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

Democracy Watch starts legal fight with Doug Ford over independence of tribunals

The Ford government has undermined the independence of quasi-judicial provincial bodies by making appointments to them more beholden to cabinet, says a new legal filing challenging the move.

Morgan Sharp

July 16th 2020

Virtual day in court for youth climate activists ends without verdict

Ontario government lawyers and counsel for seven young people grappled over whether climate change and the province’s response to it is something a court should get involved in judging.

Morgan Sharp

July 13th 2020

Youth flex their power by lobbying politicians, corporations on climate

A group of young people from the 905 area outside Toronto are not letting the need to stay safe during a pandemic keep them from their work pushing for climate action in their municipalities and beyond.

Morgan Sharp

July 13th 2020

Ford government’s moves to address anti-Black racism in Ontario schools too slow for one young critic

The Ford government’s moves to address anti-Black racism in Ontario schools are too slow for one young critic.

Morgan Sharp

July 10th 2020

'Premier, we’re begging you'

Toronto city councillors and housing advocates make a last-ditch effort to dissuade Premier Doug Ford’s government from passing a tenancy bill they warn will push renters out of their homes in massive numbers.

Morgan Sharp

July 9th 2020

Trump upends Canadian students' plans

The Trump administration’s latest immigration ruling has created uncertainty for international students, including Canadians.

Morgan Sharp

July 8th 2020

Ontario takes steps to tackle racism in schools

Education Minister Stephen Lecce says the government will stop splitting students into academic and applied streams in the first year of high school and ban early elementary suspensions, practices that have disproportionately hurt Black students.

Morgan Sharp

July 6th 2020

Ontario’s incoming tenant law toughened up in committee

Critics say that a bill expected to lead to a mass wave of evictions in Ontario was made even more difficult for tenants to navigate this week.

Morgan Sharp

July 3rd 2020

Ford’s youth council faces skepticism about likely impact, composition

Critics say the youth council Doug Ford’s Ontario government started pulling together this month after two years in power will struggle to create meaningful impact without a reversal of sharp funding cuts and inclusion of the province’s most vulnerable.

Morgan Sharp

July 1st 2020

Toronto rejects defunding police, talks reform instead

Toronto mayor pushes policing reform that includes $50 million for body cameras as advocates seek funding cuts ranging from 10 per cent to 50 per cent amid widespread calls for transformative change.

Morgan Sharp

June 30th 2020

Future Majority pushing to have a voice on post-pandemic policy

Future Majority wants to talk about mental health, climate change, basic income, racial justice and affordable education when they get the ear of politicians making post-pandemic plans.

Morgan Sharp

June 19th 2020

Breaking the cycle of racism in Ontario's schools

Critics have a long list of suggestions for Education Minister Stephen Lecce and the school boards charged with turning government policy into practice.

Morgan Sharp

June 18th 2020

Youth hit back against Ford government’s effort to dismiss climate case

Seven youth and their lawyers respond to the Doug Ford government’s push to have their climate action case dismissed.

Morgan Sharp

June 16th 2020

Lawyers for youth say prosecutors going easier amid pandemic challenges

Lawyers representing youth navigating the criminal justice system say Crown prosecutors are showing more leniency during the pandemic as court closures create a backlog of cases. Advocates hope they keep it going once courts reopen.

Morgan Sharp

June 12th 2020

Journalism students at Ryerson demand program make room for Black courses

Journalism students at Toronto’s Ryerson University want instruction on telling Black stories in the wake of a global uprising against systemic racism sparked by the death of George Floyd while in Minnesota police custody.

Morgan Sharp

June 11th 2020