Quebec and Ottawa Launch $18M Initiative to Empower Youth in a Tough Job Market

Quebec and Federal Government Collaborate to Support Young Job Seekers

In a significant move to address youth unemployment, the Quebec government has secured $18 million for the 2025-2026 period to fund projects aimed at helping young people integrate into the workforce. This announcement was made by Employment Minister Kateri Champagne Jourdain, highlighting a collaborative effort with the federal government through a five-year agreement.

Key Components of the 'Youth in Motion to Employment' Program

The program is designed with two main phases to support participants:

• Preparation for the job market: This initial phase focuses on equipping young people with the necessary skills and knowledge to enter employment.
• Work experience and support: In the second phase, participants gain hands-on experience through work placements, complemented by socio-professional guidance to ensure a smooth transition.

Young individuals involved in the program will receive an employment assistance allowance during the preparation stage and remuneration from their employer during the work experience phase, providing financial support throughout their journey.

Addressing a Critical Need

This initiative comes at a crucial time, as recent data from Statistics Canada reveals a challenging job market for youth. In July, the employment rate for those aged 15 to 24 dropped to 53.6%, the lowest since November 1998, excluding the pandemic period. This underscores the urgency of such support measures.

Minister Champagne Jourdain emphasized the program's goal: "Through Youth in Motion Toward Employment, we are giving young people from all regions of Quebec the means to train, achieve their goals, and take their place, at their own pace, in the world of work."

Proven Success and Future Outlook

Under a previous agreement between Quebec and Ottawa, approximately 17,000 young people received support, with about 7,000 participating in a pilot project from 2020-2021 to 2024-2025. Impressively, nearly 66% of them secured employment, demonstrating the effectiveness of such programs.

Rudy Humbert, President and CEO of the Réseau des carrefours jeunesse-emploi du Québec, highlighted the importance of adapting to market changes, stating, "Whether it's artificial intelligence, the socio-ecological transition, or trade tensions, we must collectively go even further."

This measure is part of the Canada-Quebec Contribution Agreement in Support of Quebec Youth and targets individuals aged 16 to 30, aiming to foster a more inclusive and supportive job market environment.