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Youth Employment and Skills Strategy - Canada Summer Jobs Wage Subsidy
Supports employers in creating summer jobs for Canadian youth
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
Varies by project
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Location
Canada
Overview
The Canada Summer Jobs Wage Subsidy program provides wage subsidies of up to 100% of the minimum hourly wage (plus mandatory employment-related costs for not-for-profits) to eligible employers to create quality summer work experiences for youth aged 15 to 30. The funding supports full-time employment projects lasting 6 to 16 weeks between April and August, aimed at skills development and facilitating youth entry into the Canadian labour market.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Attract or retain talent
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Construction
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Sole proprietorship
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 50 employees maximum
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Language Minorities
- Other Racialized Persons
- Black Canadians
- Rural or Northern Residents
- 2SLGBTQI+
- Canadians
- Youth (<40)
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Primary and Secondary Education
- Higher Education
- Other Education
- Hospitals and Rehabilitation
- Nursing Homes
- Other Health Services
- Social Services
- Environment
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Housing
- Employment and Training
- Civic and Advocacy Organizations
- Political Organizations
- Religious Congregations and Associations
- Business Associations
- Professional Associations
- Unions
- Children and Youth Organizations
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Children & youth
- Young adults
- Indigenous peoples
- People with disabilities
- LGBTQ+ community
- Rural / Remote communities
- Minority groups
Revenue structures
- Mixed revenue (<50% earned)
Scope
- Local
- Municipal
- Regional
- Provincial
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Creation of full-time summer employment opportunities for youth aged 15 to 30 in Canada.
- Provision of quality, inclusive, and non-discriminatory work experiences for youth.
- Projects that facilitate skills development and mentorship for youth employees.
- Initiatives supporting youth participation in the Canadian labour market, including those targeting local and national priorities.
- Employment projects that offer supervision, mentoring, and a safe work environment for youth for a period of 6 to 16 consecutive weeks between April and August.
Eligibility
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
- Companies established in all provinces and territories of Canada.
- Employment must necessarily take place within Canadian territory.
Additional information
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy - Canada Summer Jobs Wage Subsidy Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy - Canada Summer Jobs Wage Subsidy. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy - Canada Summer Jobs Wage Subsidy?
The Canada Summer Jobs Wage Subsidy program provides wage subsidies of up to 100% of the minimum hourly wage (plus mandatory employment-related costs for not-for-profits) to eligible employers to create quality summer work experiences for youth aged 15 to 30. The funding supports full-time employment projects lasting 6 to 16 weeks between April and August, aimed at skills development and facilitating youth entry into the Canadian labour market.
Who is eligible for the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy - Canada Summer Jobs Wage Subsidy program?
To be eligible for the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy - Canada Summer Jobs Wage Subsidy program, you must:
Must be a not-for-profit, public sector organization, or private sector organization with 50 or fewer full-time employees
Must be registered with the Canada Revenue Agency and have a business number
Must manage CSJ-funded jobs directly and have a CRA payroll deductions program account (RP)
What expenses are eligible under Youth Employment and Skills Strategy - Canada Summer Jobs Wage Subsidy?
Creation of full-time summer employment opportunities for youth aged 15 to 30 in Canada.
Provision of quality, inclusive, and non-discriminatory work experiences for youth.
Projects that facilitate skills development and mentorship for youth employees.
Initiatives supporting youth participation in the Canadian labour market, including those targeting local and national priorities.
Employment projects that offer supervision, mentoring, and a safe work environment for youth for a period of 6 to 16 consecutive weeks between April and August.
Who can I contact for more information about the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy - Canada Summer Jobs Wage Subsidy?
You can contact Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
Where is the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy - Canada Summer Jobs Wage Subsidy available?
The Youth Employment and Skills Strategy - Canada Summer Jobs Wage Subsidy program is available across Canada.
Is the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy - Canada Summer Jobs Wage Subsidy a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Youth Employment and Skills Strategy - Canada Summer Jobs Wage Subsidy is a Wage Subsidies And Interns
Who are the financial supporters of the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy - Canada Summer Jobs Wage Subsidy?
Youth Employment and Skills Strategy - Canada Summer Jobs Wage Subsidy is funded by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)