The enduring trend facing youth is an unemployment rate roughly twice the national average. Until we see a change, we'll know nothing is being done differently enough to solve the problem. We need more than just a change in the type of solutions being proposed. I think it's time we rephrase the questions we're asking when it comes to youth unemployment strategies.

Poloz is arguably Canada's most powerful economic policymaker. He has the ability to significantly change the bleak outlook facing young workers. Yet in essence, he encouraged unemployed youth to resign themselves to a grim reality, and simply find themselves something else to do. Working for free may not be ideal, he suggested, but it's better than nothing.