The CCA’s Federal 2025 Pre-Budget Submission
Pre-Budget Submissions: More Than Just a Wish List
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If you work in the summer camp sector, you’re probably used to operating on a shoestring budget. So, when you hear about pre-budget submissions, you might think, “That’s just a fancy wish list that the government will ignore anyway.”
But pre-budget submissions are actually a crucial tool for organizations like the CCA to influence policy decisions and shape the future of camping in Canada.
What is a Pre-Budget Submission?
Think of it as an opportunity for the CCA to formally present its priorities and recommendations to the government during the federal budget planning process. The CCA carefully outlines its key goals and desired outcomes for the upcoming year. This year, our focus is on:
The Canada Summer Jobs program.
International pathways for staff.
Improving tax incentives for families sending kids to overnight camp.
Why Does It Matter?
By actively participating in this process, the CCA can directly influence policy decisions and make a real difference for provinces and camps alike.
Our 2025 Pre-Budget Submission
The CCA’s 2025 pre-budget submission focuses on three key areas:
1. Support and Expand the Canada Summer Jobs Program
The Canada Summer Jobs program has been a lifeline for the camp sector, allowing camps to hire young Canadians and provide them with valuable work experience. However, recent trends in the program are creating significant challenges for camps.
Fund Camps Fairly: We're asking for a funding review to ensure Canada Summer Jobs allocations accurately reflect the large number of youth employed by camps.
Simplify the Application: We want a simpler application process for camps, one that better accommodates their unique compensation structures, including room and board.
Prioritize Youth Development: The program should prioritize organizations like camps that provide valuable work experiences and skill development opportunities for young Canadians.
2. Providing Accessible and Affordable Pathways for International Camp Staff
Canadian camps thrive on the contributions of international staff who bring diverse skills and cultural perspectives to camp programs, enriching the experience for everyone. However, navigating the current immigration landscape presents challenges.
Expand Work Permit Options: We’re asking the government to make it easier to hire international staff for all kinds of camp jobs, not just counselors, by expanding work permit options to include roles like kitchen staff, admin, and maintenance personnel.
Standardize the Application Process: We want to see clear and consistent rules for work permits, so all immigration offices, including those in Mexico and at the border, are on the same page and follow the existing laws, especially about working in spring and fall.
Increase Flexibility: The government should allow for more flexibility in work permit rules to recognize the variety of tasks international staff do at camps, which would help camps manage their staff better and create a more enriching experience for everyone.
3. Provide Equitable Access to Tax Exemptions for Overnight Camp
Overnight camps provide immense value to Canadian families by offering children enriching experiences that foster personal growth, skill development, and social responsibility. Yet, the current tax structure unfairly disadvantages overnight camps compared to day camps, limiting access for many families.
Equitable Tax Treatment: We recommend that the weekly caps on overnight camp expenses be eliminated, granting them the same tax treatment as day camps.
Recognition of 24-Hour Care: We ask that overnight camps be formally recognized as providers of 24-hour care, acknowledging the comprehensive nature of their services and the value they offer to families.
Support for Accessibility: We recommend that additional measures be considered to support the accessibility of overnight camps, such as tax credits or subsidies for low-income families.
Keeping the Momentum Going
While federal advocacy is important, many decisions affecting camps happen at the provincial level. Provincial Camping Associations (PCAs) are key players in representing the camp industry within each province, working with their respective governments on regional issues. We encourage all member camps to connect with both their PCA and the CCA to stay informed about advocacy efforts and share any concerns or opportunities they see in their own provinces.