| We had already earmarked $263 million in funding for the program, but we have now made changes to CSJ to support our government’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan.
These critical changes include:
1) Increasing the wage subsidy, so that private and public sector employers can receive up to 100% of the provincial minimum hourly wage for each employee.
- Previously, private and public sector employers were only eligible to receive up to 50% of the provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage.
2) Extending the end date for employment to February 28, 2021.
- All funded employers may offer job placements between May 11, 2020 and February 28, 2021.
- Employers can offer part-time employment to youth who want to work during the academic year.
- Previously, all CSJ-funded positions had to be completed no later than August 28, 2020.
3) Allowing employers to adapt projects and job activities to support essential services.
4) Allowing employers to hire staff on a part-time basis.
- Previously, all CSJ-funded employment had to be full-time at a minimum of 30 hours per week for at least 6 weeks.
With these enhancements, our government believes CSJ can play an important role in supporting employers and young workers during this unprecedented situation. It is our top priority to keep youth and employers safe while participating in CSJ.
Examples of workplaces and/or programs that respond to the COVID-19 pandemic could include:
- Supporting community programming: This could include jobs with small businesses or organizations that are using digital tools for preparation and delivery of programming, such as youth education and recreation activities, or community support services such as telehealth and online health services.
- Supporting Canada’s food security: This may include jobs at local co-ops, food distribution centres, and more that play a critical role in Canada’s food security.
- Filling temporary vacancies due to COVID-19: This could include clerical or administrative positions in small businesses or not-for-profits where some staff are staying home with children and/or avoiding the workplace due to other COVID-19 related issues.
- Supporting vulnerable populations: This may include local activities to support populations facing new vulnerabilities under COVID-19, such as seniors or persons with disabilities.
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