November 20, 2025 Ottawa, Ontario Employment and Social Development Canada
As youth across Canada are working towards their future in the workforce, the Government of Canada is supporting their next steps by building more pathways to rewarding careers and skills development. This will empower them with better careers and a more affordable life.
Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, took the opportunity during Education Savings Week to highlight Budget 2025 investments that will protect employment opportunities for young Canadians.
The Government is investing more than $1.5 billion to help youth gain the skills and experience they need for successful careers. This investment will support about 175,000 youth in 2026-27 alone and includes:
- $635.2 million over three years, starting in 2026-27, for the Student Work Placement Program to support around 55,000 work-integrated learning opportunities for post-secondary students in 2026-27.
- $594.7 million over two years, starting in 2026-27, for Canada Summer Jobs to support around 100,000 summer jobs in 2026.
- $307.9 million over two years, starting in 2026-27, for the horizontal Youth Employment and Skills Strategy to provide employment, training and wraparound supports (such as mentorship, transportation and mental health counselling) to around 20,000 youth facing employment barriers annually.
The Government is also investing $40 million over two years, starting in 2026-27, to create the Youth Climate Corps, which will provide paid skills training to young Canadians. They will be trained to quickly respond to climate emergencies, support recovery, and strengthen resilience in communities across the country. The skills training and work experience opportunities created through the Youth Climate Corps support youth employment, increasing innovation, strengthening adaptation and mitigation projects.
Young people are the future of our country. Investing in their success will protect Canada's progress, grow our economy, and build a more secure future for all.
