A wave of early morning job seekers snaked around Exhibition Place on Wednesday, as thousands of youth lined up in the sweltering heat, hoping to land a summer job at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) hiring fair, a stark illustration of Canada’s deepening youth employment crisis.
Doors to Hall C at the Enercare Centre officially opened at 11 a.m., but many hopefuls had arrived hours earlier, resumes in hand, vying for one of the more than 5,000 seasonal positions at Canada’s largest annual fair. From food vendors and ride operators to game attendants and cashiers, these roles represent one of the few large-scale employment opportunities for students and young workers during the summer months.
Despite the fair being free to attend, misleading online scams quickly surfaced, prompting a warning from organizers. “There is no charge to enter the CNE Job Fair,” read a post from the CNE’s official Instagram account. “Please do not fall for scams selling tickets or spots in line.”
Instagram post by CNE
The urgency among applicants reflects a broader economic issue: the youth labour market is faltering. According to Statistics Canada, unemployment for those aged 14 to 24 hovers around 14%, with nearly one in four teens in Ontario unable to find work. These are some of the worst figures seen in decades.
This year’s response to the CNE’s call for workers has been unprecedented, with over 54,000 online applications submitted ahead of the hiring fair, more than ten times the number of available roles. Last year, 81% of CNE’s seasonal staff were between 14 and 29 years old, 78% identified as visible minorities, and 15% reported living with a disability — highlighting the event’s role as both an economic lifeline and a symbol of inclusive employment.
The CNE opens on August 15 and runs through Labour Day, drawing over 1.4 million visitors annually and generating upwards of $110 million for the Greater Toronto Area. For thousands of young people, a job at the fair may be more than just a summer gig; it could be their only shot at financial stability this season.
Interviews at the job fair are being conducted on-site throughout the day.
