The Struggle to Find Work as an Older Canadian

 The Struggle to Find Work as an Older Canadian: Why the Canada Student Job Program is Failing Workers Over 30

By: Tina Winterlik

Once again, I find myself searching for work in a market that seems determined to exclude anyone who isn't between the ages of 16 and 30. After months of applications and multiple rounds of rejection, I’m confronted with the same barriers: the Canada Student Job Program (CSJP) requires applicants to be between 16 and 30 years old in order to qualify. That’s right—if you are over 30, you’re simply not eligible, even if you have decades of experience and are looking for a meaningful opportunity to contribute.

As someone who is 63 years old, I can’t help but feel that my chances of finding meaningful work are slipping away, just as so many of my friends and acquaintances have already passed on. I’ve watched loved ones wish away their later years, not knowing how much time they had left. My mother did, my friends have, and now I find myself facing that same uncertain future. While many will say that women live into their 80s or 100s, I’m not so sure I’ll even make it to 64, let alone 65. That thought is becoming a very real fear as the days pass by.

The Canada Student Job Program: An Overview

The CSJP is an initiative aimed at providing summer job opportunities for young Canadians to gain work experience, with wage subsidies available for employers. To qualify, applicants need to:

• Be between 16 and 30 years old.
• Be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or hold refugee status.
• Have a valid Social Insurance Number and be legally entitled to work in Canada.
• Be currently enrolled in high school, college, CEGEP, or university.

The Problem: Discriminating Against Older Workers

While youth employment is important, the CSJP inadvertently discriminates against older workers like myself, who are equally in need of work, often due to changes in personal circumstances, economic shifts, or simply trying to re-enter the workforce after raising children or going back to school later in life. The policy essentially sends the message that only young people matter when it comes to skill development and job opportunities.

The reality for older workers is that we are often shut out of many fields, including those where we could add significant value, such as museums, galleries, and community programs. The programs that should provide employment opportunities for everyone are instead closing doors based on age, leaving older workers in a position where they may not qualify for government subsidies to help them transition into new jobs. At the same time, we are faced with an increasingly competitive job market, where 50,000 newcomers are also vying for the same positions, further limiting the chances for those who have lived and worked in Canada for years.

My Personal Struggle: Homelessness Is a Real Fear

It's hard to explain the anxiety that comes with not knowing how you’re going to make rent. As someone who is nearing 64, I’ve experienced unemployment, rejection, and discrimination firsthand. The Canada Student Job Program, with its rigid age restrictions, is yet another hurdle that keeps me from accessing meaningful work. I’ve been through programs like the 55+ job search initiative, but after nearly a year of searching and being rejected from countless positions, I’m now looking at homelessness as a very real possibility come April 1.

I have skills and I have experience that would make me a valuable asset to employers, but my age is holding me back, and it’s heartbreaking to realize that my country’s job programs won’t consider me for opportunities that I’m qualified for.

Why Shouldn’t Older Canadians Be Eligible for These Job Programs?

The Canada Student Job Program should be expanded to include workers over 30, especially those who are 60 to 65, the group that often faces the greatest financial insecurity before pensions kick in. After decades of contributing to the Canadian economy, it’s time we demand to be included in programs that were originally designed to support Canadian workers in their time of need. If we want to end homelessness and poverty, we need inclusive policies that ensure no one is left behind, especially the elderly.

The Big Picture

While many of us are fighting for our livelihoods, young people continue to be prioritized for programs that could benefit us too. If the government is really committed to supporting all Canadian workers—young and old alike—it’s time for policy change. The CSJP should be modified so that it’s not just about offering youth jobs, but also providing equitable opportunities to anyone willing and able to work.

I’m hoping that by sharing my story, we can start the conversation about how ageism in employment is hurting Canadians of all ages, and how we need real action to ensure a fairer, more inclusive society.

What Can You Do?

• Share this post if you agree that Canada’s job programs should be open to all Canadians.
• Tag your local MPs and share your thoughts on how we can create a more inclusive employment system.
• Support local organizations and initiatives working for older worker rights and homelessness prevention.

I may not be eligible for youth job programs, but I am still a Canadian citizen, and my life experience is just as valuable as anyone else’s.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and if you know of any opportunities for older workers, please reach out.