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MP allocates $632,000 for student jobs
Kootenay-Columbia MP Wayne Stetski was instrumental in awarding $632,913 in federal assistance to create summer jobs for Kootenay-Columbia students.
The Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) Initiative contributes annually to aid in creating jobs for students aged 15 to 30. The federal government provided $600,000 this year, earmarked for youth employment in the Kootenay-Columbia riding.
Because programs like CSJ help to bolster local economies, Stetski took an active role in establishing priorities beneficial to his riding and allocating the funds accordingly. The NDP MP then requested and was granted an additional $32,913 to ensure that additional jobs were created in support of more than 130 projects throughout the Kootenay-Columbia region.
“I prioritized funding for as many as 192 student jobs in the riding, and gave particular consideration to communities with low rates of youth employment,” said Stetski in a media release.
The Kootenay-Columbia MP stressed that the program also is about helping our young people to acquire valuable experience and workplace skills.
According to student Jillian Bjarnason, “CSJ has provided me with the opportunity to work at the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area, and, through my job as wetland naturalist, to share my passion and enthusiasm of the natural world with others. I am grateful for the experience. As my academic studies focus on resource management and protection, I realize that hands on learning for young people will contribute to future stewardship and protection of Canada’s natural environment.”
Stetski set the priorities for the region, including support for programs in tourism, technology, arts and culture, the environment and food security. The Member of Parliament assigned grants to eligible not-for-profit organizations, public sector employers as well as small businesses.
Pictured above left to right: Montana Burgess, EcoSociety Executive Director, MP Wayne Stetski, and 2016 summer student Chelsea Mathieson, assistant event coordinator for West Kootenay EcoSociety. Photo submitted
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