NICKEL BELT-GREATER SUDBURY – Youth in Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury faced many challenges due to COVID-19. Many were left wondering what opportunities for summer employment might be available to them at a time where the economy was closed. To mitigate this, the Federal government made amendments to the parameters of the Canada Summer Jobs program which enabled the creation of 216 youth positions, totaling more than $850,000 in funding benefitting more than 75 local organizations.

The Government of Canada’s Summer Jobs program provides young Canadians with meaningful work experience. For many, summer employment is their first experience in the workforce and provides a great opportunity to begin building a resume. The program also helps employers by filling the gaps, especially through peak periods in the summer.

CSJ jobs are open to all young Canadians between the ages of 15-30 who are legally entitled to work in Canada– not just students. Since 2015 Canada Summer Job has doubled the number of positions available across Canada to over 70,000 further helping young people get the hands-on work experience they need to join the workforce.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic flexibilities have been introduced to respond to the needs of employers and youth for the 2020 Canada Summer Jobs season. Adjustments to existing project and job activities could include:

• community programming: A shift away from in-person activities to the use of digital tools for the delivery of programming
• service industry: A shift away from in-person service to take-out and delivery
• administrative positions: A shift to the use of available remote and telework options
• support for vulnerable populations: A shift to activities to support populations facing new vulnerabilities under COVID-19, such as seniors or persons with disabilities, including the delivery of necessities or assistance with adaptive technology
• retail services: A shift away from in-person and in-store roles to remote and delivery roles

Other changes include the extension of the CSJ program period. All funded employers may offer job placements between May 11, 2020 and February 28, 2021 and employers can offer part-time employment to youth who want to work during the academic year.

The safety of youth is paramount to the CSJ Program. To be eligible to receive funding under the CSJ program, employers needed to be able to provide youth a job placement in a safe work environment.

Quotes

“It’s incredible to see 216 positions created right here at home in Nickel Belt- Greater Sudbury through the Canada Summer Jobs Program (CSJ). It is extremely important that we give our youth meaningful work opportunities that positively shape their future. Through COVID-19 we’ve been there for students with the introduction of the Canada Emergency Student Benefit and with the expansion of the CSJ program and CERB eligibility. With the right support our youth will continue to show leadership and forge forward to reach their full potential!” - Marc Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt

“This summer, Foothills Farm was lucky enough to be a recipient of the Canada Summer Job Grant. This grant for employment funding has allowed us to increase the number of employees we have working at our farm this summer. With the ability to hire additional staff, we were able to provide a superior Summer Day Camp program to our clients. This year especially, with Covid 19 Protocols to follow, ratios of staff members to campers needed to be increased dramatically. Keeping campers in small cohorts and increasing the cleaning routines necessitated hiring more camp staff. This Job Grant made it easy to follow all the additional rules.” – Laurel Scott, Foothills Farms Owner and Operator

Quick facts

• Each year, the Government invests over $330 million in the Youth Employment Strategy (YES). Through Budget 2016, the Government of Canada invested an additional $339 million over three years starting in 2016–2017 to create up to 35,000 additional summer jobs under CSJ to double the number of job opportunities supported by the program.
• Additional investments were made through Budget 2017 ($395.5M) and Budget 2019 ($49.5M) to support the ongoing modernization of the YES.
• Through Budget 2018, the Government committed to providing an additional $448.5 million over five years starting in 2018–19 to the YES. This funding supports the continued doubling of the number of job placements funded under the CSJ program in 2019–20 and provides additional resources for a modernized YES in the following years.
• Through CSJ 2018, the Government of Canada helped create over 70,000 quality summer jobs for youth, doubling the number of jobs created through CSJ 2015.

 Associated links

• Canada Summer Job Approved Employers in Nickel Belt http://disclosure.esdc.gc.ca/dp-pd/eec-csj/eec-csj.jsp?lang=eng&jurisdiction=6&activity=847
• Canada Summer Jobs General Information https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/funding/canada-summer-jobs.html
• Canada Summer Jobs Job Bank https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/youth

- 30 -

Media Contact:

Kaylie Dudgeon
Special Assistant
Marc Serré, MP Nickel Belt
705-897-2222
[email protected]