Student volunteer grants in limbo

OTTAWA— More than a month after promising students grants of up to $5,000 as incentive for volunteer work, the federal government is still sorting details of how the program will work.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sang the praises of volunteer work in April when he unveiled the initiatives to help students facing bleak prospects for summer work.

The key measure was the Canada Emergency Student Benefit, which pays $1,250 a month — and up to $2,000 for those with dependants or those with disabilities — between May and August. Other measures included enhanced financial support for students this fall, an expanded summer jobs program and other funding to help young people get work experience.

But Trudeau also announced the Canada Student Service Grant, offering cash incentives ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 for students “helping in the fight against COVID-19.

“Volunteering can be a fantastic way to build skills, make contacts or just give back. If you’re volunteering instead of working, we’re going to make sure that you have support, too,” Trudeau said.

Six weeks later, the government has yet to roll out the details. A spokesperson for Bardish Chagger, the minister of diversity and inclusion and youth, said Thursday that she hoped to have more information “soon.”

Behind the scenes, the government is close to finalizing the kind of volunteer work that will count and the number of hours needed to qualify for various levels of grant money, said an official, who spoke on background because the details have not been announced.

The volunteer work will have to be of “national service” in theme as well as providing skills to the students, the official said.

Volunteer Toronto said it is “actively engaging” with the federal government to learn more, according to Cara Eaton, the organization’s director of strategic communications.

“We are fielding many inquiries from members of the public interested in the program,” Eaton said.