The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) returns to Toronto on August 16, 2024, and droves of people are contending for jobs at the annual summer pastime amid a treacherously grim job market in the country.

The CNE announced today that over 37,000 candidates have registered for the fair's annual hiring event, which will be hosted at Exhibition Place this Wednesday.

Masses will be contending for positions including gate attendants, info guides, midway staff, food handlers, cashiers and retail associates.

This marks the most submissions in the CNE's history, and is a harsh reminder that the country's job market is in tough times.

More than 80 per cent of CNE staff hired annually are between the ages of 14 and 29. Meanwhile, youth unemployment in Canada (ages 15-24) rose to a high of 12.8 per cent in the period from April 2023 to April 2024.

This is the highest figure seen since 2016, outpacing even the most challenging economic years of 2020 and 2021.

Figures push even higher in Ontario, where the youth unemployment rate stands substantially higher than the national average and is among the worst in the country at 16.5 per cent.

Desperate demand for jobs in Ontario has been made evident through a neverending list of viral videos depicting long lines snaking around blocks at job fairs in the province.

Long lines for employment have been spotted at multiple restaurants, major chains like Tim Hortons and McDonald's, several malls, an LCBO warehouse, Pearson Airport, a local sports centre, and other retail businesses like Fortinos and Bath & Body Works.

While over 37k registered for the event, the CNE expects attendance at Wednesday's in-person job fair to be closer to 3,500 to 5,000.