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2SLGBTQI youth in Canada face serious challenges in many parts of life, including education, healthcare, and housing. They experience more discrimination, harassment, and violence than their heterosexual and cisgender peers. In particular, trans youth in Canada report very high levels of sexual harassment, and over one-third have faced physical violence or threats. These experiences can lead to poor mental health, including higher rates of anxiety, depression, and social isolation. Even when they are harmed, 2SLGBTQI youth often lack supportive systems. Many avoid seeking help because they fear being outed, don’t trust authorities, or are worried about their privacy.
Housing insecurity is a big issue for 2SLGBTQI youth. About 25% of homeless youth identify as 2SLGBTQI, even though they make up only 5-10% of the youth population. This is often due to family rejection, discrimination in the workplace, and unsafe conditions in shelters.
2SLGBTQI students are often misunderstood and misrepresented. Despite knowing what 2SLGBTQI students need, some provinces, like Alberta and Saskatchewan, have passed policies requiring parental consent to change a student’s name or pronouns. These policies make students feel more excluded and can harm those who cannot come out to their families.
To help protect themselves from harm, 2SLGBTQI youth need supportive and affirming environments. Youth who are accepted and able to use their correct names and pronouns, and who have access to 2SLGBTQI services, report better mental health and feel safer.
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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