TORONTO – On July 30, 2025, thousands of young individuals are anticipated to converge for job interviews at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) amid a rising rate of youth unemployment in Ontario. The CNE has reported receiving over 54,000 online job applications for more than 5,000 seasonal positions available during the two-week fair. These positions include roles such as cashiers, retail associates, game attendants, food service staff, midway operators, and informational guides.
This surge in applications marks the highest number ever recorded by the CNE, which attributes this phenomenon to a challenging job market currently contributing to elevated youth unemployment rates. An economic expert has indicated that this year's youth unemployment rate surpasses that of the same period last year; however, it is still lower than the peaks observed during the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2008 recession.
Viet Vu, the manager of economic research at Toronto Metropolitan University's Dais think tank, observes that youth unemployment has increased recently due to a general cooling of the job market over the past several months. This slowdown is attributed to a decrease in hiring by businesses and various trade disruptions with the United States.
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for individuals aged 15 to 24 in Ontario was 15.8 percent as of June 2025. Vu highlights that young people seeking their first job after graduation, as well as students looking for summer employment, are particularly affected by the current unfavorable job conditions.
Despite the challenging environment, the CNE has managed to hire individuals for more than 1,000 positions as part of its staffing efforts for the fair. The event not only serves as an important highlight in Toronto's summer calendar but also plays a vital role in providing employment opportunities for young workers.
Overall, the high level of interest in seasonal employment at the CNE reflects ongoing challenges in the youth labor market, emphasizing the struggles many young people face while navigating their entry into the workforce amid economic uncertainties.
