Canada Strengthens Partnerships and Advances Common Goals at G20 Labour and Employment Ministerial Meeting

Strategic Insights -

At the G20 Labour and Employment Ministerial Meeting in George, South Africa from July 30 to 31, 2025, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, emphasized Canada's leadership in supporting inclusive growth, youth employment, gender equality, and inclusion in the workforce. Minister Hajdu highlighted several key initiatives, including Canada's Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, Canada Service Corps, and the expansion of student grants and interest-free loans.

Key Takeaways:

  • Minister Hajdu reinforced Canada's commitment to support inclusive growth, youth employment, gender equality, and inclusion in the workforce.
  • The Minister discussed various initiatives, such as Canada's Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, Canada Service Corps, and the expansion of student grants and interest-free loans.
  • Minister Hajdu emphasized the importance of domestic initiatives, including enforcing equal pay for equal work, reducing the gender wage gap through Equi'Vision, and building a Canada-wide early learning and child care system.
  • The Minister highlighted Canada's support for the G20 Nelson Mandela Bay Goal on Youth, aiming to reduce youth not in employment, education or training (NEET) rates by 5% by 2030.
  • Canada is strengthening partnerships and sharing expertise to advance common goals, including launching the Green Growth -- Empowering Youth for a Green Future initiative, a $7 million project in partnership with SOS Children's Village Canada.
  • Minister Hajdu met with counterparts from Brazil, Germany, Ireland, Lesotho, Singapore, South Africa, and the United Kingdom to strengthen economic ties and share best practices.

Statistics:

  • The G20 Nelson Mandela Bay Goal on Youth aims to reduce youth not in employment, education or training (NEET) rates by 5% by 2030.
  • The G20 Brisbane-eThekwini Target seeks to reduce the gender gap in labour force participation by 25% by 2030.
  • A new G20 target aims to reduce the gender wage gap by 15% by 2035, with a review in 5 years to consider a higher target.
  • The Green Growth -- Empowering Youth for a Green Future initiative is a $7 million project to increase the economic participation and resilience of disadvantaged youth.

Sources:

  • Government of Canada
  • World Economic Forum (G20 Labour and Employment Ministerial Meeting)
  • SOS Children's Village Canada