Aurora, Newmarket employers can apply for Canada Summer Jobs program to provide opportunities for youth

The program is back this year to help youth obtain full time work amid the COVID-19 pandemic

Yorkregion.com
Jan. 10, 2022
Aileen Zangouei

The Canada Summer Jobs program is coming back to Newmarket and Aurora this year to help give youth supports and opportunities they need to build long and successful careers.

CSJ is a long-standing Government of Canada program that strives to help youth (15 to 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, employers that focus on environmental protection, the support of women and other groups who face challenges, as well as community-based organizations, will be a priority.

"Canada Summer Jobs program brings so much value to our community. It benefits young people, providing an opportunity to learn, to earn an income and in many cases make a real difference," said Tony Van Bynen, MP for Newmarket-Aurora, when he announced the launch on Dec. 16, on behalf of Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth Marci Ien.

"In return, entrepreneurs, businesses, and organizations get valuable support and provide young people the skills and opportunities that will serve them well into the future. Canada Summer Jobs is a real game-changer for youth, businesses and communities. I absolutely encourage not-for-profit organizations, public-sector employers, and small businesses in Newmarket-Aurora to apply for funding through the Canada Summer Jobs program," Van Bynen said.

The employer application period is open now until Jan. 25.

Employers who want to help ensure that young people who face barriers are given equitable opportunities to find meaningful work next summer, are also invited to submit applications.

The focus of this program is to support employers that intent 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 radicalized youth, as well as young people living with disabilities.

Small businesses and not-for-profit organizations that self-report as having leadership from groups underrepresented in the labour market will also be supported.

The program is targeting to create around 100,000 full-time summer job opportunities for young people, which is a 40 per cent increase from pre-pandemic targets.

This program is coming back at a crucial time when the COVID-19 pandemic has had a disruptive impact on the youth labour market. According to a Statistics Canada study published on July 26, 2021, the employment rates of young men and women fell substantially from 2019 to 2020, more so than those of older Canadians.

In November 2021, visible minority youth had an unemployment rate of 12.9 per cent, Indigenous youth not living on a reserve had an unemployment rate of 15.5 per cent, and immigrant youth experienced an unemployment rate of 10 per cent.

Employers can apply online with the fillable application, or the Grants and Contributions Online Service.

This year, not-for-profit employers will be reimbursed for up to 100 per cent of the provincial/territorial minimum wage, and public and private sector employers will be reimbursed for up to 50 per cent.

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 six to 16 weeks.

"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," said Ien.

Since 2016, the Government of Canada has increased investments in CSJ -- more than doubling the number of jobs created annually, from 35,000 to over 79,000. In 2020, it invested $320.45 million in CSJ, adding an additional $62 million to increase the number of jobs for youth to 80,000.