments by regularly meeting with peers and presenting to leadership stakeholder groups. Promoted clear, consistent, user-centered writing from all contributors, even those who don’t identify as “web people,” and facilitated collaboration across organizational silos to increase efficiency and support.
• Consulted with faculty and staff in academic departments outside the college that frequently contributed to content strategy. Regular guest lecturer and student mentor in the Writing Studies program.
• Contributed as one of four subject matter experts to the University of Minnesota’s Content Strategy Self-Help Guide, recommending resources and structuring process for the centrally-maintained system to help contributors at all levels improve content writing and strategic thinking for the web.
• Frequently presented at local Twin Cities-based tech meetups, translating content strategy best practices to adjacent fields such as front- and back-end development, UX research, accessibility, interactive design, and marketing.

Provided strategic content design with skills in copywriting, style guides, plain language, comprehension/reading levels. Conducted usability evaluations using card sorting (OptimumSort), tree testing (Treejack), direct observation user research methods. Worked on a cross-functional team that used Asana, Trello, Slack, Hemingway, pattern libraries, Google Drive, MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point), and semantic HTML.

• CEHD Academic Programs, www.cehd.umn.edu/programs Developed content and structure for directory/sorting tool
• CEHD Research & Expertise, www.cehd.umn.edu/topics/ Created new content structure around college research, including categories and descriptions
• UMN Content Strategy Self-Help Guide, , external, z.umn.edu/csmap Subject matter expert for update to university-wide guide

VOLUNTEER WORK

MinneWebCon Annual Conference - Minneapolis, MN - www.minnewebcon.org

Conference Director - 10/2011 - 06/2015

MinneWebCon is a two-day web conference in Minneapolis that encourages inclusive grassroots knowledge-sharing. In addition to keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and half-day workshops, our annual conference is a space for speakers and attendees to collaborate, talk, learn, ask, test, and grow.

• Directed volunteer-run tech conference for 200+ annual attendees, bringing local and national speakers to the Twin Cities web community.
• Oversaw event logistics, speaker recruitment and support, partnerships and sponsorships, promotion, and attendee experience with conference committee support and input.
• Introduced speaker mentoring program, pairing conference speakers with an experienced mentor to review slides, practice presentations, and provide support.
• Expanded conference to two-day event in 2012, adding half-day workshops to meet attendee demand for deeper learning.

SELECTED SPEAKING AND PRESENTATIONS

My resume listed about 15 sessions that I thought were relevant to this job. I also had sections on selected publications and selected podcast guest appearances, because those are cool too! The format I use is:

"Title of the Presentation," what kind of session - MM/YYYY Conference Name - City, State, Country

• “How Silos Learn: Working in the Idea Factory,” closing keynote address - 08/2018 (scheduled) PSEWEB Conference - London, ON, Canada
• “Better Stakeholder Wrangling,” half-day workshop - 10/2018 (scheduled) edUi Conference - Charlottesville, VA
• “Better Stakeholder Wrangling,” half-day workshop - 05/2018 Confab: The Content Strategy Conference - Minneapolis, MN
• “Explain Anything to Your Boss & Grandboss,” closing keynote address - 05/2018 Manage Digital Conference - Minneapolis, MN
• “How Silos Learn,” opening keynote address - 10/2017 Digital Project Management Summit - Las Vegas, NV

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN United States Bachelor's Degree MM/YYYY Major: English Minor: Japanese

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Language: Japanese Spoken Level: Novice Written Level: Novice Reading Level: Novice

Name: Jeff Awesomeboss Employer: University of Minnesota Title: The Best Boss Email: [email protected]

• , external, [email protected]

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• Insider’s Guide to getting a job in the Canadian Government for Professionals
• Insider’s Guide special report on Resumes and Cover Letters
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• 2022 Post Secondary Recruitment Campaign – Everything you need to know
• Insider’s Guide to Getting a job in the Canadian Government for Post Secondary Recruitment Applicants
• Insider’s Guide Special Report on Resumes and Cover Letters for Students
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• Testimonials
• About The Author

Government of Canada Resume Tips

It is important to note that resumes and cover letters for hiring managers in the Canadian Federal Public Service must illustrate passion and drive.

In addition to giving government hiring managers something interesting to read, you also want to display to managers that you are confident of your skill set.

Here are a few important points that you must keep in mind:

Use action verbs. When drafting your resume ensure that you use action verbs that illustrate leadership abilities i.e.: resolved, supervised, increased, managed, conducted. Do not be humble but do not exaggerate your skills. Highlight your abilities in an accurate and concise manner.

Customize your resume. It is imperative that you customize your resume for every Canadian Public Service job competition. In addition to greatly increasing your chances of getting screened in, when your resume is reviewed by future hiring managers, they will be able to see the link with your past experience, your education, and the job that you are looking for.

Many individuals try to use the “one resume fits all” for the federal service job applications and do not understand why they are not screened in. Always customize each resume to the job that you are applying for.

Do not make a references section. Usually there is a separate form that asks for this information. You will waste space on your resume providing information that will not be checked until the final screening process.

I recommend that your resume spans a maximum of 2 pages. Apart from the fact that it will illustrate your strong written communication skills, most Government of Canada hiring managers will be reading multiple resumes in one day. They will appreciate your short, precise and detailed resume and be more inclined to read all of it.

Get your resume done professionally if you are not a strong writer, there are many community centres, career placement offices, and professional services that can write your resume for you for free or for a small fee.

Introducing the only proven online resource that will provide you with astonishing and quick results: The Insider's Guide to Canadian Government jobs.

This amazing guide contains years of research, interviews, and experience from Insiders in the Government of Canada to give you the best resource for obtaining your dream job in the Government.

Here is a brief look inside:

• 100+ pages of never seen before insider knowledge on obtaining highly sought after government jobs that will make you the envy of your peers.
• Clear steps and ready to use vocabulary that will land your new winning resume to the top of the pile...everytime, even if you're not good at writing.
• Two done-for-you cover letter templates that explain exactly how to use your work and educational experience to have hiring managers fighting to meet you.
• Also included is our trademarked: Face-To-Face Interview Differentiator TM. Our tested interview cheat sheet that carefully guides you through each step in the interview process taking you from a faceless applicant to a confident job candidate - even if you are usually nervous in interviews.
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Learn the essential steps and strategies to successfully secure a transport job in Canada.

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How to Land a Transport Job in Canada

Themba Phongolo

Themba has been writing for CanadianVisa.org since January 2023. Writing about immigration excites him due to the promise it presents, that people can immigrate and earn a better life for themselves.

Transportation in Canada forms a vital part of the country’s economy, offering many exciting career paths. Our guide offers detailed information about the step-by-step process of securing a transport job in Canada, ensuring you meet eligibility criteria, craft compelling resumes and cover letters, and prepare for the interview process. We will also look into the numerous advantages Canada offers transportation workers, attracting skilled immigrant workers worldwide.

Ready to better understand how to land a transport job in Canada? Then join us as we uncover how to land a transport job in Canada, from understanding the industry to acing interviews and leveraging networking opportunities.

Canada’s Transportation Sector

The transportation sector in Canada is not just a significant employer but also a crucial part of the country's infrastructure. With projections indicating continued growth, it's a sector that offers promising career opportunities. The trucking industry's freight movement offers drivers, logistics coordinators, mechanics , and fleet managers jobs. Technological advancements like autonomous vehicles are on the horizon, impacting future roles.

Airports, airlines, and maintenance facilities create opportunities for:

• Air traffic controllers,
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• Customer service personnel.

Growth in e-commerce is increasing demand for air cargo services. Jobs in this sector include:

• Ship captains,
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• Dockworkers.

Ports require cargo handling, logistics, and security personnel. Jobs exist within bus and rail companies, public transit authorities , and ride-sharing services. Urban planners and engineers are crucial for designing and maintaining efficient transportation infrastructure.

The transportation sector relies heavily on skilled tradespeople like electricians , welders , and plumbers to maintain infrastructure and vehicles. As environmental concerns rise, the sector seeks professionals in areas like electric vehicle technology, alternative fuels, and sustainable infrastructure development.

Steps on How to Land a Transport Job in Canada

Canada's transportation network offers diverse career paths. Here's a detailed step-by-step roadmap to guide you on your journey to landing a transport job in Canada :

Step 1: Research Jobs in Canada’s Transportation Industry That Meets Your Needs

Explore the diverse transportation landscape. Trucking, aviation, marine transportation, and passenger transportation all offer a range of opportunities. Use resources like the Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) to gain a better understanding of specific sectors and their career paths.

Reflect on your skills, experience, and interests. Do you see yourself journeying through the open road as a truck driver, ensuring air traffic safety as a controller, or managing logistics within a bustling port? Research your target profession's educational requirements, licensing procedures, and salary ranges.

Step 2: Ensure You Meet the Eligibility Criteria for Working in Canada

If you're a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you can freely apply for transportation jobs nationwide. Obtaining a Canada work permit specific to your chosen profession is crucial. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) outlines the eligibility criteria and application process. Research may reveal occupations requiring foreign credential recognition to ensure your qualifications are recognized in Canada.

Step 3: Create Your Resume And Cover According to Canadian Standards

Adapt your resume and cover letter to showcase your skills and experience relevant to the Canadian transportation sector. Canadian resumes typically follow a one- to two-page format, prioritizing concise bullet points and quantifiable achievements.

Highlight relevant certifications, licenses, and English and/or French language skills . Don't submit generic applications. Create personalized cover letters demonstrating your genuine interest in the company and position. Research the company's culture, values, and current projects to showcase how your skills can contribute to their success.

Step 4: Use Canada’s Online Boards

Use prominent Canadian job boards like Indeed Canada , Canada’s Job Bank , and Monster Canada to discover transportation positions nationwide. These platforms offer advanced search functionalities that allow you to filter based on:

• Industry segment, e.g., trucking, aviation,
• Job type (full-time, part-time), and
• Experience level.

Consider specific job boards like TruckingJobs.ca for targeted positions within a specific transportation sector. Networking with professional associations in your chosen field can yield valuable job leads and industry insights.

Step 5: Prepare for Interviews by Researching the Companies You’re Interested In

Demonstrate your initiative by thoroughly researching the company, its role within the transportation industry, and its current projects. This demonstrates your genuine interest and allows you to respond to the company's needs.

Prepare for common transportation industry interview questions relevant to your chosen field. For example, a truck driver interview might focus on safety protocols and defensive driving techniques, while an air traffic controller interview might get into decision-making skills and situational awareness.

Create insightful questions for the interviewer. This showcases your curiosity, critical thinking, and genuine interest in the opportunity. Ask about the company culture, team dynamics, and potential for professional growth within the organization.

Step 6: Learn About and Adapt to Canadian Workplace Culture and Regulations

Familiarize yourself with Canadian workplace culture, emphasizing politeness, teamwork, and a healthy work-life balance. Understanding these norms will contribute to a smoother transition into a new work environment.

Research relevant regulations and safety standards for your chosen field within the transportation sector. Transport Canada , the federal agency overseeing transportation, provides resources and information on regulations for various transportation modes.

Step 7: Carefully Review the Terms and Conditions of Your Employment After Landing a Job Offer

Once you receive a job offer , carefully review the terms and conditions of employment. This includes your:

• Benefits package ,
• Work schedule,
• Vacation , and
• Probationary periods.

Feel free to ask clarifying questions to ensure they are in line with your expectations and Canadian employment standards .

Step 8: Submit Required Supporting Documents And Apply for a Canadian Work Permit

You must submit your Canada work permit application with the supporting documents IRCC requires. These may include a:

• Valid job offer ,
• Proof of financial resources ,
• Identification document (ID), e.g., passport,
• Medical clearance report , and
• Police Clearance report .

Consider consulting with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or an immigration lawyer to ensure your application package is complete and to navigate any complexities.

Canada work permit application IRCC processing times can vary depending on individual circumstances and IRCC workload. Use the IRCC website to track application status and stay informed. Once you receive your Canada work permit and complete additional paperwork (e.g., Social Insurance Number (SIN) application), you can officially accept the job offer.

Learn more about the documents required for a Canada work permit .

What Canada Offers Transportation Workers

Canada's strong transportation sector attracts skilled foreign workers and professionals with compelling benefits. Here's a breakdown of the key advantages Canada offers transportation workers.

Competitive Salaries and Wages for Transportation Workers in Canada Family

Salaries in Canada's transportation sector are generally competitive. Canada’s Job Bank , a Government of Canada resource, provides detailed information on wage ranges for various transportation professions. Furthermore, the transportation workers in Canada generally get paid a higher salary than most Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. For example, according to Numbeo , Canada offers an average monthly net salary after tax higher than South Korea’s, France, Italy and Japan.

Diverse Opportunities in Canada’s Transportation Sector

The transportation sector isn't limited to traditional truck drivers or pilots. It encompasses a wide range of specialties. Opportunities exist in:

• Marine transportation,
• Public transit,
• Urban planning, and
• Infrastructure development.

This diversity ensures that individuals with various skills and interests can find fulfilling careers within the sector.

Technological Advancements in Canada’s Transportation Industry

Canada actively invests in automation, electric vehicles, and sustainable infrastructure development. This creates exciting opportunities for workers with relevant skills and creates a dynamic work environment at the forefront of technological innovation. Among the most prominent technological innovation programs in Canadian transportation includes the:

• Program to Advance Connectivity and Automation ,
• Intelligent Transportation System Architecture ,
• ecoTECHNOLOGY for Vehicles (eTV) Program , and
• Zero Emission Trucking Program .

Work-Life Balance for Transportation Workers in Canada

While some transportation professions require long hours or shift work, Canada's regulations and workplace culture generally emphasize work-life balance. Many positions offer predictable schedules, overtime compensation, and paid vacation days.

Generous parental leave policies, affordable childcare options , and universal healthcare provide a supportive environment for families . This allows transportation workers, who often work long hours, to achieve a better balance between professional and personal commitments.

How Important is Safety in the Transportation Industry, and What Measures Are in Place to Ensure it?

Employers are responsible for implementing safety protocols, training on safe driving practices, and maintaining vehicles to industry standards. Regulatory agencies like the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) also enforce safety regulations and conduct inspections to ensure compliance with safety standards.

Do I Need to be a Canadian Citizen to Work in Transportation?

Canadian citizenship is only sometimes a requirement to work in transportation in Canada. Many transportation jobs are open to permanent residents and individuals with valid Canada work permits or visas. However, certain positions, particularly those with security-sensitive or government-contracted roles, may have citizenship requirements .

Will My Transportation License From Another Country Be Accepted in Canada?

The acceptance of transportation licenses from other countries in Canada depends on various factors, including the type of license, the issuing country, and provincial regulations. Some provinces may have reciprocity agreements allowing for the transfer of licenses, while others may require additional testing or evaluation to obtain a Canadian equivalent.

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Government of Canada provides interest-free loans for students, effective April 1

From: Employment and Social Development Canada

News release

Canada thrives when youth have access to the education they need to achieve their full potential. That is why the Government of Canada continues to invest in young people to ensure that they have the financial supports they need to complete their studies and successfully transition from school to the workforce.

March 31, 2023                Ottawa, Ontario              Employment and Social Development Canada Canada thrives when youth have access to the education they need to achieve their full potential. That is why the Government of Canada continues to invest in young people to ensure that they have the financial supports they need to complete their studies and successfully transition from school to the workforce. Today, the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, announced the permanent elimination of interest for Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans under the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program. This significant action will reduce the financial burden on young Canadians as they start their careers. Starting tomorrow, April 1, 2023, this change will benefit more than 1.2 million post-secondary graduates in Canada each year. The elimination of interest will save an average student loan borrower $520 per year, based on current interest rates. For current students, Budget 2023 proposes enhancements to financial assistance for the school year starting August 1, 2023. It proposes to: increase Canada Student Grants by 40%, to provide up to $4,200 for full-time students; raise the interest-free Canada Student Loan limit from $210 to $300 per week of study; and waive the requirement for mature students, aged 22 years or older, to undergo credit screening in order to qualify for federal student grants and loans for the first time. Taken together, these changes support Canada’s commitment to inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all, to help achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education.

“Life has become more expensive for Canadians, including students and recent graduates. That is why our government has permanently eliminated interest on Canada Student Loans and Apprentice Loans. Combined with the measures introduced in Budget 2023 this week, we are helping students and new graduates finish their studies, keep more money in their pockets and successfully transition to the workforce.” – Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough

Quick facts

The permanent elimination of interest on Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans was first announced in the 2022 Fall Economic Statement.

This change has an estimated cost of $2.7 billion over five years and $556.3 million ongoing.

Students will continue to be responsible to pay any interest that may have accrued on their loan before April 1, 2023.

Interest accrual on Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans was temporarily paused beginning in 2020 and becomes permanent April 1, 2023.

Quebec, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut do not participate in the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program. They receive alternative payments from the Government of Canada to administer their own student financial assistance measures.

This announcement supports the Government of Canada’s implementation of Goal 4: Quality Education of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was adopted by the United Nations to help build stronger, safer and more inclusive communities that leave no one behind. Eliminating interest on Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans helps to reduce the financial burden of post-secondary education, ensuring that more Canadians have access to inclusive and quality education.

Associated links

• Budget 2023 – A Made-in-Canada Plan: Strong Middle Class, Affordable Economy, Healthy Future
• About the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program – Canada.ca
• The Government of Canada makes repayment assistance plans more flexible for Canada Student Loan and Canada Apprentice Loan borrowers – Canada.ca
• Government of Canada announces improved financial supports for students with disabilities – Canada.ca
• Canada and the Sustainable Development Goals – Canada.ca

For media enquiries, please contact: Tara Beauport Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough [email protected] Media Relations Office Employment and Social Development Canada 819-994-5559 [email protected] Follow us on Twitter

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