Jackman Gift Launches Award to Tackle Canada's Youth Leadership Gap

TORONTO, ON – March 25, 2026 – Amid rising youth unemployment and concerns over declining civic engagement, the Empire Club Foundation has announced a major new initiative aimed at cultivating Canada's next generation of leaders. The Hal Jackman Future Nation Builder Awards, made possible by a significant philanthropic gift from the Jackman Family, will create a national leadership program to identify, support, and empower exceptional student leaders across the country.

The program launches at a critical time for young Canadians. Recent data paints a stark picture of the economic hurdles they face, directly validating the concerns that spurred the program's creation.

A Timely Intervention for Canadian Youth

The announcement comes as Canada grapples with a youth unemployment rate that approached 15 percent in recent months, a figure significantly higher than the national average. Statistics Canada reported that the unemployment rate for youth aged 15 to 24 reached 14.1% in February 2026, with 47,000 jobs lost in that demographic in a single month. This economic strain is compounded by what the Empire Club describes as a decline in civic engagement.

Research provides a more nuanced view, revealing that while Canadian youth show a high interest in solving community problems, their participation in formal civic activities like voting remains lower than that of older generations. However, they are highly active in non-electoral forms of engagement, such as online petitions and ethical consumerism. This suggests a generation eager to make a difference but potentially lacking the established pathways and networks to do so effectively.

The Hal Jackman Future Nation Builder Awards program is designed to bridge this exact gap. By providing scholarships, leadership coaching, and crucially, mentorship from established leaders, the initiative aims to create clear avenues for young Canadians to translate their potential into tangible impact.

“Nation-building does not begin once leadership titles are secured, but earlier on,” said Dr. Gordon McIvor, President of the Empire Club Foundation. “When young people lack mentorship, established networks, and meaningful opportunities to engage, their potential to make an impact is limited. The Hal Jackman Future Nation Builder Awards Program is designed to close that gap by equipping emerging leaders with the exposure and mentorship needed to step confidently into positions of responsibility.”

A Legacy of Giving and Nation-Building

The program honours the legacy of Hal Jackman, a former Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario and one of Canada’s most prolific philanthropists. The involvement of the Jackman family grounds the initiative in a long and storied history of private giving aimed at strengthening Canadian institutions.

Hal Jackman's personal philanthropic record is extensive, particularly in education and the arts. He is the largest benefactor to the University of Toronto, with his contributions totaling over $100 million. This includes a historic $80 million gift to the Faculty of Law in 2025 and a transformational $30 million donation that established the Jackman Humanities Institute. The family's broader contributions are managed through two major foundations—the Jackman Foundation and the Hal Jackman Foundation—which together have granted well over $130 million to a vast array of charitable projects across the country.

This new award program aligns perfectly with that legacy. “My father has long believed that education and access are the foundations of a healthy democracy,” said Duncan Jackman. “He continues to see private giving as a responsibility to strengthen the institutions that shape our country. Supporting this program honours his vision and helps ensure talented young Canadians have the opportunity to step forward and lead.”

While the specific dollar amount of the gift to the Empire Club Foundation remains undisclosed, the Jackman family's established track record of nine-figure institutional gifts underscores the significance of their commitment to this new program.

Beyond the Podium: A Strategic Evolution

For the Empire Club of Canada, this initiative marks a significant evolution. Founded in 1903, the organization has built its reputation as the nation’s most recognized speakers' forum, hosting over 3,500 events with global leaders from Winston Churchill to Bill Gates. It has traditionally served as a platform for existing leaders to engage with public discourse. The new awards program signals a strategic shift towards proactively cultivating future leaders.

This program complements the Club’s existing Nation Builder Award, which has recognized established figures like Prem Watsa and Wes Hall. By focusing on individuals earlier in their journey, the Foundation is extending the Club's mission from providing a stage for dialogue to actively shaping the next cast of participants.

“For more than a century, the Empire Club has been a platform to bring leaders together to engage with the ideas shaping public discourse in Canada,” said Kent Emerson, CEO of the Empire Club of Canada. “We’re excited that this new program extends that work by opening the door earlier – giving young leaders access to the conversations and networks that shape the world around them.”

This access is arguably the program's most unique and valuable asset. While numerous youth leadership programs exist in Canada, offering skill-building workshops and community service opportunities, the Hal Jackman Awards promise direct integration into one of the country's most influential networks. The mentorship component will connect students with the very figures who frequent the Empire Club's podium, offering unparalleled real-world experience and networking potential that can accelerate a young leader's trajectory.

Program details, including eligibility criteria and application timelines for the inaugural awards, are expected to be announced in the coming months, setting the stage for a new chapter in both the Empire Club's history and the development of Canada's future leaders.