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Marit Stiles May 11 2026

Provincial NDP push for youth jobs program

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The provincial NDP is calling for a program to help create more summer jobs for youth.

Leader Marit (MAR-it) Stiles is proposing an Ontario Youth Summer Jobs program.

Stiles says the program offers paid employment and training or subsidized placement.

She says it would be a measure that addresses the high rate of youth unemployment in Ontario.

“A 17.7% youth unemployment rate is not normal,” says Stiles.

“In fact, it is more than 10 points higher than Ontario’s overall unemployment rate of 7.5%. And all this comes at a time when life has never been more unaffordable in our province, particularly for the young people who are just trying to get ahead.”

Statistics Canada notes that Ontario has the highest youth unemployment rate in all of Canada.

Stiles says Ford’s jobs plan is just not working for youth.

“While the premier’s approach up until now has been very dismissive and frankly condescending to young people, I think this is an opportunity for him to change things up now,” says Stiles.

“Show people that he understands the situation that young people are facing in this province and show people that he understands that it’s not that they don’t want to work, it’s that the jobs are not there and we can create those opportunities right now.”

MPPs were discussing the NDP’s proposal at Queen’s Park on Monday.

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Youth facing child porn charges related to violent extremism group

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A youth is facing several child pornography charges that involve a violent, online extremist group, according to police.

In May, the RCMP and the Halifax Regional Police started investigating a youth who was an active member of an online group called 764, a subgroup of the Com Network.

Police say they often target children, youth and vulnerable adults and manipulate them into sharing intimate images or sharing images of violence against themselves and others.

Halifax Regional Police Chief Don MacLean says it happens on apps like Discord and Telegram and games like Roblox and Minecraft.

“There are parental controls on many apps that you should familiarize yourself with and use, but most importantly, look very closely at how, when and where your child is using the internet,” MacLean told reporters during a news conference Tuesday.

They say no local victims have been identified, but MacLean says our community is “not immune to the probability that local children and/or youth are being targeted by these or other predators.”

The youth was released on conditions, but more charges are possible as the investigation continues.

They also would not say how many instances of child pornography the accused had created.

“There is copious amounts of chat data, digital evidence to go through,” said RCMP Sgt. Danielle Pollock.

“The generalized answer is, did we investigate to stop the issue? Yes, we did. Are we continuing to investigate to save and protect other youth? We are continuing to do that,” she said.

Officials say there is no evidence yet to suggest the accused was also a victim of the group.

“But through the course of how this network works, victims can be groomed to then become a predator online,” said Dave Boon, Superintendent of the Integrated Criminal Investigation Division.

 Tips for parents

Officials say these predators can sometimes groom victims for months, working to gain their trust or start a romantic relationship, and then manipulating the victims.

According to the RCMP, they use their power over the victims and coerce them into recording videos or taking photos of them, siblings or others:

  • in sexually explicit poses
  • sexual acts
  • hurting animals, including family pets
  • harming others or self-harming
  • or other acts of violence
  • suicide

Police say parents should talk to their children about online safety and privacy, and they offer some tips, including:

  • If your child plays video games and uses chat features, put controls on who they can talk to. Check in to see who they are talking to and what kinds of conversations they are having.
  • They say you should encourage youth not use headphones when they play games and to get them to play in a shared family area so parents can monitor what they are doing online.
  • Remind children not to share any personal details about their name, school, address photos or videos on social media or gaming apps.
  • Be aware of who your children are talking to and take note of if they start to become more private or withdrawn. Also, encourage them to talk to a trusted adult if someone makes them feel uncomfortable or pressures them to do something.

Police say anyone with information about online extremist groups should call.

“We’re not trying to scare folk, but at the same time, our best defense against this is transparency, is being out there and knowing what’s going on and ensuring that you know our youth have our help,” said MacLean.

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Youth Plea to Chiefs at AFN Assembly

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An emotional plea to Chiefs attending the Assembly of First Nations general assembly in Vancouver from members of its youth council.

They’re asking Chiefs to refocus their attention on matters that impact youth.

The Council’s co-chair Rosalie LaBillois says they feel forgotten amidst the political squabbling.

“For every Chief who has gotten away with capturing the attention of this assembly while our children are once again put aside to seek political ambitions that have taken the attention away from the matters which we proclaim to matter most to us and our children,” says LaBillois.

LaBillois also expressed disappointment with Chiefs leaving Tuesday’s meeting during a blanket dance for the family of a missing five-year-old in Saskatchewan.

“Each and everyone of you have the opportunity to support the family of a child that has gone missing. And when our Youth Council has seen a room of empty chairs to support him, our hearts were broken.”

Youth council members say it’s important that their leaders are listening to their voices.

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Report Demands Better For 2SLGBTQ Youth

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2SLGBTQ youth are asking leaders to listen to their voices and make changes like improving healthcare and mental health services.

LGBT Youth Line recently released a series of seven recommendations based on feedback from around 1,200 young people across the province.

The seven recommendations are:

  1. Redesign health system services and programs for 2SLGBTQ+ youth, especially mental health services & care for trans youth;
  2. In suburbs, smaller cities, towns and on reserves, intentionally dedicate resources (space, time, energy) and funding to directly support 2SLGBTQ+ youth;
  3. Develop mechanisms for grassroots 2SLGBTQ+ youth organizing to access much-needed resources and supports;
  4. Meaningful involvement of 2SLGBTQ+ youth (especially racialized and Indigenous 2SLGBTQ+ youth) in decision-making at the local, regional and provincial levels;
  5. Proactive efforts to increase 2SLGBTQ+ youth representation in positions of power and influence;
  6. Mandate change in building/facility standards to have safe, accessible, all-gender washrooms in all public spaces in Ontario, including on reserves;
  7. Comprehensive and ongoing training and capacity-building focused on supporting 2SLGBTQ+ youth, and challenging homo/bi/transphobia and racism.

Spokesperson Hayley Moody explains these are changes that 2SLGBTQ young people have been demanding for a long time.

“Youth experience systemic violence, youth experience lack of safety, youth experience isolation, and all of those things could be changed, it doesn’t have to be this way,” she notes.

The report features examples of how the recommendations could be put into action, like a Two Spirit youth getting support from their family and an Elder to run for a position on their local Band Council. Community leaders are also encouraged to consult youth when making decisions and pay them for their expertise.

Moody says their next steps include virtual open houses where anyone can attend and learn more about the report.

“Those webinars are a great starting point for folks who are in positions of power, for folks who work within those fields or within those sectors, to come to those online events and hear from Youth Line staff [and volunteers],” she says.

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UPDATE-FOUND: Missing Youth In Kenora

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1:30PM UPDATE: YOUTH LOCATED SAFE

Provincial Police need public assistance to locate a missing child in Kenora.

OPP say 12 year old Hillary Land was last seen around 1:45 Thursday afternoon.

She’s described as an aboriginal girl with a medium build, shoulder length hair that is half black and half orange and pink.

Land is 5 foot tall and 120-pounds.

She was last seen wearing a black sweater, black sweatpants and grey shoes.

Anyone with information about the missing youth is asked to call the Kenora OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or 548-5534.

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FedNor Supporting Young Worker Initiatives

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Two regional organizations are receiving FedNor funding to help support young workers.

The Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre is getting 366-thousand dollars to enhance its “Youth Effect” project.

The three-year initiative is designed to provide entrepreneurial youth with a 15-week learning and training placement with an innovative business.

The Northern Policy Institute is receiving more than 31-grand to hire a youth intern to track immigration assets and growth across Northern Ontario.

One community in the Kenora district is also benefiting from FedNor funding to support youth entrepreneurs.

Pikangikum First Nation is getting 272-thousand dollars to expand its Youth Sawmill Program.

It provides essential work experience for youth while increasing productivity at the local sawmill.

The federal government is spending 3.9 million to expand entrepreneurial opportunities and create more jobs for Northern Ontario youth.

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COVID-19 Coping Tips For Children And Youth

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The COVID-19 pandemic is creating some challenging and sometimes stress for many people these day, including children.

Kenora-Rainy River District Child and Family Services is offering some tips to help them cope.

Michelle Mondor, a Child and Youth Mental Health Clinician, says offers the following advice:

“Counting to 10, or 100, or 1,000, whatever you need to regulate. Talking to a friend or an adult. Writing down your worried thoughts. Relaxing your muscles by tensing them for 5 seconds and than release.”

Mondor also recommends hugging a stuffed animal or a pet.

Mondor says school closures and the inability to see friends might be hardest on teens.

“Some tips to help your teens are share with them that you’re proud of them. Validate their disappointment. Focus on healthy things to do. Help them remember to keep a routine.”

Mondor says that routine should include at least 30 minutes of physical activity.

She stresses it’s okay for youth to be scared, sad or tired.

“This is event is traumatic. So the impact that it has on our bodies responses to things can be seen as lazy, or not wanting to cooperate or angry. It’s really the response to what’s happening in the changes in the world.”

(With files from Randy Thoms: Acadia News Fort Frances)

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Firefly Recognizing Speech And Hearing Month

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This is Speech and Hearing awareness month and Firefly in the Kenora and Rainy River districts is trying to raise its profile.

The agency provides service to youth up to the age of 18.

Firefly is sharing information about the importance of helping kids communicate through its website and social media.

Speech and Language Pathologist Carrie Hall says “Sometimes you see us at schools and daycare’s. We might be working with kids who are using a device to communicate, like an iPad. We might just be working on speech sounds or just general language development.”

Hall notes communication is a very important tool.

“Helping children learn how to communicate really helps them to be active participants in the world around them. There’s also a lot of research behind how delayed communication skills can affect later academic development.”

This is also Mental Health Week.

Hall says “If communication skills are keeping you from connecting with the world, it can definitely impact your mental health and well-being in general.”

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Federal Funding To Support Vulnerable People

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The federal government is providing help for the country’s most vulnerable communities.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says they are committing $200 million for shelters.

“If you can’t go home because it isn’t safe or because you don’t have a home, we’re not going to forget you. If you need to get away from domestic violence or violence because of your gender, there are places you can go and be safe.”

Additionally, the government will be allocating $9 million to help seniors with things like health check-ups and grocery deliveries through the New Horizons program.

An additional $7.5 million will go towards supporting the Kids Help Phone.

Trudeau took time on the weekend to thank the employees and volunteers who work for these groups.

“I know it’s been hard lately. Not just because more and more people need your help. But because you’re struggling to keep doing this work for marginalized and vulnerable people during a public health crisis on a scale that Canada has never before seen.”

Because of that, Trudeau stresses additional support will be coming in the next few days.

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FIREFLY Expanding Services To Children/Families

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FIREFLY has been able to expand its service delivery options to continue to offer care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The organization provides emotional, physical, developmental and community services for children and youth across the Kenora and Rainy River District.

All offices and childcare programs are closed until April 6th to limit the spread of the virus.

Executive Director Karen Ingebrigtson says staff will still be providing counselling and childrens rehabilitation services by telephone or online.

Ingebrigtson says over the next days, their clinicians will be reaching out to existing clients with upcoming appointments to discuss that options that are available during this time.

New clients will also be accepted and you can call FIREFLY at 1-800-465-7203 for more information.

Ingebrigtson stresses “For our Child and Youth Mental Health programs, we recognize that these times of uncertainty are when children, youth and families will need our services the most. We also know that for our Child and Youth Development Services, consistent, structured, uninterrupted services will have the greatest benefits for the families we serve to build on their strengths.”

She notes the best way to stay updated on FIREFLY activity during the pandemic is by visiting their Facebook page.

Ingebrigtson says it includes helpful tips to cope with anxiety during a stressful time.

Visit https://www.facebook.com/fireflynw for more information.

 

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