The response we've had from employers and young people across Canada has been phenomenal. In fact, in many communities, MPs have come up to me and talked about the success of Canada Summer Jobs in their riding. Young people are grateful for that experience. To get paid work experience is no small feat in this country, especially in the summer, when you have a volume of young people out there looking for well-paying, decent jobs. The competition is intense.
From the young people who have been able to score one of these Canada Summer Jobs—and I have met hundreds and hundreds of them across the country—I heard nothing but praise for the program and the fact that they had an opportunity to work oftentimes in a sector very aligned with their studies. Whether I was visiting on the west coast, on the east coast, or up north in my own riding, I met students who were taking part in the tourism industry or in the business sector. Even small business is now able to access Canada Summer Jobs, which allows young people who have perhaps an interest in entrepreneurship to get that well-paying summer job that will help them offset the cost of studies and also give them the sector experience that so many times they are looking for.
As a matter of fact, at a recreational facility in one community, I met a young person working in a home for people with disabilities. The executive director told me she had started in that position with that company as a Canada Summer Jobs placement, and 10 or 15 years later she was running the joint. It was really affirming to see that not only did it work for short-term employment but it also worked for determining a career path.