Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced more measures today to support businesses and young Canadians taking a financial hit from the global pandemic, including temporary changes to the Canada Summer Jobs program.
As applications for the 2020 program are already closed, for businesses, charities, and non-profit organizations that had applied to the program, these are important changes that will make the program even more attractive this year. For those that missed this year’s application, this serves as a good reminder of a program that can help an organization through a busy period or with projects that need completing in the coming years.
The Canada Summer Jobs Program is designed to help those aged between 15 and 30 to enter the workforce and gain valuable skills while supporting Canadian businesses, charities and non-profit organizations.
The temporary changes to the program for this year include:
- An increase to the wage subsidy, so that private and public sector employers can also receive up to 100% of the provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage for each employee,
- An extension to the end date for employment to February 28, 2021,
- Allowing employers to adapt their projects and job activities to support essential services, and
- Allowing employers to hire staff on a part-time basis.
These changes are put forth with the hope of helping workers stay connected to the labour market.
Quick Facts on the Canada Summer Jobs Program:
- The call for applications for the 2020 season closed on February 28, 2020, therefore changes impact those already participating in the program.
- The Federal government will work to identify organizations that provide essential services and could provide youth with jobs.
- The Government of Canada has earmarked $263 million in funding for the Canada Summer Jobs program in 2020 to help create up to 70,000 jobs.
- Job placements could begin as early as May 11, 2020, and end as late as February 28, 2021.
- Youth will be able to search for jobs available through the Job Bank website and app.
- There will be an increase in the original 50% wage subsidy for private and public sector employers for this year only. In previous years, private and public sector employers were only eligible to receive a wage subsidy of up to 50% of the provincial/territorial minimum wage.
- A general overview of the program can be found here.
- More details on the specific changes for 2020 can be found here.