Community culture is the solution to Canada’s most pressing social issues: open letter

Political leaders should view our current social crises, from housing shortages to declining mental health, through a lens that prioritizes culture and invests in young people, according to a national think-tank.

Create Canada published an open letter before the election targeting party leaders in hopes of garnering support for Create Canada’s unique perspective.

“How are we going to solve climate change if we can’t get along?” said Owais Lightwala, an assistant professor at Toronto Metropolitan University’s Creative School.

“How are we going to increase housing affordability if we don’t have the capacity to think creatively? How are we going to increase the economic output and productivity if we feel exhausted all the time?” 

He believes revitalizing community culture—the shared values and traditions that bring people together and build belonging—is key to solving Canada’s most pressing social issues.

“All we do is constantly respond in our society to all kinds of deeper-rooted challenges with very different types of solutions that don’t actually address the core challenges,” said Lightwala.

“Do we feel like we belong? Do we feel like we trust each other? Do we feel like our lives have meaning and purpose?” 

To do that, Create Canada, which is run by non-partisan volunteers who believe investing in culture builds authentic connections, has proposed a Canada-wide culture policy.

Arts and Culture Corporation

Create Canada’s letter calls on the federal government to kickstart cultural investment by establishing an Arts and Culture Corporation. The organization suggests young Canadians between the ages of 18 and 30 dedicate one year to cultural service across the country. 

Youth would collaborate with cultural organizations, festivals, schools, and other community groups, taking on roles like event organizer, peer mentor and community storyteller. 

The organization has also proposed housing and food support to ensure young people from diverse backgrounds can participate in the program.

“People are looking for connection, they’re looking for meaning, they’re looking for inspiration, and they’re looking for purpose,” Lightwala said.

“It’s at that young age when it’s the most life-defining and has the most long-term consequences.”

Studies show investing in young people, especially racialized youth, with supportive community programming is an effective way to reduce long-term costs tied to crime, poor health and unemployment. 

When young people feel seen and supported, they’re more likely to participate in civic life and contribute to their communities throughout their lifetime, said Lightwala.

Twice the impact

The impact could be transformative for young people and their communities, he said.  

This approach offers youth hands-on professional experience, building leadership skills like project management and collaboration, while also encouraging creative thinking.

For communities, the program could strengthen social connection, cultural expression and civic engagement.

“I think the reason why young people were our focus for an arts and culture program was really getting them out of the house, off their phones, engaging with communities in ways that are meaningful,” he said.

“A one per cent change in your trajectory at 20 years old means that in 40 years, it’s going to make a big difference in where they end up,” he said. 

Lasting change

Lighwala said the letter’s goal was to spark conversation among policymakers and propose a new approach to targeting the root causes of some of Canada’s most pressing issues. 

Arts and culture aren’t luxuries, but an essential component of building stronger societies, he said. 

“I think we should always start by saying, ‘Why should we keep the status quo?’” Lightwala said. “Why not try something different and something new?

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