You have one of the most important jobs, I think, in government. The piece around youth and the investment into the future is such an important piece for our government and for the priorities of Canadians. I want to thank you for being here and thank you for the work you're doing.

I know that in my community, these investments make a huge difference. Last week I was at Flemingdon Park Ministry. They have a tiny little room in a building in Flemington Park. It's probably close to 200 to 300 square feet. Literally hundreds of people come through that space every week for either a quick coffee drop-in or service. The investments that the program has made historically into small organizations like that make a huge difference in Don Valley East. I want to say thank you for the continued work on this.

I have always believed that government itself can play an important role in shaping society for the better. Investments that governments make can make a huge difference in the lives of people. I personally benefited from a program that was very similar to this one. It was offered through George Brown when I was about 17 years old. It provided me with one of the first opportunities I had to work in a professional environment. That experience followed me throughout my career in politics and also in the not-for-profit sector. These types of investments can make a huge difference.

Minister, as we continue to invest and as we see labour markets shift constantly and priorities change, how do we ensure that the investments we're making into these types of programs are aligned not only with labour market needs but also with the jobs of the future? Is there any relationship attached to those two pieces?

11:45 a.m.

Liberal

Marci Ien Liberal Toronto Centre, ON

Thank you, Michael.

There is a huge connection to those pieces. Work-integrated learning and providing kids with skills in co-ops, work placements and projects is huge.

There's the Canada service corps and volunteerism. Through a pilot program that started at 15 but now starts at 12, because we wanted to reach kids earlier, we wanted to let kids and those who are already in that frame of thinking know that volunteering in their community builds confidence and pride in community. It didn't need to start at 15. It needed to start earlier.

We knew that middle school—and I am speaking personally of my riding of Toronto Centre—is where kids start to go astray. A lot of them are latchkey kids. They're coming home to empty houses. If they can volunteer in their communities and do that at 12, in grade 7, it means something. It gives them something—not just a place to go, but a place in their community—and it builds pride. That can only be a good thing.

11:45 a.m.

Liberal

Michael Coteau Liberal Don Valley East, ON

Are those youth connected in the future to other opportunities?

11:45 a.m.

Liberal

Marci Ien Liberal Toronto Centre, ON

They are. This is the thing. If you're 12 years old and you're volunteering in the Canada service corps, I will draw that link and make that connection to a post-secondary-school young person who is applying to get into a university, because universities look at whole people and the life journey of a young person.

What did they do? It's not just about marks. Did they help in their community? That person then includes their volunteer years. “I started at 12 and I did it right up to 18, and now I'm applying to you because I am a young person who cares about those around me and not just me.”

11:45 a.m.

Liberal

Michael Coteau Liberal Don Valley East, ON

I have one other question. I think I have about 45 seconds left.

11:45 a.m.

Liberal

Marci Ien Liberal Toronto Centre, ON

Yes.

11:45 a.m.

Liberal

Michael Coteau Liberal Don Valley East, ON

Just for clarity, can you tell us where the numbers were in 2015 when the program launched with regard to participants and the investment of dollars, and where we are today?

11:45 a.m.

Liberal

Marci Ien Liberal Toronto Centre, ON

As we've heard a lot, it started at 35,000, but it was actually just under that. It was 34,000 actual jobs. I think it was 34,719, but the targeted number was 35,000. There wasn't a ton of uptake, frankly, on the program. Fast-forward to that program doubling to 70,000, but also to the engagement of MPs who, in their communities, were saying, “This is a program you might want to look at.”

11:45 a.m.

Liberal

Michael Coteau Liberal Don Valley East, ON

It was all MPs across the country.

11:45 a.m.

Liberal

Marci Ien Liberal Toronto Centre, ON

It was all MPs right across the country. This is something that's special for us. I include myself in that group. I know who my local organizations are. I know who wouldn't have participated in this program and who is now participating because I engaged and I said, “You need to know about this.”

11:45 a.m.

Liberal

Michael Coteau Liberal Don Valley East, ON

Thank you.

11:45 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey

Thank you, Mr. Coteau.

Ms. Chabot, you have the floor for two and a half minutes.

11:45 a.m.

Bloc

Louise Chabot Bloc Thérèse-De Blainville, QC

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Madam Minister, thank you once again for being here.

Do you recognize that the demand for the Canada Summer Jobs program is increasing over time, in particular as a result of demographic growth and inflation? This program serves a dual objective. First, it offers employers a solution, especially non-profit organizations, and represents their survival. Those organizations do not have 50 positions to fill. Sometimes it is just one or two positions, for 10 to 12 weeks. I don't know if it is the same elsewhere, but throughout my riding I was told that it was a maximum of eight weeks. I will have questions about that in the second hour.

If we look at this program as an investment and not an expenditure, it should be improved in order to meet the needs. It might have been improved a bit, but we must not let it stagnate or ignore demographic growth and inflation. If we looked at this program as an investment, I think we would be proud to offer solutions to support organizations that cannot carry out their projects because they do not have a minimum of staff. Yes, the program is in high demand because it meets the needs of employers and young people alike.

In the letters you sent us, which we thank you for, you said that you are willing to keep working with all stakeholders to improve the program every year. What will you do to improve it this year?

11:50 a.m.

Liberal

Marci Ien Liberal Toronto Centre, ON

Thank you for the question, Ms. Chabot.

You said something very important. You said that employers survive thanks to this program. Respectfully, Madame, that is not what this program is. This program is not about fiscal stimulus. That's not what it is. It is a program that provides opportunity to young people during the summer.

It is a testament that this program is oversubscribed. MPs love it and 338 help run it, but that's not what it is. This is why there is a suite of programs in concert with Canada summer jobs to meet the needs you're talking about.

This is a program for kids for the summer. Is it perfect? No, but we are constantly listening and improving. We heard from MPs that MPs needed more time with regard to choosing their priorities and choosing their organizations, so we did that.

There are several feedback tools we use and incorporate—

11:50 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey

Madame Chabot, you have time for a short rebuttal.

11:50 a.m.

Liberal

Marci Ien Liberal Toronto Centre, ON

Yes, Mr. Chair.

11:50 a.m.

Bloc

Louise Chabot Bloc Thérèse-De Blainville, QC

When I mentioned survival, I was not referring to the employer's survival. Take for example a day camp for autistic children. Being able to staff two positions also helps young people, but for this organization it is a question of survival. If Canada Summer Jobs does not fund those positions, there will be no day camp for those young autistic people.

11:50 a.m.

Liberal

Marci Ien Liberal Toronto Centre, ON

I have a quick rebuttal, Mr. Chair.

11:50 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey

Give a short answer, Madam Minister.

11:50 a.m.

Liberal

Marci Ien Liberal Toronto Centre, ON

I absolutely agree. Those camps are so important. I visited a camp in Montreal recently for kids with disabilities. There were young people—CSJ students—working there and helping. It is so very important.

Absolutely, those camps are extremely important, but what I'm saying is that it is up to MPs to prioritize what they would like to see in their communities.

11:50 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey

Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Chabot.

Madam Zarrillo, you have two and a half minutes, or extra, as the others had.

Go ahead, Madam Zarrillo.