MINUTES – PUBLIC – YOUTH COMMISSION – 8th meeting – December 13, 2025 – 1:01 p.m. to 3:58 p.m.

5.1 2026 National Meeting of Young Elected Officials – Collaboration with Institut du Nouveau Monde

Marie-Dina Salvione, senior project manager at the Institut du Nouveau Monde (INM), presented the Rendez-vous national des jeunes élus project. The 2026 edition will take place in Gatineau, beginning with an inauguration evening at the Maison du Citoyen and a day of activities at école secondaire de l’Île, on March 27 and 28 respectively.

The collaboration of the Youth Commission is requested, and members are invited to participate in the Rendez-vous National des jeunes élus. The Commission's support is sought to:

• mobilize youth from the region and elsewhere to ensure maximum school participation;
• obtain suggestions for interesting personalities for the 'speed dating' engagement sessions;
• have a member of the Commission deliver a welcome address;
• obtain ideas for a dynamic activity regarding the profile of young people;
• reflect on the possibility of hosting a Commission booth.

As inspiring personalities, members proposed: Émily Giry (Groupe d’air Ouverte), André Fortin (provincial MNA), Mathieu Lacombe (provincial MNA), Phil Landry (artist), and Fredz (artist). It was also suggested to include local comedians. Pre-registration for the event is currently underway at the following address: https://inm.qc.ca/rdv-jeunes/

Ryan Thabit joined the meeting at 1:44 p.m. It was also noted that several schools from outside the region wishing to participate are facing financial issues related to travel and accommodation. Potential solutions are being sought.

5.2 Phase 2: Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination Campaign – Collaboration with the Living Together Commission

Florina Gaborean, coordinator for social and cultural diversity at the Service des loisirs, des sports et du développement des communautés, presented phase 2 of the awareness campaign against racism and discrimination. This is a file led by the Commission du vivre-ensemble (Living Together Commission). The next step aims to deconstruct prejudices present in various environments by addressing their roots. A request for collaboration on this project was submitted.

A question and discussion period followed the presentation. Members noted the presence of prejudice and discrimination in their environments regarding sexual diversity, neurodiversity (autism, dyslexia), racism, and body diversity. Several members highlighted that terms like "gay" or "autistic" are commonly used as mockery or insults, often without malicious intent but due to a lack of education. The importance of education and awareness was emphasized.

Interactive workshops, testimonials, small group discussions, and concrete role-playing scenarios to spark reflection are preferred over video campaigns or conferences, which have less impact. Short, interactive, and "shock" interventions are more memorable.

Ihsan Idris Nour joined the meeting at 2:00 p.m. Constance Nolet joined the meeting at 2:10 p.m. It was proposed to involve students in awareness-raising starting in elementary school and to train "multiplier agents" (students or teachers) to carry the message daily. Ideas were put forward to include sexual assault and toxic relationships in the campaign, emphasizing the need to discuss available resources and break the taboo on these subjects. The administrative team indicated that a question will be posted in the Messenger group to invite members to identify the 4 most prevalent prejudices in their environment.