Funding: Canada Summer Jobs – Apply
How to apply
The application period was from November 19, 2024, to December 19, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.
Applications received or postmarked after the deadline date will not be considered.
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It is recommended that you submit your application online using the Grants and Contributions Online Services (GCOS). GCOS is an online platform where users can create an account for their organization. This allows users to submit funding applications online to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
Grants and Contributions Online Services (GCOS)
- If you have an active GCOS account and need details about completing the application online, consult the Grants and Contributions Online Services: User Guides
- If you do not have an active GCOS account, creating a GCOS account is a one-time process
- Once you have created a GCOS account, you can submit an application for funding and track its status
- While using GCOS, you can partially fill out an application and save it as a draft to submit it later, as long as it is submitted before the end of the Call for Applications. Once you have submitted your application, you will no longer be able to edit it, but it will still be available for review
- GCOS allows you to submit and track your application status, sign agreements, manage active projects, submit supporting documents, and review past projects submitted through GCOS. To fully benefit from these features of GCOS after submitting your application, you must complete your registration by validating and authenticating your identity
- Visit the GCOS website for step-by-step instructions to create an account. Please use your organization's RP (payroll) business number assigned by the CRA to create your GCOS account.
Confirmation of receipt
If you submit your application through GCOS, you will immediately receive an acknowledgement and a confirmation number generated by the system. This confirmation is considered the acknowledgement of receipt of your application. You will also receive a confirmation of receipt sent by email to the email address provided in your application. If you do not receive a confirmation number acknowledging the application has been received, your application has not been submitted. Please ensure to click "submit" before you exit your application.
For more information on the GCOS application confirmation number, or if you experience any technical issues, please consult the Grants and Contributions Online Services: User Guides.
Other ways to apply
While we recommend using GCOS, you can also apply using one of the following options:
Online fillable form
You can submit a fillable application form online. The application will be completed using your browser and submitted to ESDC when you click the "Submit to Service Canada" button at the end of the application.
Important technical notes if you apply using the Online fillable form:
- Sessions expire after 20 minutes of inactivity. Your draft application in the online fillable form will become unavailable if left inactive for 20 minutes
- Your application can be saved and continued at a later date. To save a draft application, you must provide your email address and create a password. Once saved, an email will be sent with a one-time link to resume completion of the application. However, you must complete and submit the application within 72 hours following the start of the application. Otherwise, the saved copy of your application will expire, and all inputted information will be lost. If the password created is forgotten, it cannot be reset and the application will be lost
- Print a copy of your application before submitting your application. You can print a copy of your online application for your records. However, in order to do this, you must print a copy before submitting your application online. Once submitted, you will not be able to print it
- Click "submit to Service Canada" to complete your application. After you print a copy of your online application, you must click "submit to Service Canada" to complete your application. If you do not click "submit to Service Canada", your application will not be received and processed
- A confirmation number is immediately generated by the system once an online fillable application has been successfully submitted. This confirmation is considered the acknowledgement of receipt of your application. You will also receive a confirmation of receipt sent by email to the email address provided in your application. If you do not receive a confirmation number acknowledging the application has been received, you have not completed the submission properly
By mail or in-person
Disruption of Canada Post services
Applications submitted by mail could be delayed by Canada Post service disruptions. As all applications must be received or date stamped by December 19, 2024, we strongly encourage submitting your application through the Grants and Contributions Online Services (GCOS) or the online fillable application form, by messenger service, or in person at a Service Canada Centre.
To apply by mail or in person, download and complete the application form.
Please note that the ability to submit an application in person or by mail could be impacted by office closures. Applications received by fax or by email will not be considered.
How to submit your application
By mail
Your application must be postmarked by a postal service on or before December 19, 2024. Consult the CSJ website for the address of where to send your application. Please note that additional administrative delays might apply.
It is recommended that you submit your application electronically using GCOS or the online fillable application as the ability to submit an application by mail could be impacted by office closures.
If you submit your application by mail, you will receive an acknowledgement by email within 14 calendar days. The acknowledgment will be sent to the email address provided in your application. Retain this confirmation, as you will need it for future communications with Service Canada.
In person
Your application must be received before the close of business of the Service Canada Office on December 19, 2024.
Consult the Service Canada website for the hours of service of the Service Canada Offices. Please note additional administrative delays might apply.
It is recommended that you submit your application electronically using GCOS or the online fillable application as the ability to submit an application in person could be impacted by office closures.
If you submit your application at your local Service Canada Centre, you will receive an acknowledgment by email within 14 calendar days. The acknowledgment will be sent to the email address provided in your application. Retain this confirmation, as you will need it for future communication with Service Canada.
About PDFs
Our application form uses PDF form technology. You must have a PDF reader installed to use the form correctly. There are several readers available on the Internet for free that support our form:
- Adobe Reader (you must use a version of Adobe Reader 8 or higher, for example Adobe Acrobat DC Reader)
- Foxit Reader
If you do not use the recommended readers (Adobe Acrobat 8 or higher or Foxit Reader), ESDC may receive a blank application from you.
Downloading the application form
- Make sure that you have Adobe Acrobat Reader 8 or higher or Foxit Reader installed on your system.
- Select the Application form
- When prompted to open or save the form, select the down arrow on the "Save" button, and select "Save as".
- Select your folder location and save (file type must be PDF).
- Reopen the form from your computer:
- select the "Open with" option
- choose option to open with either Adobe Acrobat Reader or Foxit
- Make sure that the form opens in one of the Reader Softwares (Adobe or Foxit), by looking at the top of your screen. For example, you should see:
- ESDC-EMP5396A.pdf (SECURED) - Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
- ESDC-EMP5396A.pdf (SECURED) - Foxit PhantomPDF
- Begin inputting and save your information.
- Before submitting your application make sure that the Application form is completed, and all information has saved properly.
Moving within a form
To move from one field to the next on the form, hit "Tab". This ensures that you do not accidently skip over any fields.
Forms that perform calculations
Some sections of the form perform calculations based on the amounts you enter and will automatically calculate totals in the appropriate fields. You are responsible for the completeness and accuracy of any information submitted. Please double-check all data you enter.
How do I save or print a copy of my online application?
GCOS:
You can consult and print a copy of your application once it has been submitted. When viewing a submitted application, click into the Review & Submit section. Under the Review & Submit section, you can print a copy of the application.
Online fillable application form:
You can print a copy of your online application. However, to do this, you must print a copy before submitting your application online. Once submitted, you will not be able to print it.
Submit one application only
Submit only one copy of your application to ESDC. Submitting multiple copies of the same application or submitting the same application by using various methods may cause longer processing times for your application.
Note: If you are unsure if your application was successfully submitted or you did not receive an acknowledgement of receipt email, please contact Service Canada to verify it was received.
What happens after I submit my application?
All assessed applications within a constituency will be ranked according to their assessment score, and a list of recommended projects will be established. Each Member of Parliament will receive the list of eligible projects for their constituency. Based on their knowledge of local priorities and circumstances, Members of Parliament have the opportunity to review the list of assessed projects for their constituencies and to provide feedback to help ensure local priorities are met.
Funds are distributed among the successful applicants based on the results of Service Canada's assessment of applications, and from feedback provided by Members of Parliament during their review of the list of projects eligible for funding in each constituency.
When will I get a funding decision?
Service Canada will begin to inform applicants of the status of their application starting in April 2025 and will continue into the summer months. All eligibility and funding decisions will be confirmed in writing.
As funding is limited, not all submitted applications will be selected for funding. Each year, applications for funding exceed the available funding. Not all eligible projects are funded and organizations that receive funding may not receive the level of funding requested, the amount of funding received in previous years, or the number of weeks requested. To fund quality jobs, Service Canada expects an average funded job duration of 8 weeks and for 35 hours per week.
Activities will not be eligible for reimbursement before your project is approved and an agreement has been signed by both the employer and Service Canada. The receipt of a completed application does not in itself constitute a commitment on the part of Service Canada. You should not assume any commitment on the part of Service Canada until funding has been approved and a formal agreement has been signed by a representative of Service Canada. Service Canada will notify you in writing of the outcome of the review of your application.
Please note that decisions are final and there is no appeal process.
What happens after an application is approved?
If your application is approved, the "Calculation of Approved Canada Summer Jobs Contribution Amount" document signed by an appropriate delegated authority for Canada and the forms required for your agreement will be sent to you by email. This email will also include the contact information of a Service Canada representative to answer any questions you may have about your agreement.
Funded employers and youth participants will be asked to complete questionnaires to provide Service Canada with feedback on their CSJ experience. The mandatory employer questionnaire must be completed prior to submitting a payment claim. It is also mandatory for employers to provide the youth participant questionnaire to youth employees funded through the CSJ program, although completion of the youth questionnaire remains voluntary. Both questionnaires will be provided to organizations when they are notified of project funding.
Note: Successful employers may be randomly selected for inspections and audits as per subsection 21.2 of the Articles of Agreement. During these inspections and audits, organizations may be asked to provide financial information such as payroll, pay stubs, and CRA remittances, and Service Canada may interview CSJ participants. If financial irregularities are discovered, Service Canada may verify information with the Canada Revenue Agency.
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