Thetford Mines, Quebec – The Honourable Christian Paradis, MP for Mégantic–L’Érable, today congratulated the applicants and organizations of Mégantic–L’Érable selected as part of Canada Summer Jobs.

The money invested will help approximately 94 organizations in the riding of Mégantic–L’Érable create close to 115 summer jobs for students, through an investment of $250,040 from the Government of Canada.

“I am delighted that students from our community will be able to get high-quality summer jobs here, in the Les Appalaches Regional County Municipality,” said Paradis. “These initiatives provide students with work experience while helping local organizations and small businesses.”

Canada Summer Jobs is a Government of Canada initiative that supports work experiences for students as well as organizations that provide important community services.

The initiative encourages not-for-profit organizations, public-sector employers and small businesses with 50 or fewer employees to create jobs that meet their needs and help students wishing to acquire work experience.

“In light of the current economy, it is very important to help students. This will create more jobs for students and prepare them for the workforce, through experience and learning opportunities across the country,” added Paradis.

Canada’s Economic Action Plan contains increased funding of $20 million for Canada Summer Jobs to help Canadian students acquire skills and work experience. With the additional funding, the Government of Canada will now make $107.5 million available annually through Canada Summer Jobs for the next two years.

Moreover, some 300 Service Canada Centres for Youth help both students and employers. These centres are located in communities across Canada and are generally open to the public from May to August. They provide a variety of services, free of charge, to help employers advertise summer work opportunities and youth applying for jobs in their communities.

To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.plandaction.gc.ca/eng/index.asp.