The Federal government has announced on December 16, 2021, that the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program will try to make available 100,000 full-time summer job opportunities for young people. According to the government, this represents a 40% increase from the targets of jobs provided pre-pandemic. The Federal government notes that “Not-for-profit organizations, public sector employers, and private sector employers with 50 or fewer full-time employees can apply for funding now until January 25, 2022, to hire young Canadians next summer. Full-time job placements will take place during the summer of 2022.
A few quick thoughts:
- it is good that the size of the program has been expanded. If this was done in 2020 the whole WE Charity scandal could have been avoided. Instead, certain people in the Federal government were far more interested in helping their friends at WE Charity rather than the youth of Canada so they created a convoluted and questionable “volunteer” program for WE Charity to implement. That was embarrassing and a giant lost opportunity.
- I am concerned that with the rise of the Omicron variant, charities just ending their most busy fundraising month of the year (December) and many of them are quite exhausted, by the time many non-profits and charities realize that this opportunity exists, it will have passed. I am not sure why the deadline has to be so early and hopefully, it will be extended if there are still more jobs available for funding.
- Remember that according to the Jewish philosopher Maimonidies giving someone a job is the highest form of charity whereas giving reluctantly, giving too little and demanding recognition is the lowest form. The latter characterizes many of the major gifts we have in Canada unfortunately. The CSJ provides a golden opportunity for many groups to provide that employment with all the benefits that go along with it. Even if you don’t qualify for the CSJ program or don’t want to go through the bureaucracy of the program it is still a great idea to provide someone with a summer job.
Here is the full text of the press release:
Canada Summer Jobs 2022: Application period for employers begins today
News release
December 16, 2021 Gatineau, Quebec Employment and Social Development Canada
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on young job seekers, with marginalized youth continuing to be among those most disproportionately impacted. Canada’s employers are also facing extraordinary challenges hiring the staff that they need to help recover from the economic crisis caused by COVID-19. That is why our government is taking action to ensure that Canadian employers and young people have the supports they need to succeed, which is key to economic recovery.
Today, the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, Marci Ien announced the launch of the employer application period for the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) 2022 program. CSJ is a long-standing Government of Canada program that strives to help youth (15–30 years of age) obtain their first summer work experience. The program provides opportunities for youth to develop and improve their skills within the not-for-profit, small business and public sectors, and supports the delivery of key community services.
This year, CSJ 2022 is targeting the creation of up to 100,000 full-time summer job opportunities for young people. This represents a 40% increase from pre-pandemic targets. Not-for-profit organizations, public sector employers, and private sector employers with 50 or fewer full-time employees can apply for funding now until January 25, 2022, to hire young Canadians next summer. Full-time job placements will take place during the summer of 2022.
Every year, Employment and Social Development Canada establishes national priorities for CSJ to reflect Canada’s diverse communities and their evolving needs. This year’s national priorities ensure that young people who face barriers are given equitable opportunities to find meaningful work next summer. The priorities focus on supporting employers that intend to hire youth who have not completed high school or are not currently enrolled in an education or training program, as well as Black, Indigenous and racialized young people, and youth with disabilities. Small businesses and not-for-profit organizations that self-report as having leadership from groups that are under‑represented in the labour market will also be supported.
Employers interested in applying for CSJ 2022 funding can submit their applications electronically via either the online fillable application or the Grants and Contributions Online Service. The online fillable application is the fastest way for employers to complete an application online without having to create an account.
Quotes
“The Canada Summer Jobs program has a proven track record of providing opportunities for youth from coast-to-coast, and I’m excited to announce the launch of the 2022 employer application period. To build a more resilient and inclusive labour market, we need to equip young Canadians with the skills they need to succeed, while also helping them overcome systemic barriers. I look forward to seeing these opportunities come to life, and I encourage all eligible employers to take advantage of this ambitious program.”
– Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth
Quick facts
- CSJ is part of the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, which helps youth, particularly those facing barriers, to gain the skills and experience they need to successfully transition to the labour market.
- Since 2016, the Government of Canada has increased investments in Canada Summer Jobs—more than doubling the number of jobs created annually, from 35,000 to over 79,000. In 2020, the Government of Canada invested $320.45 million in CSJ, adding an additional $62 million to increase the number of jobs for youth to 80,000.
- Youth were hard hit by pandemic-related job losses, and their unemployment rate rose significantly, reaching a record high of 31.4% in May 2020. In November 2021, youth employment (56.1%) and unemployment rates (9.7%) held onto their recovery to pre-pandemic levels. Under-represented youth, who traditionally face challenges in the labour market, continued to struggle to find work.
- In November 2021:o visible minority youth had an unemployment rate of 12.9%;o Indigenous youth not living on a reserve had an unemployment rate of 15.5%; ando immigrant youth experienced an unemployment rate of 10.0%.
- This year, not-for-profit employers will be reimbursed for up to 100% of the provincial/territorial minimum wage. Public and private sector employers will be reimbursed for up to 50% of the provincial/territorial minimum wage.
- Job placements will occur during the summer and will be full time (minimum of 30 and a maximum of 40 hours per week). All CSJ opportunities must have a duration of 6–16 weeks (average is eight weeks).