Each year thousands of Canadian students trade in their books and lecture halls for summer jobs to help gain work experience and money for the next school year.
Canada Summer Jobs is a Government of Canada initiative that provides funding to help employers create summer job opportunities for students. It is designed to focus on local priorities while achieving tangible results for both students and their communities.

Starting in 2011, the Government of Canada permanently increased the annual budget for Canada Summer Jobs by $10 million, bringing the total program budget to $107.5 million. The total budget is distributed across all 308 federal constituencies, including Yorkton-Melville.

This year our government will help to create 36,000 jobs through the Canada Summer Jobs initiative. Through an application process, not-for-profit employers are eligible for up to 100 per cent of the provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage and mandatory employment-related costs. Public-sector employers and small businesses with 50 or fewer employees are eligible for up to 50 percent of the provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage.

Applications for employers are already being accepted, and will be accepted only until Feb. 28, 2013. Employers can apply online at the Service Canada website (servicecanada.gc.ca/csj2013) or print an application from the website. Employers can also get an application by visiting any Service Canada Centre. Help in completing applications can be obtained through the Canada Summer Jobs Applicant Guide, available online, by calling 1-800-935-5555 or by visiting any Service Canada Centre.

Completed applications may be submitted using one of the following methods:

• Online: Applications must be submitted by February 28, 2013, 23:59 Pacific Time.
• In person: Applications must be received before the closing time of the local Service Canada Centre on February 28, 2013.
• By mail: Applications must be postmarked on or before February 28, 2013.
• By fax: Applications must be faxed to a Service Canada Centre by February 28, 2013, 23:59 local time.

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The audio version of Garry's Feb. 11, 2013 op-ed column can be heard by clicking here