The Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program, delivered by Employment and Social Development Canada, provides wage subsidies to eligible employers to create summer job opportunities for youth aged 15 to 30. It supports not-for-profit organizations, public sector employers, and private sector businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees. The program helps young people gain practical work experience, develop new skills, and make informed decisions about their future education and career paths while responding to local and national labour market needs.
CSJ also plays an important role in improving access to employment for youth facing barriers in the labour market. This includes Indigenous youth, Black and racialized youth, youth with disabilities, 2SLGBTQI+ youth, young people in rural and remote areas, and those in official language minority communities. By targeting these groups, the program aims to promote more inclusive participation in Canada’s workforce.
For the 2026 cycle, the hiring period for Canada Summer Jobs runs from April 20 to July 20, 2026, with employment opportunities continuing until August 29, 2026. During this time, up to 100,000 summer job placements are expected to be advertised on the Job Bank platform. Young people are encouraged to regularly check listings to find suitable opportunities in their local communities.
To be eligible, participants must be between 15 and 30 years old at the start of employment and be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or persons with refugee protection status. They must also have a valid Social Insurance Number and be legally permitted to work in Canada under applicable provincial or territorial laws. International students are not eligible for the program.
