Today, and Marc G. Serré, MP Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Viviane Lapointe, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages and Associate Minister of Public Safety, announced an investment of $1,927,000 from the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS).

This funding will support the YMCA Employment Services - Shaping Careers for Youth through Learning & Development ($995,000), and Collège Boréal – Boréal Youth Employment Pathway program ($932,000).

The YESS Program provides funding to organizations to deliver a range of activities that help young people (aged 15–30) overcome barriers to employment. Projects provide flexible employment services and holistic supports tailored to each individual so they can gain transferable skills that will have a lasting positive impact on their careers. Funded activities can include mentoring, coaching, training, wraparound services (such as dependant care support and mental health counselling) and paid work placements in a range of sectors, all aimed at setting each participant up for success.

Through this investment, the Government of Canada reaffirms its commitment to building an equitable labour market where all youth can reach their full potential. By fostering a diverse and skilled workforce, these initiatives will contribute to Sudbury’s long-term economic growth and innovation.

Quotes

“Opportunity isn’t a privilege, it’s a right and as a government, we have a responsibility to ensure
that every young person has the support they need to thrive. This investment is ensuring that youth in Sudbury have the support and opportunities they need to build successful careers. By removing barriers, we are creating more opportunities and ultimately contributing to our economic prosperity.” – Viviane Lapointe, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages and Associate Minister of Public Safety and Member of Parliament for Sudbury

"The Youth Employment and Skills Strategy is breaking down barriers and ensuring that all young people—regardless of their circumstances—have the opportunity to gain valuable skills, meaningful work experience, and a fair chance at success. By supporting these important programs, we empower youth in Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury to build strong careers and contribute to the economic growth of our communities across Northern Ontario." – Marc G. Serré, MP Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

“No young person facing hardship, disability or mental health challenges should have their future limited by systemic barriers. With support from community partners, employers, and funding from Employment and Social Development Canada, Collège Boréal is proud to use its diverse expertise to help youth eager to enter the workforce, contribute to their communities, and achieve their full potential.”  - Daniel Giroux, President of Collège Boréal

"At the YMCA of Northeastern Ontario, we are committed to empowering youth with the skills and opportunities they need to succeed. The YMCA's Shaping Careers for Youth Program exemplifies our unwavering commitment to supporting youth in overcoming barriers and achieving their full potential. We extend our sincere thanks to the Government of Canada for their invaluable support in making this initiative possible." - Lorrie Turnbull, President & Chief Executive Officer, YMCA of Northeastern Ontario

Quick Facts

• Today’s additional investment of over $23 million supports the Government’s Budget 2024 commitment to create 90,000 youth job placements and employment support opportunities for the 2025–26 fiscal year.
• In July 2024, the Government announced $370 million in funding through ESDC’s YESS Program to support over 200 projects, helping 22,000 youth overcome employment barriers and secure meaningful, lasting jobs. This additional funding brings the total investment in ESDC’s YESS Program to more than $393 million for the period of 2024–28.
• ESDC’s YESS Program was designed to support all youth with an equal opportunity to find meaningful work. New to the current funding cycle is an emphasis on supporting projects that target youth with disabilities. Other priority groups include Indigenous youth, 2SLGBTQI+ youth, Black and other racialized youth, and youth in official language minority communities. 

• Youth have experienced rising unemployment rates since April 2023. In 2024, youth aged 15-24 had an unemployment rate of 13.2% compared to 5.4% for core-aged adults (25-54). Youth from underrepresented groups often face additional barriers that can negatively affect employment outcomes. For example, in 2024, the unemployment rate for:
  • Racialized youth was 16.2%
  • Black youth was 21.5%
  • Indigenous youth was 17.7%
  • In 2023 (the latest available data) the unemployment rate for youth with disabilities was 15.8%.

Associated links

• Youth Employment and Skills Strategy

More information
Lisa Bucher
Communications Officer
705-507-2416
[email protected]