Urban Green Team

Priorities | Project Assessment | Scholarship Opportunities | Eligibility | Wages | Financial Assistance | Terms and Conditions | Important Contacts | FAQs

 

The Urban Green Team Program is designed to create meaningful and career-oriented summer employment opportunities for students or unemployed youth aged 16 to 24 by encouraging organizations to initiate a variety of community development projects that will improve neighbourhoods, encourage community involvement and help build young leaders.

Employment Periods

May 5 start date to August 22: Applications must be received by March 7, 2008
June 16 start date to August 22: Applications must be received by April 11, 2008

Priorities of the Program

Organizations that propose to implement exceptional projects in the priority ares listed below will be given greater consideration for funding.

• Projects that directly target other youth in the community (eg. drop-in centres).
• Projects that have long-term benefits to youth (eg. environmental projects).
• Project that involve the community in their activities.
• Projects that are more likely to hire Aboriginal youth, either by virtue of location (inner-city of Winnipeg) or the inherent nature of the project (eg. culturally oriented or targeting Aboriginal client groups).

Greater consideration will also be given to projects more likely to hire Aboriginal youth, either by virtue of location (inner-city) or the inherent nature of the project (i.e. culturally oriented or targeting Aboriginal client groups).

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Project Assessment

Each application will be assessed on its individual merits and the Assessment Committee will exercise its absolute discretion in determining the amount (if any) of grant funding approved for each project. Approval is subject to availability of funds and program demand. All applicants will be notified by telephone and/or mail on the status of their funding request.

Projects will be assessed on the priorities listed above as well as the following:

• Career-relatedness of the position(s) and the skills and experience that the employee will gain.
• Project is in a rehabilitation or major improvement neighbourhood in Winnipeg (a map of these areas can be viewed at www.winnipeg.ca/cao/reports/plan_winnipeg.stm and click on Policy Plate "D" Targeted Neighbourhoods).
• Project is hiring or working directly with vulnerable youth (eg. disabled, dropped out of high school, etc.).

Scholarship Opportunities

Two $500 scholarships will be available for program employees who can demonstrate how their participation in the project has benefited the community. Additional information will be sent to all organization that are approved for funding.

Eligibility

Projects:

Eligible projects include:

• activities for youth (drop-in centres, camps)
• neighbourhood safety
• public education
• tourism activities
• housing rehabilitation/community renewal
• road/public grounds enhancement
• riverbank clean-up/stream maintenance/park clean-up/trail enhancement
• recycling/waste management/conservation

Examples of projects that are not eligible:

• projects for organization that impose fees to maintain/upgrade their normal services and facilities
• research projects and projects proposing any type of advocacy
• projects that are soliciting funds or conducting surveys
• projects that include lifeguard or swimming instruction duties
• projects that include an overnight stay or a work schedule later than midnight
• projects located outside of Winnipeg
• projects that include any tasks required in the normal maintenance of an organization (eg. reception, accounting duties, janitorial work, etc.)

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Organizations must:

Eligible organizations include:

• not-for-profit organizations in (schools/hospitals must apply through their School Division/Health Authority)

In order to be eligible for funding, organizations must also adhere to the following:

• be capable of providing project management and ongoing employee supervision;
• have Workers' Compensation coverage where coverage is considered mandatory (for additional information, see Financial Assistance);
• conduct child abuse registry and criminal records checks on all program employees that will be working with children under the age of 18;
• ensure that all employees wear proper safety clothing, are provided with proper safety equipment
• ensure that all employees are properly trained in the use of any equipment;
• ensure that all work done on private, residential and municipal properties has the required permission from all affected parties (waiver forms);
• post a statement in a visible location and in printed materials that fee assistance is available for any youth who wants to participate in youth activity projects;
• ensure that all employees wear the t-shirts provided by the program;
• display program signage at project site(s)

Any changes to a project description must be reported immediately to program staff.

Positions:

Eligible position must:

• be created as a result of approved funding;
• provide a minimum of 25 regular hours of employment each week and at least six weeks of employment;
• not result in the lay-off, reduction of hours or dismissal of any current employees or replace employees who have previously been laid-off or dismissed;
• not perform the same duties as regular staff;
• not be funded by any other provincial or federal government employment program for the same position.

Employees:

Eligible employees must be:

• student or unemployed youth aged 16 to 24
• be living in Winnipeg
• legally entitled to work in Canada
• finished their studies for the year if in high school.

Those not eligible as employees include:

• immediate relatives (husband, wife, son, daughter, brother, sister) of the hiring authority or any director of the applicant organization or any contact person or supervisor listed on the Grant Application form
• individuals already employed by the organization prior to the approved start date
• individuals with a financial interest in the applicant organization
• board/executive members of the applicant organization
• self-employed individuals, independent contractors, sub-contractors, or commissioned salespersons
• foreign and visiting students.

Organizations requesting referrals to fill approved positions will be provided with the names of youth who have registered with the program for referrals.

The eligibility of all proposed employees must be approved by program staff before starting work. Any hours worked before a program approval will not be reimbursed.

Exceptions to any criteria must be requested in writing.

Program staff will conduct scheduled and non-scheduled on-site monitors throughout the duration of the program to ensure criteria are being followed.

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Wages

Organizations are required to pay all approved program employees a minimum of $8.50 per hour plus 4% vacation allowance.

Organizations are also required to:

• document all hours worked by each employee on a daily basis
• pay all employees at least twice a month
• issue cheque stubs indicating hours worked, gross/vacation pay, deductions and net pay
• issue a T4 slip to each employee
• remit all applicable payroll deductions to Canada Customs and Revenue Agency
  
  

Financial Assistance

• Organizations are eligible to apply for up to four positions (if approved for more than one position, they cannot be combined into one position).
• Organizations will be reimbursed a flat rate of $8.84 per hour for each approved program employee to help cover the $8.50 per hour wage and 4% vacation allowance.
• Organizations may request up to 560 hours per position for the first intake and 320 hours per position for the second intake.
• Organizations will receive up to $250 in support costs for each approved employee.
• Support costs are to help cover expenses such as: safety clothing, employer remittances for CPP and EI, criminal and child abuse registry checks, workers compensation, project materials, etc. Receipts are required to claim for support costs.
• All organizations are also eligible for a grant of up to $500 per project for capital and support costs, i.e. craft supplies, paint, equipment, safety clothing, gasoline, mileage, etc.
  
• Reimbursement will not be provided for any hours worked outside the program operating dates, May 5 to August 22 or for hours worked by an employee in excess of eight hours a day or 40 hours per week.
  
• Organizations are required to provide Workers' Compensation where coverage is considered mandatory.
  
  If you are not listed on the exempt industry list under The Workers' Compensation Act, you must ensure that each Employee is covered by workers' compensation and, when asked, you must provide Manitoba with satisfactory proof that the required workders' compensation coverage is in place. In some cases, even if you are listed on theexempt industry list under The Workers' Compensation Act, you may still need to register the Green Team employees.
  
  
• Approved not-for-profit organizations will be provided with an advance payment of 65% of approved employee wage funding and the full amount for approved support costs. The remaining 35% of approved employee wage funding will be reimbursed at the conclusion of the project following the submission of a Claim for Reimbursement form.
• Claim for Reimbursement forms along with all supporting documentation must be submitted to the program by September 30, 2008.

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Terms and Conditions

All approved organizations agree to:

• comply with all Federal and Provincial laws and regulations governing employers;
  
• comply with all labour employment standards directed by the Department of Labour and Immigration;
  
• comply with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) - information available at: http://www.gov.mb.ca/chc/fippa/index.html;
  
• comply with Personal Health Information Act (PHIA) - information available at: http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/phia/index.html
  
• comply with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) - information available at: http://privacyforbusiness.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/pfb-cee.nsf/en/hc00005e.html
  
• permit identification of the organization by name in publicity related to the program;
  
• permit the release of contact information to potential employees for approved positions;
  
• provide administration, training and continuous daily supervision for all employees;
  
• provide information which will assist in reviewing the effectiveness of the program;
  
• follow all the terms and conditions as set out on all Urban Green Team's Program Information and Grant Application forms as well as all other program documents.

If, in the opinion of program staff responsible for the administration of the Urban Green Team, an approved applicant or authorized representative has misrepresented the information provided in the application or other Urban Green Team documents or has used part or all of the funding for purposes other than authorized on the approved application or fails to comply with the terms and conditions of the program as described, program staff may cancel any funding provided and take the appropriate steps to require the approved applicant or authorized official to repay in whole or part any funds provided. Failure by program officials to take action for non-compliance or for a breach of any or all Urban Green Team Terms and Conditions shall not be construed as a general waiver or relinquishment of this right.

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Important Contacts

Canada Customs and Revenue Agency
To obtain an Employer Registration number and information on employer/employee contributions to E.I and C.P.P. phone 1-800-959-5525.

Workers' Compensation
To inquire about compulsory and non-compulsory registration, phone the Workers' Compensation Board of Manitoba at 954-4321.

Employment Standards
If you have any questions regarding your obligations as an employer in the Province of Manitoba, i.e. payment of overtime, vacation pay, etc., contact the Department of Labour and Immigration - Employment Standards at 945-3352 or visit their web site at www.gov.mb.ca/labour/standards/.

Workplace Safety and Health
If you have any questions regarding your obligations as an employer for workplace safety and health or are looking for resources on how to properly train your employees, visit www.gov.mb.ca/labour/safety or www.safemanitoba.ca

Child Abuse Registry Check
To obtain a child abuse registry check, contact the Child Abuse Registry Unit at 945-6967. This service may take four to six weeks to complete. Two pieces of ID are required.

Criminal Records Check
To obtain a criminal records check, youth must go to the Public Safety Building, 4th Floor,151 Princess Street in Winnipeg (phone 986-6073). This service may take up to 10 days to complete. Two pieces of ID are required.

Social Insurance Number
For more information on how youth can obtain a Social Insurance Number, contact Employment Insurance Canada at 1-800-206-7218 or visit their web site at www.sdc.gc.ca (click on "A to Z Index", then "Social Insurance Number") for an online application.

Waiver Forms
If you have any questions on obtaining required permission for work done on private, residential and municipal properties or getting a copy of a waiver form, contact the City of Winnipeg at 986-8390.

Hazardous Materials
If you have any questions about picking up any hazardous material, contact the City of Winnipeg at 925-9600.

Hiring Youth
If you need help finding eligible employees, contact our Program Coordinator at 945-2343. Organizations requesting referrals to fill approved positions will be provided with the names of local youth who have registered with Urban Green Team. Organizations can also advertise their approved positions with the Student-Youth Human Resource Centres by calling 983-5520 after April 1.

How to Start a Payroll
For general information on how to start a payroll, please go to http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/youth/forms/Payroll_Information.pdf

Ideas for Drop-in Centres
To get ideas on activities for drop-in centres, please go to http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/youth/forms/Drop-in_Centre_Help_Page.pdf

FAQs
For frequently asked questions, please go to http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/youth/employers/UGT_FAQs.html

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