TORONTO, - Adam van Koeverden, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Youth and to the Minister of Canadian Heritage (Sport), announced today a total investment of $190,000 to BGC Canada (formerly Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada) to support two significant youth initiatives. He made this announcement on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Heritage.

The Stronger Connection: 2021 National Youth Forum is an event that took place from May 10 to 15 and virtually gathered more than 680 boys and girls, aged 14 to 18, from across Canada. It gave these young Canadians an opportunity to connect with each other through hands-on, interactive workshops focused on four main pillars: community, education, networking and technology. An investment of $90,000 was provided for this event through the Youth Forums Canada component of the Exchanges Canada program.

Youth Leading Reconciliation is an initiative that will reach 500 participants aged 13 to 30 through 10 BGC Clubs across Canada. Through youth-led gatherings, Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth will be engaged in shared learning and dialogue through the lens of Truth and Reconciliation. An investment of $100,000 has been provided to this initiative through the Youth Take Charge program, which supports initiatives that focus on being engaged in communities and aware of the importance of being an active and engaged citizen.