Kamal Khera talks about Liberal strategy to create jobs for young Canadians in Brampton West

A Liberal government led by Justin Trudeau will invest in young Canadians entering the workforce, helping them acquire the skills and experience to gain meaningful employment and contribute to the local economy, said Kamal Khera Liberal candidate for Brampton West.

“Over the last ten years under Stephen Harper, people in Brampton West – and right across the country – are struggling to make ends meet. This couldn’t be truer of young workers trying desperately to break into the job market,” said Ms Khera. “You don’t have to look far to find stories of bright young local kids going off to college or university, being unable to find work, and having to move home. Thousands of young Canadians are unemployed or underemployed, and jobs are so hard to come by that many young people have stopped looking altogether. Liberals have a plan to invest in our shared future by creating jobs and opportunities for young Canadians.”

A Liberal government will invest $1.3 billion over three years – 13 times more than the NDP – to, among other things:

1. Create 40,000 youth jobs each year for the next three years through a new, annual investment of $300 million in a renewed Youth Employment Strategy;
2. Create 5,000 new green jobs for youth, as part of the renewed Youth Employment Strategy, by hiring more guides, interpreters, and other staff at Parks Canada, as well as partnering with environmental organizations to create programs that help young people tackle environmental challenges while gaining valuable work experience;
3. Invest $40 million annually to help employers create new co-op placements for science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and business students;and
4. Restore a modernizedYouth Service Program, providing $25 million per year to help young Canadians gain valuable work and life experience while travelling the country, participating in community building projects.

“Unfortunately, the shortage of good jobs for young people has become commonplace under this Conservative government. There are 170,000 fewer young people in the workforce now than before the 2008 recession. Parents are feeling the crunch, and are forced to dip into their savings to support their kids,” said Ms Khera. “We can and must do more to help young people enter the workforce and launch their careers. Liberals fundamentally believe that all Canadians deserve a real and fair chance at success, and we’re committed to helping young people in communities just like Brampton West.”