October 16, 2025
RED FM News Desk
Speaking to RED FM Toronto on Wednesday, Federal Minister for Jobs and Families Patty Hajdu hs rejected claims that rising youth unemployment in Canada is being driven primarily by immigration, saying the reality is far more complex.
“I would reject that it’s all entirely related to immigration,” Hajdu said, noting that some regions “desperately need immigration,” while others have experienced “a big boom in immigration.”
According to Hajdu, temporary foreign workers represent only 1% of Canada’s workforce, and the government is taking steps to stabilize immigration levels, including temporary streams.
She also highlighted that international students face a higher unemployment rate, around 20%. “Obviously, we have had an influx of students in the last number of years,” she said.
The minister pointed to targeted federal programs aimed at supporting young job seekers. Under the Carney government, Ottawa has expanded the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, which includes the Canada Summer Jobs Program.
“Last summer, we added another 6,000 jobs. That was another $25 million, contributing to about 76,000 jobs last summer,” Hajdu noted.
She also referenced the Student Work Placement Program, which provides , hands-on work experience to help students transition into the workforce more smoothly.
Hajdu acknowledged that youth unemployment remains a serious challenge, but stressed that the problem looks different across the country. “The youth unemployment rate is a worrying number,” she added, linking it to larger economic pressures.
“When it comes to the implementation of tariffs and the closure of a variety of different large sector employers, it really does have trickle-down effects; especially in smaller communities, but even in large communities where it affects small businesses, people’s recreation, and their ability to have disposable income.”
She said when the economy slows, it’s often students who feel the impact first. That’s why it’s crucial for all of us to double down on efforts to keep young people engaged and help them access the jobs of the future.
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