2023 Canada Summer Jobs Program Announced

I am pleased to announce the launch of the employer application period for Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) 2023. This year’s application period will close at 11:59am PT on January 12, 2023. A summer job is an important opportunity for young people with the support and opportunities they need to develop the skills required to find and keep good jobs. Full-time job placements will become available through the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program starting in April 2023. The CSJ program has played a major role over the years in connecting young people who need work with employers who are looking to hire.

Through programs such as CSJ, the Government of Canada is ensuring that employers and young people have the supports they need to succeed. 

What is the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program?

The CSJ program provides wage subsidies to employers to create employment for youth. It provides funding for not-for-profit organizations, public sector employers, and small businesses with 50 or fewer employees to create summer job opportunities for young people aged 15–30 years.

How can employers apply for CSJ funding?

Applications can be submitted in several ways:

1. Using an online fillable application
2. Using Grants and Contributions Online Services (GCOS);
3. In person at local Service Canada locations; and,
4. By mail.

It is recommended that employers submit their application electronically using the online fillable application or GCOS. The online fillable application allows users to complete an application online without having to create an account. This is the easiest and fastest way to submit a one-time application. 

While creating a GCOS account is a one-time process, it allows the employer to apply and track their application status, sign agreements, manage active projects and submit supporting documents. In addition, GCOS can save business’s information and past CSJ applications, making it much faster to submit all future CSJ applications.

For more information, we encourage employers to review the CSJ 2023 Applicant Guide which is available online. It provides instructions on how to fill out an application, eligibility requirements and assessment criteria.

What are the national priorities for CSJ 2023? 

National priorities are established by the Federal government to prioritize job opportunities for youth facing barriers getting a first job, and jobs in small business and the not-for-profit sector, specifically:

• Youth with disabilities;
• Black and other racialized youth;
• Indigenous youth;
• Small businesses and Not-For-Profit Organizations that self-report as having leadership from groups that are under-represented in the labour market;
• Small business and not-for-profit organizations in environmental sectors.

In Kootenay-Columbia, regional priorities will focus on supporting local and regional tourism development, accommodation and food services, health care and social assistance, small businesses, agricultural, forestry, fishing and hunting.

How much funding are employers eligible to receive?

Not-for-profit employers can receive funding for up to 100% of the provincial or territorial adult minimum hourly wage and all associated Mandatory Employment Related Costs, such as Employment Insurance, Canada Pension Plan, and Old Age Security. Public and private sector employers are eligible to receive funding for up to 50% of the provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage. 

The jobs will need to end by September 2, 2023, be full time with a minimum of 30 hours a week and maximum of 40 hours per week. All CSJ opportunities must have a duration of 6-16 weeks (average is eight weeks).

To help persons with disabilities obtain employment, and to encourage employers to hire persons with disabilities under this program, employers may be eligible for additional funding to accommodate youth with disabilities within the work environment. This additional funding may be used for personal tools and adaptations that the employee requires to accomplish tasks.