A coalition of prominent Canadian leaders is calling on the federal government to back a proposed voluntary National Youth Service program that includes basic military training. The initiative, submitted by Engage Canada to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance in May, aims to address youth unemployment and national preparedness simultaneously.
Program details and funding request
Under the proposal, Canadians aged 18 to 25 would complete basic military training before serving in areas such as emergency preparedness, climate resilience, and community service. Engage Canada is requesting $18.75 million over 24 months in Budget 2026 to develop and launch the program. Participants would receive compensation, though the exact wage has yet to be determined.
The proposal has garnered support from business, military, Indigenous, academic, and community leaders, including former Quebec premier Jean Charest, former British Columbia premier Christy Clark, Paralympian Rick Hansen, and Chief Wilton Littlechild.
Addressing dual challenges
Michael Burns, chair of Engage Canada, said the program targets two pressing national issues. “I think Canada is facing two significant challenges at the same time,” he told the National Post. “First, young people are entering adulthood without a clear pathway for employment. A lot of them are lacking skills, a sense of purpose, resiliency, and a sense of belonging.”
“The second is that the country has some urgent national needs, including emergency preparedness, climate resiliency, community service, support for seniors, defence, and security issues. A modern national service program for youth could help address both those things. It would give young Canadians a meaningful paid opportunity to serve and build their future, while also strengthening Canada’s capacity to respond to national challenges that we face today.”
Public support and timing
Engage Canada argues the proposal arrives as Canada debates sovereignty, defence readiness, labour shortages, emergency preparedness, and civic leadership. Supporters emphasize the need to invest in human infrastructure alongside physical infrastructure. Public opinion polling indicates strong backing for similar concepts: a 2025 Angus Reid Institute survey found that 74% of Canadians favoured a year of public health support service, 73% supported environmental service, 72% backed youth service, and 70% favoured civil protection service.
