In the early 2000s when I worked in international development, many of my coworkers and I were often astonished by WE Charity’s projects in the global south. We were constantly puzzled by their business model, but to be honest, we were also a tad jealous of their glamour, fundraising, celebrity endorsements, and global expansion. How times have changed. Still, WE Charity filled the air waves last week. 

But you know who hasn’t? Young people. 

In all the politics, criticism, and ethics committee proceedings of the ill-fated Canada Student Service Grant (CSSG) program, the federal government and civil society organizations forgot about young people. 

And with the federal government’s development of a post-pandemic recovery plan for Canada, young people are being sidelined again.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the federal government will me