KENORA – Bob Nault, Member of Parliament (Kenora riding) released the following statement regarding this year’s Canada Summer Jobs investments of $686,164:
“To give youth in our riding valuable on-the-job learning experiences, this year, the Kenora riding received an investment of $686,164 for the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program. This program provides young Northerners with meaningful work experiences, and for many, a Canada Summer Job is their first experience in the workforce and a great opportunity to begin building a resume. This year all youth between the ages of 15 and 30 who are legally entitled to work in Canada are eligible to apply for positions, not just students.
“Canada Summer Jobs are not the only way we are investing in our youth; since 2015, we have taken additional measures to help them plan for their future and prepare for the workforce. Budget 2016 invested $73.0 million, to create the Student Work Placement Program aimed to better prepare students in science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) and business programs across Canada for employment by supporting up to 8,700 new work placements. To build on these previous investments, this year’s budget is investing $40 million over four years, and $10 million per year ongoing to support Skills Canada, which encourages young people to consider careers in the skilled trades and technology fields.
“Budget 2016 also invested $2.72 billion over 5 years, to make post-secondary education more affordable for students and make student debt more manageable by increasing Canada Student Grant amounts by 50 percent for students from low- and middle-income families. To further help students, Budget 2019 invested $1.7 billion to lower the interest rate on Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans to make the six-month non-repayment period (the “grace period”) interest-free.
“Since 2016, the Kenora riding received over $2.2 million in Canada Summer Jobs funding, creating over 845 jobs for youth throughout the North. Because of this funding, both private businesses and not-for-profit organizations give students quality work experiences in a variety of sectors.
Throughout the years, CSJ has funded positions at: the Kenora Public Library, the Experimental Lakes Area, Red Lake Indian Friendship Centre, First Steps Women’s Shelter, the Municipality of Machin, and the Dryden Police Service. While these are just a few examples, it is easy to see the valuable work experiences that our students in the riding receive.”
