Let's Talk Politics

Ep 9: From Gen Z to GDP - Shaping Canada’s Labour Force and Economic Future

Julia Pennella Season 1 Episode 9

What do U.S. tariffs, youth unemployment, and your grocery bill have in common? This week—everything.

I’m joined by Brendon Bernard, Senior Economist at Indeed, to unpack two major flashpoints shaking Canada’s economy: new U.S. tariffs with big implications for Canadian jobs, and a troubling rise in youth unemployment that could shape our labour market for years to come.

A staggering 25% of Canadians aged 15–24 have never held a job—a sharp jump from just a decade ago. What’s behind this shift? We dig into the data and the deeper story with one of Canada’s leading labour economists.

We also get into:

  • Why job seekers—especially young people—are facing steeper odds
  • The quiet drop in job postings and job hopping
  • How population growth, immigration shifts, and interest rates are all colliding

From the fading glow of a post-pandemic job-seeker’s market to the mounting pressures of a more competitive economy, we break down what’s happening—and why it matters.

Whether you’re a policy wonk, economics nerd, or just wondering why your bananas cost $1.50 more—this episode is for you.