By Ian Holmes

Significant funding boost for Nanaimo area Summer Jobs program

Apr 20, 2018 | 2:21 PM

NANAIMO — More money is being pumped into the mid-island area to support mid-island students in need of summer jobs

Roughly $700,000 is committed to the Nanaimo-Ladysmith riding in the federally-funded Canada Summer Jobs program, providing 252 local jobs for students between the ages of 15 and 30.

Area MP Sheila Malcolmson told NanaimoNewsNOW the funding is a huge win for strengthening the local economy and also helping non-profits and small businesses grow.

“We’re really glad to see a strong financial return for the community this year…based on the strength of the applications and us also advocating to bring in more funds,” she said.

The program subsidizes more than 60,000 employment hours for 95 organizations in the riding. Sixty-three are non-for-profit groups while 26 are private small businesses and six are local public-sector positions.

modified weapon

Sawed-off shotgun seized after Nanaimo RCMP spot well-known offender

6h ago

rainbow eyes

Nanaimo judge hands old growth logging protestor additional jail time

8h ago

Paris Bound

Nanaimo race walker Olivia Lundman qualifies for Paris Olympic Games

10h ago

The funding kicks in between May and September. It’s nearly $75,000 more than what was receiving in 2017.

Malcolmson said while the federal government has parameters for which positions will be supported, their constituency office follows its own criteria before signing off.

Environmental protection, advancing Indigenous reconciliation and improving local food security were the focus this year, Malcolmson said.

“The broad range of local funding recipients really speaks to the diversity of our community,” she added. “I’m so proud of the important work these groups are doing to enhance cultural appreciation, support healthy development and boost food sustainability in our region.”

Craig Evans, of the Nanaimo-based Growing Opportunities Farm Community Coop, said the funding will “help expand our programming on our five-acre urban farm and support meaningful skills training and experience for youth with disabilities in our community. It’s opening up opportunities to strengthen food security and urban agriculture in our region.”

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes