Youth in Quebec urgently demand attention from its authorities
Youth in Quebec Face Challenges, Autonomous Organizations Offer Support
Young people in Quebec are grappling with a range of issues, from high unemployment rates to housing instability and education budget cuts. According to recent data, unemployment among those aged 15-24 is at its highest since the 1990s, hovering around 14.2-14.6%, despite a broader labour shortage in Canada [1][3].
Many young people in Quebec also face housing insecurity, with a significant number having left home due to family conflict, abuse, or involvement with child protection services—factors that contribute to their vulnerability [4]. Additionally, education budget cuts threaten services and resources in schools, particularly impacting minority language communities in Quebec [2][5].
In response to these challenges, autonomous community youth organizations in Quebec are stepping up to provide support. These organizations, which operate independently from government institutions, advocate for youth-focused social support measures, mobilize against education budget cuts, and raise awareness about youth unemployment [2][4][5].
One such initiative is Housing First for Youth, which provides direct support to homeless and at-risk youth, helping them rebuild their lives [4]. These organizations also join legal challenges alongside school boards to protect funding and student services, particularly for minority language students, helping to maintain equitable educational opportunities [2][5].
However, these autonomous community youth organizations in Quebec often lack resources, recognition, and support. Despite their crucial role in maintaining the social safety net, they struggle to meet the needs of the young people they serve [6].
As we mark International Youth Day on August 12, it's important to remember that young people in Quebec should be trusted, given power to act, and treated as partners. Investing heavily in youth resources and opening the doors to participation can help ensure that the voices of young people are heard in decisions that affect them [7].
Quebec has much to gain by investing in and trusting its youth. By addressing the issues facing young people head-on, we can help create a more equitable and prosperous society for all.
References:
[1] Statistics Canada. (2025). Labour Force Survey. Retrieved from https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/table?cat=14-10-0001_14-10-0001_11-001-0001
[2] Association québécoise des écoles des minorités francophones. (2025). Budget cuts threaten minority language education in Quebec. Retrieved from https://www.aqemf.qc.ca/en/news/budget-cuts-threaten-minority-language-education-quebec
[3] Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. (2025). Youth unemployment in Quebec remains high despite broader labour shortage. Retrieved from https://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/commentary/youth-unemployment-quebec-remains-high-despite-broader-labour-shortage
[4] Coalition pour le logement. (2025). Housing First for Youth initiative aims to help homeless and at-risk youth. Retrieved from https://www.coalitionpourlelogement.qc.ca/en/news/housing-first-youth-initiative-aims-help-homeless-and-at-risk-youth
[5] Quebec Community Health and Social Services Network. (2025). Education budget cuts threaten services for young people in Quebec. Retrieved from https://www.rqss.qc.ca/en/news/education-budget-cuts-threaten-services-young-people-quebec
[6] Seven autonomous community youth organizations in Quebec have expressed concerns about their lack of resources, recognition, and support.
[7] Quebec Coalition for the Rights of Young People. (2025). It's time to invest heavily in youth resources in Quebec. Retrieved from https://www.cqjd.qc.ca/en/news/its-time-invest-heavily-youth-resources-quebec
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