A coalition of Canadian leaders and experts is urging the federal government to establish a voluntary, paid national youth service program aimed at equipping young Canadians with skills, employment, and a sense of civic responsibility. The initiative, proposed by Engage Canada—a cross-sector group representing diverse interests across the country—calls on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government to develop a program that would support nation-building priorities including economic growth, northern development, and national security.

Each year, approximately 400,000 Canadians reach the age of 18, often facing challenges securing their first jobs or finding meaningful engagement. The proposed program targets youth between 18 and 25 years old, offering opportunities to contribute to areas deemed critical to the country's future. Program participants would be selected based on merit, motivation, and readiness to serve, and would work in fields such as emergency preparedness and climate resilience, security, Indigenous and northern community service, skilled trades, emerging technologies, conservation, and support for seniors.

Engage Canada emphasizes that the model would be tailored to reflect Canadian values and priorities, drawing lessons from successful national service programs in over 60 countries, including Finland. The program would be nationally coordinated but locally delivered to create tangible public value while promoting youth development.

The coalition highlights the potential benefits of the program in providing young people with paid employment, skills training, mentorship, and credentials, while fostering a stronger connection to the country. Its structure aims to build resilience and preparedness among youth, which could bolster Canada’s economic and security interests over the long term.

To move forward, Engage Canada has submitted a proposal to the House of Commons Finance Committee seeking federal funding to design the program, pilot key components, conduct broad consultations, assess partnership opportunities, estimate costs, and prepare an implementation framework. Consultations would involve governments, Indigenous leaders, municipalities, employers, educational institutions, and service organizations.

The initiative has garnered support from a broad range of prominent individuals, including former military officials, business leaders, academics, Indigenous representatives, and former political figures. Notable backers include Lieutenant-General (Ret’d) Michel Maisonneuve, former British Columbia Premier Christy Clark, Major-General (Ret’d) Lewis MacKenzie, and Chief Wilton Littlechild, a former Grand Chief of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations.

Engage Canada calls on the government to recognize the program as a key element in nation-building and youth empowerment, stating that young Canadians must have a meaningful role in shaping the country they will inherit. The group continues to encourage public and private sector stakeholders to support the initiative as it seeks to enhance the readiness and contribution of the next generation of Canadians.