Hiring summer students helps ease your workload during busy months, but wages can add up quickly. The Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program lowers those costs by offering a federal wage subsidy for youth hires. If you run a small business, non-profit, or public sector group, this program can cover a large portion of a student’s summer wages.
Canada Summer Jobs is a federal wage subsidy delivered by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). It helps employers create temporary summer jobs for youth aged 15 to 30.
Here’s how the funding works:
This makes Canada Summer Jobs one of the most popular ways to hire summer students with wage support.
You can apply for Canada Summer Jobs funding if your organization fits one of these categories:
Your organization must also:
For private businesses, the 50-employee limit is strict. It counts all full-time employees across the company, not just at one location.
To be eligible under Canada Summer Jobs, the student must:
Students do not need to be returning to school in the fall. Many employers are surprised by this, and it means you have a bigger group of candidates to choose from.
Canada Summer Jobs funds a wide range of roles, such as:
Jobs must be new positions that would not exist without the subsidy. You also need to pay at least the provincial or territorial minimum wage.
GrantHub tracks current eligibility criteria for CSJ and other wage subsidy programs, making it easier to see which roles and organizations are a good fit.
The Canada Summer Jobs application usually opens early in the calendar year, with deadlines often falling in January. Approved employers are typically notified in spring so they can hire for the summer period.
The process includes:
Deadlines and funding amounts may change each year. Always check the latest guidelines before applying.
Hiring before approval
If you hire a student before your funding agreement is signed, their wages may not be covered.
Exceeding employee limits
Private businesses with more than 50 full-time employees are not eligible, even for a single summer role.
Underestimating reporting requirements
You must track hours, wages, and job outcomes. Missing the final report can delay or cancel payment.
Double funding wages
You usually cannot use two government programs to pay for the same portion of wages unless stacking is explicitly allowed.
Q: How much does Canada Summer Jobs pay per student?
Private sector employers can receive up to 50% of the minimum wage, while not-for-profits can receive up to 100%. The exact amount depends on your province’s minimum wage and approved hours.
Q: Is Canada Summer Jobs funding repayable?
No. The funding is non-repayable if you meet all program conditions and complete required reporting.
Q: Can small businesses apply for Canada Summer Jobs?
Yes, as long as your business has 50 or fewer full-time employees and meets program requirements.
Q: Can Canada Summer Jobs be combined with other wage subsidies?
In most cases, you cannot claim two government subsidies for the same wage costs. Some limited stacking may be allowed, but it must be approved in advance.
Q: Do students need to be in school to qualify?
No. Students do not need to be returning to school in the fall to be eligible under Canada Summer Jobs.
To hire summer students with CSJ funding, check your eligibility and prepare your application early in the year. Review your organization’s size and the types of roles you want to fill. Mark important deadlines on your calendar and gather all required documents before applying. If you want to see more student hiring programs or compare other wage subsidies, GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grants across Canada. Taking these steps now helps you secure funding and hire the right students for your team.
Was this article helpful?
Rate it so we can improve our content.
Canada Proactive Disclosure Data
The Canadian government has funded over 400,000 businesses through 1.27 million grants and contributions. Check your eligibility in 60 seconds.