Question Period Note: ESDC FUNDING ALLOCATED TO NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS UNDER THE CANADA SUMMER JOBS PROGRAM

ESDC funding allocated to Campaign Life Coalition, LifeCanada, Alliance for Life Ontario, Alberta Pro-Choice Coalition, Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada, Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights, National Abortion Federation, Ontario Coalition for Abortion Clinics since January 1, 2006.

• The Government of Canada assesses funding applications for Grants and Contributions programs based on eligibility and merit criteria against specific program intake requirements. In general, the funding application process does not collect the views of applicant or recipient organizations, whether personal or political.

• In the specific case of the Canada Summer Jobs Program, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) changed the eligibility in 2024 to increase transparency and to ensure that organizations that engage in activities that directly or indirectly infringe, undermine, weaken, or restrict the exercise of rights legally protected in Canada are not eligible for funding.

• Canada Summer Jobs is an over-subscribed program, meaning each year the program receives significantly more requests for funding than the program’s available budget. Therefore, not all eligible organizations receive funding.

On June 11, 2024, MP Randal Garrison submitted a written question on the Order Paper regarding federal funding since January 1, 2006 provided to Campaign Life Coalition, LifeCanada, Alliance for Life Ontario, Alberta Pro-Choice Coalition, Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada, Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights, National Abortion Federation, Ontario Coalition for Abortion Clinics.

ESDC reviewed all Grants and Contributions funding provided to these organizations since January 1, 2006, using data from the Common System for Grants and Contributions (CSGC). Some of these organizations have received contributions through successful eligible applications to the Canada Summer Jobs program:

o Campaign Life Coalition: $349,860
o Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights:$7,967
o Alliance for Life Ontario:$15,454.
o National Abortion Federation: $9,508
o LifeCanada, Ontario Coalition for Abortion Clinics, Alberta Pro-Choice Coalition, Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada: no funding received

The Canada Summer Jobs program, part of ESDC’s Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, offers wage subsidies to employers to create quality summer job placements for youth aged 15 to 30 in a safe, inclusive, and healthy environment, free from harassment and discrimination.

In alignment with the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy modernization, the objectives of Canada Summer Jobs program are to:
o Provide quality work experiences for all youth aged 15 to 30
o Address national and local priorities to improve labour market access for youth facing unique barriers
o Offer opportunities for all youth to develop and enhance their skills.

None