Let me take this opportunity to thank the many citizens of Ottawa South that responded to my 2007 Student Jobs campaign.
Since 1996, the Summer Career Placement Program (SCPP) has created hundreds of thousands of new summer jobs by providing a small wage supplement to small and medium size employers (both for-profit and non-profit organizations, and educational institutions, hospitals and municipalities).
Over the past two years, the SCPP put over $600,000 into Ottawa South, providing jobs for 246 students at well over 100 organizations. The program provided necessary jobs and valuable experience for students working to pay for their education. It also provided local organizations with a chance to enhance services by hiring these young Canadians. In fact, most of the students hired in Ottawa South did community-based or charitable work that otherwise wouldn’t have been done.
In Budget 2006 the Conservative government slashed $55 million from the SCPP.
Thanks to your voices, and the work of community organizations across the country, the government has been forced to recognize the importance of the SCPP. I can now report that it will be continued through 2007, though in a weakened form. The minority Conservative government has renamed the program “Canada Summer Jobs”.
Although less than half the funding is available this year, I encourage anyone with interest to apply. Unfortunately, the government has deemed that medium-sized private employers (organizations with 51 to 500 employees) will now be ineligible under the new criteria. Not-for-profit organizations, public sector employers, and smaller private sector employers with 50 or fewer employees are eligible.
How to apply for Canada Summer Jobs: Deadline March 30
There is an on-line application process for students at www.youth.gc.ca. The government advises that “for all on-line applications submitted, a confirmation number will be issued. This number must be kept for future reference.”
Employers can apply on-line, by fax, mail, or in person. Paper copies may be requested via the Youth Info Line (1 800 935-5555), or by visiting a Service Canada Centres (SCC) between 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. Call 613-990-5100 for the location nearest you. Persons with a speech or hearing impairment can call 1 800 926-9105 (TTY).
Be assured that I will continue the campaign, along with concerned Ottawa South residents, to restore funding to the Summer Jobs program.