HUMA - Information received from ESDC
[Redacted] appears where sensitive information has been removed in accordance with the principles of the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act.
Canada Summer Jobs Program
How is CSJ changing for summer 2020 to respond to COVID-19?
When the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, the implementation of CSJ was well underway. The program will continue to serve the same client group (youth aged 15-30) and the Department will work with employers which have already submitted applications in order to roll out CSJ 2020.
However, there may be some employers that may now have to withdraw while at the same time there may be other areas of the country where employers are able to hire and where CSJ could make a significant impact in addressing the economic challenges posed by COVID-19.
To encourage job creation through additional flexibilities are supports, CSJ 2020 will:
- Increase the wage subsidy from 50% to 100% of the provincial/territorial minimum wage for small businesses and public sector employers;
- Allow for part-time work placements;
- Allow for placements to extend longer—up until the end of February 2021;
- Allow employers approved for funding to amend the activities to support the delivery of essential services.
MPs have also been invited to identify local organizations that support the delivery of essential services but have not applied for funding and could provide youth a job placement.
What program adjustments have been put in place to better support the delivery of essential services?
All employers approved for funding will be provided with the flexibility to amend project and job activities to support the delivery of critical services.
MPs have also been invited to work with the Department to identify local organizations that provide critical services that have not applied for CSJ funding but could be solicited to submit an application to offer job placements.
How is role of MPs changing for CSJ 2020 to respond to COVID-19?
CSJ is delivered through a constituency‑based funding model and MPs play an important role in CSJ.
Typically, MPs participate by promoting the program to potential employers in their constituency, identifying local priorities, providing input on project lists, and ensuring that local circumstances are reflected. MPs also notify employers when their project is approved for funding.
It is expected that even with the temporary flexibilities for CSJ 2020, there will be employers who will not be able to hire youth this year amid the current pandemic and the withdrawal rate of employers will be higher than previous years.
In order to maximize opportunities for employers to hire youth, MPs are being asked to play a larger role than usual.
MP engagement has started earlier than previously planned (April 9) to help identify local organizations that provide essential services but may not have applied for CSJ funding.
This will allow the department to take advantage of MP’s real time understanding of the current situation in their area given how quickly things are changing.
These organizations will be solicited to submit applications to offer job placements.
In order to be approved for funding, organizations would need to meet the eligibility criteria for CSJ 2020 (i.e., quality job placements in safe, healthy and inclusive work environments).
How much funding is being provided to the CSJ Program in 2020?
The Government of Canada is investing $263 million in funding for the Canada Summer Jobs program in 2020 to support the creation of 70,000 youth jobs with an average duration of 8 weeks, 35 hours.
Youth Employment and Skills Strategy
What changes are being introduced under the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) program in response to COVID-19?
Additional investments in the YESS program will increase employment opportunities and supports for youth across the country who are impacted by the pandemic by:
- Funding employers and not-for-profit organizations to create youth employment opportunities in critical sectors and services supporting vulnerable populations impacted by COVID-19;
- Offering additional training opportunities for youth to increase job readiness and employability; and
- Provide relevant supports, such as mentorship, access to computers, access to mental health supports, to ensure youth, including those who face barriers, can benefit from these new employment opportunities.
How many jobs for youth will be created in emergency sectors through additional investments?
With approximately $153.7 million in funding, the Government will support the creation of at least 6,000 jobs in critical sectors.
What youth will benefit? Will these changes support youth facing barriers?
YESS programming is available to all youth aged 15 to 30.
Additional supports, such as mentorship, access to computers, access to mental health supports, are aimed at ensuring youth facing barriers to the labour market, can benefit from these new opportunities.
These enhancements to YESS complement other measures introduced to support youth and students impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, including the enhancements to Canada Summer Jobs Program.
Which critical sectors will these additional job placements help? What type of jobs are being created?
These youth jobs will begin quickly to support critical sectors including, but not restricted to: agriculture and agri-food; biosciences and research; transport; environment; and, community service.
These critical service jobs will protect the health and safety of youth. Examples of jobs created include: telephone and online health and social support services, research and administrative roles, supporting roles for services to vulnerable populations, etc.