Youth Unemployment: Canada's Hidden Deficit

Hayward C. Blake is a high-school principal in Harbour Grace,
Newfoundland.

In 1993, youth unemployment in Canada averaged 15 percent. At any given
time, almost one-third of Canada’s unemployed is under the age of 25.
With the disappearance of traditional occupations, prospects for
sustained employment are diminishing. The Canadian Youth Foundation
terms this phenomenon “Canada’s hidden deficit.” Their report
identifies some of the factors that contribute to the high levels of
youth unemployment, as well as some of the steps that will have to be
taken to redress the problem. This frank and honest examination of youth
unemployment is an admirable first step.