Canada's Top Employers for Young People (2026) Magazine - Magazine - Page 3
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CANADA’S TOP EMPLOYERS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE (2026)
CANADA’S TOP
EMPLOYERS FOR
YOUNG PEOPLE
Anthony Meehan,
PUBLISHER
Editorial Team:
Richard Yerema,
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Kristina Leung,
MANAGING EDITOR
Stephanie Leung,
EDITOR
Sonja Verpoort,
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Cypress Weston,
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Krista Robinson,
SENIOR RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Advertising Team:
Chantel Watkins,
SENIOR PUBLISHING LEAD
Chariemagne Wood,
SENIOR PUBLISHING SPECIALIST
Teresa Yeung,
PUBLISHING COORDINATOR
Vishnusha Kirupananthan,
SENIOR BRANDING & GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Sponsored Profile Writers:
Berton Woodward,
SENIOR EDITOR
Brian Bethune
Deborah Bourk
Abigail Cukier
Mary Dickie
Don Hauka
Patricia Hluchy
Diane C. Jermyn
Sara King-Abadi
Tom Mason
Michael McCullough
Dianne Rinehart
Kelsey Rolfe
Rita Silvan
Barbara Wickens
©2026 Mediacorp Canada Inc. All rights reserved. Canada’s Top Employers for Young
Employers is a product of Mediacorp Canada Inc. The Globe and Mail publishes content from this magazine online, but is not involved in the editorial content, judging
or selection of winners. CANADA’S TOP EMPLOYERS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE is a trade
mark used by Mediacorp under license. Editorial inquiries: ct100@mediacorp.ca
p St. John’s-based CoLab Software offers internships in computer science, engineering and business, offering
paid positions that range from four to 16 months.
C
anada’s youth unemployment rate has
climbed to levels not seen in more than a
decade, with more than 13 percent of
Canadians aged 15 to 24 currently unable to
find work — roughly double the national
average. For a country that depends on skills, innovation,
and productivity growth to sustain its living standards, this
is not merely a social concern – it is an economic threealarm fire.
The alarm is sounding at an especially precarious
moment. The ongoing tariff war with the United States
has dampened growth in key export sectors, created
uncertainty for investment, and weakened hiring intentions in industries that traditionally absorb large numbers
of young workers. Against this backdrop of trade disruption and slower economic momentum, Canada’s labour
market is being tested in ways that extend far beyond
headline unemployment rates.
A comparison with peer economies underscores the
urgency of the situation. While youth unemployment
remains stubbornly high in Canada, countries such as
Germany have historically maintained much lower youth
jobless rates — near 6–7 percent — supported by robust
vocational training and apprenticeship systems that link
education to work. In other G7 nations, youth unemployment continues to exceed adult rates by several percentage
points, but Canada’s challenge remains pronounced
relative to its advanced-economy peers and highlights
structural impediments in the way we manage the
transition from school to employment.
This is why today’s announcement of Canada’s Top
Employers for Young People (2026) is more than just a list of
commendable workplaces. The initiatives that our editors
have highlighted are things that every Canadian employer
should be considering. The winning organizations view
young talent not as inexpensive labour but strategic assets
— bringing digital fluency, comfort with artificial
intelligence, and the ability to reimagine legacy processes.
These are precisely the competencies that Canada needs
at a time when we need to diversify the economy beyond
traditional export customers and compete in emerging
markets that prize innovation and reliability.
Young people also bring fresh perspectives on consumer behaviour, sustainability, and global opportunity sets
— essential qualities for Canadian enterprises seeking to
pivot into new markets in what is undoubtedly a generational shift in international trade. But talent alone is
insufficient without investment: structured training,
mentorship, and clear pathways for advancement are
necessary to convert potential into productivity.
At a moment when Canada confronts both domestic
labour market imbalances and international trade
headwinds, empowering young workers is central to the
country’s economic strategy. Prioritizing youth employment through enhanced training, technology integration,
and inclusive workplace benefits not only improves
individual career outcomes but strengthens Canada’s
competitive position in an increasingly complex global
economy.
– Tony Meehan
