Waterloo Region & Guelph

Wage subsidyFederal program

Canada Summer Jobs 2027

Canada Summer Jobs pays part of the wage when you hire a young person for a full-time summer job. Small private businesses get up to half of the provincial minimum wage per hour. Applications for summer 2027 close December 3, 2026.

Amount
Up to 50% of the provincial adult minimum hourly wage for private and public sector employers (up to 100% for not-for-profits)
Status
Open, closes Dec 3, 202619 days left2027 round: apply by December 3, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. Jobs run between April 19 and August 28, 2027.
Type
Wage subsidy for summer jobs
Run by
Employment and Social Development Canada
Where
All of Canada
Checked on
Nov 13, 2026

Who it's for

  • Private sector employers with 50 or fewer full-time employees across Canada
  • Not-for-profits and public sector employers
  • In operation at least 2 years by December 31, 2026 (with an exemption for some CSJ 2026 recipients)
  • A CRA business number, and a payroll deductions (RP) account before hiring

Not for

  • Federal and provincial government departments and agencies
  • Members of the House of Commons or Senate, and their immediate family
  • Organizations that do partisan political activities
  • Hiring international students

What it covers

  • Part of the wage for full-time summer jobs: 30 to 40 hours a week for 6 to 16 weeks in a row
  • Jobs for youth aged 15 to 30 at the start of the job
  • Approved employers may be eligible for extra funding toward accommodation measures for youth with disabilities

How to apply

  1. Register in Grants and Contributions Online Services (GCOS) with your CRA RP number. This is the recommended way.
  2. Open the CSJ call (CFP-CSJ/AP-ÉEC-2026-307), complete every section and submit before the deadline.
  3. Keep the confirmation number and email. If you get neither, the application wasn't submitted.
  4. You can also use the online fillable form, or mail the PDF form (EMP5396A) postmarked by December 3, 2026. Fax and email aren't accepted.

Good to know

  • Private employers pay the rest of the wage, and mandatory employment-related costs aren't reimbursed for them.
  • Hires must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons, legally able to work, with a valid SIN.
  • You can ask for an advance payment in your application, up to 75% of the agreement for projects of $100,000 or less.
  • From CSJ 2028, GCOS will be the only online way to apply.
  • National priorities for 2027 include construction work experience, environmental and climate work, digital skills or AI, and not-for-profit work with underserved communities.
  • Help line during the application period: 1-800-935-5555, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern.

Questions

How much does it pay a small business?

Up to 50% of the provincial adult minimum wage per hour. The applicant guide lists Ontario's adult minimum wage as $17.95 from October 1, 2026, so that's up to about $8.98 an hour. The employer pays the rest plus employment costs.

My business is a year old. Can I apply?

Usually not. Employers need 2 years in operation by December 31, 2026, unless they met all the conditions of a CSJ 2026 agreement and were reimbursed for at least one CSJ 2026 job.

Can the job be part-time?

No. Jobs must be 30 to 40 hours a week for 6 to 16 weeks in a row, between April 19 and August 28, 2027.

When will I hear back?

The program reviews applications from December to March and makes funding decisions in March. It starts telling organizations in early April and says everyone will have a decision by the end of June.

Does my riding have local priorities?

Members of Parliament can set local priorities, but they don't have to. The 2027 list includes Cambridge (for example skilled trades and seniors), Guelph (for example manufacturing and food security), Kitchener Centre (for example seniors and not-for-profits) and Kitchener-Conestoga (for example agriculture and rural projects). Check the official list for your riding.

Related programs

Open, closes Jan 21, 2027Loan

Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF)

Up to 15% of eligible project costs. Loans up to $5 million, interest-free during the project period (up to 4 years), with up to 30% (max $500,000) forgivable if targets are met. Grants only in limited cases: up to $500,000 for small rural firms, or $1.5 million for strategic projects.

Government of Ontario (Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade)All of Ontario

Year-roundGrant

Achievement Incentive for Apprentice Employers

Up to $17,000 per apprentice, paid in $1,000 steps as the apprentice finishes in-class levels and earns their certificate, with registration and extra payments for some apprentices.

Government of Ontario (Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development)All of Ontario

Year-roundTax credit

Co-operative Education Tax Credit

25% to 30% of the student's wages and agency fees, up to $3,000 per work placement.

Government of Ontario (administered by the Canada Revenue Agency)All of Ontario