Human Resources Committee on Oct. 16th, 2023

[Damon Rourke, Director, Workforce Development and Youth, Program Operations, Department of Employment and Social Development]

Thank you.

As the deputy mentioned, it depends on the correspondence. There are some inquiries we get from MPs directly through our Service Canada offices that we endeavour to answer as quickly as possible. It does depend on the complexity of the issue raised, but on simple ones the service standard is as quickly as possible.

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

What is “as quickly as possible”? Do you have so many days, or...?

[Damon Rourke]

It depends on whether or not we have to go back to the employer to clarify exactly what the question may be. We work with them directly to be able to resolve it. Sometimes we resolve it quickly—

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

Do you have service standards? That is, when somebody inquires, do you have to respond within a certain time period, depending on the complexity? Do you not have those different standards? Are you not able to speak to those?

[Damon Rourke]

We do have standards in place—

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

So what are they?

[Damon Rourke]

—in terms of....

I'm sorry, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Thank you, Mrs. Gray. You were over your six minutes, so we have concluded there.

The bells are now ringing in the House. They are 30-minute bells. What is the wish of the committee? We will not get in the full six-minute round for everybody.

Go ahead, Ms. Vecchio.

[Karen Vecchio, Conservative, Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON]

Since I'm here at the committee for the first time, I recommend that we go an additional 15 minutes and that we provide ample time for us to get across to vote.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Are we okay with 15 more minutes? That should get us a complete round, although I will cut you a bit short.

I'm seeing “yes” nods.

Mr. Van Bynen, you'll have six minutes, right on the time, and then I will go to Madame Chabot and Ms. Zarrillo.

Thanks for that, Ms. Vecchio.

[Tony Van Bynen, Liberal, Newmarket—Aurora, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Let me begin by acknowledging the incredible value and impact our community has received through the Canada summer jobs program. Just this last year we supported 320 jobs for young adults and supported 60-plus organizations with the Canada summer jobs funding in my riding of Newmarket—Aurora.

The impact does not stop there. In fact, countless families were able to find programming that supported their children's camp programs. The programs would not have existed without the Canada summer jobs program. It is without a doubt one of the most anticipated and successful programs our government provides to communities across the country.

As we seek input from those with first-hand knowledge of the program in future meetings, let us make sure that our mandate is to improve on the program that is already highly valued.

This past summer, I visited and spoke with numerous organizations that were running programs funded by the Canada summer jobs program. In many cases, the young adults who attended these programs had also attended them when they were younger. There are a lot of repeats, and that's critically important. They had intimate knowledge of the experience and were quick to return when they had the opportunity. We cannot underestimate the value of the work experience these young adults have gained from the Canada summer jobs program.

Let's also acknowledge, though, that there is room for improvement. I appreciate the many challenges that the Canada summer jobs program creates for the applicants, with the planning, budgeting and interviewing of applicants to provide support to programs and to staff programs. Then there's accepting young people into the programs. When I look at the timelines, I have to ask if the deadlines really work or if there should be changes in the application period and the funding notification.

This is for whoever is able to answer that question.

[Frances McRae]

Thank you, Mr. Chair, for the question.

The program is a very high-volume program. I think we heard about that a little bit earlier.

Obviously the application period is designed to allow MPs to reach all of the employers in their communities who may be interested, so there's a fair opportunity to apply. Then we have to assess the applications. The applications are assessed against 15 criteria, which are outlined in the applicant guide. It does take a fair bit of time to get through the assessments and the eligibility list. Then, of course, there is the MP engagement in terms of setting priorities.

I will say that we learn every year how we might be able to improve in terms of efficiency. For example, when employers decide they are going to withdraw some applications or they're not able to find youth for the jobs, then we want to reinvest that money so there are additional opportunities for members of Parliament to identify five priorities they would like to see funded should money become available as time goes on.

The process of getting to the final applicants is a lengthy one, partly because we are working with 338 different members of Parliament. Also, we're constantly having employers who shift their plans.

[Tony Van Bynen, Liberal, Newmarket—Aurora, ON]

The solution to that would be to start the process sooner. How much consideration has been given to starting the process sooner?

[Frances McRae]

Mr. Chair, the process we have.... In fact, we are not even quite finished Canada summer jobs 2023. The process we have will launch Canada summer jobs 2024 in the coming weeks.

We do our best to try to make sure we can have an early launch. We know that those weeks are really critical for both employers and members of Parliament. We'll continue to make sure we can close that gap on timing as well as we can. We know it's critical that jobs start as early as possible for the summer season.

[Tony Van Bynen, Liberal, Newmarket—Aurora, ON]

That's great. Thank you.

I've also heard that there needs to be more flexibility in the work weeks. The hard and fast rule of eight consecutive weeks can be difficult for young adults and organizations.

What are your thoughts on the possibility of creating more flexibility—for example, with a one-week break during that eight-week period and an extension of the period of time during which the student is eligible?

[Frances McRae]

I think we've talked about the nature of the jobs and the length of the jobs. You're talking about a specific kind of gap and whether that would be possible.

I'm going to turn to my colleagues and see whether that can be accommodated in the program. I will say that we will be very interested in what the committee has to say about that kind of advice as you complete your report.

Thank you.

[Tony Van Bynen, Liberal, Newmarket—Aurora, ON]

My question then is this: If we have trusted employers, and the employer sees fit to create a break or to modify those hours, as long as our commitment is for jobs and hours, can we not put more confidence in the employers to apply the program as it best fits their requirements and accommodates students as well? That's a consideration I'd like to see a response on so that it can be part of our recommendations as we go forward.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Give a quick response, please.

[Jenny Tremblay, Director General, Workforce Development and Youth, Program Operations, Department of Employment and Social Development]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The flexibility is in certain situations. It currently exists for employers, for example, if they're having a challenge finding additional youth for that second placement. We do have that built into the program as a flexibility at the moment. We do encourage, and continue to encourage from a policy point of view, as many participants in the program as possible, which is what the eight-week placements provide, especially in some areas of the country where there may actually be more youth available to participate in those valuable job opportunities.

We're certainly looking forward to hearing back from the committee on that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Thank you, Mr. Van Bynen.

Ms. Chabot, you have the floor for six minutes.

[Louise Chabot, Bloc, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I want to thank the departmental officials for being here.

As to the application of the problem... sorry, I meant to say “program” and not ”problem”. The Canada Summer Jobs program is certainly not a problem. In our study, we do not want to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

I think most of us are proud that this program contributes to regional, economic and social development, for non-profit organizations and young people alike. Of course, we would also like to improve the program because we have noted problems every year since 2019.

Is it possible to inform us and employers in advance of changes to the program? You said we will learn about the new program in a few weeks. MPs have been given many powers. If we had the power to do so, I would double the number of positions on my team. In reality, however, we do not have that much power.

Is it possible to provide certain information before the program comes into effect? For instance, can we find out how much will be allocated under the next program and how many positions will be funded? Once all that has been determined, it is a question of numbers. It is tough for employers and young people. Can you give a heads-up and let MPs and organizations know about the upcoming changes?

[Frances McRae]

Mr. Chair, I want to thank the member for her question.

As to providing information to employers, we do that in a number of ways. We rely in particular on MPs and their staff to promote the program. In addition, there is always some public information: as the minister said, the fall economic statement includes public information.

This year, however, we are preparing a special kit for MPs so they can promote all of our programs, not just the Canada Summer Jobs program. Specifically, we have launched the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, and a call for proposals was issued last week. I would say we rely primarily on MPs, because they are the ones with the local contacts.

[Louise Chabot, Bloc, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

I see. You can appreciate that MPs were surprised by the amounts last year. It is true that we can work together and determine objectives, but only in general terms: we do not give you a list of the organizations that we would like to see funded. What are our priorities? Are they community organizations or municipal ones?

You announced investments, but MPs were shocked to learn that the budget had been cut by 30% as compared to the pandemic years, with all that means for applications.

It would be helpful to know the amounts in advance. Do you know if the budget will be increased?

[Frances McRae]

The number of jobs for next year is 70,000, the same number as has been publicly stated.

[Louise Chabot, Bloc, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

So we will be in the same boat as last year.