Councillors here do not believe increased minimum wages in Ontario should mean a cutback in federal support of the Canada summer jobs program.
Minto is supporting the Township of O’Connor in asking the federal government to commit to meeting the demands or the Canada summer jobs program by guaranteeing a set number of positions and increasing the funding accordingly.
O’Connor Township’s resolution stated, “Whereas the government of Ontario has increased the minimum wage three years in a row and will continue to increase this wage in the next two years;
And whereas the federal government has reduced the number of summer job positions being subsidized through Canada summer jobs program due to the increase in minimum wage;
And whereas small municipalities, small business and not for profit organizations are encouraged to provide valuable work and learning experiences for summer students in their communities;
And whereas these same organizations continue to struggle with rising operating costs and without this funding are unable to offer youth in the community these positions;
Now therefore be it resolved that the Township of O’Connor requests that the federal government commit to meeting the demands for the Canada summer jobs program by guaranteeing a set number of positions and increase the funding accordingly.
The resolution was sent to Prime Minister Steven Harper, and a number of cabinet ministers and MPs for their support.
As Minto councillors pondered O’Connor’s resolution, councillor Wayne Martin commented that there is a local impact at the train museum in Palmerston.
He noted that of the six applicants for the summer job this year, five are university students.
Anderson asked how many jobs had been cut.
Martin was uncertain, but said that locally the amount of support was cut from 16 weeks to nine.
“I suspect the program funding has been cut in half over the past two years.”
Clerk Barb Wilson added is seems the only way to secure additional funding is by creating new jobs, rather than support to positions that run each year.
