What is Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ)?
Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) is delivered by ESDC as a wage subsidy. Funding is typically up to 100% of minimum wage (non-profits); 50% for private sector. This page covers eligibility, intake status, and what an application actually requires.
At a glance
| Funding amount | Up to 100% of minimum wage (non-profits); 50% for private sector |
|---|---|
| Cost share | 50% for private sector employers |
| Level | Federal |
| Program type | Wage Subsidy |
| Delivered by | ESDC |
| Available in | All provinces |
| Intake status | Annual intake — applications typically open Oct/Nov |
| Last verified | Apr 2026 |
Who qualifies
- Eligible industries: All industries
- Eligible activities: Summer employment for youth 15–30; any role
Watch out for
Hiring youth under 15 or over 30; partisan political work; union busting activities
Deadlines & how to apply
2026 intake: check jobbank.gc.ca/hire in Oct 2026
How NorthGrants helps with Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ)
Most business owners read about Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ), see the funding amount, and stop. The hard part isn't finding the grant. It's building an application that actually wins.
NorthGrants builds the full application framework for you: a tailored project narrative aligned to this program's evaluation criteria, a budget structure that maps to eligible costs, and the supporting documentation checklist. You review it, refine the parts only you can write, and submit.