GRANDE PRAIRIE, AB – January 6, 2016 – Chris Warkentin, Member of Parliament for Grande Prairie-Mackenzie invites not-for-profit organizations, charitable organizations, community groups, public-sector employers and small businesses with 50 or fewer employees looking to hire full-time workers for the summer of 2016, to now apply for funding under the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program.
CSJ creates summer job opportunities and valuable work experience specifically for youth aged 15 to 30 intending to return to their studies in the next school year. The program’s aim is also to help employers create summer job opportunities that focus on priorities important to their local communities, which could include special events such as sporting or cultural occasions.
“I look forward to advocating on behalf of local organizations from the Peace Country for the Canada Summer Jobs Program,” says MP Warkentin. “My priorities for this program focus on improving the lives of our residents, including seniors and youth. I support our not-for profit groups, charitable organizations, youth and senior groups, as well as our many community organizations, as they apply for funding under this summer program.”
Mr. Warkentin encourages eligible participants to review the criteria and apply as soon as possible. It is hoped that a number of employers will come forward with applications. For information and to apply visit www.servicecanada.gc.ca/csj. Please refer to the attached backgrounder for some additional information and if you require further assistance please feel free to contact Mr. Warkentin’s office at the number below.
BACKGROUNDER
This program is often oversubscribed to.
The application period runs from January 4, 2016, to February 26, 2016. Applicants approved for funding will be able to hire students as early as May 2016.
In addition to the personal priorities of MP Warkentin as stated in the news release, Service Canada identified local priorities for Grande Prairie–Mackenzie as:
- Sporting events and festivals
- Cultural events and festivals
- Arts related events and festivals
- Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation
- Organizations that help prepare for large scale sporting events
- Rural and remote areas
- Aboriginal communities
- Not-for-profit organizations that provide programs and services for disadvantaged youth
- Organizations that provide programs and services for disadvantaged community groups
- Organizations that intend to provide career-related work experience
- Organizations that provide health care to seniors
- Summer youth camps
- Tourism
- Forestry
- Agriculture
- Skilled trades
- Environment
National priorities for the CSJ 2016 Program identified by the Liberal Government of Canada include:
- employers who help welcome and settle Syrian refugees to Canada, as well as Syrian students;
- Indigenous people, who are among the fastest-growing segments of the Canadian population;
- small businesses working to become more innovative, competitive and successful, in recognition of their key contribution to the creation of new jobs; and
- cultural and creative industries looking to create jobs and to strengthen our rich Canadian identity. This latter priority will support the planning of Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017.
Recommendations as to which organizations will receive funding are made by civil servants using the priorities listed.