Question Period Note: Canada Summer Jobs – Program Integrity Measures

What program integrity measures has the Government of Canada implemented to ensure that recipients of Canada Summer Jobs funding are eligible for the program?

• The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program supports quality job placements for youth that take place in safe, inclusive and healthy work environments that are free from harassment and discrimination.
• Employers who are approved for CSJ funding sign Articles of Agreement that outline the Terms and Conditions that govern the receipt of funding.
• The Department conducts a range of monitoring activities on a select number of projects to ensure that employers achieved the outcomes to which they committed. These activities include financial, activity, and results monitoring.
• Where there is a potential breach of the funding agreement, the Department works to resolve issues directly with employers by seeking clarification or requesting additional documentation.
• Organizations that fail to demonstrate that they met the Terms and Conditions of the Agreement will not be reimbursed for the youth’s salary.

Key Facts
• In 2019, CSJ successfully created 79,279 jobs for youth.
• The program is oversubscribed. The budget for CSJ 2019 was $263M with over $893M in funding requested.

Background
• This card describes how CSJ applicants are screened for eligibility at the time of application, as well as monitored for eligibility during the period of the agreement, including measures to ensure the financial integrity of agreements.
• CSJ provides funding for not-for-profit organizations, public-sector employers, and small businesses with 50 or fewer employees to create summer job opportunities for youth.
• In 2019, the program objectives were updated to focus on providing quality work experiences to youth, responding to national and local priorities to improve access to the labour market for youth who face unique barriers, and providing opportunities for youth to develop and improve their skills.
• The 2019 Attestation was updated to require applicants to attest that “any funding under the CSJ program will not be used to undermine or restrict the exercise of rights legally protected in Canada.” This is especially important for a program that targets youth.
• As part of the management of agreements, the Department conducts several monitoring activities, including financial monitoring to ensure that funding was used according to the Terms and Conditions outlined in the Agreement with each organization.
• Section 20.0 of the Articles of Agreement details the financial records and audit requirements of the program, including the following: “20.3 In the event that financial irregularities are discovered, Canada may verify information with the Canada Revenue Agency.”
• New for 2019, results from previously funded projects, including termination, were considered in eligibility and funding decisions. Section 24.0 (Termination of Agreement) of the Articles of Agreement details the termination process.

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