Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities

Comité permanent des ressources humaines, du développement des compétences, du développement social et de la condition des personnes handicapées

For immediate release

Ottawa, April 09, 2024 -

Canada Summer Jobs, administered by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), is a federal program offering wage subsidies to organizations that hire youth aged 15 to 30 for summer work opportunities. It aims to provide youth with quality work experiences, including skills development opportunities, and to improve labour market access for youth who face barriers.

On Tuesday, 9 April 2024, Louise Chabot, Member of Parliament for Thérèse-De Blainville and member of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, presented the committee’s 16th report in the House of Commons.

The report, entitled Canada Summer Jobs Program, follows a motion sponsored by MP Chabot and adopted by the committee on 2 June 2023. The motion required that the committee undertake a study to determine how the Canada Summer Jobs program can be modified to improve funding and flexibility. Over the course of the four-meeting study, the committee heard from the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, officials from ESDC and Statistics Canada, and a range of witnesses including organizations who have participated in the program. Witnesses expanded on themes such as funding levels for the program, funding confirmation timelines, flexibility for applicants, administration, and better supporting youth.

The committee heard that the Canada Summer Jobs program provides valuable work experience for youth, while also helping employers meet talent needs and positively impacting local communities. Nevertheless, the committee sees opportunities to improve the program. The report includes seven recommendations for the Government of Canada, aimed at making the program more responsive to the needs of the youth and employers it serves.

The Committee is composed of 12 members of Parliament. It is chaired by Robert Morrissey (Egmont) and its vice-chairs are Louise Chabot (Thérèse-De Blainville) and Tracy Gray (Kelowna—Lake Country). The other members are as follows: Scott Aitchison (Parry Sound—Muskoka); Chad Collins (Hamilton East—Stoney Creek); Michael Coteau (Don Valley East); Rosemarie Falk (Battlefords—Lloydminster); Michelle Ferreri (Peterborough—Kawartha); Peter Fragiskatos (London North Centre); Wayne Long (Saint John—Rothesay); Tony Van Bynen (Newmarket—Aurora) and Bonita Zarrillo (Port Moody—Coquitlam).