The Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA) has secured Government of Canada funding via Parks Canada to support a two-year “green jobs” program for youth. This program will provide direct financial support (via wage subsidies) to local governments (municipalities, Indigenous communities, etc.) and other sector organizations, reaching nearly 280 jobs (approximately 140 per year) that focus on green career-related activities.

The goals of the Green Jobs Initiative are to:

• Create nearly 280 meaningful job experiences for youth
• Provide opportunities and learning experiences, for nearly 280 youth to build skills and become successful in the workplace
• Build a generation of youth that will value nature close to home and potentially pursue an opportunity to build a career in the green jobs sector
• Generate much needed support to local governments and other sector organizations to hire additional youth to advance their green priorities

The application period for 2024 Green Jobs is closed. Check out the latest news and updates about this program below.

• Who is eligible for the program?

  Applicants

  Canadian local governments, Indigenous communities and other sector organizations are eligible to apply to this Program. Other sector organizations include:

  • Not for Profit Environment Organizations
  • Environmental Science Centers
  • Conservation Organizations
  • Museums
  • Education Institutions
  • Community NGOs
  • Provincial NGOs
  • Park Authorities
  • Villages/Towns
  • Youth Agencies
  • Regional Districts
  • Community Centres

  Only one application per eligible organization is allowed.

  Youth

  Eligible youth who will be engaged in this program must be:

  • Between 15 and 30 years of age when employment begins (inclusive)
  • A Canadian citizen, or permanent resident or a protected person as defined by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
  • Legally entitled to work in Canada
  • Legally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial/territorial legislation and regulations

  * Youth who have previously been hired through the YESS program are eligible to be re-hired by a participating organization as long as the individual is hired into a new position or in a position that is a progression from a position that the youth previously held.

  Funding for this program is provided by Parks Canada as part of the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS). As such, CPRA will prioritize funding for organizations who commit to hiring youth who face barriers to employment including but not limited to the following groups:

  • Indigenous youth
  • Youth with disabilities
  • Visible minority youth and racialized youth
  • Youth living in rural or remote regions (population below 25000)
  • Official language minority communities and populations
  • Immigrant youth
  • Youth who have not completed high school
  • Involuntary NEET (Not in Education, Employment, Training) for at least 6 months
  • 2SLGBTQI+

  Conditions of Funding

  Successful candidates must:

  • Confirm their use of funding within five (5) working days of the date of offer or the offer will be withdrawn
  • Confirm that they have not already received any federal funding to support the same positions

• What funding is available through the program?

  CPRA will administer wage subsidies (up to 50%) to create nearly 280 green jobs for youth in 2023/24. The maximum wage subsidy offered through this program is $5,062.00 for each youth.

  While employers are welcome to set their own wages, the CPRA contribution must be matched by the employer. Matching funds cannot be from another federal government funding program.

  Work terms can be variable, lasting a minimum of four weeks, and a maximum of sixteen weeks in duration. Full time, part time or casual hours are eligible.

  CPRA reserves the right to fund fewer jobs than the number requested based on budget constraints and quality of applications received.

  Allowable Costs

  The following expenditures are eligible for funding and included in the wage subsidy amount:

  • 1. Salary support
    2. Mandatory Employment Related Costs (MERCs)

  Employers are required by law to pay the MERCs for their employees. These costs include Employment Insurance premiums, Canada or Quebec Pension Plan contributions, vacation pay, Workers’ Compensation premiums or equivalent liability insurance (if applicable), health insurance and parental insurance premiums in Quebec and Ontario, the Health and Post-Secondary Education Tax in Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Health and Education Levy in Manitoba.

  Additional support may be available on a case-by-case basis for disability support, dependent support (ex. childcare), and transportation accommodations (more than 150km from residence to job location).

  Duration

  Successful applicants may engage youth in their job placement as soon as a signed contract with CPRA is established.

  Work terms can be variable, lasting a minimum of four weeks, and a maximum of sixteen weeks in duration. Full-time, part-time or casual hours are eligible.

• How do I apply?

  The application period is now closed.

  • All applications must be submitted online through the link on the CPRA website
  • To download a PDF copy of the application form to plan your application, please see here
  • Incomplete applications, applications submitted by email, or late applications will not be accepted
  • For assistance with completing your application, please contact your Regional Program Manager

• What happens after I apply?

  Review Process

  The CPRA will assemble an Adjudication Team to review and score the applications.

  Only one application per organization is allowed.

  Evaluation Criteria

  The priority areas for adjudication are:

  • Demonstration of the “green” impact of the job
  • Demonstration that the applicant will create a meaningful job experience for youth
  • Demonstration that efforts will be taken to reach youth in the local community, particularly those at risk, disabled youth, visible and language minorities, new Canadians and Indigenous youth
  • Demonstration that the applicant has the necessary funding to support this 50/50 financial partnership

  Additionally, applicants must:

  • Confirm that they have not already received any federal funding to support the same positions
  • Demonstration that they will comply with reporting and follow-up evaluation requirements

  Funding Decision

  • All applicants will be notified by CPRA of their funding decision. Successful applicants will be notified by March 15, 2024.
  • Eligible work terms may begin as early as April 1, 2024.

  Conditions of Funding

  Successful candidates must:

  • Confirm their use of funding within five (5) working days of the date of offer or the offer will be withdrawn
  • Confirm that they have not already received any federal funding to support the same positions

  Reporting

  Per Government of Canada requirements, successful applicants will be required to complete a final program report. This will include a report from the employer and from each youth employee supported by the Green Jobs Initiative. Details regarding this report will be communicated to the recipients when the funds are released. Failure to submit the final program report will render the organization ineligible for future funding through the CPRA.

  Communication Requirements

  Successful applicants must acknowledge the CPRA and the Government of Canada financial support in any communications.

• Who can I contact for more information?

  For more information about this program, please contact your Regional Project Manager:

  Western Canada (BC, AB, SK)
  Christina Shultz, [email protected]

  Central Canada (MB, ON)
  Sarah Ane, [email protected]

  Québec and Francophone Communities
  Rémi Doucet, [email protected]

  Atlantic (NB, NS, PEI, NL)
  Sarah Ane, [email protected]

  North (YT, NWT, NU)
  Robin Young, [email protected]

  Senior Program Manager
  Collen Decker, [email protected]