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

Youth-focused charities face funding shortfall amid COVID-19 crisis

Toronto's Go Green Youth Centre is just one of hundreds of charitable organizations across Canada struggling to keep its programming going as the lockdown hampers both their ability to deliver services and to fundraise.

Morgan Sharp

May 13th 2020

Youth unemployment rate spikes amid pandemic

Some 480,000 people between 15 and 24 years old lost their jobs in April, according to Statistics Canada.

Coronavirus in Canada

Morgan Sharp

May 8th 2020

Respiratory therapy students rushed to front line in COVID-19 fight

Respiratory therapy students at Toronto’s Michener Institute were rushed through the final weeks of their education so they could join health-care workers fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus in Canada

Morgan Sharp

May 8th 2020

Virtual mental health care expands during pandemic as Ottawa pledges funds

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto has greatly expanded its virtual services since the pandemic, and advocates are hoping to keep the momentum going even after physical restrictions are eased.

Coronavirus in Canada

Morgan Sharp

May 7th 2020

Indigenous youth helping each other during pandemic

Finding Our Power Together is pre-loading mental-health help onto phones to send to a remote Indigenous community where COVID-19 has taken away in-person support.

Coronavirus in Canada

Morgan Sharp

May 1st 2020

Nerves, anxiety and hunger for international students during COVID-19

Canada’s post-secondary institutions rely on the significantly higher tuition fees paid by international students, whose numbers may be sharply curtailed when academic life returns to some kind of normal during this pandemic.

Coronavirus in Canada

Morgan Sharp

April 30th 2020

From hassle free to major hassle: Toronto health services for LGBT shrink amid pandemic

While the strictures of social isolation mean sexual activity between people who do not live together has likely fallen dramatically, it would be a mistake to assume it has gone to zero, the co-director of a Toronto clinic says.

Coronavirus in Canada

Morgan Sharp

April 29th 2020

A spike in domestic violence happening in Toronto due to COVID-19 experts say

Victim services groups in the Greater Toronto Area and an assaulted women’s helpline for Ontario have seen three to four times more calls for emergency help since COVID-19 struck, while shelters struggle to expand capacity amid physical distancing constraints.

Coronavirus in Canada

Morgan Sharp

April 28th 2020

Pandemic-forced home-schooling widens the digital divide

Critics say the need for a robust connection and access to a digital device as students are forced to switch to online learning has only widened the digital divide that creates major impediments for lower-income families and those in remote areas.

Coronavirus in Canada

Morgan Sharp

April 24th 2020

COVID-19 moves Earth Day celebrations online for 50th anniversary

On the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, climate activists are facing significant challenges making sure their message is heard, but also, perhaps, a more receptive audience.

Morgan Sharp

April 22nd 2020

Ottawa outlines $9 billion in pandemic aid for students

Canada’s federal government has announced a relief package for post-secondary students, many of whom had complained they were shut out of initial aid targeting workers and businesses while facing a dire summer jobs market.

Coronavirus in Canada

Morgan Sharp

April 22nd 2020

Bike couriers in Toronto risking illness to deliver 'junk food to rich people'

With Toronto’s downtown offices shuttered, couriers are delivering fewer and different things. Food delivery riders are meanwhile taking deliveries directly to customers’ doors, potentially putting themselves at risk.

Coronavirus in Canada

Morgan Sharp

April 20th 2020

Club Quarantine hits one month of nightly queer parties

Four Toronto artists started a nightly online queer dance party as soon as the city’s live venues were shut down to limit the COVID-19’s spread. It’s been a month now, we’re all still in quarantine and Club Quarantine is settling in for the long haul.

Coronavirus in Canada

Morgan Sharp

April 17th 2020

Ford’s Ontario seeks to deny climate youth their day in court

The provincial government’s attorney general, Doug Downey, filed a motion asking an Ontario court to dismiss the young people’s case challenging its environmental policy on Wednesday, arguing that it would be impossible to prove the allegations of harm.

Morgan Sharp

April 16th 2020

Students unite, find purpose, in fight against COVID-19

Young Canadians in Toronto and Ottawa and even expat students at Oxford University are uniting to provide help where it's needed, joining rock stars and restaurateurs in the effort.

Coronavirus in Canada

Morgan Sharp

April 14th 2020