Manitoba’s Reduced Youth Summer Job Program Strains Certain Groups
The Manitoba government’s decision to only partially fund the federal government’s Youth Summer Jobs Program has left some youth organizations questioning the province’s commitment to supporting young people.
The Youth Summer Jobs Program
The program, which provides financial support to organizations that hire young people over the summer, has been in place since 1977. In 2019, the federal government announced that it would be providing $5 billion over five years to the program. However, the Manitoba government has only committed to funding the program at 50 per cent of the federal government’s contribution.
Impact on Youth Organizations
The reduced funding has had a significant impact on youth organizations that rely on the program to provide summer jobs for young people.
For example, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Winnipeg has had to cut its summer job program from 200 positions to 100 positions. The organization says that the reduced funding will have a significant impact on the young people who rely on the program for summer employment.
“We are very disappointed with the province’s decision to only partially fund the Youth Summer Jobs Program,” said Amit Sood, the CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Winnipeg. “This program is so important to the young people we serve. It provides them with valuable work experience and helps them to develop their skills.”
Impact on Youth
The reduced funding for the Youth Summer Jobs Program will also have a negative impact on young people who are looking for summer employment.
Many young people rely on summer jobs to help pay for their education, save for the future, or just to have some spending money. The reduced funding will make it more difficult for young people to find summer jobs, and it will also put downward pressure on wages.
“This program is really important to young people,” said Jessica Thomas, a 17-year-old student who has participated in the Youth Summer Jobs Program for the past two years. “It gives them a chance to get some work experience and earn some money. I’m really disappointed that the province has decided to cut the funding.”
Provincial Government’s Response
The provincial government has defended its decision to only partially fund the Youth Summer Jobs Program. The government says that it is committed to supporting young people, but that it needs to be fiscally responsible.
“We are committed to supporting young people and providing them with the opportunities they need to succeed,” said Education Minister Cliff Cullen. “However, we also need to be fiscally responsible. We cannot afford to spend money that we do not have.”
The provincial government has also said that it is working with other organizations to provide summer jobs for young people. The government says that it is committed to ensuring that all young people have the opportunity to find summer employment.
However, youth organizations say that the provincial government’s response is not enough.
“The government needs to do more to support young people,” said Sood. “The Youth Summer Jobs Program is a valuable program, and it needs to be fully funded.”
Conclusion
The Manitoba government’s decision to only partially fund the Youth Summer Jobs Program has had a significant impact on youth organizations and young people. The reduced funding has made it more difficult for youth organizations to provide summer jobs for young people, and it has also made it more difficult for young people to find summer employment.
The provincial government needs to do more to support young people and ensure that all young people have the opportunity to find summer employment.
Kind regards
E. Thompson
