Young people have fewer opportunities in a tougher world than our parents grew up in. Statistics Canada reports that there is no link between production and employment anymore. Growth and profits no longer mean jobs. Unemployment and underemployment is one of young people's biggest issues. Even worse, those who are employed don't have enough work or they work for substandard wages.
Unemployment creates poverty and desperation.
Employers, especially in the service industry, are finding it easier and easier to evade the few labour laws that protect young workers. Even worse, young workers face tremendous institutional and corporate opposition to take back their rights. Alberta has the lowest minimum wage in the country. Alberta also has the weakest labour laws in Canada. If youth need to strike to demand better conditions, your boss can legally and easily replace you with a scab.