Applications closed, monitoring for reopening
Applications are not open right now (they last closed December 11, 2025). Many programs like this reopen, so we re-check and update this page.
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Canada Summer Jobs Program
Canada Summer Jobs pays private businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees up to 50% of the minimum wage for a summer job for a young person (not-for-profits get up to 100%). The last call for applications ran from November 4 to December 11, 2025, and is closed. The next call has not been announced yet. Applications are closed right now and we watch for reopening.
Before you spend any money
The last call for applications closed on December 11, 2025. The next call has not been announced. The last one opened in early November, so watch the official page in the fall.
At a glance
Subject to program rules, available funding, and approval. Confirm current details with the official program administrator.
Is this for you?
- You are a private business with 50 or fewer full-time employees and want to hire a youth aged 15 to 30 for the summer.
- You can offer a full-time job of 30 to 40 hours per week for 6 to 16 weeks.
- You can create an extra summer job, not replace an existing employee.
Probably not the right fit if
- You have more than 50 full-time employees across Canada.
- You want to hire an international student or someone on a visitor, youth or work visa. Only citizens, permanent residents and protected persons qualify.
- You need a part-time job funded. Jobs must be full-time unless Service Canada approves an exception.
How much you'd realistically get
Up to 50% of the provincial or territorial adult minimum wage for private employers, or up to 100% plus mandatory employment costs for not-for-profits. No single dollar cap per employer is published.
What may be supported
- New full-time summer jobs for youth aged 15 to 30, for example in restaurants, retail, salons or clinics.
- Jobs of 30 to 40 hours per week that last 6 to 16 consecutive weeks.
What's excluded or restricted
- International students are not eligible participants.
- Youth awaiting a refugee status ruling, and those with a temporary visitor visa, youth visa or work visa, are not eligible.
- Jobs cannot displace or replace existing employees or volunteers.
- Private employers with more than 50 full-time employees across Canada are not eligible.
How applying works
Effort: moderateYou apply online through GCOS (or the online form, mail or in person) during the call for applications. If approved, you sign an agreement, hire, and submit your payment claim within 30 days after the last funded job ends.
- 01Make sure your business has a CRA business number and a payroll deductions (RP) account.
- 02Watch the official page for the next call for applications. The last one ran from November 4 to December 11, 2025.
- 03Apply online through Grants and Contributions Online Services (GCOS), or by online form, mail or in person at Service Canada.
- 04Wait for written approval and sign your agreement before hiring.
- 05Hire eligible youth for 6 to 16 weeks, full-time, and pay their wages.
- 06Submit your payment claim within 30 days after the last funded job ends.
Who to ask: Canada Summer Jobs, toll-free 1-800-935-5555 (TTY 1-800-926-9105), or any Service Canada Centre.
Documents commonly required
- CRA business number with a payroll deductions (RP) account.
- Each youth's Social Insurance Number and proof they are a citizen, permanent resident or protected person.
- Payroll records and pay stubs for your payment claim.
What to know before you count on it
- Funding is limited. Each year there are more applications than money, and approved employers may get fewer weeks or less money than they asked for.
- You pay the youth and claim the subsidy. You can ask for an advance of up to 75% of the agreement (projects of $100,000 or less) once approved.
- Nothing before approval is paid. You must have a signed agreement with Service Canada first.
- You need a CRA payroll deductions (RP) account before hiring. A wage subsidy is usually taxable income, so ask your accountant.
What are your odds?
Competitive. Applications are scored and ranked in each federal riding, and funding is limited. Apply early in the next call.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use this to pay my current staff more?
No. The program funds summer jobs for youth aged 15 to 30. Youth cannot replace existing employees or volunteers.
Do I get the money before I pay the worker?
Once you are approved, you can ask for an advance. The maximum is 75% of the agreement for projects of $100,000 or less.
Is the subsidy taxable?
Usually yes. Ask your accountant.
Can I apply now?
No. The last call closed on December 11, 2025. The next call has not been announced yet.
More funding by what it pays for
What you can combine it with
Ask your accountant how this subsidy works with other wage subsidies or tax credits.
Worth reading before you apply
Get alerted when this changes
Programs open and close, budgets run out, rules change. We send one short email when something changes that matters for this program.
Page last updated ; status and deadline checked . Source: official program page.