Canada’s economic recovery depends on young people being able to get good, well-paying jobs now and into the future. This is why the Government of Canada continues to make historic investments in young people, to ensure they have the supports and opportunities needed to build long and successful careers.

“Creating more opportunities for young people to gain the valuable skills and experience they need is more important now than ever. We know young Canadians today are facing unprecedented challenges, with disruptions in their job placements, studies and internships. Partners, like you, are creating life-changing opportunities by helping Indigenous youth who may be facing barriers to entering the labour market get the skills and professional training they need to build their future careers.”
– The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion

“A priority for our government is providing young Canadians, particularly in the North and the Arctic, with the tools and work experience they need to successfully overcome barriers to employment as our economy continues to recover. I was happy to meet with Ilitaqsiniq–Nunavut Literacy Council, tour their workshop and learn about this innovative project and other programs they offer to support youth. I look forward to seeing the development of this project, and the tremendous impact it will have on young people in Nunavut and across the North.”
– The Honourable Daniel Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs

“Ilitaqsiniq addresses the economic, social and systemic issues Inuit face in our territory by providing innovative and culturally meaningful programming that supports participants to overcome barriers. With the funding provided by Employment and Social Development Canada under the YESS, Ilitaqsiniq will work with youth to build on the strength and resilience of our young people to overcome the adversity and barriers they often face when it comes to employment opportunities. This project aims to support our youth to successfully overcome these barriers to achieve their personal and employment goals. This project will utilize the long-standing partnership between Ilitaqsiniq, the NWT Literacy Council and the Yukon Literacy Coalition to engage with youth across the three northern territories.”
– Adriana Kusugak, Executive Director, Ilitaqsiniq

• Often, Indigenous youth see high rates of disengagement from the labour market across the North:

  • In Nunavut, the participation rate of Indigenous youth aged 15–29 reached a low point of 21.6% in May 2021 compared to 48.6% in September 2020. In comparison, the non-Indigenous youth of the territory had a steady participation rate, fluctuating from 76.9% in September 2020 to 75.1% in May 2021.
  • In the Northwest Territories, the participation rate of Indigenous youth was the highest of the territories at 62.4% in May 2021.
  • In Yukon, the participation rate of Indigenous youth reached 46.3% in May 2021, 25.4 percentage points lower than non-Indigenous youth (71.7%).

• Budget 2021 includes $101.4 billion over three years in proposed investments as part of the Government of Canada’s growth plan that will create good jobs and support a resilient and inclusive recovery. These measures include:

  • Supporting more than 7,000 additional job placements through the YESS. This will make it easier for young people to get good jobs, and better meet the needs of vulnerable youth facing multiple barriers to employment. This builds on funding announced in the 2020 Fall Economic Statement, which is expected to result in over 30,600 new placements in 2021–22.
  • Investing $17.6 billion in a green recovery that will help Canada to reach its target to conserve 25% of Canada’s lands and oceans by 2025, exceed its Paris climate targets, reduce emissions by 36% below 2005 levels by 2030, and move forward on a path to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

• In April 2020, the Government of Canada invested $492 million over three years, through Employment and Social Development Canada’s YESS program, for 269 projects across Canada to help young people, facing barriers to employment successfully transition to the labour market. 

• To support youth affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada announced in April and June 2020 increased funding by up to $187.7 million to the YESS program to create 9,500 more work opportunities for young Canadians, particularly those facing barriers to employment. YESS projects managed by Employment and Social Development Canada received up to $40 million for national and regional programs that are providing flexible supports and targeted job opportunities for up to 6,200 youth aged 15 to 30, which surpasses the initial target of 4,700 jobs, in the areas of social support services, transport, information technology, research and administration, and other placements that support community needs.

• CSJ is part of the YESS, which helps youth, particularly those facing barriers, to gain the skills and experience they need to successfully transition to the labour market. The program strives to give young Canadians between the ages of 15 and 30 paid work opportunities so that they can grow professionally and improve their skills in the not-for-profit, small business and public sectors. It also supports the delivery of key community services to Canadians. 

Related products

• Backgrounder: Budget 2021 – Young Canadians
• Backgrounder: Youth Employment and Skills Strategy funding

Associated links

• Budget 2021
• Youth Employment and Skills Strategy
• Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
• Student Work Placement Program
• Canada Summer Jobs
• Jobbank.gc.ca

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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