(Courtesy: Toronto Youth Cabinet/X)
A call to action, voiced at a City Hall summit, aims to provide meaningful opportunities that could transform the lives of Toronto’s youth and strengthen the city’s future.
On Aug. 9, Toronto’s Youth Cabinet made a significant push for change by holding an employment summit at City Hall.The Toronto Youth Cabinet is proposing for Mayor Olivia Chow and the City of Toronto to create a Summer Youth Employment Program that will address the rise in youth violence and youth unemployment in the city.
The summit saw an impressive turnout, with over 150 participants, including non-profits, private sector partners, and youth from various backgrounds – Black, Indigenous, and newcomers. Toronto’s Mayor Chow also attended and spoke at the event, emphasizing the importance of the Youth Cabinet’s call to action.
The Toronto Youth Cabinet interacts with thousands of young people annually, many of whom have expressed that employment helps them feel they are making a meaningful impact in their communities. Executive Director of the Youth Cabinet Stephen Mensah told The Brandon Gonez Show that the proposed program would provide youth with valuable job experience, helping them enter the labour market more easily.
“These are talented, ambitious young people who are looking for opportunities to contribute to their communities and support the economy,” he said.
“Young people made it loud and clear, they want a job, they need a job, and that not even just out of necessity, but a job is really going to help them to contribute to their community, contribute to society, be productive citizens,” he added.
Mensah also said research consistently shows the broad benefits of youth employment, including improved academic outcomes and enhanced skill development.
“Young people want to level up, and they also want to look towards the future of career success and economic security. A good job is going to allow them to do that, and that’s what we’re pushing for,” he said.
According to Mensah, the current rise in violence and criminal activities, such as carjackings and gun violence, along with the highest youth unemployment rate Toronto has seen in decades, highlights the critical need for this program. He said, “Our youth unemployment rate is worse than many cities and provinces in Canada, which reinforces the need for the city to take a direct leadership role in supporting our young people.”
While Chow has shown openness to ongoing discussions, Mensah stressed the need for tangible actions rather than just words.
“Mayor Chow is always responsive to these issues, but we need to move beyond understanding and take real, meaningful action,” Mensah said.
Looking ahead, the Youth Cabinet plans to present their motion to Chow’s Executive Committee on October 1.
“I’m very confident, we’re really going to get it done. And I say this because young people are ready,” Mensah said.
Furthermore, the organization is encouraging all Torontonians to join the conversation and support their call for creating more youth jobs.
