The Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program, delivered by Employment and Social Development Canada, provides wage subsidies to support employers from not-for-profit organizations and the public sector, as well as private sector organizations with 50 or fewer full-time employees, so that they can offer quality summer work experiences for youth aged 15 to 30. CSJ provides youth with opportunities to develop and improve new and existing skills. For some young people, CSJ is a first job experience that will help inform their future education, training and career choices. The program is responsive to national and local priorities as well as labour market needs.
The CSJ program helps improve access to the labour market for all youth, but especially those who face barriers to employment. This includes youth with disabilities, Black youth, racialized youth, Indigenous youth, 2SLGBTQI+ youth, youth in rural and remote areas, and youth in official language minority communities.
CSJ 2026 youth hiring period
The hiring period for CSJ 2026 runs from April 20, 2026, until July 20, 2026, with jobs running until August 29, 2026. Up to 100,000 summer job opportunities will be posted on the Job Bank website and mobile app throughout the hiring period. Young people are encouraged to keep checking for updates on jobs available in their communities.
Eligibility criteria for youth participants
Eligible participants must:
- be between 15 and 30 years of age (inclusive) at the start of employment;
- ]be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act;
- have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment; and
- be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations.
International students are not eligible for the CSJ program.
