Economics

Here's Why Poloz Is Fixated on Canada's Youth Labor Force

  • Participation rate for 15-24 year olds reaches two-decade low
  • For Bank of Canada governor, category holds key to rate timing

A student learns precision metalwork on a milling machine at the vocational training centre in Montmagny, Quebec. 

Photographer: Christinne Muschi/Bloomberg 

Lock
This article is for subscribers only.

While Canada’s recent growth surge has been a welcome development, it’s bringing to light a new set of problems: the country may run out of workers to keep the momentum going.

Participation rates -- the proportion of the population either working or looking for work -- are running up against historical highs in every age category except one: youth.