In your experience, do you find that applying is easier for organizations that have experienced staff on hand who have grant writing experience? Is it easier for them to apply?

6:45 p.m.

Chief Executive Officer, Registered Psychotherapist, Karma Country Camp

Shawna Akerman

Sure. It's definitely easier if you're an organization and have more staff.

6:45 p.m.

Conservative

Rosemarie Falk Conservative Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK

How many—

6:45 p.m.

Chief Executive Officer, Registered Psychotherapist, Karma Country Camp

Shawna Akerman

It took me 65 hours in total to work on the grant and all of the pieces—all of the payroll and all of the application. It took 65 hours.

6:45 p.m.

Conservative

Rosemarie Falk Conservative Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK

What are some tangible things that this committee can suggest to make it easier for people like you, who are maybe the only person doing the work, to apply for this program so that you can continue to do the work you're doing?

6:45 p.m.

Chief Executive Officer, Registered Psychotherapist, Karma Country Camp

Shawna Akerman

I would love to have a support person who walks me through it and stays in touch with me to make sure that I hit all the markers. I would love it if the information came in chart form, in some different way—

6:45 p.m.

Conservative

Rosemarie Falk Conservative Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK

That's easy to read.

6:45 p.m.

Chief Executive Officer, Registered Psychotherapist, Karma Country Camp

Shawna Akerman

—because I have to keep going into the system, into “manage”, into this, into that.... I try to cut and paste all the numbers so that I can follow them. I can show you my system of organization.

The answer is yes.

6:45 p.m.

Conservative

Rosemarie Falk Conservative Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK

Thank you.

6:45 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey

That's a very efficient use of your time, Mrs. Falk.

We'll go to Ms. Hepfner for two minutes.

October 25th, 2023 / 6:45 p.m.

Liberal

Lisa Hepfner Liberal Hamilton Mountain, ON

Thank you, Chair.

I would also like to thank all the witnesses for their testimony here today.

We've heard really great testimony throughout this study about how important and valuable the Canada summer jobs program is, and we've also heard about things employers would like, such as more flexibility. Of course, everyone wants more money for their program, and that's understandable.

I'd like to address a point made by my colleague MP Ferreri. It might not be StatsCan's job to collect statistics about this program, but the department that administers it certainly collects data about how well it is working. For example, 89% of youth who participated developed and/or strengthened their employment skills, 97% developed transferable skills, 89% developed a positive attitude about their future employment prospects, 97% of employers would reapply for the program and 96% of employers were very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with the program.

We've also heard about this number of 10% for local priorities, which I don't think is accurate either—

6:50 p.m.

Conservative

Michelle Ferreri Conservative Peterborough—Kawartha, ON

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

6:50 p.m.

Liberal

Lisa Hepfner Liberal Hamilton Mountain, ON

—and there's 15% for national priorities.

6:50 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey

Clearly state your point of order.

6:50 p.m.

Conservative

Michelle Ferreri Conservative Peterborough—Kawartha, ON

Thank you.

If she's referring to me, can we have tabled with the committee what she's referring to, what those stats are and what she's using?

6:50 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey

Yes.

6:50 p.m.

Conservative

Michelle Ferreri Conservative Peterborough—Kawartha, ON

That would be great. Thank you.

6:50 p.m.

Liberal

Lisa Hepfner Liberal Hamilton Mountain, ON

Absolutely. I think it will be really helpful.

I was going to say that, when we're talking about this 10% number, I don't think it's accurate. Hopefully this committee will be enlightened when the department comes back with those details.

Mr. Ferris, it's so good to see you again. Thank you for your testimony today.

So that you're aware, Habitat for Humanity can apply in different ridings in different municipalities. You're not restricted to just one riding. My question for you is this: Does your—

6:50 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey

Ms. Hepfner—

6:50 p.m.

Liberal

Lisa Hepfner Liberal Hamilton Mountain, ON

Am I out of time already? I was interrupted.

6:50 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey

You are over time. Those are good stats, though. Thank you.

We now go to Madame Chabot.

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

6:50 p.m.

Bloc

Louise Chabot Bloc Thérèse-De Blainville, QC

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Since this will be our last session with witnesses, I'd like to thank them once again for their contribution to this study.

I'd like to reiterate the fact that the Canada Summer Jobs program is very important. We can see how improving the program will ultimately reinforce its objectives.

Ms. Akerman, I congratulate you on the work you do and the mission you've given yourself.

If I understand correctly, you offer summer camps. How do you manage to organize them well, given the deadlines imposed by the program? These are announced either too late or too early to properly plan your camps, which also give respite to the families of these children.