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Securing a first job can be a daunting task, especially for young Canadians in recent times. At a youth-oriented job fair in Calgary, recent graduate Jay-Owen Angeles expressed his challenges, stating, “I’ve applied to over 100 companies without a single interview so far.” His brother, Ronin Angeles, also shared his struggle, mentioning, “Even with food service interviews, I haven’t had any success yet.”
With thousands of young individuals turning to job fairs to make an impression, the competition remains fierce. Over 5,000 participants attended a recent job fair in Calgary, highlighting the intensity of the job market for young workers.
The job market continues to pose a significant challenge for young Canadians, accounting for half of all job losses in the first quarter of this year, despite comprising only 14% of the workforce. Hiring demand in sectors that traditionally employ young workers has diminished, coupled with a growing population post-pandemic, resulting in more job-seekers in an uncertain economic climate.
Charles St-Arnaud, Chief Economist of the Servus Credit Union, emphasized, “In the current economic landscape where businesses are hesitant to hire, it is the youth who will bear the impact, a trend likely to persist in the upcoming year.”
Youth Struggle in the Job Market
Statistics Canada’s recent labor force survey revealed that the unemployment rate for Canadians aged 15 to 24 stood at 13.8% in March, compared to the overall rate of 6.7%.
Despite a slight decrease from a peak of 14.6% in September 2025, the rate remains virtually unchanged from 13.9% in March of the previous year. In the first quarter of 2026, the economy witnessed approximately 95,000 job losses, with young workers accounting for 53% of these losses, despite their smaller representation in the workforce.
Young Canadians aged 15 to 24 face challenges in finding employment, with one individual reporting 100 unsuccessful job applications.
The prevailing uncertainty is attributed to factors such as increased energy prices, U.S. trade tensions, and the impact of artificial intelligence, leading to cautious hiring practices among employers.
St-Arnaud explained, “Summer jobs, internships, and co