Smitherman promises new jobs for Toronto youth

Mayoral candidate George Smitherman says he will create 7,500 new jobs for youth in Toronto through subsidy and expansion programs.

Smitherman's plan includes a $10-million-per-year fund offering an up to 20 per cent wage subsidy to business owners for every at-risk youth they hire. Which won't pose any problems with stereotyping or targeting in the least, of course.

Property taxes would increase slightly for business not participating in order to cover subsidy costs. Smitherman's youth platform also includes ordering all city departments and agencies to expand or establish youth training programs, contractors bidding for city projects to hire a certain number of youth, and more youth hires in city-run rec programs.