Change to summer jobs program could have big impact

At least one MP says a change in the Canada Summer Jobs program could have a huge impact for some faith-based employers this summer.

The Canada Summer Jobs program was started years ago by the Canadian government as a way to encourage employers to hire students.

"[It's a] great way of giving employers, especially non-profits, the ability to hire students because we assist with the funding," said Ted Falk, MP for Provencher.

Recently, the government made a change to the program. In order to qualify for funding, employers and employees are now required to sign an attestation.

The attestation says that you agree that your core mandate is to respect individual human rights in Canada, including the values in the Canadain Charter of Rights and Freedoms. You also have to respect other rights, including reproductive rights and the right to not be discriminated based on sex, religion, or sexual orientation, among others.

"It's going to affect anybody that has an issue, from a moral perspective, [with] agreeing with reproductive rights," Falk said.

This means that pro-life employers who have gotten summer job funding in the past will not receive it this year if they do not agree with the statement.

"The biggest impact here is that there is going to be students who won't find employment next [summer]," Falk pointed out.

Falk mentioned that numerous daycares and summer camp programs that are run by faith groups have relied on this funding to hire staff for the summer. Inner-city organizations have also relied on it and may not receive it this summer.

"It's very frustrating," Falk said. "Does this [start] filtering down to other tax credits or student loans?"

Falk wrote a letter to the Minister of Employment, demanding the Liberal Government back down on these changes. He says that people need to rise up and send a message to their MPs, their Ministers, and the Prime Minister.

Winnipeg MP Robert Falcon-Oullette's office did not respond to request for comment.

Update (Jan. 9, 2018): MP Falcon-Oulette has responded. Read the full story here.