Canada Summer Jobs Program Getting a Boost to Help Students

Employers hiring students and young Canadians will get bigger subsidies for more positions.

Canada's federal government has announced new measures to help students looking for summer jobs amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program will receive nearly $300 million in additional funding this year, with the goal of helping to employ 70,000 students and young Canadians, from ages 15 to 30.

Wage subsidy boost

The wage subsidy is paid to employers to help cover the costs of paying a summer employee. The subsidy will be boosted by up to 100%, meaning the government could take on the entire cost of employing students on behalf of cash-strapped businesses.

End date extension

Previously, CSJ had an end date of late August, meaning your subsidized position had to be done by September. Now, the government has significantly extended the period students are eligible, all the way to February 28, 2021. You'll be able to keep your "summer" job well into the new school year!

Part-time jobs now included

Perhaps the best news is that part-time summer jobs are now included in the program. This means you don't have to have a stable, full-time job to be eligible for the increased subsidy! Since many student summer jobs are part-time, this change will make the program much more accessible.

Small businesses

The program is available to not-for-profit organizations, the public sector, and private sector businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees. This includes many organizations hardest hit by the coronavirus outbreak.

Students and graduates

Don't forget that even if you're not currently a student, the CSJ program is open to any Canadian youth between the ages of 15 and 30.

If you're a new grad wondering what your next step is, consider connecting with a small business in your area and encouraging them to take part in the CSJ program!

You'll get work experience and a pay cheque, while your employer will get a great worker (you!) and some help paying you.

In tough times, this is as close to win-win as we're likely to get!

More details soon

As Parliament has not yet been recalled to legislate these proposed changes, they haven't taken effect yet. Federal parties are debating whether to return to in-person sessions, or switch to virtual.

We'll keep you updated with more details as they become available.