Changes to Canada Summer Jobs program impacting Ottawa camp for kids with autism

Children are seen playing with sidewalk chalk in a promotional video for Camp Kaleidoscope in Ottawa. (Children at Risk/YouTube)

For many parents of children and young adults with autism in Ottawa, Camp Kaleidoscope is an annual highlight.

The summer camp, put on by registered charity Children at Risk, offers a one-to-one counsellor-to-camper ratio to give kids on the autism spectrum a unique camp experience tailored to meet their complex needs.

Recent changes to the federal government’s ‘Canada Summer Jobs’ program, however, are leaving Children at Risk in a difficult position.

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The program now focuses more heavily on supporting young workers in what the government has identified as “priority” sectors such as skilled trades and environmental protection.

Camp Kaleidoscope is gearing up for its 15th year, but organizers were recently notified the number of jobs it will receive funding for is far less than previous years.

“On April 14th, we received the decision from Canada Summer Jobs that we had a 50 per cent cut in the number of jobs from last year, which was a 75 per cent cut from the year before,” said Brenda Reisch, executive director of Children at Risk.

“We had no idea that on April 14th, when we had declared that we don’t get any other funding, that we would be told that we only get ten jobs. We applied for 67.”

After cutting hours and making some sacrifices, the organizations was able to bring in one additional staff member for the camp, bringing the total for 2026 to just 11.

The camp has operated in Ottawa since 2011, welcoming kids and young adults from across the region.

In previous years, the Camp Kaleidoscope was able to accommodate more than 100 jobs, welcoming in dozens of campers, and growing the camp into a popular summer tradition for many families.

“We provide a one-to-one support, counsellor to child. So, that way the child is safe, protected, and even celebrated for their differences,” said Reisch.

Camp looked forward to every summer

Parents told CTV News Camp Kaleidoscope serves as a pillar of their summer plans.

“It’s actually an anchor point for our entire family. It’s something my children start looking forward to as soon as the year before ends. We have to put it on the calendar every year and my middle son does a countdown every year starting in January,” said Stephanie Pocock, a mother with two young adults who attend the camp.

“Our entire schedule for our family revolves around camp starting and camp coming around again. So, it’s something that’s been a pivot point for our family for the last 14 years now.”

Children at Risk continues to advocate to Employment and Social Development Canada to hopefully see a reversal of the decision to fund just 10 jobs.

So far, those advocacy efforts have been unsuccessful.

“There’s such a great need in the city and such a lack of services. It’s really difficult to find safe environments for a child that lives with autism,” said Irene Labelle whose daughter attends the camp each year.

“The support of the staff means that the kids keep their dignity as well because there’s enough staff to ensure when their having a difficult time, they’re able to support them apart from the group so when they’re re-integrated into the group, they don’t have that loss of dignity.”

Children at Risk is also questioning the federal government’s priorities for the Canada Summer Jobs program.

“Why have disabilities been taken off the national priorities for these jobs? It’s not on there and there’s one question on there that if you don’t meet the ‘national priorities’ you’re down ten points. It’s a points-based system so we’re already starting from a deficit,” said Reisch.

“We have set careers for some people through some of these jobs. People have decided to go into psychology, special needs care, some of them go on to work with families. These are really important positions.”

Adding to the stress for parents with children on the autism spectrum – the closure of other resources in the capital region in recent years.

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“In 2024, two local autism charities closed their doors and Autism Speaks Canada closed in January 2025,” said Reisch.

“Disabilities just don’t seem to be top of mind right now for the support out there through the government and we want to know why.”

In a statement to CTV News Ottawa, Employment and Social Development Canada said the Canada Summer Jobs program (CSJ) does not provide core funding to organizations, and takes calls for applications every year.

“Applications were assessed on an individual basis to ensure that employers, projects, and job activities align with program objectives, meet the program eligibility criteria, and represent quality work experiences for youth. Each year requests for funding exceed what is available,” the statement said.

“After Service Canada officials assessed and ranked all eligible applications. Allocations reflect current labour market realities for youth, including local number of unemployed youth, constituencies may experience fluctuations from year to year. As part of the process, some organizations may be eligible for more funding based on their ranking; should additional funds become available.”

The government says it boosted funding for the program this year to support up to 100,000 jobs, up from 75,000 job opportunities last year.

“The Department, having considered all applications against program criteria, and national and local priorities, and having reviewed recommendations from Members of Parliament, then makes a final determination on the list of projects. In cases where Members of Parliament did not participate in the review process, the project lists were based on the program assessment criteria and final decisions were made by departmental officials,” the statement said.