Youth – A Brief on 2SLGBTQI Realities and Policy in Canada

Youth in Canada represent a dynamic and diverse demographic that plays a crucial role in shaping the country’s future. With a population of over 7 million individuals in Canada, they are full of potential (Government of Canada, 2021). Youth in Canada are more educated than previous generations and digitally well connected (Government of Canada, 2022). They are increasingly vocal about issues like climate change, social justice, and mental health.  Many youth in Canada are civically engaged and work hard to hold their governments accountable (Government of Canada, 2024). Over the past decade, more youth are interested in seeing themselves represented in leadership roles and equitable employment opportunities to ensure their voices are heard and respected.

Many youth in Canada are civically engaged and work hard to hold their governments accountable. Over the past decade, more youth are interested in seeing themselves represented in leadership roles and equitable employment opportunities to ensure their voices are heard and respected (Government of Canada, 2021). Historically, youth in Canada do not have a seat at the table when it comes to decisions that affect them and their interest, whether that be at the local, national, or global levels. In Canada, youth are mobilizing to have their voices heard and their unique needs known. While initiatives at the national level, such as the Prime Minister’s Youth Council and Canada’s first State of Youth report (2021), responded to these calls, youth in Canada still have difficulties in accessing decision-making spaces (Government of Canada, 2024).

Access to education, job opportunities, and healthcare are key concerns for many, as are the challenges of navigating the emerging cost of living crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated many of these concerns, with career opportunities dwindling and student debt rising for many youth across the country. With more free time, many youth became entrepreneurs and adapted to a changing political and economic climate (Government of Canada, 2022).

Youth are greatly affected by the political landscape around Canada’s education system. Canada’s education system is provincially and territorially governed, also known as decentralized (Government of Canada, 2025). As a result, the federal government has very limited power to dictate how education systems are run across the country. Each province and territory has its own distinct system, composed of its own curriculum, resources, and policies. However, some similarities remain (Government of Canada, 2021). Across the country, public education is free for Canadian citizens and permanent residents until they finish high school. Private schools also exist alongside public schools, as well as alternative schools that cater to cultural or religious communities (Government of Canada, 2025). If a student chooses to pursue post-secondary education, these programs charge tuition that varies widely. Post-secondary institutions are often dependent on provincial or territorial funding but also have corporate and individual donors.

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• What 2SLGBTQI Youth in Esports Want
• Working for Change: Understanding the Employment Experiences of Two Spirit, Trans, and Nonbinary People in Canada
• Housing Challenges, Barriers, and Realities Among 2SLGBTQI People in Canada: A Literature Review