Winnipeg —The Government of Canada is committed to providing Canadian youth with opportunities to gain international experience and perspectives, as they are particularly important in today’s global economy. Canadian youth will soon have easier access to a new destination for working and travelling abroad.
Marie-France Lalonde, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and Áslaug Arna Sigurbjörnsdóttir, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of Iceland, announced the signing of a new Youth Mobility Arrangement between Canada and Iceland. Under this arrangement, Canadian and Icelandic youth aged 18 to 30 can work and travel in each other’s country through International Experience Canada or the Icelandic equivalent for up to 12 months, with the possibility of repeating the experience for another 12 months.
The governments of Canada and Iceland anticipate implementing the new arrangement in 2024 once all requirements have been met. Canadian youth will have more options than ever when applying for international travel and work opportunities.
The arrangement further strengthens the strong ties between Canada and Iceland founded on people-to-people links and common values while helping Canadian and Icelandic youth explore new cultures, develop life skills and improve their future job prospects. By investing in the potential of their youth, the two nations are paving the way for a stronger, more interconnected global community. Photos of the signing of the arrangement are available in Dropbox for use by the media.
“Youth mobility arrangements are all about supporting our young people—their dreams, their passions and their potential to make a difference. With this exciting arrangement in place, we are creating a path for them to connect, learn and grow together, fostering friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. Together, we are building a world where our youth can gain valuable life skills and experiences, while supporting Canadian employers with a larger and more diverse talent pool.” – Marie-France Lalonde, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
“Iceland is very pleased to sign a youth mobility arrangement with Canada, here in Manitoba. Through this arrangement, Icelandic and Canadian youth will have the opportunity to work and travel in each other’s country, exploring new cultures while enhancing their life skills and improving career prospects.” – Áslaug Arna Sigurbjörnsdóttir, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Iceland