Members in action

• The Public Health Agency of Canada consulted Council members on vaccine uptake among young people across the country. Members commented on and made suggestions regarding the barriers to vaccination; the effectiveness of efforts currently being made; and further opportunities for government to engage with youth as well as young frontline and essential workers, including messaging and online, youth-focused platforms.
• Members also discussed a wide range of issues they would like to focus on during the next 6 to 12 months: health; support to marginalized communities; support for Indigenous communities; housing, infrastructure and transport; measuring success on youth issues; and COVID-19 recovery. This fall, they will further prioritize these issues and decide which to address as a Council, in small groups or individually.

Guests

• Sunny Uppal, Executive Director, Partnerships and Engagement, COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Task Force, Public Health Agency of Canada

• This was the first meeting that brought together the current Council cohort with new members.
• Council members discussed their goals with Minister Chagger and how their experiences during COVID-19 shaped their views on what the government should prioritize moving forward.
• They shed light on several barriers that could prevent Canadian youth from contributing to society and made recommendations to overcome these barriers, including in the areas of mental health supports, access to housing, youth empowerment and Indigenous health.
• The Council also discussed how to leverage Canada’s first State of Youth Report in their efforts to amplify youth voices and advocate for change.
• Members also participated in 2 learning sessions: one on meaningful youth engagement, delivered by the organization Apathy is Boring, and the other on media relations.

Guests

• Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, Vice Chair of the Prime Minister’s Youth Council
• Habon Ali, PMYC alumni and Board Chair of Apathy is Boring
• Taghairm Habib, Youth Friendly program lead, Apathy is Boring
• Elder Claudette Commanda, an Algonquin Anishinabe from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation
• Elder Verna McGregor, an Algonquin Anishinabe from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation
• Prime Minister’s Youth Council Counsellor Patricia Smith
• Jessica Ward-King, Senior Analyst, Youth Secretariat, Canadian Heritage
• Amy Mills, Chief, Media Relations and Issues Management, Canadian Heritage

• Council members discussed the upcoming contents of Canada’s first-ever State of Youth Report with the Youth Advisory Group that led its development, and shared ideas on how they could bring attention to the report and influence change.
• Minister Chagger emphasized the merit of promoting the Report in the public sphere and encouraging youth to take action. She added that the report’s recommendations touch on various levels of government and require a collaborative approach.

Guests

• Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, Vice Chair of the Prime Minister’s Youth Council
• Youth Advisory Group co-chairs Jake Bradshaw and Alfred Burgesson, and member Janda Jandal Alrifai

• Canada’s Commonwealth Youth Forum delegates—Leah Davidson from Sherbrooke, Québec and Mesgna Mesgna from Winnipeg, Manitoba—consulted the Council on the following six themes in preparation for the 2021 Forum in Kigali, Rwanda:
  • Governance, Rule of Law and Youth Involvement in Decision-Making
  • Human Capital Development
  • Trade, Entrepreneurship and Employment
  • Information Communication Technology (ICTs) and Innovation
  • Environment, Climate Change and Sustainability
  • Health and COVID-19
• Council members stressed the importance of helping youth build an entrepreneurial mindset from a very young age and suggested measures that could foster youth entrepreneurship.

Guests

• Leah Davidson, Canada’s Commonwealth Youth Forum delegate
• Mesgna Mesgna, Canada’s Commonwealth Youth Forum delegate

• Council members had a rich discussion with the Youth Advisory Group working on the first ever State of Youth Report. The report delivers on commitments made in Canada’s Youth Policy and focuses on issues that matter to youth such as health and wellness, the environment and reconciliation. They provided insights on how to maximize the impact and visibility of the report.
• This was also the first time that Council members consulted with the Canadian Agricultural Youth Council. They discussed the importance of agriculture in relation to the environment, the economy and the future of Canada.
• The last part of the meeting focused on the content of Budget 2021. Council members highlighted investments that were of particular interest to them, including funding for diabetes research, affordable and accessible internet, the creation of the new Canada Water Agency, and Black and women entrepreneurship.

Guests

• Aaron Taylor, Prime Minister’s Youth Council alumnus
• Jake Bradshaw and Alfred Burgesson from the Youth Advisory Group on the State of Youth Report
• Jerry Bos, Pal Hryck, Guillaume Pasquier and Denis Bégin, Canadian Agricultural Youth Council

• Chief Commissioner Marie-Claude Landry, and her colleagues, led an engaging consultation with Council members, seeking their perspectives on issues faced by young people with disabilities in Canada.
• Council members shared what they consider to be priority issues for youth with disabilities, including: increased accessibility to public spaces; inclusivity by design from the get go; accessible and affordable internet; changes to programs or regulations that address gaps impacting people with disabilities; and support for youth with disabilities who are at risk of incarceration.
• The Council’s input will influence how the Canadian Human Rights Commission monitors the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities in Canada.

Guests

• Marie-Claude Landry, Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission
• Tabatha Tranquilla, Acting Director, Policy, Research and International Division, Canadian Human Rights Commission

• Minister Jonathan Wilkinson consulted the Council on the new Canada Water Agency, which is being created to improve freshwater management across Canada.
• Council members recommended setting up an advisory structure for the new agency that recognizes and harnesses regional expertise. They also asked how the new agency would collaborate with Indigenous people to address freshwater crises in their communities.
• Minister Wilkinson indicated that, as a next step, Environment and Climate Change must engage further with Indigenous communities. He added that the new agency presents opportunities for youth to be involved in freshwater management and research.

Guest

• Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

• Minister Mona Fortier met with the Prime Minister’s Youth Council to hear their ideas about how Budget 2021 can support young people through the pandemic and beyond.
• Council members emphasized that Budget 2021 must prioritize foundational issues such as truth and reconciliation, affordable and accessible broadband for youth, support for women and racialized entrepreneurs, and affordable housing.
• They also focused on priorities that would support youth in the area of health and wellness, including access to affordable mental health services; targeted supports for youth living with a disability; implementation of an affordable, equitable and national pharmacare program; and funding for the implementation of a new nationwide diabetes strategy based on the Diabetes 360˚ framework.

Guest

• Mona Fortier, Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance

• Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) sought the insights of the Council on social isolation experienced by youth at risk in their respective communities.
• Council members confirmed that vulnerable youth lost access to the services and supports they urgently require during the pandemic. They emphasized that the lack of public transportation in rural areas has exacerbated this issue. Without their safety nets, these youth are at a greater risk of experiencing substance abuse, emotional distress and other health-compromising situations.
• Council members suggested different ways to help youth at risk while leveraging existing resources from community organizations; for instance, providing safe injections sites with resources on mental health to connect youth suffering from addition with other social programs.
• The perspectives of the Council and other stakeholders will help ESDC prioritize where funds are allocated to mitigate the impact of social isolation experienced by youth in these challenging times.

Guests

• Monika Bertrand, Director General, Social Innovation and Community Development, ESDC
• Susan MacPhee, Director, Social Programs, ESDC

• Minister Bardish Chagger conveyed her gratitude to Council members for their work and leadership during the pandemic. She also relayed appreciation on behalf of the Prime Minister and her Cabinet colleagues.
• Officials from the Department of Justice participated in the meeting to solicit Council members’ feedback on their work to modernize the Privacy Act.
• Members asked a number of questions and provided input to representatives for the Department of Justice. Their specific interventions focused on parameters surrounding the use of personal data; the use of artificial intelligence to analyze data; public trust in Government; and what efforts could lead to transparency, ensuring Canadians understand how their personal data is being used and protected.

Guests

• Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, Vice Chair of the Prime Minister’s Youth Council
• Carolina Mingarelli, Director and General Counsel, Department of Justice
• Andrea Bailer, Counsel, Department of Justice
• Jennifer Schofield, Executive Director, Treasury Board Secretariat

• Minister Navdeep Bains held a consultation with the Council on the 50/30 Challenge to diversify corporate boards; an initiative between the Government of Canada, business, not-for-profits, the public sector, and diversity organizations, to improve access for underrepresented groups to positions on corporate boards and in senior management.
• With Minister Bains, Council members discussed the importance of culture change, empowering organisations by providing them with the tools they need to ensure real diversity within their boards, and using policy mechanisms to encourage women and minority groups to pursue careers at the senior management level.

Guests

• Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

• This was the final meeting for members of Cohort 3, as they completed their mandate on the Prime Minister’s Youth Council.
• Council members discussed a wide range of topics with the Prime Minister, including: social inequities in Canada; the dispute between the Mi’kmaw and the non-Indigenous commercial fishing community in Nova Scotia; the minimization of domestic extremism in Canada; and the closure of Clinic 554 – a family practice in Fredericton that offers services and support for marginalized communities.
• Council members shared a wide range of perspectives on sustainable development with the Minister Jonathan Wilkinson. Their comments were largely inspired by their Build-Back-Better letter to the Government of Canada on an equitable and sustainable COVID-19 post recovery.
• Members stated the urgent need for affordable and accessible internet for Canadians, particularly in remote and rural areas. They addressed their concerns directly with Minister Maryam Monsef.
• Suggestions on COVID-19 messaging for youth were provided to Lucie Vignola, Director General, COVID-19 Whole of Government Strategic Communications.

Guests

• Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada and Chair of the Prime Minister’s Youth Council
• Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, Vice Chair of the Prime Minister’s Youth Council
• Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
• Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development
• Adam van Koeverden, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth and to the Minister of Canadian Heritage (Sport)
• Lucie Vignola, Director General, COVID-19 Whole of Government Strategic Communications, Health Canada
• Krista Campbell, Director General, Connect Canada Branch, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

• The Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime, Heidi Illingworth sought the Council’s feedback on their national social media campaign for preventing victimization in Canada.
• Council members discussed the social determinants of violence and suggested that the campaign have a broader scope. They recommended that the campaign also address the issue of those who victimize youth and how to prevent violence amongst young people.
• Council members shared their concerns in regards to marginalized communities and discussed the risks of perpetuating stereotypes. They recommended that support and funding be made available to communities to develop programs to support victims, address the issue of victimization, and provide mental health resources.

Guests

• Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth and Vice Chair of the Prime Minister’s Youth Council
• Adam van Koeverden, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth and to the Minister of Canadian Heritage (Sport)
• Heidi Illingworth, Ombudsman, Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime
• Nadia Ferrara, Executive Director, Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime

• Council members discussed anti-racism and prejudice within Canada and globally with the Prime Minister and Cabinet members.
• This theme aligned with a letter the Council sent to the Government of Canada entitled “Canadian Anti-Racism Calls to Action”. In this letter, Council members call for fundamental changes in the country by proposing a series of calls to action and recommendations.
• Council members also had the opportunity to share their perspectives on over incarceration and justice system reform; systemic racism in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP); and the need to rebuild trust between the RCMP and racialized communities.
• Other topics covered at the meeting included: social development inequalities and household support programs for racialized communities; the need for greater diversity on corporate boards; and a conversation with the Chief Statistician of Canada who briefed Council members on disaggregated data and the impact of COVID-19 on the most vulnerable Canadians.

Guests

• Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada and Chair of the Prime Minister’s Youth Council
• Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, Vice Chair of the Prime Minister’s Youth Council
• Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
• Bill Blair, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
• Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
• David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
• Anil Anora, Chief Statistician of Canada, Statistics Canada
• Gina Wilson, Deputy Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, and Senior Associate Deputy Minister, Canadian Heritage
• Peter Flegel, Director of the Anti-Racism Secretariat, Canadian Heritage

• Minister Bardish Chagger opened the discussion by sharing her concerns on the presence of racism south of the Canadian border, but also in Canada, and her personal experiences with racism growing up.
• Council members shared their perspectives on the issue and covered the following topics:
  • The lack of trust that exists in institutions, with elected officials and senior government officials.
  • The need for greater inclusion of Black history in provincial education curriculums.
  • Privilege and unconscious bias.
  • Overrepresentation of racialized communities in the prison system.
• Council members were also given the opportunity to share their suggestions and concerns about the new Canada Student Service Grant with representatives from Employment and Social Development Canada. They emphasized the importance of making sure that meaningful jobs and work opportunities were accessible to students of all socio-economic backgrounds, from all regions of Canada.

Guests

• Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, Vice Chair of the Prime Minister’s Youth Council
• Gina Wilson, Deputy Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, and Senior Associate Deputy Minister, Canadian Heritage
• Peter Flegel, Director, Anti-Racism Secretariat, Canadian Heritage
• Ritu Banerjee, Director General, Skills and Employment Branch, Employment and Social Development Canada
• Jonathan Spassov, Director of Communications, Employment and Social Development Canada

• Minister Bill Blair flagged the many contributions the Council has made thus far to the discussions on the impact of gun violence on Canadians. Council members shared their perspectives with the Minister regarding:
  • Social determinants of health and their link with gun violence
  • The importance of dissociating gun violence and gang issues
  • The presence of gun violence in their communities
  • The link between gun violence and violence against women
  • Gun control laws and policies
• Council members shared their insights with Minister Carla Qualtrough on the measures the Government is implementing to alleviate the strain of COVID-19 on youth.

Guests

• Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, Vice Chair of the Prime Minister’s Youth Council
• Adam van Koeverden, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth and to the Minister of Canadian Heritage (Sport)
• Bill Blair, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
• Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion

• Council members shared their concerns with the Prime Minister on the impact of the pandemic on vulnerable youth. They emphasized the need for young people in rural areas to have high-speed internet access to carry on with their education. They also highlighted the lack of health care resources in Nunavut to handle a COVID-19 outbreak.
• Parliamentary Secretary Darren Fisher provided the Council with an overview of the Government’s response to the pandemic. Council members offered their perspectives on the current situation and discussed the need for clear, accessible data and information on COVID-19; a disability tax credit to alleviate increased financial burden on Canadians managing chronic illnesses; and increased access by Northern communities to adequate screening, testing and treatment.
• Communications around COVID-19 were discussed in great length at the meeting. Lucie Vignola, Director General of the COVID-19 Whole of Government Strategic Communications, sought input from Council members on best practices and platforms for effectively reaching youth in these trying times. Members shared their ideas and outlined how they can be allies in helping Health Canada amplify their messages to youth in Canada.

Guests

• Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada and Chair of the Prime Minister’s Youth Council
• Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, Vice Chair of the Prime Minister’s Youth Council
• Adam van Koeverden, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth and to the Minister of Canadian Heritage (Sport)
• Darren Fisher, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health
• Gina Wilson, Deputy Minister, Diversity, Inclusion and Youth and Senior Associate Deputy Minister, Canadian Heritage
• Charles Slowey, Assistant Deputy Minister, Community and Identity, Canadian Heritage
• Lucie Vignola, Director General, COVID-19 Whole of Government Strategic Communications, Health Canada

• The Council welcomed new members at its ninth in-person meeting in Iqaluit, Nunavut.
• Council members met with the Prime Minister to discuss the revitalization and protection of Indigenous languages, the impact of local infrastructure projects, entrepreneurship, connecting to the North, social media regulations, and Indigenous tourism, among others.
• Council members shared their perspectives with the Prime Minister on how the government could better engage with youth in Northern rural and remote communities, promote Indigenous tourism, and tackle food insecurity.
• Council members met with community leaders and local youth as they learned about the benefits and challenges of living in Canada’s North.
• The Council participated in a service activity where they helped prepare service at a local food center and discussed with local youth the impact of community-based projects and volunteering. Members drew from local cultural experiences to inform their discussions.

Guests

• Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
• Peter Schiefke, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister (Youth) and Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction
• Christiane Fox, Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Youth, Privy Council Office
• Adam Arreak Lightstone, Member of Nunavut Legislative Assembly for Iqaluit – Manirajak
• Madeleine Redfern, Mayor of Iqaluit

Government Officials from:

• Canadian Coast Guard
• Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
• Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces

Representatives from:

• Arctic Food Bank
• Canadian Rangers and Junior Rangers
• Embrace Life Council
• Iqaluit Qajuqturvik Food Centre
• Islamic Society of Nunavut
• Kakivak Association
• Pinnguaq Association
• Polar Outfitting
• Qaggiavuut Society
• Travel Nunavut Industry Association

• Discussion at the Summit focused on key topics identified as priorities by youth during the Canada Youth Policy and Canada Service Corps consultations in 2018, such as health and wellness, employment, gender equality, environment and climate change, and reconciliation.
• The Summit was an unprecedented opportunity to engage youth on issues of importance to them, highlight the importance of youth service while inspiring youth to serve their communities, and showcase youth-centered approaches to digital engagement.
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as Minister of Youth, launched Canada’s first Youth Policy.
• The Prime Minister also announced the expansion of the Canada Service Corps – a signature Government of Canada program that gives young Canadians the opportunity to participate in meaningful volunteer service projects that have positive impacts in communities across Canada.

Visit the Summit’s website for more details.

• Council members met with the Prime Minister to discuss environmental policies, Indigenous rights and reconciliation in the context of land disputes, as well as the development of the Canada Youth Summit.
• Council members shared their perspectives with the Prime Minister on innovating government engagement with youth, promoting Indigenous tourism, and tackling pollution.
• Council members engaged with ministers, government officials and guest panelists to discuss promoting linguistic rights and services, improving remote food security, reducing gun violence, eliminating plastic pollution and supporting international education opportunities for youth.
• The Council also met with local youth groups to discuss community-based projects.
• Highlight video – Prime Minister’s Youth Council meets in Sherbrooke, QC

Guests

• Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development
• James Carr, Minister of International Trade Diversification
• Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie
• Patricia Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
• Peter Schiefke, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister (Youth) and Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction
• Christiane Fox, Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Youth, Privy Council Office
• Simon Madore, Mayor of Coaticook
• Dr. Michael Dixon, University of Guelph
• Monika Rumbolt, Youth innovator
• Andi Sharma, Youth innovator

Government Officials from:

• Environment and Climate Change Canada
• Public Safety Canada

Members of:

• Dialogue+ Project (Actions interculturelles)
• Youth Council of Compton-Stanstead and Grand Sherbrooke
• Youth Council of the Mayor of Coaticook