Young people in a position to speak up

Their voices help shape the country, write Craig and Marc Kielburger.

If young people are the future, they should help create it.

Canada Service Corps is part of a new national youth service strategy — something we’ve wanted to see ever since we were told as teenagers we were too young to start a charity (we did anyway).

The program will help instil a culture of service nationwide with its multimillion-dollar budget earmarked for projects, individual grants, and an online tool that will match do-gooders with service opportunities. In the tradition of Katimavik and AmeriCorps, it could revolutionize how youth commit to service.

But first, it needs to hear from the very people it wants to help: young Canadians.

A survey asking teens and young adults to share their ideas to make Canada a better place will help guide the strategy.

Past programs haven’t been accessible to all. They’ve required young people take an entire year off and struggled to reach those in marginalized communities. This survey wants to answer the question of how we re-imagine what service means, creating accessible opportunities that inspire youth of all ages, no matter where they live or their backgrounds.

While we wait for the official results, we went directly to youth to find out how they would create change. Their answers reflected the most educated, entrepreneurial and diverse generation in Canadian history. Canada is waiting to hear their voices.

Dakota Livingston found her passion in student politics. “Looking back, I feel like I was missing out on 15 years of my life,” she says. Now a student trustee of her local school board, the 16-year-old from Ontario’s Kawartha area wants all young people to know they have a role in shaping their communities. “We may not have the right to vote, but we have a voice.”

Autumn Buck says youth voices are already being heard. A Grade 12 student from Winnipeg, she says past conversations have often left out Indigenous youth. But recent demonstrations led by young people in response to the Colten Boushie and Tina Fontaine cases will spark change.

“When we think of resources for young people, we think of urban centres,” Buck says. “But we can’t forget about Indigenous youth on reserves who need them most.”

When Evan Rogers began struggling with mental health issues, the Grade 12 student in Chatham, Ont., found purpose in his job. He wants to see more government incentives and youth job programs.

“If there are programs geared towards youth becoming employed, it sets them up for life against the ups and downs,” Rogers says.

Originally from Palestine, 19-year-old Razan Samara says there are programs to bring in new immigrants, but not enough focus on helping them integrate socially. The result for many is isolation.

“That’s where Canadian youth can play a big role,” explains Samara, now based in Ontario. “Running soccer tournaments or after-school programs, volunteering with arts, music and language groups to help people feel accepted and involved.”

Young Canadians have always had a vision for the future. Now the country is listening.

Parents, you have a role in this as well. Ask your children to share their ideas and take the survey. We can’t wait to see where they lead us.

Brothers Craig and Marc Kielburger founded the educational partner and international charity Free The Children and the youth empowerment movement We Day at we.org.