It’s Youth Centre Week in Quebec

It’s Youth Centre Week in Quebec

This week, from October 13 to 19, 2025, marks the 28th edition of Youth Centre Week (SMDJ) in Quebec. Under the theme “The Future of Our Teens Is Now,” the campaign aims to highlight the essential role that youth centres play in the lives of adolescents and in the social fabric of their communities.

Nicolas Legault, Director of the Quebec Youth Centres Network, reminds us of the vital role that youth centres play in our communities:

This year’s theme emphasizes that teenagers are our future, but that it is now crucial to provide youth centres and their staff with the resources they need to support them fully, giving them every chance to succeed.

According to a survey conducted for the Quebec Youth Centres Network (RMJQ), nearly half of Quebecers believe the government is not doing enough for 12- to 17-year-olds. Nicolas Legault adds once again:

The survey also indicates that people consider efforts to prevent bullying, support academic success, and promote the mental and physical well-being of teenagers—areas in which youth centres are particularly active—to be insufficient. Yet, youth centres receive an average of only $184,284 in funding for their operations, while their actual needs are estimated at over $736,177, leaving an average shortfall of more than $551,893 per centre.

To mark Youth Centre Week, the centres are offering “by and for youth” activities: open houses, awareness challenges, community events, and local speaking opportunities to raise awareness of their mission.

The (FRench-language) interview with Nicolas Legault, conducted by Nathalie Vasiloff, is available here.