Proclaim Nov. 17 Youth Homelessness Day
Petitioners ask the Minister to proclaim November 17 as National Youth Homelessness Awareness Day. The government responds that youth homelessness is recognized on National Housing Day (Nov. 22) and through funding programs like Reaching Home.
Why we would sign this petition
- Creates a national day focused on youth homelessness, which could reduce stigma and promote accurate public information about young people lacking safe, stable housing.
- A dedicated day can mobilize governments, communities and service providers to coordinate awareness, prevention and youth-specific supports.
- Official recognition may strengthen advocacy, spotlight gaps and complement existing funding or programs serving homeless youth.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- National Housing Day (Nov. 22) already recognizes homelessness, including youth, so a separate day risks duplicating observances.
- A proclamation is largely symbolic and does not by itself create funding, services, or legal protections for youth experiencing homelessness.
- Effort and public attention might be better invested directly in prevention, housing access, or targeted programs rather than an additional awareness day.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
Petition to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Whereas: In recent years housing has become unaffordable for many young people; Statistics Canada has reported that homelessness in Ontario has been worsening over time, has been affecting younger cohorts, and has shifted geographically to smaller but rapidly growing municipalities; National data shows that one in five Canadians experiencing homelessness are youth aged 13 to 24; 40% of homeless youth first experience homelessness before the age of 16; Nearly half (46%) of chronically homeless adults first experienced homelessness before the age of 25; Communities across Canada have seen encampments emerge where they did not exist before as many young people have no safe or affordable place to call home; and Recognizing a national awareness day would provide an opportunity to reduce stigma and share accurate information about youth who do not have access to safe and stable housing. We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, to issue a proclamation declaring November 17th of each year to be "National Youth Homelessness Awareness Day".
Government response
Response by the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada Signed by Jennifer McKelvie, M.P. The Government of Canada thanks the petitioners for sharing their concerns about youth homeless. Homelessness affects individuals, families, women and children fleeing violence, youth, seniors, Veterans, people with disabilities and Indigenous Peoples. Through the National Housing Strategy and Canada’s Housing Plan, the Government of Canada is investing to improve access to housing. Funding through Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy allows communities to support their most vulnerable populations, including Canada’s youth, with services including shelter provision, homelessness prevention and housing attainment. Since 2019, Reaching Home has supported 2,675 projects with $810 million in funding. The Government of Canada provides funding to organizations such as A Way Home Canada which raises awareness on youth homelessness and develops tools and strategies. Homelessness, including youth homelessness, is recognized annually on National Housing Day on November 22nd. The day brings together governments, financial organizations, developers, communities, Indigenous partners, and others to develop solutions that address housing needs across Canada.