MINUTES – PUBLIC – YOUTH COMMISSION – 1st session – January 17, 2026 – 1:05 p.m. to 3:50 p.m.

4.1 Discussion on issues related to the LGBTQIA2+ community - Jeunesse Idem

A presentation is made by the organization Jeunesse Idem, by Érik Bisson, Executive Director. He is accompanied by Hegel Emmanuel Samson, outreach worker.

This is an organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for people between 7 and 35 years old from the LGBTQIA2+ community. Their objectives are:

• To accompany young people in their questions about their sexual orientation.
• To listen to them and accompany them at their own pace, in addition to offering the best information on the subject.
• To offer a platform for young people to interact with each other.

The organization's various achievements and projects are presented. Discussion groups and activities have been set up, for example:

• Teen Group: 12 to 17 years old;
• Adult Group: 18 to 35 years old;
• Drop-In: The goal is to offer a place for socialization between people aged 7 to 35. This is an informal event. It is possible to bring schoolwork and discuss with other members of the group.
• Parents/Loved Ones Group: Monthly event allowing for support to be offered to parents and loved ones. There is currently a group specifically for trans children and their parents.

Youth Workshop

These are training workshops offered in schools and youth centers. The goal is to raise awareness about the reality of young people in the LGBTQ+ community. A new version of the game Loup-Garou (Werewolf) is played using real-life situations.

Training

Training offered to young people, social work technicians (TTS), and school assistant principals. The goal is to move things forward and adapt to different realities.

Days and activities

• During the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, 600 people came out to celebrate the event.
• Pride Week: Several family activities were planned during the 3rd week of August.
• Place Laval: Drag show which was a fantastic activity hosted by Chloé.

Collaboration with the CJ (Youth Commission)

It began in 2019. There was a gathering of older and younger generations to create an interview process. These allowed for the creation of video clips that were shared to raise public awareness.

Youth Summit 2025

Érik became aware of hateful comments in schools and noted that school committees did not seem to be available enough to help young people. Finally, a project was created to train more than 1,100 municipal employees in day camps, sports environments, and libraries.

Question and comment period

• Several young people shared testimonies about the presence of homophobia and transphobia in their schools, including insults, inappropriate jokes, and a lack of reaction from adults.
• Several insisted on the need for mandatory workshops and classroom awareness, not just in the form of kiosks or one-off activities.
• Members proposed strengthening the role of youth ambassadors, demanding more interventions from schools, and developing a collective strategy against discrimination and shame.
• The central role of shame in the degradation of living conditions is mentioned, and young people are invited to collectively refuse intolerance in their friend groups and to mobilize against shame. Young people must demand more from their schools, notably by requesting the presence of interveners like Jeunesse Idem to better equip themselves and act from a perspective of justice and equity.
• Youth members have the duty to collect information in their school to find out which school has an ally committee.

A break is taken at 2:30 p.m. and resumes at 2:43 p.m.

5.2 Young Elected Officials Gathering, collaboration with Institut du Nouveau Monde

The National Gathering of Young Elected Officials aims to mobilize student councils to encourage schools to register for the event. An active role for the Youth Commission in promotion and facilitation is desired. The Youth Commission is collaborating on the organization and facilitation of the event with the Institut du Nouveau Monde.

Several forms of participation for the Youth Commission are proposed: a welcome speech during the opening evening, facilitating an icebreaker activity, participating in the 'engaged dinner' (speed-dating style meetings with groups of young people), and holding an information kiosk about the Commission. Members discuss the best way to maximize the visibility of the Youth Commission, favoring participation in the engaged dinner to exchange directly with many young people, while distributing tasks according to availability.

A sub-committee will be formed to organize the Youth Commission's participation in the various activities of the event. Registrations are open until February 23, 2026; each school can register a maximum of five young people, and the Youth Commission has an automatic spot. Members must inform the organizers of their presence at the event.

It takes place in two parts: an opening evening at the Maison du citoyen (welcome speech, networking) on March 27, then a day of workshops, meetings, and activities at École secondaire de l'Île on March 28. The people interested in participating in the sub-committee are: Matthew, Vivianne, Jenera, Blessila, Morad, Kadiatou, Samuëlle, Louis, and Mya.

10. Miscellaneous

School Perseverance Week, Black History Month, and IDEM Youth Gala on February 21, 2026

Jeunesse Idem is organizing a ball on February 21 at the Best Western hotel, and Isabelle Cousineau invites a young person from the Youth Commission to accompany her. She will be replacing the Mayor there. Young members are also invited to participate in the launch evening of Black History Month on January 26, organized by the Conseil de la communauté noire de Gatineau. Finally, Isabelle reminds everyone of the arrival of School Perseverance Days in February and suggests starting to reflect on the meaning of school perseverance and dropping out in schools.

Discussions on student parliaments

Several members shared their experience regarding participation in student parliaments in their schools, emphasizing that integration is not automatic for members of the Youth Commission and that roles can be distinct between the student council and the Youth Commission. Some mentioned that their presence on the student council facilitates the transmission of information from the Youth Commission to their school, but that it is not systematic for everyone. It was suggested to add a 'Youth Commission' point to the agenda of student councils or to create a specific position to improve communication and representation. Members expressed that access to the student parliament is not always inclusive and that this can limit their involvement or their ability to share the issues of the Youth Commission.