Number of approved opportunities rises from 80,000 to 120,000 for 2021
The federal government has announced it is extending the employer application period for the 2021 Canada Summer Jobs program.
The deadline for employers to apply for funding to hire young people is now Feb. 3, 2021.
"Creating opportunities for young people to earn money, grow professionally and succeed in the workforce is more important now than ever. Young Canadians today face unparalleled challenges finding good-quality jobs that they are passionate about,” says Carla Qualtrough, minister of employment, workforce development and disability inclusion.
“The Canada Summer Jobs program presents tremendous opportunities for young people, and for employers who are looking to hire new workers. I invite all employers who have not yet done so to take advantage of this opportunity and apply for funding today."
The application period opened last month, with the closing date previously set for Jan. 29.
Wage subsidies
Canada Summer Jobs 2021 will support the creation of up to 120,000 job opportunities for young Canadians, up by 50 per cent from the 80,000 opportunities approved in 2020.
Similar temporary flexibilities to those introduced for Canada Summer Jobs 2020 have been applied this year to help employers operate. These include:
- an increased wage subsidy for private and public sector employers
- an extension to the end date for employment to Feb. 26, 2022
- allowing employers to hire staff on a part-time basis.
Private sector employers with 50 or fewer employees and all public sector employers can receive funding for up to 75 per cent of the provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage. Not-for-profit employers will continue to receive funding for up to 100 per cent of the provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage and mandatory employment-related costs.
Employers interested in applying are invited to submit applications that complement this year's national priorities:
- organizations that provide services to or intend to hire youth who self-identify as being part of under-represented groups or as having additional barriers to entering or staying in the labour market
- opportunities offered by organizations that provide services to persons with disabilities or intend to hire youth with disabilities
- opportunities for youth in rural areas, remote communities or official language minority communities
- opportunities offered by organizations that focus on protecting and conserving the environment
- opportunities offered by employers impacted by COVID-19, in particular small businesses, in recognition of their contribution to the creation of jobs.
Applicants who are approved for funding will be able to hire youth as early as April 2021. More details are available here.
In December, the youth unemployment rate was 17.7 per cent higher than other age demographics, according to Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey. There were 247,000 fewer youth employed than12 months earlier, including 153,000 young women and 94,000 young men.
Ottawa is also encouraging employers to submit proposals for funding around skills training and hiring as part of the Sectoral Initiatives Program.
