April 8, 2022 – Yesterday, Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland unveiled the Liberal Government’s 2022 federal budget: A Plan to Grow Our Economy and Make Life More Affordable. BGC Canada is pleased to see investments in support for mental health, affordable dental care, and the creation of an Early Learning and Child Care infrastructure fund to support the building of new child care facilities—but we know more needs to be done to support the nonprofit sector and our contribution to Canada’s social safety net.

In our pre-budget submission, BGC Canada called for investments to support the recovery of our Clubs and other community service organizations as they continue to be impacted by COVID-19. These priorities included a recognition of the importance of after-school programming, support for BGC Clubs through expanding the Community Services Recovery Fund, and increased investments for youth mental health. Employee burnout, staffing shortages, and a decline in revenues continue to impact almost half of charities in Canada.

“The 2022 federal budget has made steps in the right direction, but more needs to be done to support care workers,” says Owen Charters, President & CEO, BGC Canada. “Young people and their families continue to face impacts from COVID-19 and there is a long road ahead. While we have seen support for early learning and child care, additional financial investments for workers and community service charities is needed as we continue to provide essential supports to communities across the country.”

BGC Canada applauds many of the investments found in Budget 2022 including:

• Mental Health Supports: $1.2 billion to provinces and territories to increase health care capacity and support people experiencing mental health challenges.
• Early Learning and Child Care: $625 million over four years, beginning in 2023-24, for an Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund to assist in the building of new facilities focused on nonprofit and public early learning and child care providers.
• Affordable Dental Care: $5.3 billion to provide dental care for low-income families, with those under 12 guaranteed care by the end of 2022.
• Addressing Racism: $85 million over four years to finalize a new Anti-Racism Strategy and National Action Plan on Combatting Hate.
• Support for 2S & LGBTQIA+ Priorities: $100 million over five years to support the implementation of a National LGBTQ2 Action Plan.
• Tackling Substance Use: $100 million over three years, to support harm reduction, treatment, and prevention at the community level.

About BGC Canada
For 120+ years, BGC Canada has been creating opportunities for millions of Canadian kids and teens. As Canada’s largest child and youth serving charitable organization, our Clubs open their doors to young people and their families at 775 locations nationwide. During out-of-school hours in small and large cities, and rural and Indigenous communities, our trained staff and volunteers provide programs and services that help young people realize positive outcomes in self-expression, academics, healthy living, physical activity, job readiness, mental health, leadership, and more. Opportunity changes everything.

February is Black History Month and BGC Canada’s National Youth Council wants to challenge everyone to take steps towards learning more about what this month means for individuals, communities, and Canada.

Below, we have two different approaches to spark learning for #BlackHistoryMonth.

• A series of terms that you can research online, on your own or as a group activity
• Activities and topics inspired by our Anti-racism Initiative Microgrants (A.I.M.) that Clubs can use to participate in Black History Month

Don’t forget to read our National Youth Council Statement on Anti-Racism and BGC Canada’s Statement on Racism and Discrimination.

SEARCH TERMS

Step 1: Choose a term below

Step 2: Use your favourite search engine to search the term online

Step 3: Write down one thing you learned and share it with someone at your Club, a family member, a friend, or anyone else you think would be interested!

Step 4: If you are Club staff, post on social media using the animated graphic that matches the search term—let us know what your Club youth learned, use the hashtag #BlackHistoryMonth, and tag @BGCCAN!
 

• code-switching
• #BLM
• Viola Desmond
• equity vs equality
• Africville Nova Scotia
• food desert
• adultification bias
• medical racism
• Matt Galloway
• Jully Black
• womanism
• Leonard Braithwaite
• Juanita Westmoreland-Traoré
• Black joy
• Willie O’Ree
• Donovan Bailey

BLACK HISTORY MONTH ACTIVITIES

Our Anti-racism Initiative Microgrants (A.I.M.), generously sponsored by Hyundai Canada and Best Buy Canada, offered up to $2,000 to Club members between the ages of 13 – 24 to run a youth-led event, workshop, or other activity that promotes and educates about anti-racism.

Below are some activity ideas based on our first round of A.I.M. recipients!
 

• Black History Month video project: Interview different generations about their past, present experiences, and hope for for an equitable and inclusive society in the future
• Educational video about anti-racism: Create an educational video about the community and why anti-racism is so important, including education about Newcomers and People of Colour
• How to talk about racism: Research and run a webinar on anti-racism efforts in your community
• I Stand Against … workshop: Host BIPOC speakers in a workshop that aims to combat anti-Indigenous sentiments from the community, as well as provide education around allyship and actionable steps
• No Room for Racism day: Run an anti-racism day at the Club with conversations about anti-racism, food from various cultures, poster contests, and more
• Arts and Activism: Create an art show that raises awareness and encourages dialogue around diversity and expression
• Community project: Connect with local university or college to run a workshop on racism and inclusion
• We are not the Same virtual event: Host a virtual event to appreciate People of Colour and explore/dismiss stereotypes
• Anti-racism group chat: Organize a group to talk about racism against various marginalized groups
• Book club: Choose a book written by a BIPOC author and organize a meeting to discuss

Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada supports the establishment of an Office of the Commissioner for Children and Youth in Canada. An independent commissioner would provide a nonpartisan and evidence-informed approach to improving the well-being of our children and youth and ensuring their rights are protected.

Boys and Girls Clubs provide programming for kids and teens in 775 communities across the country and together work to elevate youth voices in public policy decision-making. Over the last five months, we have seen massive disruptions in the lives of children and youth nationwide. It is vital that we have an independent commissioner who can advocate for young people affected by new issues, such as COVID-19, and ongoing issues in our country, including reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and ending systemic injustices.

As demonstrated in almost 60 countries around the world, an independent commissioner would shine a light on the impacts that federal policy decisions have on children and youth across Canada.

The need for a child and youth commissioner is especially relevant to support equity-seeking groups. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s final report calls on Canada to close the gaps in health and education outcomes for Indigenous peoples and address the over-representation of Indigenous young people in the child welfare and youth justice systems. The final report from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls calls for a child and youth commissioner. This office could also work to combat anti-Black racism and engage on child poverty, youth mental health and youth employment.

Boys and Girls Clubs serve children and youth from coast to coast to coast and advocate with them to improve federal policies and supports. Bill S-217 would ensure that young people, particularly our most vulnerable, have an independent voice at a federal level. The establishment of an Office of the Commissioner for Children and Youth in Canada will be a foundational policy approach to improve coordinated action on children and youth issues. Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada join with our Children First Canada Council of Champion colleagues in calling for the Senate to continue its progress on this important piece of legislation.

About Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada
As Canada’s largest child- and youth-serving organization, Boys and Girls Clubs provide vital programs and services to over 200,000 young people in 775 communities across Canada, and especially those from vulnerable communities. Our trained staff help young people build the confidence and sense of belonging they need to overcome barriers and form positive relationships, while reflecting the diversity of their communities. By delivering evidence-based, effective, and tailored programs, Clubs provide young people with the opportunity to explore their interests, develop their strengths, and realize positive outcomes in academics, physical activity, technology, self-expression, healthy living, mental health, and more.