Dear Editor,
Job opportunities for young people are available across the country, in every region. Right here in the Pontiac, I am happy that many employers are creating opportunities for young Canadians with funding from Canada Summer Jobs. In total, the federal government approved 240 summer jobs across the Pontiac. This represents an investment of more than $718,000 for our large riding.

For many young Canadians, summer is the time when they earn money for the upcoming school year. A summer job is an important way for young people to learn new skills and get valuable work experience for their résumés.
It’s essential that young Canadians have access to meaningful work from the start of their careers. This is especially true in West Quebec’s rural towns where employment opportunities are scarce. That’s why the Government of Canada is giving young Canadians the opportunity to do just that through the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program.
Last year, the Government of Canada nearly doubled the number of jobs available through this program. Since its inception in 2007, CSJ has helped approximately 330,000 students in the Pontiac.
It is important to note that the Canada Summer Jobs is part of the federal government’s Youth Employment Strategy (YES). Each year the Government of Canada invests more than $330 million in YES to help young people gain the skills, abilities and work experience they need to find and maintain good employment.
I encourage all young people to visit Canada.ca/canada-summer-jobs to find out which employers in their communities are hiring. They can also visit Job Bank, an online tool that helps job seekers connect with employers across the country.
When Pontiac youth have opportunities to get experience and build their skills, they can count on a brighter future and increase the chance they’ll stay in our rural communities.
William Amos
MP for Pontiac