Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan for raising this important issue. We share his concerns for Canadians, especially young Canadians who are looking for good jobs and a strong future.
Our government is making generational investments with youth at the forefront. We know that a strong economy starts with a strong workforce, and that means creating opportunities for young people to gain skills, experience and confidence. Budget 2025 delivers on this commitment. We are investing $1.5 billion over three years in youth programs, the largest youth employment investment in a generation.
Through the youth employment and skills strategy, we will provide wraparound support for 20,000 youth in 2026, helping them overcome barriers and succeed in the labour market. We are also expanding programs that work. The Canada summer jobs program will create 100,000 work opportunities in summer 2026. In my colleague's riding alone in 2025, the number of organizations that benefited from this program was 42, and it created 159 jobs for the youth in his riding.
The student work placement program will deliver 55,000 placements for students in 2026-27, connecting education to real-world experience. Through the new youth climate corps, we are investing $40 million over two years to train young Canadians for climate emergency response and community resilience.
These measures reflect what youth told us during budget consultations: Their top priorities are lowering the cost of living, housing, and access to mental health supports. We are listening and acting, and the results speak for themselves. Youth employment rose by 21,000 jobs in October, the first increase since January. Youth unemployment dropped by almost 1%. Programs like Canada summer jobs deliver lasting impact, and 88% of that program's participants are employed within two years of completion. The student work placement program benefits employers too; 97% say it strengthens their business. Youth in the employment and skills strategy see real gains; 76% are employed one year after the program, with earnings up by almost $9,500.
These investments are not just numbers; they are opportunities. They mean more young Canadians are building careers, contributing to their communities and driving our economy forward. At the same time, we are tackling the skilled trades shortage head-on. Budget 2025 invests $75 million over three years to expand union-based apprenticeship training, as well as nearly $1 billion annually to make trades training more affordable and accessible.
Because I had prepared my remarks before my hon. colleague's question this morning, which is a little different than the one I thought he would come back to, I want to reassure him that students who are currently enrolled in and benefiting from the student grants for non-university or university educational institutions that do not qualify, if they are already enrolled and they continue in that vein with their studies until they graduate, the program remains the same.
Whether it is building homes, responding to climate challenges or powering innovation, young Canadians will lead the way, and our government will be there investing in their success and building one Canadian economy that works for everyone.
