The federal government is set to fund 70,000 summer job opportunities for young people across the country this year through the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth Marci Ien announced Wednesday.
The initiative, part of the broader Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS), provides funding to employers to create jobs for people aged 15 to 30. Job postings will be available on the government’s Job Bank website and mobile app starting April 21, with new listings added throughout the summer.
“Through Canada Summer Jobs, there are thousands of opportunities for youth to grow, contribute to their communities and build a strong foundation for their future,” Ien said.
The program supports employment across a variety of sectors, including recreation, food services, marketing, tourism, construction, and environmental protection. It also prioritizes young people facing barriers to employment, including those with disabilities, Indigenous youth, Black and racialized youth, 2SLGBTQI+ youth, and those in rural or remote communities.
Last year, the program surpassed its target, creating more than 71,000 jobs. Since 2020, CSJ has funded over 454,000 youth positions.
The federal government has allocated $200.5 million in 2025-26 for the program, with an additional $150.7 million designated for other youth employment initiatives under YESS. CSJ-funded jobs typically run for six to 16 weeks, with full-time hours ranging from 30 to 40 per week.
A survey of last year’s CSJ participants found that 92 per cent gained confidence in skills needed for future employment, while 85 per cent expressed optimism about their job prospects.
The government encourages young job seekers to prepare by updating their resumes, creating a Job Bank account, and regularly checking for new postings.
