More than 54,000 people apply for CNE jobs ahead of job fair

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Every summer, the Canadian National Exhibition goes on a hiring spree.

But given the state of unemployment in the province, it should come as no surprise that the CNE saw a record number of online applicants this year.

To date, Canada’s largest annual fair has already received more than 54,000 online applications — the most ever — a stark reminder of the current labour market.

That eye-popping number is up from 37,000 last year and 18,000 in 2023.

In 2024, 81% of staff working at the annual fair identified as youth.

The unemployment rate for Canadians aged 14 to 24 is teetering around 14%.

While Ontario’s unemployment rate currently stands at 7.8%, that number jumps to 15% for youth. Many of the jobs that international students and asylum seekers go after are the same entry-level jobs that young people are after.

In Ontario, nearly one in four teenagers, ages 14-19, are unemployed, according to Statistics Canada.

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With the CNE set to open Aug. 18, 5,000 seasonal roles need to be filled. More than 1,000 people have already been hired for positions such as cashiers, retail associates, game attendants, food service staff, midway operators and informational guides.

Thousands more are expected to show up to Toronto’s Enercare Centre on Wednesday for its annual job fair, giving candidates an opportunity to apply in person.

Each year, the CNE’s in-person job fair attracts thousands of applicants, many of whom are youth, so expect the lineup to be astronomical.

The CNE generates an economic impact of $143 million for the province each year, according to the CNE. Last year, the fair attracted nearly 1.5 million visitors during 18 days of operation.