NACY Policy Op-Eds

Welcome to NACY’s Policy Op-Ed Series, where we bring together thought leaders, advocates, and experts to explore key issues impacting children, youth, and the organizations that serve them. Our op-eds dive into pressing policy challenges, innovative solutions, and the future of the nonprofit sector.

Whether you're a policymaker, nonprofit leader, or passionate advocate, we invite you to engage with these perspectives and join us in shaping a better future for the next generation.

Contribute to our Newsletter!

Previous 2024 Features

It’s Time to Listen to Canada’s Youth

In the next federal election, approximately 4.5 million Canadians under the age of 30 will be eligible to vote. This is a powerful voting bloc - one that cannot be ignored. However, with many young voters, their faith in political leaders is hanging by a thread. Mental health and voter apathy go hand in hand. Young people are withdrawing from the democratic process because they’re losing hope that it can serve them at all.

Charters: Canada's school food programs need to operate year-round

Canada's school food programs provide essential nutrition to students, but many of these programs stop during the summer. Extending school food programs year-round is essential to address food insecurity, improve educational outcomes, and promote long-term health for students, particularly for those from low-income families

As PRIDE month comes to an end for another year, we must not be complacent in our efforts to protect and promote the rights of 2SLGBTQ+ children and youth

There may be a collective sense of euphoria amongst 2SLGBTQ+ youth as we wrap up Pride month. The annual euphoria is an important expression of queer and trans joy; a celebration of 2SLGBTQ+ people, including children and youth, who gather publicly without shame or fear.

YMCA Canada's Advocacy on Bill C-35: A Milestone for Early Learning and Child Care

As one of the largest providers of not-for-profit child care, the YMCA has been an advocate for high-quality, accessible, affordable and inclusive child care for children and families.

NACY 2025 Pre-budget Consultation Submission

Over the past year, the topic of employment and skills training has been top of mind throughout the non-profit sector. This comes in the wake of the 2024 Federal Budget commitment to conduct a review of all employment and skill training programs across government departments.

Let's Get Digital: United for Literacy's Digital Transformation Story

The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns had a significant impact on the way we worked, just as it did for many other organizations. Before March 2020, 90% of our programs and services were in person. When the pandemic struck, we switched to being almost completely online for the first time in our history.

Support Children's Literacy Foundation's Pre-budget submission calling for continued improvements and investments in the Early Childhood Education system.

From TikTok to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to the Senate, discussions about reading are widespread. Why? Because too many children aren’t learning to read well, and low literacy puts Canada’s future at risk.

Learning through giving back: Seton Community Complex

When I try to think of something that gives me joy with the youth centre, allows me to look at all these hours as a volunteer and say "yes", this is why I do this. There are so many different moments that pop into my head. I honestly think the biggest thing for me and why I do what I do is because we teach our youth many valuable skills. They teach us so much as well.