The federal government’s Canada Summer Jobs program will finance at least 219 employment opportunities in the Salaberry-Suroît region over the summer for young people between the age of 15 and 30.
“I am very pleased by this funding, which allows us to offer young people an enriching work experience during the summer while meeting the pressing labour needs of employers,” says local MP Claude DeBellefeuille. The grants to area employers total $830,689 for the 2023 season.
At the same time, DeBellefeuille denounces the fact the Summer Jobs program has been drastically reduced when compared to the previous few years. The funding cuts represent a difference of nearly $430,000 over one year. This amounts to a 35 per cent cut when compared to 2022 and corresponds to 130 fewer summer jobs being financed through the program.
“Additional funding was provided during the pandemic, but this has been eliminated by the Trudeau government for 2023. This is extremely unfortunate for our youth who will now have fewer job opportunities this summer, and for the employers who were waiting with open arms,” laments DeBellefeuille.
In the Salaberry-Suroît region alone, the Canada Summer Jobs program fell far short of funding demands. More than $2 million in requests were submitted to the program which represents close to 450 jobs. This means less than half of the work opportunities created by local employers will receive funding this summer. (SR)
