Canada Summer Jobs program provides youth with valuable work experience
MP Tim Hodgson recently hosted an appreciation event to celebrate the remarkable success of the Canada Summer Jobs program in Markham-Thornhill, highlighting the program’s vital role in providing young Canadians with meaningful employment opportunities and essential work experience.
The Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program enables young Canadians aged 15 to 30 years to earn income while developing critical skills and gaining real-world experience in their communities. This year’s program delivered impressive results for the riding:
- Over $1.36 million in federal funding invested directly in youth employment
- Over 100 local organizations participated as employers
- Nearly 300 young people gained hands-on work experience
“These numbers are impressive, but what matters most is what is behind them– a young person who might have walked in on their first day, nervous, but will walk out at the end of the summer confident, skilled, and seeing new possibilities,” Hodgson said during the appreciation event.
Local employers play a crucial role in the program’s success, providing not just jobs but mentorship and guidance to young workers. For many participants, these positions serve as stepping stones to future career opportunities and help build confidence in the workplace.
“What began as a summer opportunity for me through the Canada Summer Jobs program with the Markham African Caribbean Canadian Association (MACCA) grew into my passion for community and fostering growth through student mentorship,” said Prana Narasingam, MACCA Education Program Lead. “That opportunity eventually led me to my current position as a (education) program lead with MACCA. It is incredible to be able to empower the next generation of young leaders through the CSJ program and our summer education programs.”
The CSJ program demonstrates the federal government’s commitment to supporting youth employment and skills development across Canadian communities.
“When we support youth employment, we’re not just solving today’s challenges, we’re building tomorrow’s leaders,” MP Hodgson emphasized. “Their success truly becomes our success because youth employment is an investment in our shared future.”
The Canada Summer Jobs program offers wage subsidies to help employers create high-quality summer work experiences for students aged 15 to 30 years. The program helps young Canadians develop and improve their skills while supporting local communities and economies.
Details for the 2026 application period have not been announced at this time, but typically open in mid-November with a December deadline. At that time, employers interested in participating in Canada Summer Jobs 2026 can find application information at https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/funding/canada-summer-jobs.
Photo: MP Tim Hodgson at the recent appreciation event celebrating the local success of the Canada Summer Jobs program.