Québec Government Budget Slashes Funding for Proven Youth Employment Programs
Québec youth employment cuts have left critical services at risk. YES Employment + Entrepreneurship (YES) is deeply alarmed by the recent budget announcement from the government of Québec. As a result, it has eliminated all funding from Services Québec to YES for employability services. This decision comes at a particularly critical time, as Québec faces a looming jobs crisis. Moreover, the government projects up to 160,000 job losses by 2026 due to recent tariff measures.
Find out how you can support YES and make a difference today.
Funding Eliminated for Critical Job Programs
Although some funding has been redirected to Carrefours jeunesse-emploi (CJEs), YES has lost all provincial support for two critical programs. YES is one of the few employment centres in Montréal that serves English-speaking youth aged 18–35. Many of these youth come from minority and vulnerable communities.
Jeunes en mouvement vers l’emploi (Youth on the Rise), which provides pre-employability training and internship opportunities, will end on March 31, 2025. Services d’aide à l’emploi, offering extended hours and personalized support for youth facing multiple barriers, will end on July 1, 2025. Without new funding, including private support, both programs—or any similar alternatives—will be forced to cease.
Impact: Youth Facing Higher Barriers to Employment
“These cuts couldn’t come at a worse time,” said Marina Boulos-Winton, Executive Director of YES. “We’re talking about young people—many of whom are from minority communities—already facing systemic barriers and trying to find their way in an uncertain economy”.
“Our programs have an 80% success rate because they’re built with and for English-speaking youth. This ‘for us, by us’ model fosters trust, relevance, and lasting impact. They come to YES because they see themselves reflected in the people who serve them. Cutting these programs doesn’t just jeopardize their future—it weakens the resilience, mental well-being, and economic vitality of our entire community. Eliminating programs with a proven track record sends the wrong message to young people who are trying to build a life in Québec—or who simply don’t have the resources to leave. Now is the time to invest in their potential, not turn our backs on them.”
A Crisis in the Making: 160,000 Job Losses Projected
Unemployment among youth and visible minorities in Québec remains disproportionately high. English-speaking Quebecers—who make up 15.8% of the provincial workforce—continue to experience higher unemployment, lower median incomes, more precarious work, and elevated poverty rates compared to their French-speaking counterparts. These disparities have only deepened since the pandemic. In Montréal, where YES is headquartered and where approximately 80% of Québec’s English-speaking population resides, the unemployment rate is the second highest in the province.
Proven Programs with 80% Success Rate Now at Risk
The immediate consequences of these cuts include:
- Loss of proven, community-based employment services
- Elimination of targeted coaching for vulnerable youth
- Higher barriers to workforce entry for marginalized populations
- Increased strain on other social services and public systems
YES Calls for Immediate Government Reinvestment
YES is urging the Québec government to reinvest in equitable employment support.
“Providing housing and food aid without investing in workforce development is a band-aid solution,” added Boulos-Winton. “Francization alone isn’t enough—it must be linked with real employment pathways.”
Founded in 1995 to stem the outflow of English-speaking talent from Québec, YES—formally registered as the Youth Employment Services Foundation—continues to fight for economic opportunity, equity, and the untapped potential of the communities it serves.
About YES:
As a charitable organization, YES enriches the community by providing English-language support services to help Quebecers find employment and start and grow businesses.
We help people start successful careers – for themselves, and for our community. www.yesmontreal.ca
-30-
For photos, interview requests or further information, media representatives may contact:
Kathy Slotsve
Director of Communications & Stakeholder Engagement
514-904-5290
[email protected]
Marina Boulos-Winton
Executive Director
514-654-7597
[email protected]
Find out more about our service for job seekers here.
YES Employment + Entrepreneurship | 666 Sherbrooke Street West 7th Floor | Montreal, QC | H3A 1E7