Expanding Supports for Young Canadians:
Canadian workers are building Canada strong, from major infrastructure projects to new housing across the country. Canada’s new government is committed to supporting a flourishing labour market for all.
Young people, in particular, are facing real challenges as they try to build their careers and get ahead. Many are balancing everyday costs with big life goals, like post-secondary education or saving for a first home.
Canada is meeting the challenges of today, creating opportunities that position young Canadians at the forefront of national solutions.
Our new government is building a Canada that is not just strong, but good; not just prosperous, but fair. A Canada that is not just for some, most of the time, but for all, at all times. Just some of our measures to support young people include:
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- Build Canada Apprenticeship Service:
- Helps employers hire, train, and retain apprentices by providing wage subsidies of up to $10,000 for a first-year apprentice’s salary.
- Matches apprentices to job opportunities and provides hands-on navigation support, reducing the burden on small- and medium-sized businesses.
- Apprenticeship Training Grant:
- Provides apprentices with a weekly income top-up of $400 per week while attending mandatory in-class technical training.
- Total payment of up to $16,000 per apprentice, paid in addition to Employment Insurance, removing financial barriers during training.
- Apprenticeship Completion Bonus & Continuation Support:
- A one-time $5,000 bonus for apprentices who obtain certification in a Red Seal trade, rewarding completion and accelerating Canada’s workforce.
- Income supports provided for apprentices between training and work to reduce drop-off and keep people on the certification path.
- Armed Forces Trades Pathways:
- Over $250 million to expand skilled trades training through the Canadian Armed Forces, including through Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers programs.
- A new pilot Reserves Trades Experience Program will offer fully funded trades training for young Canadians joining the Canadian Armed Forces Primary Reserve
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The First Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit is Coming This Week:
Eligible Canadians will receive a one-time GST/HST credit top-up this week on June 5, 2026. This top-up will be equal to 50% of the GST/HST credit for the 2025-26 benefit year.
Starting July 3, 2026, the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit will offer higher quarterly payments of the GST/HST credit while maintaining its existing eligibility criteria and structure. Quarterly payments will be increased by 25% and maintained at that level for the next five years.
Together, the one-time and quarterly payments will offer ongoing financial support to more than 12 million Canadians.
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Vancouver Arts Organizations Roundtable:
Vancouver’s arts and culture sector is an economic driver and a global connector for talent, tourism, and diplomacy. Earlier this month, I was pleased to join my Pacific Caucus colleagues in meeting with several Vancouver arts and culture organizations for a roundtable discussion on the realties many groups in the sector are facing right now. These include challenges from the rising cost of living, to maintaining spaces and programing.
Our conversation included topics such as increased funding for the Canada Council for the Arts, new infrastructure programs, such as the Building Communities Strong Fund, and promoting cultural sovereignty and international engagement. These organizations are a huge part of what makes our community so special and it was incredibly valuable to hear directly from them.
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As always, please reach out with any questions or concerns. If anyone you know would like to receive these updates, please direct them to contact my office at [email protected].
Warmly,
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