Investing in Young Canadians
How we are building a better future for young Canadians
Since 2015, our Liberal government has made significant investments and implemented a wide range of initiatives to support young Canadians in their pursuit of education, employment, and active participation in our democracy.
This report summarizes our government’s accomplishments, highlighting key programs and policies that have made life more affordable, expanded the job market, and ensured the voices of young Canadians are heard. To learn more about our investments, please download our report.
Education
- The introduction of the Canada Learning Bond provides up to $2,000 in non-repayment funds for post-secondary education expenses, easing the financial burden on students and enabling them to focus on their studies.
- Our government has doubled the funding for Canada Student Grants, offering up to $6,000 per year towards education. Additionally, a permanent interest freeze on Canada Student Loans has been implemented, making programs such as medicine and law more accessible to students.
- Recognizing the labour and skilled trades shortage, our government has increased support for young people entering the trades. Initiatives such as the Canada Apprenticeship Loan, Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, and Apprenticeship Completion Grant provide financial assistance to apprentices, helping them pursue and complete their training.
- To alleviate the burden of student loans, our government has permanently frozen interest on all Canada Student Loans and Apprenticeship Loans. Moreover, repayment of student loans now begins once graduates earn $40,000 annually, allowing young Canadians to start saving without the immediate pressure of loan repayment.
- Established Youth Councils at national and local levels to allow young Canadians to engage directly with national leaders and share their perspectives and concerns. These councils provide a platform for young voices to be heard and contribute to policy discussions.
Our investments in education include:
Divorced or separated parents can now open a joint RESP for their children, enhancing accessibility to federal aid.
Affordability and Housing
- New Housing Initiatives: Recognizing the challenges faced by young Canadians in the housing market, our government passed the National Housing Strategy, a historic $82+ billion investment.
- The Rapid Housing Initiative has further addressed housing insecurity by constructing affordable housing units, including specific allocations for women-focused projects.
- The First-Time Home Buyers Incentive supports middle-income Canadians in achieving homeownership.
- Reducing childcare costs by over 50 percent and creating hundreds of thousands of new childcare spaces.
- The Canada Child Benefit has been reformed to provide increased support to low and middle-income families, lifting hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty.
Our government has taken steps to make life more affordable for young Canadians including:
Democratic Participation
We are working hard to facilitate youth participation in our democracy. The Elections Modernization Act has enabled Elections Canada to hire youth aged 16-17, promoting their involvement in the electoral process. Additionally, the Register of Future Electors allows Canadians over the age of 14 to pre-register to vote, removing a significant barrier for first-time voters.
There are always fun and engaging ways to get involved. Join the hundreds of other friends and neighbours in our community who have come together to take part in positive politics.
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