What this program offers

On this page

• Introduction
• Program objectives
• Key dates
• Key terms

Introduction

This applicant guide provides information to help you complete your Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) application.

Read this guide and the Articles of Agreement in their entirety before you start your application for funding, as they contain important details on the information and supporting documentation that Service Canada requires to assess your application. As part of the application, organizations are required to attest that they have read, understood, and will comply with the Articles of Agreement.

Program objectives

The CSJ program objectives align with YESS and are as follows:

• Provide quality work experiences for youth
• Provide opportunities for youth to develop and improve their skills
• Respond to national and local priorities to improve access to the labour market for youth who face unique barriers

The Government of Canada aims to ensure that all CSJ-funded job opportunities take place in a safe, inclusive, and healthy work environment free from harassment and discrimination.

To support Service Canada in screening and assessing the eligibility and quality of each project, the Application Form collects information from you such as:

• your organization's health and safety practices;
• your organization's work environment policies;
• supervision and mentoring plans;
• skills development plan; and
• other details related to both your organization and the proposed job(s).

For more details on the information collected through the application process, consult Section 3 - How to answer the application questions.

Key dates

Please note the following key dates:

• Applications are due by December 19, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time
• Funding confirmations will be sent to employers starting in April 2025 and will continue into the summer months
• The earliest job start date is April 21, 2025
• The latest job start date is July 21, 2025
• The latest job end date is August 30, 2025
• The latest date to submit a payment claim is 30 days following the completion of the last CSJ-funded job

Key terms

Here is a list of key terms used within this application guide.

• Call for Applications: An open, formal, and planned process with a specific start and end date. It is used to identify eligible applicants interested in achieving program objectives and expected outcomes. Applicants submit a complete, costed application for funding consideration. Applications received or postmarked after the deadline date will not be considered
• Constituency: Geographic area in Canada that a Member of Parliament represents in the House of Commons (also known as a riding or electoral district)
• Disability: Any impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment, or a functional limitation, whether permanent, temporary, or episodic in nature, or evident or not, that, in interaction with a barrier, hinders a person's full and equal participation in society (Accessible Canada Act)
• Mandatory Employment Related Costs (MERC): Payments that the employer is required by law to make for their employees including, but not restricted to, those required for:
  • Employment Insurance premiums
  • Canada or Quebec Pension Plan contributions
  • Vacation pay
  • Workers' Compensation Premiums or equivalent liability insurance (if applicable)
  • Health Services Fund
  • Quebec Parental Insurance premiums
  • Commission des normes, de l'équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail in Quebec
  • Health and Post-Secondary Education Tax in Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Health and Post-secondary Education Levy in Manitoba
  • Employer Health Tax where applicable
• Overhead costs: Costs incurred by the employer for accommodation measures to remove barriers for youth with a disability
• Quality work experience: Work experience in an environment that is safe, respectful, inclusive, free from harassment and discrimination, and in compliance with all applicable laws. Quality work experiences also invest in youth through:
  • Higher wage - paying youth above the minimum wage in your province or territory
  • Youth retention - committing to retain the youth as an employee beyond the period of the CSJ agreement
  • Supervision - demonstrating how you will support the youth during their job through observing, evaluating, and providing feedback on job performance
  • Mentoring - demonstrating how your guidance will support the professional and career development of the youth
  • Skills development - providing opportunities for youth to develop the skills needed for employment