Next Gen Insider

Morgan Sharp reports from Toronto on the city's young population and their civic engagement and impact on the local institutions that make democracy function.

Canada's National Observer is a proud participant of the Local Journalism Initiative, which supports the creation of original civic journalism that covers the diverse needs of underserved communities across Canada.

531 Articles

Canadian university students demand fossil-fuelled RBC off campus

Students at the University of British Columbia braved the cold and wet to demand RBC leave their campus. They were one of seven campus groups who staged action on Tuesday against the fossil fuel financier.

Isaac Phan Nay

October 24th 2023

University student takes climate-friendly building from good to great

The office building that sits on the north end of the University of Waterloo’s campus, dubbed “evolv1,” already contributed extra power to the electrical grid thanks to its solar panels. Monika Mikhail was convinced she could kick it up a notch.

Isaac Phan Nay

March 13th 2023

Meet the 10-year-old campaigning against plastic stickers on produce

Maya Thiru from Markham, Ont., is taking aim at one of the tiniest, most ubiquitous bits of plastic pollution — the stickers on fruits and vegetables.

Isaac Phan Nay

March 13th 2023

Young gamer develops vegan Dungeons and Dragons storylines

Ethan Kowalchuk is developing “vegan” campaigns for the game Dungeons and Dragons because he wants to challenge entertainment’s inclination towards violence.

Isaac Phan Nay

March 9th 2023

Boomba Nishikawa asked Victoria University to divest at a protest on March 3. Photo supplied by Boomba Nishikawa.

Toronto students push universities to ditch dirty investments, show where the money goes

Students are demanding the University of Toronto's federated schools also commit to moving their investments out of fossil fuels. Less than an hour’s drive north, students at York University want their school to follow suit.

Isaac Phan Nay

March 8th 2023

Aishawarya Puttur was an activist with Fridays for Future Toronto in 2021.

Students push Ontario pension giant to ditch dirty investments

The Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan is a majority shareholder in the Bristol Airport. Despite protests by Ontario students and legal action from community groups, the airport is expanding.

Isaac Phan Nay

March 6th 2023

Toronto school board eyes 485 staff cuts, including youth workers and counsellors

One week after a survey found Ontario students are struggling to access mental health support, a Toronto District School Board report shows its budget for next year accounts for 485 fewer positions for school-based staff.

Isaac Phan Nay

March 6th 2023

Ontario students ‘being pushed through the cracks’ when it comes to mental health support

Principals reported “increased behavioural issues, kids struggling with self-regulation, and kids struggling with being able to stay mentally healthy,” said Annie Kidder, executive director of People for Education.

Isaac Phan Nay

March 2nd 2023

‘Gimmicky clothing ads’ raise awareness of youth homelessness

A national youth homeless survey shows that 20 per cent of Canadians living without housing are between the ages of 13 and 24. Raising the Roof's "streetwear" campaign uses irony to send a message that kids should never be homeless in the first place.

Nairah Ahmed

March 1st 2023

Miscarriage of justice act ‘a long time coming’

This proposed Miscarriage of Justice Review Commission Act is an opportunity for wrongful conviction applications to be dealt with and reviewed in a way that upholds the integrity of our criminal justice system, says Pam Glatt of Innocence Canada.

Nairah Ahmed

March 1st 2023

You don’t have to be alone

After ending a long-term relationship and being alone for the first time in her life, Chloe Bow created Toronto Girl Social, a space where women from all walks of life can come together to make friends and connections.

Nairah Ahmed

February 28th 2023

Youth welcomed with ‘open arms’ to UN water conference

The United Nations Water conference is a unique opportunity to solve the world’s water problems, says Sarah Dousse. “The 21st century will be blue or there won't be any other centuries for the generations to come.”

Nairah Ahmed

February 27th 2023

Exhibit honours the memory of Ukrainian students whose lives were lost in Russian invasion

Sofia Kekukh, 19, describes the Unissued Diplomas project as the “exhibition that should’ve never existed,” documenting the dreams and goals of 36 students from Ukraine, before explaining how they were killed in the war.

Nairah Ahmed

February 24th 2023

Young Torontonians hope new mayor will make affordability a top priority

“Young people have not been a priority for the city and were not a priority in the city's budget,” Stephen Mensah, executive director of the Toronto Youth Cabinet, Toronto’s official youth advocacy body, said.

Nairah Ahmed

February 23rd 2023

Toronto mayor's affair further shakes young people's trust in political leaders

Young Torontonians are questioning their faith in political leaders after Mayor John Tory announced his resignation late last week following an affair with a 31-year-old staffer.

Nairah Ahmed

February 17th 2023