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A recent report revealed a surge in the national youth unemployment rate. This poses significant challenges for this vital segment of our communities as Montreal stands at a critical juncture.

YES Employment + Entrepreneurship, headquartered in Montreal, has witnessed a remarkable trend: a 27 per cent growth in new clients age 18 to 35 seeking employment assistance. This underscores the urgent demand for enhanced employment services to address the multifaceted needs of young job seekers, such as job market skills training, French lessons for interviews and the workforce, mental health resources, paid internships, childcare solutions and transportation assistance.

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Montreal’s job market grapples with the intersectionality of youth unemployment, immigration, barriers faced by visible minorities, linguistic challenges and the brain-drain phenomenon. In June, the Canadian youth unemployment rate (age 15 to 24) soared to 13.5 per cent — the highest since September 2014, excluding the pandemic years. From April 2023 to April 2024, the rate increased by 2.9 percentage points to 12.8 per cent. These statistics highlight the job market’s stark realities and the hurdles young job seekers face.

New arrivals to Montreal, particularly those who are not proficient in French, encounter significant challenges in the labour market. Many of YES’s new clients are newcomers to Quebec, including individuals from other provinces, visa holders, students seeking full-time summer jobs and recent graduates. They often need to improve their French to secure employment, but face difficulties accessing courses because of wait times of three to six months for government-subsidized classes. The alternative of paying for language lessons, which often cost $380 to $900 at educational institutions, is also a barrier. This situation contributes to broader talent migration. Policies like those in Bill 96, which imposes strict language requirements, further exacerbate this problem.

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Additionally, unemployment and underemployment are directly linked to the mental health and well-being of youth. It is crucial that youth, regardless of language barriers or background, have access to comprehensive health and social services, including mental health support and job search assistance. Addressing mental health is essential, as challenges like anxiety, depression and trauma can hinder employment readiness. Counselling, therapy and stress management programs are needed at employment centres to help stabilize mental health, making individuals more resilient and ready for the workforce. Ensuring equitable access to these resources can empower youth from diverse backgrounds to achieve their full potential, gain a secure footing in the labour market and build a stable foundation for their future.

Youth and individuals with intersecting identities, including those facing language barriers, newcomers, racialized individuals, women and members of LGBTQ2+ communities, encounter additional employment challenges. To ensure they make significant gains, targeted initiatives and sustained investments are essential. Engaging youth, particularly members of visible minorities and language minorities, will enhance both community vitality and economic growth. It is this kind of engagement that not only empowers youth to develop their skills and pursue their aspirations, but brings diverse perspectives and talents into the economy, driving innovation and productivity.

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Lastly, employability skills training and work placement programs have high success rates and youth retention. These learning opportunities are vital, offering practical experience and cultural integration. French-language training is crucial, particularly for English-speaking Quebecers and other minority language groups, and should be accessible and free, focusing on professional skills. Community organizations like YES play a critical role in bridging the gap between education and employment, providing tailored support and resources directly to communities.

By implementing these initiatives and securing sustained investments, we can improve employment outcomes for youth and contribute to community vitality and economic growth. Fully utilizing the existing workforce, especially young visible minorities and women, is essential to prevent socio-economic exclusion and poverty, and to ensure social cohesion.

Marina Boulos-Winton is acting executive director of YES Employment + Entrepreneurship and has led Montreal charities including Chez Doris, the Foundation of Greater Montreal and Dans la rue. 

Annalise Iten is director of employment for YES Employment + Entrepreneurship and has been with the organization for 20 years. 

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