Ontario Helping Train More Black Youth and Young Professionals in Etobicoke-Lakeshore

The Ontario government is investing $600,000 in Etobicoke-Lakeshore through the Black Youth Action Plan (BYAP) to empower Black youth and young professionals

NEWS February 26, 2024 

Etobicoke —The Ontario government is investing $600,000 in Etobicoke-Lakeshore through the Black Youth Action Plan (BYAP) to empower Black youth and young professionals. This is part of the government’s additional $3 million investment in five new economic empowerment projects across the province to help Black youth and young professionals develop in-demand skills to launch their careers, gain experiences for career advancement and access employment opportunities in high-growth sectors.

“We are committed to building new pathways for a stronger, fairer, more diverse economy that works for everyone. This funding will power Ontario’s growth by supporting the success of black youth, young professionals, and aspiring entrepreneurs. I am proud that the government has chosen the Canadian College for Healthcare and Pharmaceutics in my riding for this meaningful initiative,” said Christine Hogarth, MPP, Etobicoke-Lakeshore.    

This funding is helping Black youth and young professionals in Etobicoke-Lakeshore overcome social and economic barriers to success in high-demand sectors, by supporting the Canadian College for Healthcare and Pharmaceutics’ innovative project to create career pathways that lead to meaningful employment for black youth and young professionals in the healthcare industry.

The CCHAP will use this investment provide upskilling and placements for Black youth and early career professionals in high-paying jobs in medical diagnostics, clinical research, and business analytics services in the health sector in Toronto.

“We’re building Ontario’s economy for today and tomorrow through continued investment in the Black Youth Action Plan,” said Michael Ford, Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism. “Programs like the Black Youth Action Plan help propel Black youth and young professionals toward meaningful employment, skills development, and a brighter future for all.”

Since its launch in 2020, the Black Youth Action Plan provides services to children, youth, and families throughout various cradle to career life stages, spanning ages 0–34 and works toward eliminating systemic, race-based disparities by increasing social and economic opportunities for Black children, youth and families across the province.

QUICK FACTS

• Since 2020, Ontario has committed $91 million to the Black Youth Action Plan (BYAP), including a $60-million injection announced in 2020.
• Since 2019, over 70 community-based and culturally-focused BYAP partners have supported better outcomes for over 60,000 Black children, youth and families in Ontario. In addition to the economic empowerment stream, the BYAP supports culturally focused parenting and mentorship programs, wellness with preventative measures, community outreach and collaboration and more.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Learn more about the Black Youth Action Plan

MEDIA CONTACTS                                                               

Saurabh Kapoor
Senior Communications Advisor | Constituency Assistant

Office of MPP Christine Hogarth
saurabh.kapoor@pc.ola.org