Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, witnesses, for being here today.
Earlier we were hearing from German witnesses, where with a population of approximately 82 million, youth unemployment is 8% or so. If we compare that with Canada, with a population of 34 million, I read a TD Economics article recently that said our youth unemployment is above 14%. It said that the youth unemployment in Canada will cost the Canadian economy $23 billion. I agree with their logic when they talk about why it is $23 billion. The economic impact is not just related to lost wages, but it also includes the lost productivity by those individuals. The crime rate definitely increases as well. The potential is there, and we can use all the wealth.
We have been hearing from all kinds of witnesses. One thing is that number one, our government has initiated some programs for employers and also for the youth apprentices to give them some incentive to join the program. Where is the gap? It seems there are not as many programs available for the youth on the one hand, by the private sector, I would say. On the other hand, the youth drop out of a lot of the trade apprenticeships they join. What is the reason?