Last verified: October 28, 2026
Canada Summer Jobs 2027 applications are open until December 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. The program can cover up to half of the applicable minimum wage for eligible small businesses and public-sector employers. Eligible not-for-profits can receive up to the full minimum wage plus mandatory employment-related costs.
The October 27 announcement from Employment and Social Development Canada also confirms that funded jobs must provide 30 to 40 hours a week for 6 to 16 consecutive weeks. Employment must take place between April 19 and August 28, 2027.
Funding is competitive. Meeting the basic rules does not guarantee approval or the full number of positions and weeks requested.
How much can an employer receive?
The subsidy depends on the type of organization:
- Not-for-profit employers: up to 100% of the provincial or territorial adult minimum wage, plus associated mandatory employment-related costs such as employer EI premiums and CPP or QPP contributions.
- Private-sector and public-sector employers: up to 50% of the provincial or territorial adult minimum wage. Mandatory employment-related costs are not reimbursed.
An employer can pay more than minimum wage, but the subsidy ceiling is still calculated from the minimum-wage rate listed in the 2027 applicant guide.
Calculated subsidy examples for an eight-week job
The table below assumes one employee works 35 hours a week for eight weeks, or 280 hours in total. PaycheckGuru calculated the figures by multiplying the minimum wage in the applicant guide by 280 hours. The private and public amount is 50% of that result. The not-for-profit column does not include additional mandatory employment-related costs.
| Province or territory | Guide minimum wage | Private or public subsidy | Not-for-profit wage subsidy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | $15.00 | $2,100.00 | $4,200.00 |
| British Columbia | $17.85 | $2,499.00 | $4,998.00 |
| Manitoba | $16.00 | $2,240.00 | $4,480.00 |
| New Brunswick | $15.65 | $2,191.00 | $4,382.00 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $16.00 | $2,240.00 | $4,480.00 |
| Northwest Territories | $16.95 | $2,373.00 | $4,746.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $16.50 | $2,310.00 | $4,620.00 |
| Nunavut | $19.75 | $2,765.00 | $5,530.00 |
| Ontario | $17.60 | $2,464.00 | $4,928.00 |
| Prince Edward Island | $17.00 | $2,380.00 | $4,760.00 |
| Quebec | $16.10 | $2,254.00 | $4,508.00 |
| Saskatchewan | $15.35 | $2,149.00 | $4,298.00 |
| Yukon | $17.94 | $2,511.60 | $5,023.20 |
For example, an Ontario employer paying $20 an hour for 280 hours would pay $5,600 in gross wages. A private employer’s calculated subsidy ceiling would still be $2,464 because the program uses 50% of Ontario’s $17.60 guide rate, not 50% of the employee’s actual $20 wage. The guide dates each rate, and some provinces have raised their minimum wage since, so confirm the rate that applies when you apply.
These are planning examples, not funding approvals. Service Canada may approve fewer weeks, fewer positions or a smaller contribution than requested. Employers remain responsible for all wages and payroll obligations under the signed agreement.
Which employers can apply?
The program accepts applications from Canadian not-for-profit and public-sector organizations. A private-sector organization can apply only if it has 50 or fewer full-time employees across Canada when it applies. The program treats an employee working 30 hours or more a week as full-time.
The 2027 eligibility rules also require an applicant to:
- be registered with the Canada Revenue Agency;
- have its own valid CRA business number;
- have a CRA payroll deductions program account before hiring a funded employee; and
- generally have operated continuously for at least two years by December 31, 2026.
The two-year operating rule is identified as a new eligibility requirement. An organization that has operated for less than two years can still be considered only if it met all the conditions of its Canada Summer Jobs 2026 agreement and received reimbursement for at least one funded 2026 job.
What jobs and workers qualify?
An eligible job must provide 30 to 40 hours of work a week for 6 to 16 consecutive weeks in Canada. The work must fall between April 19 and August 28, 2027. A job outside Canada, including remote work performed outside Canada, is not eligible.
The person hired must be 15 to 30 years old when the job starts, be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person, and be legally entitled to work in Canada. A valid Social Insurance Number is required at the start of employment. International students and people waiting for a refugee-status decision are not eligible participants.
The program is not limited to current students. A person who otherwise meets the age and status rules can qualify regardless of education level or student status.
Four areas receive national priority in 2027
Eligible applications are scored, and the 2027 national priorities favour work experience related to:
- construction;
- environmental and climate-related activities;
- digital skills or exposure to artificial intelligence; and
- not-for-profit organizations supporting underserved and equity-deserving communities.
Applicants should also check the program’s constituency-level local priorities. A job can be eligible without matching a priority, but alignment can strengthen how the application responds to the program’s objectives.
What improves an application’s score?
Service Canada first screens applications against 15 mandatory requirements. Eligible applications are then assessed for the quality of the work experience, skills development and access for youth who face employment barriers.
The assessment guide assigns points for paying above minimum wage, planning to retain the employee after the funded term and providing a specific supervision plan. Employers should describe real job duties, skills and supervision rather than treating the position as inexpensive general help.
How to apply without missing the deadline
ESDC recommends applying through Grants and Contributions Online Services. New users need to register and verify their identity, so creating the account on the final day is risky. The organization should use its CRA payroll deductions business number for the application.
After submission, the system should immediately provide a tracking number and send an acknowledgement email. If neither arrives, the application has not been successfully submitted. An incomplete application can also be rejected if requested information is not supplied within five business days.
ESDC had not published 2027 decision dates on the pages reviewed, so check the program’s “After you apply” page for timing. Employers remain responsible for recruiting, hiring, onboarding and payroll.
Payroll checks before hiring
Employers should budget from the employee’s actual wage, not only the subsidy. That budget should include the employer share of CPP or QPP, EI premiums, vacation pay, workers’ compensation costs where applicable and any amount above the program ceiling.
PaycheckGuru’s payroll calculator can help estimate employee deductions. Our guides to CPP contribution limits and EI maximums explain why deductions can change over a year. Employers should use the official 2027 payroll tables that apply when wages are actually paid.
What to do next
- Confirm that the organization meets the employer and two-year operating rules.
- Choose a 6-to-16-week job with 30 to 40 weekly hours inside the eligible employment period.
- Check the national and local priorities, then build specific duties, training and supervision into the application.
- Create or verify the GCOS account before the deadline.
- Submit by December 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time and retain the tracking number.
Sources: Employment and Social Development Canada, Canada Summer Jobs 2027 announcement; 2027 applicant guide; funding available; employer, project and participant eligibility; and application assessment. Accessed October 28, 2026.
This article provides general information. The signed Canada Summer Jobs agreement and current ESDC instructions control an approved project.