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Youth Entrepreneurship Guide

Introduction
Programs and Services
Financing
Regulations
Business Taxes
Other Resources

1. Introduction

This guide provides information on a variety of resources for young entrepreneurs; including tax information, hiring, financing, as well as on various associations and online publications.

For regulatory or legal questions, it may be useful to contact a lawyer that deals with business regulations through the Law Society of Upper Canada's Lawyer Referral Service.

For further information:
please call 1-800-268-8326
visit the website: Law Society of Upper Canada's Lawyer Referral Service

2. Programs and Services

Employment Regulations Guide: Hiring

This guide will help you familiarize yourself with employer regulations in Ontario and the resources that are available for employers.

For further information:
see the document Employment Regulations Guide: Hiring

Special Incentives to Hire Youth

Youth Opportunities Ontario

Youth Opportunities Ontario program aims to help employers hire and train youths:

Summer Jobs Service: Employers (including farm businesses), and community organizations may receive $2.00/hour wage subsidies as a special incentive to hire students for jobs that can last up to 16 weeks, beginning in April and ending by September 30.
Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program: Employers expanding their workforce in skilled trades, and able to provide structured training and supervision, can be matched with pre-qualified apprenticeship candidates. Participating students must be at least 16 years old and entering Grade 11.

For further information:
please call 416-326-5656 or 1-800-387-5656
visit the websites:
Summer Jobs Service
Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)

Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ)

Canada Summer Jobs provides funding for small businesses with 50 or fewer employees, public-sector employers, and not-for-profit organizations to create high-quality summer job opportunities.

For further information:
visit the website: Canada Summer Jobs

Internship Program with Innovative Small and Medium Enterprises

The Internship Program with Innovative Small and Medium Enterprises provides financial assistance to innovative Canadian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) for the hiring of post-secondary graduates to work on innovation projects in these companies.

For further information:
please call 1-877-994-4727
visit the website: Internship Program with Innovative Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)

Career Focus Program

The Career Focus Program (CFP), part of the Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy, provides recent graduates with career-related work opportunities to help them acquire advanced skills and become leaders in their fields. The objectives of the CFP are to facilitate the transition of skilled young people to a rapidly changing labour market and to increase the supply of qualified people in the workplace. Candidates should:

be a Canadian citizen;
be a recent science graduate (within the last three years) from a Canadian University with a degree in biological, chemical, agricultural or veterinary science, or applied technology;
be under the age of 31;
be currently unemployed or under-employed;
not be in receipt of Employment Insurance benefits; and
not be a previous participant in any internship program funded by the Youth Employment Strategy of the federal government.

Note: Post-secondary graduates are limited to participation in one Career Focus project.

For further information:
visit the website: Career Focus

Young Canada Works

Young Canada Works (YCW) provides wage subsidies to help secondary and post-secondary students access summer work experiences in key cultural and heritage sectors. Young Canada Works sponsors the following summer work opportunities:

Young Canada Works in Both Official Languages;
Young Canada Works in Heritage Organizations;
Young Canada Works at Building Careers in English and French;
Young Canada Works at Building Careers in Heritage; and
Young Canada Works for Aboriginal Urban Youth.

For further information:
visit the website: Young Canada Works

Government Support Services for Young Entrepreneurs and Employees

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) Offices for Students

Employers can get quick access to enthusiastic workers by contacting one of over Human Resources Centres of Canada for Students (HRCC-S) open across Canada through the summer months. They can also get information on wage levels, labour laws, health and safety in the workplace and other federal and provincial youth employment programs.

For further information:
please call 1-800-935-5555
visit the website: Human Resource Centres of Canada for Students (HRCC-S)

Young Entrepreneur Awards - Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)

Every year, the BDC presents the Young Entrepreneur Awards (YEA). Thirteen young Canadian entrepreneurs aged between 19 and 35 years old - one from each province and territory - will receive these awards to recognize their accomplishments. To be eligible, candidates must have at least two years of experience as entrepreneurs and must be Canadian citizens. Winners are also eligible for two other prizes: the Export Achievement Award, consisting of a $15,000 grant, and the WestJet Creative Mind Award, which also consists of a $15,000 grant. These grants are intended to help companies in their efforts to achieve growth objectives; therefore, they must be invested in the business.

For further information:
please call 1-877-232-2269
visit the website: Business Development Bank of Canada - Young entrepreneur

Environmental Youth Corp. - EYC

The Environmental Youth Corp. (EYC) is designed to create a six to twelve month window-of-opportunity for post-secondary graduates under the age of 30. These individuals are either unemployed or underemployed and are seeking to gain experience in either a national or international environmental project. Matching youth with growing Canadian organizations, the Canadian Council for Human Resources in the Environment Industry (CCHREI) through Environmental Careers Organization Canada (ECO) not only supplies companies with a database of hundreds of pre-screened, work-ready young professionals, they also supply a wage subsidy of up to $12 000 (depending on the length and type of project your company is undertaking).

For further information: please call 403-233-0748
visit the website: ECO Canada - Apply for Internships

Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit

The Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit (AJCTC) is a non-refundable tax credit equal to 10% of the eligible salaries and wages payable to eligible apprentices in respect of employment after May 1, 2006.

For further information:please call 1-800-959-5525
visit the website: Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit
see the document Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit

3. Financing

Access to capital is one of the most challenging aspects of business ownership. There are various programs and resources for entrepreneurs in obtaining financing; listed below are some of the tools and resources available to entrepreneurs in Ontario.

For further information:

Summer Company

The Summer Company program provides hands-on business training and mentoring together with awards of up to $3,000 to help enterprising young people start up and run their own summer businesses. Summer Company is coordinated and delivered at the community level through the Small Business Enterprise Centres by way of community mentoring groups. Community mentoring groups consist of volunteer business advisors from the local community.

For further information:
please call 1-888-576-4444
visit the website: Summer Company
see the document Summer Company

Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) Loan Program

This organization provides loans and mentoring to young entrepreneurs (aged 18 to 34) who are eligible to work in Canada, have written a comprehensive business plan and are not able to raise the necessary financing from other sources.

For further information:
please call 416-408-2923 or 1-800-464-2923
visit the website: Canadian Youth Business Foundation
see the documents:
Start-Up Loan for Youth
Succession Financing for Youth
Expansion Financing for Youth

Northern Ontario Young Entrepreneur

The NOHFC Young Entrepreneur program aims to mobilize a new generation of entrepreneurs and community builders in the North, securing a more prosperous future for tomorrow's northern families and workers.

For further information:
visit the website:Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation
see the document Northern Ontario Young Entrepreneur

Youth Internship and Co-op

Through this program, young northerners will have access to work placements and internships that will serve as a springboard to rewarding and successful careers.

For further information:
visit the website:Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation

4. Regulations

Business Start-Up Guide

The Business Start-Up Guide is designed to help you navigate through the federal and provincial government programs, services and regulations that may apply to individuals starting a business in Ontario.

For further information:
see the document Business Start-Up Guide

Ontario Human Rights Code

All employers in Ontario must adhere to the Ontario Human Rights Code. The code states that all Employment decisions should be based on the applicant's ability to do the job and not on factors that are unrelated to the job.

For further information:
please call 1-800-387-9080
visit the website: Ontario Human Rights Commission

Employment Standards Act

The Employment Standards Branch of the Ontario Ministry of Labour is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Employment Standards Act, which provides for minimum terms and conditions of employment in most industries.

For further information:
please call 416-326-7160 or 1-800-531-5551
visit these websites:
What You Should Know About The Ontario Employment Standards Act
What Young Workers Should Know
Employment Standards Claim
see the document:
Employment Regulations Guide: Hiring

5. Business Taxes

All businesses must be aware of the various taxes that may apply to their product or service. Depending on the type and location of products or services being offered, federal, provincial and/or municipal business taxes may apply.

Taxation Guide

The Taxation guide is designed to help you navigate through the federal and provincial government programs, services and regulations related to taxation that may apply to individuals starting or operating a business in Ontario.

For further information:
see the document Taxation Guide

6. Other Resources

Youth Business Associations

Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF)

In addition to its financing programs (listed in section 1), the Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) takes a proactive role in assisting young people who want to forge their own career paths in the spirit of entrepreneurship. Funded solely by the private sector, the CYBF provides three key areas of support: a Loan Program, a Mentor program, and online business support.

For further information:
please call 416-408-2923
visit the website: Canadian Youth Business Foundation

Websites of Interest

Employment Ontario, Ontario's Employment and Training Network - Ministry of Education and the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities

Employment Ontario wants to help you get the training, education, skills and experience to achieve your goals and to connect people looking for work with employers looking for workers. By using the website Employment Ontario Online, you will be able to learn about employment and training services offered in Ontario and find services offered in your area.

For further information:
visit the website: Employment Ontario

Youth.gc.ca

Youth.gc.ca contains information on the employment world, and will help you plan your career, find out about training, education and other services, learn about available youth employment programs and understand how to find a job. The Youth Path website is an initiative of the Youth Employment Strategy (YES) which is the Government of Canada's commitment to help Canadian youth get the work experience, knowledge, skills and information they need to prepare for, and participate in, the world of work.

For further information:
visit the website: youth.gc.ca

Youth - Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

The website Youth - Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade offers several types of programs. The international exchanges and internship programs encourage young Canadians to learn new skills that will help them compete in Canada and in the global economy. Whether you are interested in travelling or studying in a foreign country, Canada offers various programs aimed for youth.

For further information:
visit the website: Youth - Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

ACE-Canada

ACE-Canada (Advanced Canadian Entrepreneurship Inc.) is a national not-for profit, campus-based organization dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship in Canadians. The organization achieves this through the partnership of experience and outreach driven entrepreneurship programs.

For further information:
visit the website: Advancing Canadian Entrepreneurship Inc

Mazemaster

The Mazemaster is unique career and job exploration tool designed to help youth ages 14-29. Developed through a partnership between the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) and Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) Mazemaster is a portal that provides Canada's youth with the means to access relevant employment and training information on the Internet.

For further information:
visit the website:
Mazemaster

Junior Achievement

Junior Achievement (JA) is an international non-profit organization dedicated to educating and inspiring young people about business and economics. The JA experience helps young people discover leadership, entrepreneurial and workforce readiness skills so they can achieve their highest potential and future successes as citizens in the global community.

For further information:
visit the website: Junior Achievement (JA)

Canadian Outstanding Young Farmers' Program

The Canadian Outstanding Young Farmer's Program (COYFP) provides a positive platform to celebrate and recognize progress and excellence in agriculture in Canada. This involves a number of annual activities, including competitions across the country and a National Recognition Event, in an effort to increase awareness of the importance of agriculture in this country and to celebrate producer achievements.

For further information:
visit the website :Canada's Outstanding Young Farmers Program (OYF)

Global Edge

Global Edge is a pilot initiative for enterprising post-secondary students who are 19 to 29 years old. It will help students develop a broader understanding of the global economy. Over the summer, participants will work for reputable international corporations, complete challenging work assignments and learn more about how international business operates. Partner companies include Canadian and international banks, information and communication technology (ICT) operations, as well as companies operating within the construction, transportation and aerospace sectors.

For further information:
visit the website: Global Edge

Career Edge

Career Edge is a private sector, not-for-profit organization. The Carreer Edge's internship programs offer six-, nine- or 12-month paid internships for university, college, and high school graduates to established Canadian companies in Canada's business community who are looking for safe, cost-effective means to hire recent graduates.

Career Edge offers the following three internship programs:

Career Edge for recent graduates
Ability Edge for graduates with disabilities
Career Bridge for internationally qualified professionals

For further information:
visit the website: Career Edge - For Recent Graduates

International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)- Young Canadian Leaders for a Sustainable Future program (YCLSF)

The project is run by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and is one of the Youth International Internship projects funded jointly by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (FAITC) and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) as part of the Government's Youth Employment Strategy.

For further information:
visit the website :IISD - YCLSF Internships Program

DECA Ontario

DECA Ontario is part of an international organization which works to enhance the experience of students with an interest in business, marketing and entrepreneurship through group activities at its many chapters at high schools across the province.

For further information:
visit the website : DECA Ontario

Junior Chamber International Canada (JCI)

Through membership in local chapters, young professionals and entrepreneurs who join JCI Canada get involved in developing projects around four keys areas, including business development.

For further information:
visit the website : Junior Chamber International Canada (JCI)

Youth Science Foundation (YSF) Canada

The Youth Science Foundation (YSF) Canada helps young Canadians develop the skills to achieve excellence in a knowledge-based economy. Among its many initiatives and programs aimed at encouraging the youth of Canada to participate in scientific and technology projects, and in innovation in general, is its showcase event, the annual Canada-Wide Science Fair, which attracts the best young scientists from across the country.

For further information:
visit the website : Youth Science Foundation (YSF)

Youth Canada

Youth Canada is an initiative of the Impact Entrepreneurship Group, a non-profit, student-run organization. Their aim is to encourage the entrepreneurial spirit amongst youth and become a starting point and catalyst for youth interested in entrepreneurship and leadership. One of its projects is the annual national conference, Impact which brings together youth form across Canada.

For further information:
visit the website : Youth Canada

Need more information?

Click: Canada Business
Call: The Business Info Line, a collaboration between ServiceOntario and Industry Canada, at 1-888-745-8888
Visit: Find a Community Partner Location near you

DISCLAIMERS

Information contained in this document is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific situation. Users concerned about the reliability of the information should consult directly with the source, or seek legal counsel.

Some of the organizations listed above are not subject to the federal Official Languages Act or the French Language Services Act of Ontario. Their services may not be available in both official languages.