Jul 23, 2019, 10:21 ET
TORONTO, July 23, 2019 /CNW/ - Helping young Canadians get the skills and experience they need to start their careers is part of the Government of Canada's plan to build a strong, resilient workforce and grow the middle class. That is why the Government of Canada has doubled the number of jobs created through the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program since 2015, creating meaningful, paid work experience for more than 70,000 youth per year.
Today, Marco Mendicino, Member of Parliament for Eglinton–Lawrence, on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, announced that over $2.3 million has been invested and more than 560 additional summer jobs have been created in Toronto for at-risk youth who face barriers to employment.
These jobs are in addition to the more than 6,500 jobs funded in the Greater Toronto Area through the CSJ program.
The event took place at Lawrence Heights Community Centre, with His Worship John Tory, Mayor of Toronto.
Quality summer jobs help young people gain new skills and valuable work experience while saving money for the school year ahead. This year, the CSJ program has been expanded to provide not just students, but all youth across Canada aged 15 to 30 with opportunities to gain quality work experience.
Quotes
"Canada's young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow—they are leaders today. That's why our government, through Canada Summer Jobs, is focused on ensuring more young Canadians—including those at risk and facing barriers to employment—get the work experience they need to build their résumés and start their careers."
– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
"It's great news that more than 7,100 youth in Toronto—including over 560 at-risk youth—will benefit from valuable workplace experience this summer. Creating jobs for young Canadians is a win-win for everyone. Quality summer jobs help young people hone their skills and gain valuable workplace experience while earning money for their future; employers benefit from new ideas; and our economy thrives thanks to a strong middle class."
– Marco Mendicino, Member of Parliament for Eglinton–Lawrence
"The success of the Canada Summer Jobs program is a great example of different levels of government working together to advance our great city. This investment ensures Toronto youth benefit from the city's growth and prosperity. These jobs give future leaders the opportunity to join the workforce and build a career which in turn will allow them to develop new skills, gain experience, and improve their confidence."
– His Worship John Tory, Mayor of Toronto
Quick Facts
- Each year, the national CSJ priorities are determined based on the needs of the labour market and to reflect Canada's diverse population. This year's priorities support:
- organizations that provide services to, or intend to hire, youth who self-identify as being part of under-represented groups or who have additional barriers to participating in the labour market;
- opportunities for youth to gain work experience related to the skilled trades;
- opportunities for youth in rural areas and remote communities, and official language minority communities;
- small businesses, in recognition of their contribution to job creation; and
- organizations that deliver supports or services to seniors.
- At-risk youth at risk are those who self-identify as being part of groups that are under-represented or have additional barriers to the labour market. These include:
- recent immigrant refugee youth ("recent" is defined as having arrived in Canada in the past five years);
- youth who have not previously been employed and for whom this would be their first job;
- Indigenous youth;
- youth with disabilities;
- youth who have not completed high school;
- visible minorities;
- LGBTQ2 youth; and
- women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
- The CSJ program is part of the Government of Canada's Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS). Since 2005, the Youth Employment Strategy has helped more than 900,000 young people gain the skills and work experience they need to find and keep good-quality jobs.
- In June 2019, Minister Hajdu announced the modernized YESS, which has been redesigned to respond to a range of labour market challenges faced by youth, particularly for those facing barriers to employment.
- In 2019, more than 85,000 Canada Summer Jobs were approved for funding. In the Greater Toronto Area, there were over 7,100 opportunities for youth, including 566 jobs for at-risk youth, for a total of over $25 million in funding.
SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada
For further information: For media enquiries, please contact: Véronique Simard, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, P.C., M.P., Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, veronique.simard@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca, 819-654-5611; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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