Hub Podcasts Why are young people giving up on Canada?
Nov 18, 2025
In this discussion, Paul Kershaw, a policy professor at UBC and founder of Generation Squeeze, sheds light on the financial struggles faced by Canadian youth. He explores the stark contrast between spending priorities for older generations versus the limited support for young adults. Paul discusses the growing burden of intergenerational wealth distribution, the challenges of housing, and the political implications of lower youth voter turnout. Ultimately, he calls for bold reforms to ensure a fairer future for the younger population.
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Budget Prioritizes Retirees Over Youth
- The 2024 budget overwhelmingly favors old-age security, with 80% of new transfers going to retirees.
- Young-adult priorities like employment and housing receive only small shares in comparison.
OAS Growth Outstrips Youth Spending
- Projected OAS spending will rise by $28 billion by 2029 versus 2023, dwarfing youth program increases.
- Comparable youth lines get under $3 billion each, revealing a major imbalance in priorities.
Ask Secure Retirees To Accept Modest Cuts
- Ask financially secure retirees to accept modest OAS reductions to free funds for seniors in poverty and younger generations.
- Reallocate savings to eliminate seniors' poverty and boost investments in youth priorities.
