As students across Canada return to classrooms this fall, the federal government is investing in education affordability and career supports to help young Canadians prepare for the workforce.
Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, announced $26.1 million in funding for six national projects under Employment and Social Development Canada’s Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) Program. The funding builds on previous investments that are already helping more than 23,600 youth with employment supports.
“These projects are designed to develop and test solutions to the challenges youth face in today’s job market,” Hajdu said. “By bringing together youth, service providers and employers, we can create approaches that can be scaled across the sector, from integrating youth with disabilities to improving data collection for evidence-based decision-making.”
In addition, the government has extended temporary increases to student grants and loans for the 2025–26 academic year through the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program. Full-time, part-time, and students with disabilities or dependants will continue to see a 40 per cent increase in non-repayable grants, while the weekly Canada Student Loan limit has been raised from $210 to $300.
The YESS Program, including Canada Summer Jobs, is part of a broader suite of initiatives for youth, alongside the Student Work Placement Program, Canada Service Corps, and Supports for Student Learning Program. Collectively, the programs are expected to create 162,000 opportunities for youth in 2025–26.
Secretary of State for Children and Youth Anna Gainey said the investments will help students gain the skills and experience needed to succeed in a rapidly changing labour market.
“By investing in their potential, we’re investing in Canada’s future prosperity,” Gainey said.
Additional measures introduced in Budget 2024 aim to address the cost of living for students and support healthcare workers in underserved communities. About 593,000 students are expected to benefit from the increased grants, while 367,000 could access higher interest-free loans. Shelter allowance adjustments could help 79,000 students annually, and expanded loan forgiveness programs will assist healthcare and social service professionals working in rural or remote communities.
Hajdu said these initiatives reflect a commitment to giving students the skills, training, and support to succeed while helping employers access young talent to meet evolving economic needs.