Youth gain long-term benefits from Canada Summer Jobs program

On December 2, 2024, in Gatineau, Quebec, the Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, addressed the findings of the 2024 Fall Report of the Auditor General of Canada regarding the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program. The report emphasized that over 383,000 summer jobs have been created since 2020, which has positively impacted youth by providing necessary skills, confidence, and financial support for future education or expenses. In particular, the report noted that youth participants in the program enjoyed better long-term earnings compared to non-participants, underscoring the program's significance to Canada's youth. Additionally, Ien revealed that the CSJ program consistently surpassed its hiring goals, mentioning that in 2023, it exceeded its target by placing over 70,000 youth in jobs. As results continued to come in for 2024, projections indicated that the program was on track to meet or exceed its goals once again. However, the Auditor General's report also identified areas in need of improvement, particularly in how to better support youth that face barriers to employment. Ien committed to collaborating with provincial and territorial partners to enhance this understanding and improve the program ahead of the 2025 hiring season. She expressed her dedication to ensuring that the program remained inclusive and effective in supporting young people, who she believes contribute vital skills and ideas to the workforce, ultimately strengthening the Canadian economy. The Minister's gratitude was also extended to Analyst Hogan and her team for their insights, which aimed at making the CSJ program stronger.