Liberals Tackle High Youth Unemployment

June 26, 2013

OTTAWA– In a roundtable with business, education and student leaders, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and Liberal Finance critic Scott Brison today will discuss the need for federal action to address the fact that the youth unemployment rate is now 2.4 times higher than the adult unemployment rate.

“Young Canadians have been left behind in the economic recovery, and the lack of job opportunities is taking a heavy toll on our youth and their parents who are supporting them,” said Mr. Trudeau. “We need to take every action and ensure that young Canadians are set up for success and have the ability to get their careers off to a strong start.”

The roundtable discussion will focus on factors driving high unemployment and underemployment, the need for improved skills training and education, as well as concerns about the growing practice of unpaid internships. Mr. Trudeau and Mr. Brison will be joined by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada, the Association of Canadian Community Colleges, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Canada 2020 and the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations, among others.

“Recent reports about illegal unpaid internships have shown we need to do a better job protecting young Canadians who are desperate for work experience,” said Mr. Brison. “Establishing clear standards around internships will help safeguard legitimate opportunities for young workers while protecting them from exploitation.”