Updated June 2026 · Verified against SkillsPEI (Government of PEI) guidelines
✓ First-Timer Friendly Reimbursement Est. 2005
Grant Provincial Active

Employ PEI (Wage Subsidy)

SkillsPEI (Government of PEI)
Maximum Funding
Up to 50% of wages (max $12.50/hr) for up to 20 weeks
Ongoing
Visit Official Program →
Difficulty
Easy
Payment
Reimbursement
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
Friendly ✓
Co-Funding
50%
Employ PEI (Wage Subsidy) provides Up to 50% of wages (max $12.50/hr) for up to 20 weeks. Wage subsidy covering up to 50% of wages (maximum $12.50/hour) for up to 20 weeks for PEI businesses hiring unemployed workers who have been out of high school for 2+ years. The program covers up to 50% of eligible costs. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
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Eligibility & Details

What this program funds and who can apply

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Program Description

Wage subsidy covering up to 50% of wages (maximum $12.50/hour) for up to 20 weeks for PEI businesses hiring unemployed workers who have been out of high school for 2+ years. One of the most accessible provincial wage subsidy programs in Canada with minimal application requirements.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Private sector business on Prince Edward Island
  • Employee must be unemployed at time of hiring
  • Employee must have been out of high school for 2+ years
  • Position must be a new addition to workforce (not replacing existing employee)
  • Employer must demonstrate ability to retain employee after subsidy period
Provinces
Prince Edward Island
Industries
All
Business Stage
Startup Growth Established Expansion

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Easy
Competition
Low
First-Timer
Friendly

Funding Details

Amount
Up to 50% of wages (max $12.50/hr) for up to 20 weeks
Type
Grant
Level
Provincial
Co-Funding
Up to 50% of eligible costs
Deadline
Ongoing

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Competition
Low
Deadline
Ongoing
Approval
Good
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
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What's in this Playbook

Everything you need to win Employ PEI (Wage Subsidy)

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How to Win

Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like

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Insider Tip

One of the most accessible wage subsidies in Canada — minimal paperwork and fast approval.

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Success Profile

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Evaluation Criteria

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Application Playbook

Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses

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Application Steps

1 Complete the Employ PEI Application for Employers form

Required Documents 6

✓ Employ PEI employer application form
✓ Job description for subsidized position

Eligible Expenses 2

Ineligible Expenses 7

Intake Periods

Deadline Notes

Ineligible Organizations

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Funding Stack Strategy

Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential

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Compatible Programs

Canada Summer Jobs Atlantic Immigration Program ACOA — Business Development Program (BDP) Innovation PEI Programs
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential

Clawback Risk

Low Risk

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How Employ PEI (Wage Subsidy) Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

Free
Program Amount Difficulty Payment Deadline
Employ PEI (Wage Subsidy) Up to 50% of wages Easy Reimbursement Ongoing
Canada Summer Jobs Up to 100% wage subsidy Easy Reimbursement Annual — 2026 cycle...
Ocean Supercluster Up to $5 million Hard Reimbursement Call-specific — no open...
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency ... Up to 50% of capital costs Moderate Reimbursement Ongoing
Business Development Program (BDP) - ... Varies (Repayable Contribution) Moderate Reimbursement Ongoing

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about Employ PEI (Wage Subsidy)

Free
Can I apply if I already hired someone?
No — applications must be approved before the employee starts work. Submit before the hire date to avoid rejection. Funding is only available for new hires meeting all eligibility criteria.
What's the realistic subsidy amount per hire?
Typically $3,000-$5,000 (20 weeks at $12.50/hr, 50% subsidy). Maximum $5,000 per employee. Does not cover full wages — you pay 50% of wages during the subsidy period.
Do I need to match the subsidy amount?
Yes — you must pay 50% of wages during the subsidy period. For example, if employee earns $25/hr, you pay $12.50/hr and get $12.50/hr subsidy.
Can I stack this with other grants?
Yes — combine with Canada Summer Jobs (for different employees), ACOA BDP, or Innovation PEI programs. Must use for different hires or different business costs.
Why do applications get rejected?
Common reasons: employee not unemployed, still in school, replacing existing staff, or no retention plan. Submit before hire date to avoid common pitfalls.

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