The COVID-19 pandemic has had a tremendous impact on Canada’s youth, with many seeing their summer jobs, internships and graduation plans disappear. To help them during this unprecedented time, the Government of Canada has introduced supports for youth, including more than 300,000 employment opportunities for youth and students, since the beginning of the pandemic.

“The uncertainty many young Canadians are facing today can be overwhelming, but the Government of Canada is working to help them. The work placements that will be created by the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec will help the province’s students through these difficult times, so they can build their careers and shape their futures. We are firmly committed to continuing the work we began during the pandemic to help students and support them through the coming academic year.”
– Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough

“Young people are the leaders of today and tomorrow. During this unprecedented time, many of them are uncertain how the COVID-19 pandemic will affect their futures. That is why our government is committed to ensuring that students in Quebec have the opportunities and gain the skills they need to succeed now and in the years to come.”
– Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Marie-Claude Bibeau

“The pandemic has affected Quebec’s youth. That’s why our government is committed to helping young people overcome the obstacles they are facing as they follow their dreams and enter the workforce in our new reality. I’m immensely proud of the work we are accomplishing with organizations like the Fédération des chambres du commerce du Québec to help young people acquire the tools they need and launch successful careers, while prioritizing Quebec employers.”
– Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Member of Parliament for Sherbrooke, Élisabeth Brière

“After this long period of uncertainty, we owe it to our youth to assist them on the path to success. While they represent the very future of economic development, they were the first to be impacted by the negative effects of the pandemic. The professional integration offered through this program will provide a real boost to many students at the gateway to their professional careers. We are therefore proud to contribute our expertise to this rich and innovative initiative.”
– President and CEO of the Fédération des chambres du commerce du Québec, Charles Milliard

“Work placements enhance students’ education by providing the hands-on learning that is essential to skills development and by allowing them to graduate with a wealth of labour market experience. This is excellent news for Quebec universities, which will be able to further develop their work placement opportunities.”
– Vice-Rector of Academics at the University of Sherbrooke, Christine Hudon

• The Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec is one of 18 organizations funded through the Student Work Placement Program.

• Budget 2019 expanded the Student Work Placement Program by collaborating with seven new partners to provide work placements for post-secondary students in fields outside of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and business, such as the arts, humanities and social sciences. This funding will ensure that work placements are available to any student who wants one.

Associated links

• Budget 2021
• Student Work Placement Program

For media enquiries, please contact:

Ashley Michnowski
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough
ashley.michnowski@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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