TORONTO, October 28, 2026 – Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) announced on October 27 that employer applications for the 2027 Canada Summer Jobs program are now open, with a deadline of December 3. Eligible small private-sector businesses hiring young people aged 15 to 30 can receive wage subsidies covering up to 50 per cent of the applicable minimum wage.
For restaurants, retail stores and other small businesses planning to hire additional staff next summer, the program can help cover part of the wage costs associated with employing young workers.
Private-sector employers applying for the program must operate in Canada and have no more than 50 full-time employees. Eligible non-profit organizations and public-sector employers may also apply. Private-sector and public-sector employers can receive subsidies covering up to 50 per cent of the applicable minimum wage, while non-profit organizations may receive up to 100 per cent, along with reimbursement for certain eligible employment costs.
Funded positions under the 2027 program must provide 30 to 40 hours of work per week for six to 16 consecutive weeks, with employment taking place between April 19 and August 28, 2027.
This year’s application rules also introduce a business operating history requirement. In general, employers must have been operating continuously for at least two years by December 31, 2026, and hold a valid Canada Revenue Agency business number. Employers must also have a payroll deductions account before hiring young workers. Certain organizations meeting specific conditions may qualify for exemptions.
Young people hired under the program must be between 15 and 30 years old when they begin work and must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or eligible protected persons. They must also be legally entitled to work in Canada and have a valid Social Insurance Number.
International students holding study permits are not eligible participants under the program. Even if an international student is legally permitted to work in Canada under their study permit, an employer cannot receive Canada Summer Jobs wage subsidies for hiring them.
The federal government said the 2027 program will prioritize jobs in construction, environmental and climate-related fields, digital skills and artificial intelligence, as well as projects operated by non-profit organizations serving vulnerable populations. Other positions that meet the program requirements may still be submitted for consideration.
Employers can submit applications through the Government of Canada’s online Grants and Contributions Online Services (GCOS) platform. Applications must include business information, the number of employees the organization plans to hire, job responsibilities, work locations, working hours and wage budgets.
The final subsidy amount and number of funded weeks will be determined through the application review process. Service Canada expects to begin notifying employers of application results in April 2027. Approved positions will subsequently be advertised through the Government of Canada’s Job Bank.
The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on December 3, equivalent to 2:59 a.m. Ontario time on December 4. Employers planning to apply are encouraged to prepare their business information and proposed job arrangements in advance to avoid submitting applications at the last minute.
（LJI by Yuanyuan）
