REPORT FROM PARLIAMENT

Today’s youth are tomorrow’s future. Whether through sporting competitions or the workplace, it is more important than ever that our youth be given the opportunity to develop the skills and experience they need to succeed in today’s job market. The student serving your burger today could be your plumber, doctor, or electrician in the future.

The Canada Summer Jobs program is just one of the many initiatives that our government offers to help students prepare for the future. The goal of the program is to help create a well educated, highly skilled and flexible workforce. And while the program helps our students, it also benefits our community organizations and small businesses that are willing to take on young eager employees.

The criteria for youth to participate in the Canada Summer Jobs program is that they be between the ages of 15 and 30 at the start of the employment; they have been registered as a full-time student I the previous academic year and intend to return to school on a full-time basis in the next academic year; that they be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, and that they be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with the relevant provincial legislation and regulations.

Keep in mind that the deadline for applying for the Canada Summer Jobs program is fast approaching. Applications must be submitted by February 26, 2010. Interested employers can apply online at www.servicecanada.gc.ca/csj2010, or at their local Service Canada Centre.

Hon. Gerry Ritz is the Member of Parliament for Battlefords-Lloydminster www.gerryritzmp.ca