Youth Employment and Skills Strategy - Canada Summer Jobs Wage Subsidy

• Articles of Agreement acknowledgment
• Organization information and business number
• Job details and work plans
• Supervision and mentoring plans
• Supporting documents requested by Service Canada

Who is eligible?

• Not-for-profit organizations (including community, charitable, voluntary organizations, faith-based organizations, professional and industrial associations, Indigenous not-for-profits, non-governmental organizations, unions, sector councils, and not-for-profit band councils)
• Public sector organizations (public health and educational institutions, municipal governments and agencies, school boards, territorial governments, public colleges and universities)
• Private sector organizations with 50 or fewer full-time employees (incorporated or unincorporated businesses, partnerships, sole proprietorships, financial institutions, businesses, independent franchise owners, Indian Band corporations, private health and educational institutions, private band councils, private universities or colleges)

Who is not eligible

• Federal government departments and agencies
• Provincial departments and agencies
• Members of the House of Commons or the Senate, or their immediate family members
• Organizations engaged in partisan political activities
• Organizations that directly or indirectly infringe, undermine, weaken, or restrict the exercise of human rights legally protected in Canada

Eligible expenses

• Wages for youth participants, up to the applicable provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage (up to 100% for not-for-profit employers; up to 50% for public and private sector employers).
• Mandatory Employment Related Costs (MERCs) associated with the minimum wage for not-for-profit employers, including Employment Insurance premiums, Canada or Quebec Pension Plan contributions, vacation pay, workers' compensation premiums or equivalent liability insurance, and other relevant statutory deductions depending on the province or territory.
• Overhead costs related to accommodation measures for youth with disabilities, such as personal tools, workplace adaptations, and professional support services, subject to case-by-case approval.

Eligible geographic areas

• Canada

• Provision of quality work experiences for youth, including salary above minimum wage, retention plans, and effective supervision (30 points).
• Opportunities for youth to develop and improve their skills, through mentoring and identified skill development outcomes (45 points).
• Alignment with national and local priorities to improve access to the labour market for youth facing unique barriers (25 points).

• Step 1: Preparation and Review
  • Review the Canada Summer Jobs Applicant Guide and Articles of Agreement in their entirety.
  • Gather organization information required for the application (e.g., legal name, business number, contact information).
  • Determine authorized representatives responsible for submitting the application and signing agreements.
  • Decide which jobs and how many positions to request, ensuring all required information for each job is prepared in advance.
• Step 2: Choose Application Method
  • Decide whether to apply online via Grants and Contributions Online Services (GCOS), the online fillable form, by mail, or in person at a Service Canada Centre.
• Step 3: Complete the Application Form
  • Enter all required information in the application form, including detailed employer details, job descriptions, wage rates, duration, supervision and mentoring plans, and skills development.
  • Indicate information regarding other funding sources, local and national priorities supported, and health, safety, and inclusion policies.
  • Provide all mandatory attestations and ensure only authorized representatives sign the application.
• Step 4: Submit the Application
  • If using GCOS, log in and submit the application online; you will receive an instant confirmation number by email.
  • If using the online fillable form, complete and submit directly via browser and print a copy for records before submitting.
  • If applying by mail, ensure the application is postmarked by the deadline and send it to the address provided on the CSJ website.
  • If submitting in person, bring the completed application to a Service Canada Centre before the office closes on the deadline date.
• Step 5: Confirmation of Receipt
  • For online submissions (GCOS and online fillable form), an immediate confirmation number and email will be provided.
  • For mail and in-person submissions, an email acknowledgment will be sent within 14 calendar days to the email provided in the application.
• Step 6: Respond to Requests for Additional Information
  • If contacted by Service Canada for missing or unclear information, provide required clarification within 5 business days to avoid rejection.
• Step 7: Await Funding Decision
  • Service Canada notifies applicants of funding decisions in writing starting from April and into the summer months.
  • Do not commence reimbursable activities until the formal funding agreement is signed by both parties.
• Step 8: Agreement and Onboarding
  • If approved, review and sign the agreement sent by Service Canada.
  • Receive onboarding documents, including the calculation of approved contribution amount and mandatory reporting forms.

• Service Canada reviews applications in two steps: eligibility screening and quality assessment.
• Applicants receive an email decision on their funding request.
• If approved, the employer receives the agreement documents and instructions to manage the project.
• Service Canada may monitor approved projects and request supporting documents.
• Final payment is issued after the payment claim and activity report are reviewed.

• Employers and youth participants funded through Canada Summer Jobs may be required to complete feedback questionnaires regarding their experience.
• Successful employers may be randomly selected for inspections or audits, where financial documentation and interviews with participants could be requested.
• Some employer and project details, such as organization name and funding amount, will be posted publicly on government websites if funding is approved.
• Employers must ensure privacy and health and safety requirements are met, including compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.