Who Can Apply to Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ)? Eligibility Guide 2025–2026

Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) is a federal wage subsidy that helps organizations create quality summer work experiences for youth aged 15 to 30. The 2025–2026 intake is open from November 4, 2025 to December 11, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This article explains exactly who can apply, which projects qualify, and what youth participants must meet to be eligible.

Administered by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and delivered by Service Canada, CSJ funds a portion of youth wages for placements running in summer 2026. Not‑for‑profit organizations may receive up to 100% of the applicable adult minimum wage and Mandatory Employment Related Costs (MERCs). Public sector and private sector employers may receive up to 50% of the adult minimum wage; MERCs are not reimbursed for these employers.

Use this detailed guide to self‑assess your eligibility before you apply. All details are current as of December 3, 2025.

Program Overview

CSJ supports employers across Canada to hire youth for full‑time summer jobs. Funding levels vary by employer type, with a focus on creating safe, inclusive, supervised, and quality work experiences. Applications are assessed against eligibility rules and local priorities.

Key points for the 2025–2026 cycle:

• Application period: November 4, 2025 to December 11, 2025, 11:59 p.m. PST

• Funding decisions: confirmations begin in April 2026

• Job start and end dates: generally between April 20 and August 29, 2026

• Wage coverage:

• Not‑for‑profit employers: up to 100% of adult minimum wage plus MERCs

• Public and private sector employers: up to 50% of adult minimum wage (MERCs not covered)

• Youth participants: ages 15–30 at the start of employment

Applicant Type Requirements

CSJ is open to a wide range of organizations. Your legal status and size determine eligibility and funding percentage.

Eligible employer categories:

• Not‑for‑profit organizations

• Includes registered charities and incorporated NFPs

• Typically eligible for up to 100% of adult minimum wage and MERCs

• Public sector employers

• Includes municipalities, public libraries, public health and community services, public post‑secondary institutions, school boards, and other public bodies operating in a competitive or community‑service environment

• Typically eligible for up to 50% of adult minimum wage (MERCs not covered)

• Private sector employers

• Includes for‑profit businesses such as small and medium‑sized enterprises and franchises

• Must have 50 or fewer full‑time employees

• Typically eligible for up to 50% of adult minimum wage (MERCs not covered)

General operational requirements:

• Possess a valid Business Number with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)

• Maintain an active CRA payroll (RP) account to hire youth as employees with statutory deductions

• Be able to provide a safe, inclusive workplace and meet all employment standards and occupational health and safety obligations

• Be able to supervise and mentor youth and provide a quality work experience

Important notes:

• MERCs are employer contributions such as CPP/QPP, EI, and provincial/territorial workers’ compensation premiums. Under CSJ, MERCs are reimbursable for not‑for‑profits only.

• Private and public sector employers must plan to cover MERCs and any wage amounts not covered by CSJ.

Size & Scale Criteria

CSJ targets smaller employers to broaden access to youth employment opportunities.

Size rules you must meet:

• Private sector employers must have 50 or fewer full‑time employees across the organization

• “Full‑time” generally means 30 or more hours per week

• Part‑time employees do not count toward the full‑time cap

• The headcount threshold applies at the time of application and should be maintained through the funding period

Examples:

• A franchise location with 35 full‑time employees is typically eligible, even if the brand is large, provided the applying employer entity has 50 or fewer full‑time employees

• A private company with 48 full‑time employees in Ontario and 10 in Québec (total 58) would not be eligible as a private sector employer under the size rule

Geographic Eligibility

All CSJ‑funded work must occur in Canada.

Geographic rules to follow:

• The job’s work location must be in Canada (on‑site, hybrid, or remote within Canada)

• Work performed outside Canada is ineligible (including remote work while physically outside Canada)

• Applications are assessed against local priorities set by constituencies; apply to the constituency where the job’s activities will occur

Project & Activity Requirements

CSJ funds wages for summer jobs that meet specific conditions and quality standards. Projects must create new or enhanced positions for youth and cannot displace existing staff.

Core project rules:

• Duration: typically 6 to 16 consecutive weeks

• Hours: usually 30 to 40 hours per week (full‑time)

• Timing: jobs generally occur between April 20 and August 29, 2026

• Work status: youth must be hired as employees on payroll, not as independent contractors

• Supervision: you must provide daily supervision, coaching, and mentorship

• Quality: duties should be meaningful, skill‑building, and aligned with a clear learning plan

• Workplace: must be safe, inclusive, and compliant with all laws

• No displacement: funding cannot be used to replace or displace existing employees or volunteers

• One CSJ job per youth: a single youth cannot hold more than one CSJ‑funded job at the same time

Examples of typical projects:

• Community services and recreation programming (e.g., camp leaders, program assistants)

• Arts, culture, tourism, and heritage roles (e.g., museum guides, events support)

• Environmental and green jobs (e.g., park maintenance, conservation support)

• Administration, digital, and technology roles (e.g., office assistants, web content support)

• Construction and residential construction helpers (subject to health and safety compliance)

Youth Eligibility Criteria

To be hired into a CSJ‑funded job, each youth participant must meet specific criteria at the start date.

Youth must:

• Be between 15 and 30 years of age at the start of employment

• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or individual who has been granted refugee protection

• Possess a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN) and be legally entitled to work in Canada

• Meet the employer’s job requirements (skills and screening consistent with labour standards)

Youth who are not eligible:

• International students (including those with study permits)

• Youth working outside Canada

• Youth engaged as independent contractors rather than employees

Financial & Operational Criteria

Employers must show the financial and operational capacity to deliver the project and manage public funds responsibly.

Expect to demonstrate:

• Ability to pay youth on schedule (CSJ is a reimbursement or contribution; cash flow planning is essential)

• CRA compliance and good standing (business number, payroll deductions, remittances)

• Workplace insurance coverage (e.g., workers’ compensation/WSIB/WCB as required)

• Appropriate supervision resources and a clear plan for onboarding, safety training, and mentoring

• Record‑keeping systems for timesheets, payroll, and claim documentation

Cost‑sharing reminders:

• Not‑for‑profits: up to 100% of adult minimum wage plus MERCs may be covered

• Public/private: up to 50% of adult minimum wage covered; MERCs and any wage top‑ups must be covered by the employer

• Paying above minimum wage and offering longer durations are encouraged where possible (additional costs are the employer’s responsibility)

Ineligible Applicants and Activities

Some employers and activities are not eligible under CSJ.

Common ineligible cases:

• Private sector employers with more than 50 full‑time employees

• Jobs or activities outside Canada, including remote work while abroad

• Positions that are primarily commission‑based or piece‑rate without guaranteed hours

• Roles that classify youth as independent contractors rather than employees

• Projects that displace existing employees or reduce their hours

• Workplaces that cannot meet safety, inclusion, or labour standard obligations

• Political offices and partisan activities

• Organizations unable to provide adequate supervision or a quality work experience

If your situation is unusual (e.g., a public body operating nationally, a multi‑site franchise, or a faith‑based organization), clarify eligibility against the official program rules before applying.

Special Cases & Exceptions

Certain scenarios require careful interpretation:

• Indigenous organizations: Typically eligible across not‑for‑profit, public, or private categories, subject to the same rules on size, wages, and project quality.

• Faith‑based organizations: Generally eligible if the job and hiring practices are non‑discriminatory and the duties are not for partisan or religious proselytizing.

• Franchises under 50 FTE: Usually eligible as private sector employers, provided the applying entity meets the headcount cap and other criteria.

• Municipalities and broader public sector: Eligible as public sector employers; funding is typically up to 50% of adult minimum wage.

• Joint projects or partnerships: One employer of record should apply and be responsible for payroll, supervision, and reporting.

• Remote/hybrid roles: Eligible when the youth works from a Canadian location with proper supervision, training, and safety provisions.

Self‑Assessment Checklist

Use this quick checklist to confirm whether you can apply to Canada Summer Jobs this cycle:

• We are a not‑for‑profit organization, a public sector employer, or a private sector employer with 50 or fewer full‑time employees.

• We have a CRA Business Number and an active CRA payroll (RP) account.

• We can hire youth as employees with proper payroll deductions.

• Our proposed jobs will take place in Canada between April 20 and August 29, 2026.

• Each job will be full‑time (typically 30–40 hours per week) for 6–16 weeks.

• We can provide a safe, inclusive workplace that meets all employment and health/safety laws.

• We have supervisors and a plan for mentoring and meaningful tasks.

• Our jobs will not displace existing employees or volunteers.

• We can cash‑flow wages and, if applicable, MERCs not covered by CSJ.

• We understand youth must be 15–30, have a SIN, and be citizens, permanent residents, or have refugee protection. International students are not eligible.

If you answered “Yes” to all items, you are likely eligible to apply.

Conclusion

Canada Summer Jobs is a national youth employment funding program that supports not‑for‑profits, public sector organizations, and private sector employers with 50 or fewer full‑time employees. To qualify, ensure your organization type, project design, and youth participants meet CSJ eligibility rules, including Canadian work location, full‑time hours, and the 15–30 age range with valid work authorization. With applications closing December 11, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. PST, assess your eligibility now and prepare your application accordingly.