Adam Vaughan, Member of Parliament for Spadina–Fort York, today announced a $7.9 million investment to A Way Home: Working Together to End Youth Homelessness. Mr. Vaughan made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour.

“This project will help vulnerable youth build positive futures and develop the skills they need to contribute meaningfully to the workforce. When youth have the skills and supports they need to succeed, they can get good, well-paying jobs, help grow the economy and join the middle class.”
– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour

“Homeless youth are among the most vunerable and marginalized populations who face substantial barriers to education and employment. Assisting Canada’s youth is a priority. A Way Home: Working Together to End Youth Homelessness project is a concrete example of what we can achieve for youth by working in partnership with organizations across the country. Projects like this can give our youth the chance to change their future.”
– Adam Vaughan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development (Housing and Urban Affairs) and Member of Parliament for Spadina–Fort York

“Through a unique partnership with the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness (York University), MaRS Centre for Impact Investing, two provinces and dozens of community partners, the Making the Shift project will ensure that young people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless achieve housing stability and have natural supports, such as family, that are essential as they receive support to stay in school or access training and employment.”
– Melanie Redman, Executive Director, A Way Home Canada

“This project will not only enable over a thousand homeless youth to access education and employment, but will provide us with a much stronger evidence base about how to prevent youth homelessness and support young people who do experience homelessness to exit this situation. It’s all about helping young people in a tough situation to move forward in their lives in a way that promotes wellness and the chance to succeed.”
– Dr. Stephen Gaetz, Professor, York University, and Director, the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness

“This visionary investment by the Government of Canada not only recognizes the leadership that A Way Home Canada, The Canadian Observatory on Homelessness at York University and their many partners have provided through the development of meaningful strategies to support homeless youth in Canada, but it is also an investment in our nation’s future, ensuring that all young Canadians are able to contribute to shaping a better country and a better world.”
− Mamdouh Shoukri, President and Vice-Chancellor, York University

• Each year the Government invests more than $330 million in the Youth Employment Strategy (YES) to help young people gain the skills, abilities and work experience they need to find and maintain good employment.

• Total funding for YES was increased by $278 million in 2016–2017, representing the largest investment since its launch in 1997.

• Budget 2017 proposed an additional $395.5 million over three years for YES, starting in 2017–2018.

Related Products

• Backgrounder - Youth homelessness prevention project receives major investment from Government of Canada

Associated Links

• Youth Employment Strategy
• Skills Link Program

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Elizabeth Cheesbrough
Office of Adam Vaughan, M.P.
Spadina–Fort York
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Janice Walls
Media Relations, York University
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