The COVID-19 pandemic has had a tremendous impact on all Canadians, and young people—particularly young people with disabilities—have been especially affected. That is why the Government of Canada continues to make historic investments to ensure that they have the supports and opportunities needed to build long and successful careers.

As we celebrate National AccessAbility Week, it is important to recognize the many contributions that Canadians with disabilities have made and continue to make in our communities, and we need to ensure that they have the tools they need to succeed now and into the future.

Today, the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Member of Parliament for Don Valley West, Rob Oliphant, highlighted that the Government of Canada is investing over $130 million to provide young people facing barriers with good jobs and the supports and skills training they need to join the workforce.

Across the country, 59 organizations funded through Employment and Social Development Canada’s (ESDC) Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) program are delivering 61 projects that will serve close to 10,000 young people, including youth with disabilities.

One such organization, the Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work, is providing tailored skills training and employment services to more than 400 young Canadians with disabilities through two projects called Youth the Future. Participants in St. John’s, Halifax, Moncton, Montréal and the Greater Toronto Area will receive services that will help them improve their skills and find quality work and will prepare them to obtain and keep employment.

Supporting youth and ensuring their inclusion in all aspects of Canada’s economic recovery takes a collaborative and dynamic approach. Through Budget 2021, the Government of Canada committed an additional $5.7 billion over the next five years to help young Canadians pursue and complete their education, acquire new skills and get hired. This is on top of the $7.4 billion already invested to support young Canadians during the pandemic. Thousands more young Canadians will be able to benefit from the government’s historic support for:

• 30,600 new jobs through the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy in 2021–2022;
• 220,000 jobs through Canada Summer Jobs over the next two years;
• an expected 50,000 work-integrated learning opportunities through the Student Work Placement Program in 2021–2022;
• at least 85,000 work-integrated learning placements through Mitacs over the next five years starting in 2021–2022; and
• 28,000 training and work opportunities for young Canadians through the Canada Digital Technology Adoption program.

Join us during National AccessAbility Week to celebrate the many contributions made by young Canadians with disabilities in our communities. When barriers to accessibility and inclusion are removed, it gives Canadians with disabilities the opportunity to participate more fully, helping our communities thrive and our economy prosper, so that all Canadians benefit.