“You put your resume out there, you take initiative, you’ll get hired.” That’s how it used to work—until it didn’t. Young job seekers in Toronto are facing one of the toughest labour markets in years. StatsCan reported 84,000 jobs lost across Canada in February, and more than half of those would have employed youth. Youth unemployment topped 14%, with Ontario youth running even higher than the national average. Here’s what’s going on and what might help.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Canada’s economy shed 84,000 jobs in February—one of the worst monthly drops in years outside the pandemic. Youth unemployment crossed 14%, and in Ontario it’s more than two percentage points above the national rate. That means young people aged 15–24 are bearing the brunt. If you’re fresh out of school or trying to break in, you’re competing against more people than ever for fewer spots.
“You can have experience, you can have the proper qualifications, but now everyone needs experience with qualifications,” Micah Goldsilver told CBC Toronto at a job fair in Oakwood Village. “There will be 20 other people just like you, lining up to get that same job.”
Why It’s So Hard Right Now
Rafael Gomez, director of the Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources at the University of Toronto, points to a few factors. Canada’s slowing economy has pushed experienced workers out of jobs—and those workers are now competing with youth for entry-level roles. Employers would rather hire someone with experience if they’re available. Youth who couldn’t build work experience during the pandemic are still playing catch-up. And the flood of temporary foreign workers brought in to fill labour shortages after COVID, Gomez says, meant firms didn’t have to improve wages or prioritize hiring local youth.
The cost of living isn’t helping. Rent, groceries, transit—Toronto keeps getting more expensive while pay for entry-level work hasn’t kept pace. Young people are feeling it. Alicia Hall, executive director of the NIA Centre for the Arts in Oakwood Village, told CBC that the youth she works with feel insecure about their finances and their future. “They don’t necessarily feel sure that they’re going to be able to afford the lifestyle that their parents have been able to afford.”
What Might Actually Help
Timothy Yang, president of Toronto-based Youth Employment Services (YES), has practical advice: stand out. Even when job ads say “submit online,” showing up in person and meeting the hiring manager can make a difference. “They might remember you,” he said. “We’ve seen lots of examples where they still hire you on the spot.” Staying positive during rejections matters too—negativity can come across in interviews.
Free services exist. YES, the NIA Centre for the Arts, and other community orgs run job fairs and support young people through the application process. If you’re hunting, it’s worth checking what’s available in your neighborhood.
Gomez stresses that youth employment isn’t just a personal problem—it affects everyone. Young workers who land jobs early earn more over their careers and fuel the economy. “They’re going to be the ones that will buy their first home, buy their first car. All of that stimulates other economic activity.” Right now, too many are stuck on the sidelines.
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