MARKHAM, ON — Hundreds of job seekers filled the centre court of Markville Mall this week, forming long, winding lines in hopes of securing employment at a bustling job fair.
At 2:30 p.m. on a weekday, the scene resembled the launch of a coveted gadget — but instead of iPhones, attendees were vying for a chance to meet recruiters from companies like Chatime, Best Buy, and Harvey’s. With unemployment at its highest level in a decade, demand for even entry-level roles has surged, leaving many qualified candidates competing for a shrinking pool of opportunities.
“I’ve submitted over 50 applications this past year,” said 25-year-old Shawn Raj, who has been unemployed for nearly 12 months despite holding a university degree in criminology. “It’s been really difficult, but looking around, I’m not alone in this situation. The job market’s really crazy right now.”
Dressed in business casual, Raj said many in line hold university degrees but are being told they’re “overqualified” for minimum-wage positions.
Skilled Professionals Competing for Entry-Level Jobs
Telha Yousaf, standing near the front of the line, reflected the changing makeup of job fair attendees.
“I have 15 years’ experience in human resources, a master’s in project management, and my PhD in business administration is almost complete,” Yousaf said. “I’m very frustrated, but I’m hopeful to get something.”
A few spots behind him, another job seeker noted that he had already attended a separate job fair in Toronto earlier the same day, underscoring the lengths to which many are going to find work.
Similar scenes have unfolded across Ontario. An employment fair in Hamilton went viral earlier this year after lineups stretched around an entire city block, while the Canadian National Exhibition’s annual job fair drew thousands in July for part-time seasonal roles.
Major retailers including Hudson’s Bay, Starbucks, Decathlon, and Frank and Oak have shuttered locations in recent months, exacerbating the competition for remaining jobs.
Winder added that the combination of economic uncertainty, U.S. tariffs, and the rise of artificial intelligence is reshaping Canada’s labour market — and governments must act before conditions worsen.
“Canada has a chance to recover. We’ve slowed our immigration numbers. That can help us recover to some degree over the next several years,” he said. “But if there isn’t a plan, you’re going to have massive unemployment, social unrest, soft consumer spending markets, and even a real estate collapse. It’s not going to be a very happy country to live in, or work in.”