Ottawa small businesses welcoming federal expansion of summer jobs program

The federal government is rolling out plans to help young people find work to help tackle high levels of youth unemployment. CTV’s Kimberley Johnson reports.

The federal government says it’s boosting measures to help students find summer jobs and placements, which is being welcomed by both local businesses and young students who are struggling to get their foot in the door.

At an announcement at the University of Ottawa on Monday, the Minister of Jobs and Families Patty Hajdu said the Government of Canada is creating 175,000 jobs and skills building opportunities for youth “as well as providing education and training related actions that will improve youth employment across Canada.”

That includes adding further Canada Summer Jobs openings for businesses like Saunders Farm in Munster.

“We’re excited that the program is, I feel, like it’s back on track,” says owner Mark Saunders. “It does help us hire more students than we normally would in the summertime.”

The Canada Summer Jobs Program helps subsidize the wages of students, explains Saunders.

Last year, he says the farm was turned down after he applied. But this year, he says he’ll be able to hire 17 students under it.

He says it can help support businesses who hope to hire more staff.

“It really is a really great way to boost the economy, especially the rural economies that sometimes, struggle these days. But even all small businesses need a little bit of a leg up.”

Youth unemployment numbers remain high at 13.8 per cent in March.

“That is deeply concerning,” Hadju said at the announcement. “Because prolonged unemployment as a young person can really inhibit their career trajectory, but also their earning potential.”

This year, the government says it will be creating 100,000 Canada Summer Jobs postings. The government says there were 75,000 students in the program in 2025.

It is also supporting the student work placement program, which helps give post-secondary students get paid work experience related to their field of study.

That’s something that’s important to see for Maggie Divok, a fourth-year student at the University of Ottawa. She says she has gotten her foot in the door doing placements and says, for many students, being paid allows them to continue to pursue their careers.

“I think it’s really important,” she explains. “You know, a lot of us, you have to pay rent, you have to pay for your education, we need to pay for groceries. You can’t really do that if you’re doing unpaid work.”

The Canada Summer Jobs program opens April 20.

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