THUNDER BAY -- Patty Hajdu says young Canadians will participate in the planning for the new Canada Service Corps.
Hajdu, the federal minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, was speaking Tuesday in Thunder Bay at an event held in conjunction with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Instagram Live announcement of the "design phase" of the project.
The government is investing $105 million through the year 2021 in the creation of national volunteer organizations with the aim of encouraging younger people to get involved in community service while gaining life skills and experience.
Hajdu, who invited a group of Lakehead University students to her local announcement, said the project entails several components:
- longer-term service in one of ten national organizations such as the Canadian Wildlife Federation, Katimavik, the YMCA, the Boys and Girls Club of Canada, and 4-H Canada
- organizations may apply for service programs of their own which provide opportunities for young people
- a micro-grant program under which candidates may apply directly for smaller amounts of money ($250 to $1500) to do projects in their own community
The minister said a matching component through Volunteer Canada will allow applicants to go on a website and find opportunities to volunteer in their communities.
"It's in the pilot phase. We'll be testing out the components to see what works with young people," Hajdu said.
The program is to be fully implemented in 2019, and it's estimated that up to 4,000 youth will receive funding by March 2021 if the program continues as planned.
"Our future prosperity depends on young Canadians getting the experience and skills they need to succeed...the design phase of Canada Service Corps is all about engagement and collaboration with young people so that together we can create a program that reflects what matters most to them," Hajdu said.
Details are available on the Canada Service Corps website.
