How much funding can be received?

The Summer Employment Opportunities (SEO) Program provides funding up to a maximum of $3,741 per position to support not-for-profit organizations, municipalities, Indigenous organizations, and First Nation communities in creating meaningful summer employment opportunities for students. The program focuses on activities in key sectors such as tourism, culture, and sport and recreation, aiming to develop career-related skills and expand employment access for students throughout Ontario.

grant_single_labels|projects

This grant supports projects that create summer employment opportunities in key sectors like tourism, culture, and sport and recreation, enhancing local community development and student skill building.

Positions in the tourism sector that attract investment and support regional tourism development.
Roles that support product development, marketing, and investment attraction within tourism.
Employment for delivering educational and entertainment experiences for tourists.
Support for arts and culture agencies in sustaining and building the creative sector.
Cultural program development roles in arts, museums, and libraries.
Sport and recreation positions supporting community organizations in delivering programming to diverse and vulnerable groups.
Roles contributing to high-performance sport systems and enhancing athlete success.
Positions focusing on community sports initiatives and physical activity promotion.

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Organizations must meet certain criteria to be eligible to apply for this grant.

The organization must be a not-for-profit organization incorporated for at least one year, a municipality, an Indigenous organization, or a First Nations community.
Eligible organizations must be legally incorporated or be band councils established under the Indian Act, Canada.
The organization must have commercial general liability insurance coverage of $2,000,000 per occurrence for property damage, bodily injury, and personal injury.
The organization must have valid Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) coverage or equivalent coverage under their commercial general liability insurance.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

The 2025 Summer Employment Opportunities (SEO) Program is intended for organizations that create meaningful summer employment opportunities for students in key sectors within the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming and the Ministry of Sport.

Not-for-profit organizations, municipalities, Indigenous organizations, and First Nation communities are eligible to apply.
Applicants must have been incorporated for at least one year or be band councils established under the Indian Act, Canada.
Eligible organizations must have commercial general liability insurance coverage of $2,000,000 per occurrence and valid Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) coverage or equivalent.
The grant supports projects offering training and work experience related to tourism, culture, sport, and recreation sectors.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

This grant application does not specify any exclusions for particular types of companies or industries based on their status or primary activity. Eligible applicants must meet defined criteria regarding their organizational structure and compliance with specific obligations.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

The grant covers the wages for students employed under the program with specific conditions.

Wages for the student employed, at least the applicable Ontario minimum wage of $17.20 per hour.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

This grant is available to organizations across the province of Ontario, Canada. Emphasis is placed on areas experiencing higher rates of unemployment, particularly to bolster regional employment opportunities and align with the Ministry's strategic priorities.

All locations within the province of Ontario, Canada.
Particularly high unemployment areas, such as Northern Ontario.

grant_single_labels|criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects for the Summer Employment Opportunities (SEO) Program are based on specific criteria that determine how well an application aligns with the program's objectives and priorities.

How well the application addresses ministry priorities outlined for the selected target sector: tourism, culture, or sport and recreation.
Use of orientation best practices by organizations to prepare students for their summer positions.
Clarity in identifying the student’s key duties within the application.
Detailed description of the student’s training plan, including identification of the trainer and their qualifications.
Description of adequate supervision that will be provided for the student.
Demonstrated business need for a summer student position that supports the organization's work and mandate, such as revenue-generating operations, promotion of seasonal activities, or program delivery in identified sectors.
Preference for employment opportunities located in areas of high unemployment, such as Northern Ontario.

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:

Step 1: Enroll with Transfer Payment Ontario
Visit the Transfer Payment Ontario website to start your enrollment.
Complete the required fields to register your organization’s information securely.
Allow up to two weeks for the completion of the enrollment process.
Step 2: Prepare Application
Consult with your Regional Development Advisor if you are a first-time applicant.
Review the 2025 Summer Employment Opportunities (SEO) Program guidelines thoroughly.
Gather all necessary documentation and information as outlined in Appendix A of the guidelines.
Step 3: Completing the Application Form
Access the SEO Program application form through your Transfer Payment Ontario account.
Ensure organization information is accurate; update as necessary if pre-populated fields are incorrect.
Fill in all sections, including additional questions about duties, skills gained, and training plans.
Validate your commercial general liability insurance coverage and WSIB certification.
Step 4: Review and Attach Documents
Ensure all mandatory documents, such as letters patent for not-for-profits, are attached.
Use the checklist provided in the guidelines to verify all attachments are included.
Step 5: Submit Application
Submit the complete application using Transfer Payment Ontario no later than 5:00 PM EST on January 8, 2025.
Await an email confirmation of submission within 24 hours; contact Transfer Payment Ontario if confirmation is not received.
Step 6: Confirmation of Submission
Receive and save the email confirmation as proof of your submission.
Follow up with Transfer Payment Ontario Client Care for any submission issues.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Additional relevant details for this grant are as follows:

The Summer Employment Opportunities Program application form includes Terms and Conditions that must be adhered to by all applicants that receive an SEO Program grant.
Successful grant recipient organizations are responsible for recruiting suitable candidates, ensuring fair hiring practices.
Recipient organizations must not use the grant to displace regular employees or contract employees normally hired during the summer.
All publicity materials or job advertisements must acknowledge the Government of Ontario and indicate that the position is part of the Government of Ontario’s Summer Employment Opportunities Program.
Advertisements or job notices must include eligibility criteria for students.
SEO Program participants cannot be hired or supervised by a family member associated with the project who can benefit financially.
Employers must ensure adherence to occupational health and safety requirements, including providing appropriate safety orientation for student employees.
If a refund is owed to the Ministry, the refund cheque must be made payable to "Minister of Finance, Ontario."

grant_single_labels|contact

CommunitySEO@ontario.ca

(416) 325-6691

Apply to this program

New Opportunities for Ontario Summer Employment

The 2025 Summer Employment Opportunities (SEO) Program is designed to support not-for-profit organizations, municipalities, Indigenous organizations, and First Nation communities in creating meaningful summer jobs for students. This initiative focuses on enhancing skill development, supporting regional economic growth, and aligning with key sectors such as tourism, culture, sport, and recreation.

Detailed Insights into the 2025 SEO Program

The 2025 Summer Employment Opportunities (SEO) Program, previously known as the Summer Experience Program, offers an invaluable opportunity for eligible organizations in Ontario to bolster their operational capabilities while addressing youth unemployment. Administered by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, along with the Ministry of Sport, this program aims to provide quality work experiences for students in diverse and enriching environments throughout the province.

The core objectives of the SEO Program include offering career-related work experiences that are not only valuable but also transferable to the wider workforce. This initiative particularly targets high-unemployment areas, such as Northern Ontario, thereby contributing to more balanced economic development across the province. By facilitating an accessible recruitment process, the program ensures that students can readily find summer jobs that align with their educational backgrounds and career aspirations.

Applications for the program are submitted via Transfer Payment Ontario and must be completed by January 8, 2025, at 5:00 PM EST. Detailed guidance on the application procedure stresses the importance of organizational contacts with Regional Development Advisors for first-time applicants, along with precise instructions on submitting the applications to ensure consideration.

Employer obligations under the SEO Program include providing a minimum of 217.5 hours of employment, ensuring that students earn at least the provincial minimum wage of $17.20 per hour, and upholding adequate insurance and compliance standards, such as commercial general liability insurance and WSIB coverage. These requirements emphasize the program’s commitment to promoting a fair and secure work environment for student employees.

The program prioritizes roles within the tourism, culture, sport, and recreation sectors, highlighting governmental efforts to nurture these crucial areas of Ontario's economy. Roles in these sectors are not only vital for organizational growth but also for enriching the province's cultural and recreational landscape. By funding summer positions, the program also aids organizations in increasing their service capacity, directly linking to broader economic and social objectives, including increased youth participation in sports and culturally enriching activities.

Students participating in this program gain extensive exposure to professional settings, enhancing their understanding of various industries and developing important soft and technical skills. The SEO Program is structured to encourage participation from local communities, further supporting regional development and community engagement. Additionally, organizations participating in the program are encouraged to engage in best practices regarding student orientation, supervision, and performance evaluation to maximize the experience’s educational value for the student.

In summary, the 2025 SEO Program stands as a strategic instrument to cultivate future-ready talent through meaningful employment. This initiative not only provides youth with valuable employment experience but also strengthens ties between communities and sectors central to Ontario’s cultural and economic fabric. By investing in the younger workforce and creating paths for their engagement in critical sectors, Ontario takes significant steps toward a vibrant, supportive, and forward-thinking province.