Quebec cuts all funding to Montreal organization that helps young Anglos find work

A Montreal community organization that assists young Anglophones in their job search will no longer receive financial support from the Quebec government starting in June — a loss representing about a fifth of the group's total funding. 

Two of Youth Employment Service (YES)'s core programs — Youth on the Rise and Services d'aide à l'emploi — will end due to this funding gap. These two programs, one ending in March and the other in June, help young Anglophones secure their first job and provide personalized career counselling. YES' services are all offered free of charge. 

The group says it will maintain other services.

Andrew Desrochers, a Montrealer who's been using the organization's services for over a month, says they've had a "great experience" and benefited from their counsellor's action plan, which holds them accountable for their progress.

But when they found out the program they're involved in will be discontinued at the end of March, Desrochers admitted to feeling a "bit of fury," though they say they were not surprised.

"It was absolutely not lost on me that an English language program is being cut by the provincial government," said Desrochers. 

"I don't think making those things harder for [Quebec's English-speaking population] endears anybody to the French language." 

In a statement, Quebec's Employment Ministry explained that the reductions stem from a $145 million cut in funding by the federal government.

"The executive management of Services Québec de Montréal has decided to regroup services for young people in the Carrefours jeunesse-emploi, and it's important to mention that there will be no interruption of services," read the statement, highlighting that these groups offer bilingual services for youth.

Desrochers argues that this move by Quebec does not represent an investment in the population, adding that reducing funding to programs that help individuals find employment increases the likelihood they will eventually require more social assistance.

"You're going to have to pay out that money in social assistance, versus collecting it from people paying taxes because they have gainful employment," said Desrochers.

"You're shooting yourself in the foot." 

'Worst timing possible,' says employment counsellor

YES employment counsellor Annalise Iten says she was "completely shocked" when she heard about the scale of the cuts, which impact the counselling program — a cornerstone of YES for over 20 years.

Iten notes that many of her clients reached out to her after they heard the news, concerned about their well-being. Many of them, she adds, don't have family in the country or parents who are financially able to support them. 

She also works with recent graduates and individuals with higher education. 

"In many ways, we're a safe haven for our clients who come to us because they need the support," said Iten. 

"They don't feel comfortable necessarily going to other organizations who are bilingual where they might not be received in what they perceive as the same way." 

She believes the news comes at the "worst timing possible." 

Quebec recently estimated that up to 160,000 jobs could be jeopardized by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs. 

"It's very likely that we're going to see a huge increase of people going on [employment insurance] and social assistance," said Iten. 

Iten also worries that these cuts will saturate the health and social services sectors. 

"I believe that we are a preventative measure for our clients, our population, our English-speaking population," she said.

Despite these challenges, the organization says it will continue to offer services and will rely more on private funding and donations. 

"We're still here, we're still there to support you," said Iten.