Featured Guest
You’ll find this guest among our growing roll of Urban Champions.
Veronika Bylicki
Co-Founder & Executive Director, CityHive
Michael Redhead Champagne
Ininew helper, host, speaker, and author
Linxi Mytkolli
Lead, Patient Engagement & Knowledge Mobilization, Diabetes Action Canada
Ana Gonzalez Guerrero
Co-Founder, Youth Climate Lab
Aaron Myran
Co-Founder and CEO, Future Majority
5 Key
Takeaways
A roundup of the most compelling ideas, themes and quotes from this candid conversation
1. “Youth” are not a homogenous group
The impacts of COVID-19 look different for someone in their twenties saddled with multiple care obligations and student debt, a high school graduate about to enter university, or a young person ageing out of the child welfare system. The panellists outlined gaps in the social safety net that have direct impacts on youth, such as access to mental health services, appropriate housing, and precarious employment in the gig economy. But the age group from 15 to 29 is also diverse in their perspectives on, and experiences in, urban spaces.
2. Youth-friendly forms of civic engagement are needed
Millennials were the largest voting demographic in the 2019 election, but many feel disconnected from the country’s politics and politicians. Many youth—and especially those from equity-seeking groups—have little faith in current structures or institutions of decision-making. For example, for many Indigenous youth, there is little faith in City Hall as inclusive and open space for dialogue. It is critical to remove youth-specific barriers to civic engagement to allow for more meaningful and representative decisions.
3. Our decisions must be intergenerational
Engaging and educating youth on civic functions and working intergenerationally is critical to succession planning. People in positions of power must take “their own impermanence” into consideration, noted one of the panellists. “If you’re not thinking about succession, then you don’t care about young people.”
4. We have an opportunity to catapult into a ‘better normal’
Post-COVID-19, we should not go back to normal, but build up a “better normal.” The panellists agreed that COVID-19 has opened up policy windows to explore ideas previously considered unfeasible. This new normal must create better public spaces, and design solutions for those most vulnerable.
5. A youthful lens must be applied to post-COVID-19 recovery
Panellists discussed important opportunities going forward, such as extending the duration of COVID-19 benefits, re-evaluating approaches to city planning to be more inclusive of those who are typically not at the table, and thinking about protest and activism as a form of civic participation. As we move from crisis to recovery, it is critical to include young people in the rebuilding efforts.
Additional Reading & Resources
NexGen Builders mentoring program for underrepresented
How is Ottawa going to pay off its COVID-19 debt? With any luck, it won’t have to, Globe and Mail
“Why Am I Always Being Researched” https://chicagobeyond.org/researchequity/
Where they meet: Indigenous activism and city planning in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Jason Syvixay Masters thesis
Distance not Disengaged, SFU Centre for Dialog and Public Square
Aboriginal Youth Opportunities
13 ways to modernize youth employment in Canada, Michael Redhead Champagne
Full Panel
Transcript
Full Audience
Chatroom Transcript
Note to reader: Chat comments have been edited for ease of readability. The text has not been edited for spelling or grammar. For questions or concerns, please contact events@canurb.org with “Chat Comments” in the subject line.
12:06:05 From Canadian Urban Institute: #citytalk
12:06:51 From Canadian Urban Institute: covidresponse@canurb.org
12:07:50 From PATRICIA RUNZER to All panelists: The audio is cutting out is it just me?
12:08:05 From Emily Wall, CUI Staff: Today’s panel:
Veronika Bylicki – https://cityhive.ca
Michael Redhead Champagne – https://www.michaelredheadchampagne.com
Ana González Guerrero – https://www.youthclimatelab.org
Aaron Myran – https://www.futuremajority.ca
Linxi Mytkolli – https://www.youthfulcities.com
12:08:17 From Basana Dey to All panelists: Hi Everyone, I am Basana from Toronto Public Library. Very interesting topic!
12:08:26 From Lisa Cavicchia, CUI Staff to All panelists: It’s a bit choppy
12:08:54 From Lisa Mactaggart: listening in from Guelph
12:09:17 From Emily Wall, CUI Staff: Please help CUI improve its CityTalk programming with a short post-webinar survey – https://bit.ly/35dp9OP
12:09:31 From Nezahat Turegun to All panelists: Hello from Ottawa
12:09:31 From Abigail Slater: Do you want us to take the survey if we have already?
12:10:18 From Abigail Slater: BC and AC
12:10:25 From Abigail Slater: (or DC)
12:10:31 From Emily Wall, CUI Staff: Please feel free to complete the survey after each webinar if you have new information to contribute!
12:13:49 From Cheryll Case to All panelists: Amazing
12:15:05 From Meghan Hollett: Thanks Veronika, re: youth aren’t a homogenous group. Great reminder
12:16:44 From Gillian Mason: Thank you for the comment: “So many people donut even know that City Hall is a public building.” There are some basics that represent huge and invisible barriers to participation. This needs more work.
12:16:58 From Gillian Mason: do not
12:17:00 From Abigail Slater: Not only for youth…but those barriers cross ages
12:17:03 From Saido Abdi to All panelists: Hello my name is saido abdi from the Toronto community benefits network and I am the mentorship coordinator for our NexGen Builders mentoring program for underresprented
12:17:22 From Saido Abdi to All panelists: community who are interested in the construction sector
12:17:26 From Gillian Mason: donut= do not
12:17:41 From Abigail Slater: Mary…will education (post secondary) be addressed?
12:17:57 From Meghan Hollett: How much does the gig economy impact younger Canadian population moreso than other demographics
12:17:58 From Margarita Pacis: Totally agree with Gillian. I wonder how we can re-imagine “City Hall” in light of COVID and transitions to digital engagement spaces (recognizing that not all people have access to digital media).
12:18:32 From Abigail Slater: The loss of summer employment
12:19:09 From Meghan Hollett: I’m grateful for Cities (eg. Halifax, St. John’s) who have moved their regular city hall meetings to live stream online – this has been helpful before covid & even more helpful now during covid
12:19:27 From Jennifer Lanteigne to All panelists: My teen son (he is 16) has tried to communicate with our area counsellor (Brampton) numerous times regarding options that kids want and need for spaces in Brampton with no response – teens opinkons matter
12:20:13 From Mohamed Dhanani to All panelists: Very curious to know what your constituents are thinking about post secondary education in midst of COVID and what they are thinking about the Fall and the 2020/2021 Academic year.
12:21:11 From Emily Wall, CUI Staff: Please make sure your comments are addressed to “all panelists and attendees”.
12:21:16 From Canadian Urban Institute: Welcome new joiners! Just a reminder to change your chat settings “all panelists and attendees” so everyone can see your comments.
12:21:25 From Mohamed Dhanani: Very curious to know what your constituents are thinking about post secondary education in midst of COVID and what they are thinking about the Fall and the 2020/2021 Academic year.
12:21:25 From Saido Abdi: thank you
12:22:58 From Abigail Slater: More on education…how the change to distance or online learning will/will not change future of work planning.
12:23:08 From Sarah Chamberlain: Loving the conversations so far! Great thoughts and concerns being shared.
12:23:19 From Sienna Taylor: Congratulations on 10 years <3
12:23:21 From Abigail Slater: (with regard to Linxi’s comment about how to decide…)
12:24:22 From Saido Abdi: Hello my name is saido abdi from the Toronto community benefits network and I am the mentorship coordinator for our NexGen Builders mentoring program for under represented community who are interested in the construction sector such as black youth, invidious, newcomers and women
12:24:23 From Meghan Hollett: much appreciation for your words, Michael, re. folks who do not feel comfortable interacting in the pre-existing systems.
12:24:33 From Augusto Mathias: Here is Augusto Mathias I am Brazilian Canadian at the moment I am in Brazil and I am involved with municipalities in Brazil and I would like to thank CUI all the participantes for sharing your knowledge and experiences which are very useful for us here in Brazil, once again Thank You!
12:25:46 From Lisa Mactaggart: brilliant branding Michael
12:26:11 From Abigail Slater: @Michael…there is a really interesting report/guide called “Why Am I Always Being Researched” that speaks to what you have just said about the disconnect in consultations. It is from Chicago Beyond (you may know this work already). It is part of their equity series
12:26:11 From Gillian Mason: a welcoming place like a restaurant as the setting for learning about systems… what a wonderful innovation.
12:26:23 From Sarah Manteuffel: It’s great to see conversations and projects in Winnipeg working on this. As someone coming back home to Peg City soon to go into Planning i’m so excited to see these projects and conversations happening
12:26:42 From Angela Loconte: Hi Augusto, this is Angela Loconte former TPH co-workers from Mississauga also watching this how wonderful to see your name here.
12:26:58 From vasundhara bhatia: Great thoughts, a very engaging and thought provoking conversation.
12:27:37 From Christine Allum: Michael – amazing work, thanks so much for sharing – it’s inspiring and refreshing to hear!
12:27:49 From Abigail Slater: Here is link to the guidebook I mentioned above (again…you may already know of this resource) https://chicagobeyond.org/researchequity/
12:29:28 From Saido Abdi: THE MENTORING PROGRAM INCLUDES:
Professional development seminars for Mentors and Mentees in first 2 months
Weekly calls and monthly face to face meetings between mentors and mentees
Quarterly networking and professional development opportunities
A Mentoring Coach and Mentoring APP to maximize support and connectivity https://www.nexgenbuilders.ca/
12:29:32 From Abigail Slater: Aaron…have you noticed any more engagement given the crisis?
12:29:37 From Jennifer Lanteigne to All panelists: Important for schools to encourage voting and talking politics with students
12:29:55 From Sarah Chamberlain: @ Michael – over consultation, without impact or change, creating a lack of trust… so true and such a common practice
12:30:11 From Saido Abdi: to all panelists have you seen the increase in mental health during covid-19
12:30:29 From Abigail Slater: I’m not sure the cuts to OSAP made sense pre Covid either!
12:31:20 From Jennifer Lanteigne to All panelists: I think the pandemic will encourage teens and young canadians to vote as they are experiencing the effects of leadership – good or bad
12:31:49 From Margarita Pacis: Re: engagement – how can we make sure the most vulnerable populations are not left behind during covid response and in any recovery strategies? how can we make sure they are heard? They might not have time/energy to engage and provide feedback if they are trying to survive.
12:32:26 From Emily Wall, CUI Staff: Please remember to change your chat settings to “all panelists and attendees” so everyone can see your comments.
12:32:47 From Emily Wall, CUI Staff: Please help CUI improve its CityTalk programming with a short post-webinar survey – https://bit.ly/35dp9OP
12:33:08 From Juan Garcia to All panelists: Juan García, very good work, thanks for being there
12:33:20 From Rachel Pennington: Hopefully our economy will be able to grow and future generations won’t have to suffer from cuts: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/editorials/article-how-is-ottawa-going-to-pay-off-its-covid-19-debt-with-any-luck-it/
12:34:47 From Nezahat Turegun: Well said Aaron! Power of voting…
12:35:52 From vasundhara bhatia: how can we make sure that activism is translated from online to offline?
12:36:34 From Lisa Mactaggart: Well said Ana…my head is nodding with the other panelists
12:38:10 From Gillian Mason: Would love to see us making more deliberate efforts toward linking youth and the not-yet-powerful with potential (willing) allies who have power and influence. That is, leveraging the allies who wish to support you/youth.
12:38:49 From Abigail Slater: Nice Michael
12:40:33 From Lisa Mactaggart: I prefer universal liveable income. The amount required to live with dignity varies by region.
12:40:38 From vasundhara bhatia: Good question Mary…
12:40:38 From Meghan Hollett: Equity
12:40:41 From Meghan Hollett: Yes!
12:41:37 From Alene Sen: Yes… young people need opportunity
12:42:00 From Stephen Mak: Power likes holding onto power. Youth has always been marginalized, but need to make their opportunities — so applause for you all.
12:42:35 From Darren Randell: Well stated Michael. I feel this is pretty typical of most age groups that are directly tied to government processes.
12:42:41 From Rachel Pennington: Power is also systemic. Some planners might not be making excuses, some planners might also be bound by poor policies and processes that don’t allow for youth consultation
12:42:51 From Farhan Dhanani: Issues that are being cultivated here is really systems thinking and to try and solve them is understanding how each connection within systems can be holistically analyzed and considered in planning, but future preparation as well
12:43:07 From Darren Randell: exceuse..me not directly tied to govt processes
12:43:27 From Sienna Taylor: Do you feel like due to the nature of the current crisis that young people are completely disregarded as experts right now? I’m sensing this message that “it’s too serious, we don’t have time for young people right now” I.e. young people are only included when it’s “easy”… how do we navigate that. How do we call people in power out amidst crisis when they are head down on a specific issue.
12:43:43 From Christine Allum: what is one key message that those of us here, can help to amplify to make it possible to keep this window of opportunity open post-COVID?
12:43:55 From vasundhara bhatia: Well said Linxi
12:44:41 From Gillian Mason: Several people have referred to the barrier that navigating systems represents. That is another factor that we need to confront — designing systems that people can “easily” navigate.
12:45:05 From Darren Randell: ditto Gillian
12:45:33 From Samira Farahani: well said Aaron
12:46:25 From Michelle Francis: How do the young panelists feel about apprenticeships and Union membership
12:46:48 From Emily Wall, CUI Staff: Please help CUI improve its CityTalk programming with a short post-webinar survey – https://bit.ly/35dp9OP
12:47:13 From Abigail Slater: I wonder whether this pandemic has forced students and young people back home…and whether this will exacerbate trends (even greater than now) of people moving back to their families and saving on rent…and whether this will move young people out of cities in as much as these temp/longer term housing alternatives exist outside of cities? Will we lose youth in our cities?
12:47:58 From Hasan Mytkolli: Well said Ana!
12:48:15 From Farhan Dhanani: very good question Abigail!
12:49:41 From Aaron Myran – Futuremajority.ca to Abigail Slater and all panelists: Hi!
12:50:55 From vasundhara bhatia: we already see that decentralization of young people from cities because they are forced by circumstances.
12:51:06 From Hasan Mytkolli: Very good point Linxi
12:52:07 From Abigail Slater: It comes back to “granny” suites…
12:52:24 From John Stapleton to All panelists: City intensification like laneway housing now seems dead in the water. I agree that the new normal will be community spacing. That happened after the Spanish flu and lets remember Mother’s Allowance that began in the Fall of 1920 was partially spurred on by the spike in widows as men also were more susceptible to the spanish flu.
12:52:46 From Abigail Slater: It is definitely a privilege…
12:53:11 From Saido Abdi: Michael your amazing
12:53:32 From Abigail Slater: But it also may be out of economic necessity. Not always privilege per se, but definitely not a universal phenomenon
12:54:47 From Lisa Mactaggart: I would love to have you folks talk all afternoon too
12:54:49 From Rachel Pennington: So many gig workers and contract employees are also not provided the same health benefits. So youth working contract to contract also suffer from not being able to afford mental health, glasses, dentistry care, prescription drugs and that can be a significant cost especially for youth with chronic health issues
12:55:41 From Gillian Mason: Rachel: yes!
12:55:56 From Stephen Mak: This is the opportunity to change the economy and how youth can actually change the way the world works. Old capital structures were a house of cards that has tumbled, so a lot of weight is lost there.
12:55:59 From David Lliteras to All panelists: Congratulations Fer; Incredible the discussion forum and your participation I loved it !!, Greetings.
I have to go!!
12:56:47 From Nezahat Turegun: Michael, thank you for talking about some of indigenous youths not having that privilege of going back to their families…
12:57:37 From Gillian Mason: Agree with Veronika: the “how” is not only about inclusion and intention but also skills and experience… building those will be critical, and you are doing it today. Well done.
12:58:03 From Emily Wall, CUI Staff: Please help CUI improve its CityTalk programming with a short post-webinar survey – https://bit.ly/35dp9OP
12:58:08 From Karen Landman: A very stimulating panel discussion. Thank you, CUI, for putting this together.
12:58:37 From Canadian Urban Institute: Chat is going to stay open after the webinar – keep the conversation going!
12:58:54 From Canadian Urban Institute: #citytalk
12:59:08 From Canadian Urban Institute: covidresponse@canurb.org
12:59:13 From Amy Crawford: Would love to ensure that faith-based organizations are included in gatherings and asked for their inclusion and assistance. Thanks!
12:59:40 From Sue Hallatt, CUI Staff: Cognitive surplus! yay youth
13:00:12 From Tanja Oswald: During COVID, what are some strategies for reaching/ including youth? how have you adapted your engagement?
13:01:06 From Hasan Mytkolli: This was a fantastic conversation. Thank you very much to all of the panelists for sharing your insights!
13:01:23 From James McCallan: Great discussion – thank you!
13:01:26 From Emily Wall, CUI Staff: Please help CUI improve its CityTalk programming with a short post-webinar survey – https://bit.ly/35dp9OP
13:01:31 From Nezahat Turegun: Thank you to all panelists. As an older person I feel better about the future because of you guys…Keep doing what you are doing…
13:01:41 From Sienna Taylor: Thank you all for your insight!!
13:01:41 From Sara Udow: Thank you!
13:01:42 From Ryan Walker: Excellent panelists; big ideas; youth leadership should be guiding our civic responses more centrally. Thanks again CUI
13:01:48 From Sarah Chamberlain: Thank you so much! Wonderful conversation
13:01:48 From Margarita Pacis: Thank you all! That was great.
13:01:55 From Madelyn Webb to All panelists: Thanks…great ideas.
13:01:59 From Farhan Dhanani: Thank you all for taking your time to share your information!!:)
13:02:01 From Jennifer Holmes Weier to All panelists: Great talk, thanks!
13:02:04 From Christine Allum: Thank you!
13:02:05 From Darren Randell: Thanks folks !
13:02:11 From vasundhara bhatia: Thank you everyone
13:02:15 From Abigail Slater: Thank you all!
13:02:17 From Maria Suarez to All panelists: What a great discussion! Thank you all very much!
13:02:17 From Zoë Mager: This was incredible. Thank you!
13:02:18 From shelley tsolakis: Amazing and beautiful minds… thanks for sharing
13:02:22 From Saido Abdi: thank you
13:02:23 From BJ Danylchuk: thank you very much!
13:02:23 From Michelle Francis: nexgenbuilders.ca offer a $500 rebate to online participants in response to Covid
13:02:23 From Abigail Slater: The future looks brighter today
13:02:24 From Laura Frescas: Thank you all! Amazing job
13:02:28 From PATRICIA RUNZER: Thank you for your insights on youth!
13:02:44 From Lisa Mactaggart: the panelists fill me with hope.
13:03:10 From Lars Henriksson: Look at the opportunities the mid-sized cities (50K-250K inhabitants) represent as less expensive alternatives to the Torontos and Vancouvers., particularly in southern Ontario and Quebec. Encourage companies to locate to these cities to create jobs, make sure there are good universities and colleges there, governments can lead by moving offices there. Expand inter-city train connections. In short, make it attractive to live, work and play in these ciites.
13:03:13 From Michelle Francis: never go back to normal – I love it
13:03:15 From Olusola Olufemi to All panelists: Thank you for adding the voices of the youths!
13:03:17 From Allan Kean: Thank you all!
13:03:20 From Cheryll Case: Woo!
13:03:22 From Cheryll Case: Thanks all!
13:03:24 From Naghmeh Nia to All panelists: thank you all
13:03:28 From Sayemin Naheen to All panelists: thanks!
13:10:12 From Canadian Urban Institute: Folks, if the chat is slowing down, we will close it in a few minutes. Please leave your comments (or initiate your conversations!) now. Thanks so much for your participation!
