Justin Trudeau needs to stop delaying, young people need help now

OTTAWA –NDP Post Secondary Education and Youth Critic Lindsay Mathyssen (London-Fanshawe) criticized the Liberal government’s unwillingness to support young people through the COVID-19 pandemic and called on them to stop delaying and help them now.

“The Prime Minister has reiterated the importance of young people taking this virus seriously. But I find this particularly condescending considering his government has held nearly a billion dollars from students,” said Mathyssen during Question Period on Tuesday. “It is stuck in Liberal scandal limbo and students are still left to struggle on their own.”

A new report from Abacus Data, revealed that young people in Canada have been among the hardest hit by COVID-19 and they have had to make fundamental shifts in their education, employment and financial situations. According to the report, over half of youth (58%) aged 15-30 have experienced an impact on their financial situation due to the pandemic.

“Throughout the pandemic, the Liberal government has proven that they have no intention of helping young people cope. Justin Trudeau ended the freeze on student loans and also ended the Canadian Emergency Student Benefit,” added Mathyssen. “How can young people be expected to take this virus seriously when they have no way of supporting themselves while staying home? The government needs to make concrete efforts to help young people. New Democrats will keep fighting for you.”