NEWS RELEASE
LLOYD LONGFIELD, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR GUELPH
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The Government of Canada is creating generational fairness by providing opportunities for young Canadians to get the skills they need for well-paying jobs. Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) supports this strategy by helping young people to earn money over the summer, while gaining skills and experience.
Lloyd Longfield, Member of Parliament for Guelph shared that the Canada Summer Job Program is now accepting applications from employers until December 19th, 2024 for the summer 2025 CSJ program. Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, highlighted the impact of the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program in creating over 70 000 job opportunities for youth across Canada last summer. This initiative is part of the Government of Canada’s ongoing commitment to support young Canadians, making life more affordable and providing them with the skills and experience needed to build a better future.
The Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) Program prioritizes projects that support youth who face barriers to employment. Last summer in Guelph, more than 275 jobs were created to help young people with equitable opportunities to develop their skills and help them to succeed in the job market.
The continued commitment to the Canada Summer Jobs program, further demonstrates our assurance to creating opportunities for young Canadians. These job opportunities have enabled youth to gain valuable work experience, develop essential skills, and earn money over the summer in various sectors, including those facing critical labor shortages such as housing construction.
Canada’s success depends on the success of its youngest generations. Gen Z are a diverse group, from those who are starting to think about their future career years from now, to those just starting their first full-time job. They have a lifetime of opportunity ahead—and we are empowering them to aim high.
Lifting up our youth by ensuring they have good opportunities to launch their careers, will be critical to Canada’s economic growth potential in the years to come. As baby boomers are increasingly reaching retirement age, our younger workforce must be equipped with opportunities to build their skills and gain meaningful work experience. Our next generation of worker need the confidence of knowing they will find a good job that will help them get ahead.
Through initiatives like Canada Summer Jobs, the Government of Canada is committed to supporting youth at every stage of their journey towards a bright and prosperous future. Our focus remains on making life more affordable and providing the opportunities young Canadians need to thrive.
Quotes
“The Canada Summer Jobs program is more than just an employment program, it’s an investment in the potential of young Canadians and the economic vitality of our communities. This program gives thousands of employers the opportunity to meet their staffing needs over the summer, and it gives youth valuable work experience that will set them up for a lifetime of success in the job market. It’s a win-win for employers and for young people across Canada.”
– The Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth
“Setting our youth up for success now and in the future is critical to ensure our future generations have the tools to get ahead in today’s competitive job markets. The CSJ program is designed to respond to employment needs for both employers and the youth of today.”
– Lloyd Longfield, Member of Parliament for Guelph
Quick Facts
- To help younger Canadians pursue and achieve their dreams, the Government is investing to create more youth job opportunities and ensure that hard work pays off for the next generation. In Budget 2024, the Government proposed to provide $200.5 million in 2025–26 for Canada Summer Jobs to provide well-paying summer job opportunities, including in sectors facing critical labour shortages, such as housing construction.
- In a survey of CSJ youth participants for 2023, 92% of respondents reported having more confidence in multiple skills needed for future employment than they had at the beginning of their CSJ work placement. Additionally, 89% indicated that they had developed a positive attitude about their future employment prospects.
- In 2025, CSJ will address the following national priorities: (in addition to the local priorities below)
- Opportunities for youth with disabilities or with organizations that provide services to persons with disabilities
- Opportunities for youth that are underrepresented in the labour market including black and other racialized youth, Indigenous youth, 2SLGBTQI+ youth
- Opportunities for youth in rural areas, remote communities or Official Language Minority Communities
- Opportunities with organizations in the housing construction sector
- Opportunities related to sustainable jobs that support climate change mitigation and/or adaptation or protect the natural environment
- Guelph’s local priorities include:
- o Organizations supporting food insecurity
- Projects supporting not-for-profit organizations
- Support for projects that offer programs and/or supports for those experiencing mental health and addictions challenges
- Support for projects that offer programs and/or support to seniors
- Organizations supporting childcare and early learning
Local priorities by province, territory and constituency can be found here: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/funding/canada-summerjobs/local-priorities.html
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