Canadian workers are building Canada strong – from major infrastructure projects to new housing across the country. Canada’s new government is committed to supporting a flourishing labour market for all.
Young people, in particular, are facing real challenges as they try to build their career and get ahead. Many are balancing everyday costs with big life goals, like post-secondary education or saving for a first home.
Canada is meeting the challenges of today, creating opportunities that position young Canadians at the forefront of national solutions.
Our new government is building a Canada that is not just strong, but good; not just prosperous, but fair. A Canada that is not just for some, most of the time, but for all, at all times. We’re building Canada strong, for all.
Youth Measures – Spring Economic Update 2026:
Team Canada Strong – April 28, 2026
A new nationwide effort backed by up to $6 billion over five years to recruit, train, and hire up to 100,000 new Red Seal skilled trade workers by 2030–31.
Creates clear, paid pathways for young Canadians into well-paying careers in the skilled trades — aligned to Canada’s housing, infrastructure, and defence needs.
Goal to cut the path to Red Seal certification by 50 per cent through streamlined processes, online exams, digital logbooks, and a single national apprenticeship number.
Build Canada Apprenticeship Service – April 28, 2026
Helps employers hire, train, and retain apprentices by providing wage subsidies of up to $10,000 for a first-year apprentice’s salary.
Matches apprentices to job opportunities and provides hands-on navigation support — reducing the burden on small- and medium-sized businesses.
Apprenticeship Training Grant – April 28, 2026
Provides apprentices with a weekly income top-up of $400 per week while attending mandatory in-class technical training.
Total payment of up to $16,000 per apprentice — paid in addition to Employment Insurance — removing financial barriers during training.
Apprenticeship Completion Bonus & Continuation Support – April 28, 2026
A one-time $5,000 bonus for apprentices who obtain certification in a Red Seal trade — rewarding completion and accelerating Canada’s workforce.
Income supports provided for apprentices between training and work to reduce drop-off and keep people on the path to certification.
Armed Forces Trades Pathways – April 28, 2026
Over $250 million to expand skilled trades training through the Canadian Armed Forces, including through Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers programs.
A new pilot Reserves Trades Experience Program will offer fully funded trades training for young Canadians joining the Canadian Armed Forces Primary Reserve.
Additional Youth Measures:
Helping youth adapt to the digital economy – April 24, 2026
Invested $23.8 million over two years through the Digital Skills for Youth program to help youth build skills for the evolving digital economy.
Provided youth with the tools, skills, and experience they need to succeed in today’s labour market.
Supported training and work experience to help youth prepare for the jobs of tomorrow, including in emerging areas like cybersecurity, big data, and artificial intelligence.
Canada Summer Jobs & Youth Employment and Skills Strategy – April 13, 2026
Supporting 175,000 young people in 2026–27 through employment and work-integrated learning opportunities.
Delivered through Canada Summer Jobs, the horizontal Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, and the Student Work Placement Program.
Creating climate competitive jobs for young people – April 7, 2026
Invested $30 million to create 900 employment and skills training opportunities for youth in the natural resource sectors over two years.
Supported youth aged 15 to 30 through the Science and Technology Internship Program – Green Jobs by helping employers hire, train, and mentor young Canadians.
Helped young Canadians gain hands-on experience and marketable skills to support careers in the clean economy through the Science and Technology Internship Program – Green Jobs.
Strengthening the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program – March 23, 2026
Expanding access to post-secondary education to ease financial pressure on students and recent graduates.
Helping young Canadians balance the everyday costs of education while building the skills they need to confidently enter the labour market.
Investing in youth in agriculture – March 5, 2026
Invested up to $27 million in the Youth Employment and Skills Program over two years to help young Canadians gain experience in the agriculture and agri-food sector.
Supported youth aged 15 to 30 through the Youth Employment and Skills Program by helping employers provide work experience and skills development opportunities.
Prioritized support for Indigenous youth, youth with disabilities, and youth in rural and remote communities through the Youth Employment and Skills Program.
Youth Climate Corps – November 4, 2025
Provided $40 million over two years, starting in 2026–27, to create a Youth Climate Corps.
Offered paid skills training for young Canadians to respond to climate emergencies, support recovery, and strengthen community resilience.
Created skills training and work experience opportunities to help reduce youth unemployment, increase innovation, and strengthen adaptation and mitigation projects.
Renewing the Canada Strong Pass – October 10, 2025
Renewed the Canada Strong Pass for the holidays and summer 2026 so children and young families can discover Canada with lower costs.
Provided a 25% VIA Rail discount for young adults aged 18 to 24 through the Canada Strong Pass.
Expanded access to museums, historic sites, parks, and rail travel across Canada through the Canada Strong Pass.
Originally launched from June 20 to September 2, 2025, offering expanded access to Canada’s nature and culture across the country.
Made permanent the National School Food Program – October 10, 2025
Made the National School Food Program permanent to provide meals for up to 400,000 children.
Helped families with two children save up to $800 per year on groceries through the National School Food Program.
Provided permanent funding of $216.6 million per year for the National School Food Program starting in 2029–30.
Back to school boost – September 2, 2025
Extended the temporary 40% increase to Canada Student Grants for the 2025–26 academic year.
Maintained the Canada Student Loan weekly limit increase from $210 to $300 per week of study.
Permanently expanded Canada Student Loan forgiveness to 10 additional health care and social services professions.
