Youth employment in Canada continues to fall, according to Statistics Canada. Its latest survey shows that the employment rate for people aged 15 to 24 dropped 0.7 percentage points to 53.6 per cent last month. That’s the lowest level since November 1998, except during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.
Vincent Ferraro, an analyst at Statistics Canada, said industries like retail, food services, and hospitality — which usually employ many young people — are showing major weakness in the job market.
Janet Morrise-Reade, CEO of the Association of Service Providers for Employability and Career Training B.C., said the results aren’t surprising.
“The statistics are alarming,” she said. “What is the impact going to be on youth later down their career pathway?”
She explained that the pandemic changed the labour market, and added that tariff uncertainty has made many employers cautious about hiring.
“None of that is building confidence, especially for youth entering the workplace right now,” Morrise-Reade said.
She added that many young people don’t have enough experience to get hired, but they can’t gain that experience without someone giving them a chance.
“We hear stories of youth applying for 100, even 200 jobs, and never hearing back,” she said. “That is soul crushing for an entire generation.”
Different Views from Employers
Some employers argue that the problem isn’t just a lack of jobs — but that young people don’t want to work.
“I’m 36 years old, and I find people around my generation or younger don’t really want to work the hours needed,” said Benny Kerner, owner of a butcher shop in Kamloops. “They only want enough money to get by day-to-day, not to save for the future.”
The struggle is made worse by the high cost of living. In B.C., the minimum wage is now $17.85 an hour, but the average price of a home is $942,686. Back in 1995, the minimum wage was $6.50, while the average home cost about $190,000. While wages have gone up nearly three times in 30 years, housing prices have increased almost five times.
Shane Wallace, a chef and restaurant owner in Falkland, B.C., said he’s also having trouble hiring. He got 38 resumes in one day but found that none of the applicants had enough experience or communication skills.
“What I’m seeing is almost an entitlement — that we want them more than they want the job,” Wallace said.
Morrise-Reade disagrees, saying this frustration is nothing new. She explained that today’s youth missed out on some workplace training during the pandemic, such as teamwork and communication. But she said employers shouldn’t give up on hiring them.
“Yes, youth are a bit of a risk to hire, but they can bring energy and create a great work environment,” she said.
Kamloops Struggles the Most
In Kamloops, where youth like Luce and Shaw are job hunting, things are especially tough. Statistics Canada says Kamloops has the highest unemployment rate in the country at 10.7 per cent. Nearby Kelowna’s unemployment rate is only 4.7 per cent, while B.C.’s average is 5.9 per cent. Nationally, the rate sits at 6.9 per cent.
Ferraro said there are many reasons why people may not be working — from family responsibilities to going to school full time. He added that sometimes it’s just a matter of time before they can rejoin the labour force.
