Yes. I reached out to our Service Canada program, and I received an email from them on February 2, 2023, which said, “We have been instructed to mark your organization type for the purposes of processing your application as a 'public' organization”. I then emailed back, asking them to look into our history. We are not a public, or for a public, organization. I received an email back on March 2, 2023. It said:
Our instructions this year are to treat business associations and libraries that receive the majority of their funds from public budgets, as a public organization, for funding purposes only, in the Canada Summer Jobs program only. There are many organizations that have had to switch to this new organization status for this funded program only. I am sorry for the abrupt change and the inconvenience it may cause.
If you are approved for funding, the 50% of minimum wage will apply with no MERCs covered, unfortunately, how your organization was funded in the past does not apply.
I was very surprised and confused, as our funding has been approved for about the last 10 years. I became anxious that I wouldn't receive this funding, as it is integral to the success of our organization. I am a 1.5-person office that relies on the extra staffing during the summer months to assist me with enhancing our marketing initiatives, with running our social media, and with the mural project. I didn't understand why applicants weren't informed of this change before we submitted our application. The rules were changing mid-process. I found this to be very unfair.