A Laurentian University student has some advice for Premier Doug Ford.
Caleb Piché-LaRocque, 20, who is studying business administration and economics, has been appointed to the Premier's Council on Equality of Opportunity. He is one of 20 members of the council between the ages of 18 and 29 who is advising the province about ways it can help young people, particularly those facing multiple challenges, overcome the adverse economic effects of the COVID-19 outbreak and achieve their career goals.
Approximately one in 10 Ontario residents between the ages of 15 and 24 are doing nothing. They are not engaged in education, employment or training. (Made in Ontario NEET Youth Research Initiative.)
Statistics Canada reports the national unemployment rate for youth aged under 24 was 16.8 per cent in March, the highest rate for this group since June 1997.
In addition to his education background in business administration, Piché-LaRocque, who is visually impaired, says he was selected for the council because," I have lived some instances where I felt my opportunities were limited due to my visual impairments. I bring a different viewpoint from Northern Ontario with many personal lived experiences.
"My disability allows me to connect and understand the struggle marginalized individuals often face. Being from the north, I understand and can report some issues that southern Ontario (young people) do not usually face."
Piché-LaRocque was recently selected to be on the CNIB National Youth Council and the Laurentian University Business Council. He graduated from École Secondaire Macdonald Cartier in 2018.
"I heard I had been appointed through an email on Aug. 24. This is such an amazing opportunity," says Piché-LaRocque. "I am extremely thankful to have an opportunity like this one."
The council met for the first time during Zoom meetings held Aug. 27 and 28.
"I was blown away by our team. Our team has the skills and knowledge to tackle any issues that may arise. The members range from CEOs to entrepreneurs," says Piché-LaRocque.
Jamil Jivani, Ontario's Advocate for Community Opportunities, is the chair of the council for the first year. Jivani is the managing director of Road Home Research & Analysis, a research non-profit supported by the Pinball Clemons Foundation. Previously, he was a visiting professor at Osgoode Hall Law School, where he focused on issues affecting youth, immigrants, and low-income families.
According to the Office of the Premier, the council's mandate is to provide advice on employment, skills training, and education needs of youth, particularly those facing multiple barriers; gather insights, networks, knowledge and learn directly from individuals and organizations that support youth, to disseminate best practices and strategies to respond to economic shifts; advise on ways to target existing programs and investigate new directions that could be pursued by government to build a future-oriented workforce; and engage local communities on relevant issues.
Government statistics indicate 40 per cent of millennials are employed through temporary, short-term or freelance jobs.