Youth in Eastern Ontario are facing a higher unemployment rate than the general population in the province. The Employment Services Centre of Prescott-Russell (CESPR) estimates that approximately 15 per cent of youth aged 15-24 in the region are unemployed and actively seeking work.
At 15 per cent, this is nearly double Ontario’s current general unemployment rate of 7.8 per cent.
Statistics Canada reported in its Labour Force Survey for June 2025 that the national unemployment rate decreased by 0.1 percentage points to 6.9 per cent, adding approximately 83,000 jobs to the national economy.
Statistics Canada’s June 2025 Labour Force Survey showed Ontario’s unemployment rate was relatively stable at 7.8 per cent, though employment rose by approximately 21,000 jobs, or 0.3 per cent, following declines in previous months.
Youth unemployment remains disproportionately high, despite recent job gains across Ontario.
The Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) reported that the provincial working-age population—those 15 years or older—totalled 13.7 million people. Of these individuals, the May 2025 Ontario Labour Market Report estimated that 8.9 million, or 65 per cent, were employed or actively seeking employment.
MLITSD also highlighted that the youth unemployment rate for those aged 15-24 decreased to 15.5 per cent in May, down from 15.8 per cent in April, out of a total youth labour force of approximately 1,059,600.
CESPR Director General Caroline Arcand explained that numerous socioeconomic factors continue to play a role in the high unemployment rate for youth in Eastern Ontario. Arcand also noted that in January 2025, the general unemployment rate in Eastern Ontario was 5.4 per cent, noticeably lower than the provincial average of 7.6 per cent at the time, though she did not provide specific data on youth unemployment.
“Elevated unemployment levels, poverty, lack of transportation access, lack of experience in trades that are currently in demand, homelessness, and a general lack of engagement in job searching were common factors we’ve recorded that continue to affect youth in our region,” Arcand said.
To help address these challenges, CESPR delivers dedicated programs for youth, including the Focus on Future initiative.
The Focus on Future program aims to enable youth between the ages of 15 and 30 to develop skills needed to secure meaningful and sustainable employment. It includes paid workshops, on-the-job training through a partnership with a local employer, personalized and group coaching, and virtual and in-person sessions in both English and French.
The CESPR also offers numerous supports for youth struggling to enter the workforce, including access to youth-specialized employment counsellors, resumé and cover letter writing support, and access to dedicated student jobs and employers.
“Our goal is to help youth find jobs and build confidence in their long-term career paths,” Arcand said.
More information is available for youth employment at the CESPR website: https://csepr.ca/en/job-seekers-and-students/programs/youth-programs/.
