Young Canadians have so much to offer, yet they don’t always have the chance to make a difference in meaningful ways.

Unemployment has been stubbornly high among 15- to 24-year-olds since the pandemic, peaking at 15 per cent last summer (though dipping to 12.7 per cent in June, according to Statistics Canada).

Artificial intelligence is eating away at entry-level positions that give young adults a foothold in the labour market once they’re ready to launch their careers.

All around, there are existential crises like forest fires fuelled by climate change; wars; U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to make Canada the 51st state; and separatist movements in Alberta and Quebec seeking to break up the country.

With so much upheaval, it’s no wonder so many of today’s youth feel anxious — and perhaps powerless.

But there may be a way to harness the potential of the next generation while addressing some of the great challenges the country is facing: a national youth service program.

A group of prominent Canadians — including former Quebec premier Jean Charest and para-athlete and philanthropist Rick Hansen — is backing the idea of a corps of young volunteers ready to roll up their sleeves and have an impact.

Engage Canada, a non-partisan group, has been formed to explore what this might look like. It recently sent an open letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney proposing the idea and asked that $18 million over two years be set aside in the next federal budget to lay the groundwork.

“In many ways, we’re kind of playing catch-up to the rest of the world,” said Michael........

© Montreal Gazette