Employers can hire up to 100,000 young workers under program
Canadian employers can fill up to 100,000 job openings as the federal government has officially opened the hiring period for the 2026 Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ).
The period officially opened on Monday and will run until July 20, 2026, said Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
“As young Canadians are working towards their future in difficult times, they will not be left behind,” Hajdu said. “The Canada Summer Jobs program helps young people get meaningful, paid work experience that builds the skills and confidence to succeed in the job market. This year, by expanding the program to support up to 100,000 job opportunities, we are ensuring that even more young Canadians can access meaningful job experiences and build the foundation for long-term success.”
During this period, youth can search and apply for CSJ‑funded roles through the federal Job Bank website and mobile app, according to ESDC. Roles are available for young people aged 15 to 30 across the country.
Meanwhile, employers looking to fill approved positions are encouraged to keep postings current and to use Job Bank as a central channel to reach candidates.
The employer application period for the 2026 edition of the CSJ ran from Nov. 4, 2025 to Dec. 11, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.
Full‑time roles
CSJ‑funded jobs are defined as full‑time positions of 30 to 40 hours per week, Employment and Social Development Canada said. Placements run between six and 16 weeks, with the average job lasting about eight weeks, giving employers enough time to assign substantive work and assess performance.
The Honourable Anna Gainey, Secretary of State (Children and Youth), said the initiative is aimed at strengthening labour‑market outcomes for youth. “Quality summer jobs help youth gain the skills, confidence and experience they need to succeed in the workforce,” she said. “This investment in Canada Summer Jobs will empower 100,000 young people to explore career interests, earn income over the summer, and take important first steps toward high-paying, long-term careers.”
According to ESDC, the program is also focused on youth who face barriers to employment, including youth with disabilities, Black and other racialized youth, Indigenous youth, 2SLGBTQI+ youth, youth in rural and remote areas, and youth in official language minority communities. Since 2019, CSJ has supported employers in creating more than 600,000 job opportunities for youth, including over 75,000 jobs in 2025, the department said.
In 2024, the federal government made available over 70,000 job opportunities for youth across Canada under the CSJ program.
ESDC also cited a 2024 audit by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada, which found that youth who participate in the Canada Summer Jobs programme “benefit from better long-term earnings than non-participants.”
Youth unemployment rose to 13.3% in December, according to data previously released by Statistics Canada (StatCan).
