More summer jobs available for Canadian youth than ever before

The Government of Canada has announced that a record number of summer job opportunities are available for the country’s youth this year.

The federal government’s Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program aims to help young Canadians discover different careers, gain meaningful experiences, and save up for school.

CSJ is part of the government’s Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, which helps give young Canadians between the ages of 15 and 30 paid work opportunities to “gain the skills and experience they need to successfully transition to the labour market,” according to a news release.

On Wednesday morning, the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, announced that more than 150,000 Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) opportunities have now been posted for upcoming positions.

“There is only one way to describe the investments we have made and continue to make in young Canadians, and that is: ground-breaking,” said Qualtrough in the news release. “Our plan for a strong economic recovery includes youth and recognizes their important role in our future. We will always be there to support the next generation.”

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As the pandemic continues, the Canadian government has introduced more flexibility into the summer job program, giving employers the ability to hire youth to work on a full- or part-time basis, and for positions extending beyond the summer months.

The government has also increased wage subsidy for the program, so that private and public sector employers can receive up to 75% of the provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage for each employee. Not-for-profit organizations will continue to receive 100% of wages for employees hired under the CSJ program.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all Canadians and disproportionately certain segments, young people are no exception.” said Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, Bardish Chagger.

“Since the beginning, they have faced and continue to face a unique set of challenges and must be at the centre of Canada’s recovery as we build back even better and consciously more inclusive.”

Through the Government of Canada’s online job bank, youth can search for opportunities in a wide variety of fields. Positions are available in community and charity work, food industries, recreation and fitness, marketing and public relations, landscaping and farm labour, and many others.

Some CSJ-funded jobs start as early as April 26. The last possible date for a work placement to begin is January 15, 2022, with the latest end date being February 26, 2022.