The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) has seen a surge in job applications for its annual summer fair, with nearly 50,000 online applications for 5,000 available positions.
The CNE Job Fair, held at the Enercare Centre, has 720 jobs still available for 18-day positions, including roles such as cashiers, retail associates, game attendants, food service and cleaning staff, midway operators, and informational guides.
In addition to these summer fair positions, the CNE has partnered with other employers to offer opportunities beyond the exhibition's 18 days, including museum tour guides, promotions ambassadors, bus station attendants, bus drivers, and skilled trades positions.
The CNE's initiative aims to address unprecedented youth unemployment rates in the Greater Toronto Area, with 16.8% of young people aged 15-24 experiencing unemployment at its highest point this year in April 2026.
New this year, the CNE has partnered with the City of Toronto to provide job resources, including job training opportunities, access to networking events, and career guidance to help find meaningful employment.
The CNE team will also offer free on-site resume headshot photo sessions, allowing participants to have their photo taken digitally by a professional photographer using their personal devices.
The CNE has already hired for over 1,300 jobs directly and remains a leading employer of youth (ages 14-29) and an entry point into the workforce, creating more than 5,000 seasonal jobs annually.
Statistics show that 81% of the CNE's seasonal staff identify as youth (14-29), 81% identify as a visible minority, 18% have a disability, and 30% live in Toronto's Neighbourhood Improvement Areas.
The CNE generates an economic impact of approximately $112 million for the GTA and $143 million for the province of Ontario each year, attracting over 1.4 million visitors during its 18-day run last year.
