Ontario’s Youth Unemployment Crisis Requires Immediate Action

Young people across Ontario are facing growing challenges finding work, gaining experience, and building a future in the province they call home.

Recent labour market data has shown youth unemployment in Ontario reaching troubling levels, leaving many students and recent graduates struggling to find meaningful employment opportunities.

This is more than just a statistic. For many young Ontarians, summer jobs, internships, and entry-level opportunities are the first step toward financial independence, career development, and long-term success. When those opportunities disappear, the consequences can follow young people for years.

That is why I am calling on the provincial government to take immediate action to support youth employment and skills development.

Ontario should explore targeted measures that help employers hire young workers, create more pathways into the skilled trades and emerging industries, and strengthen partnerships with colleges, universities, and local businesses. Investments that connect young people with real work experience can help address labour shortages while giving the next generation the opportunity to succeed.

Ontario’s young people are ready to work, contribute, and build their futures here at home. They deserve a government that recognizes the seriousness of this challenge and responds with urgency.

Supporting young workers is not only an investment in individuals and families — it is an investment in Ontario’s long-term economic strength and prosperity.

The Ontario Liberal Caucus brought forward the following Opposition Day Motion which was defeated by the Government.

Whereas in September of 2025, youth unemployment was at 17.8%, the highest in Canada, and approached levels as high as during the COVID-19 pandemic, previously not seen for 33 years; and

Whereas the average wait for a young person to find a job has grown to three and a half months, the highest in 29 years; and

Whereas Ontario businesses, particularly small businesses, are struggling with the impact of U.S. tariffs, and need support to weather trade uncertainties; and

Whereas despite generationally low job opportunities, the Premier has recently made comments blaming over 220,000 young workers for not being able to find a job, telling them to look harder; and

Whereas wage subsidy programs like Canada Summer Jobs have resulted in hundreds of thousands of job opportunities, helping local businesses and opening careers to young Ontarians;

Therefore, in the opinion of the House, the Government of Ontario should establish a youth wage subsidy program to create jobs in Ontario, helping young Ontarians start their career, create networks, and develop lifelong skills while providing Ontario businesses with well-educated young workers.