Summer Employment Opportunities (SEO) Program

Who is eligible?

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.

Who is not eligible

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.

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.

Eligible geographic areas

The grant assists organizations throughout Ontario, with specific attention to areas experiencing higher unemployment rates like Northern Ontario. By supporting these regions, the program aims to create widespread employment opportunities for students.

• Communities throughout the province of Ontario.
• Particularly in Northern Ontario, as areas of high unemployment.

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."