05/04/2026
On March 27, 2026, the Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism notified agencies funded under the Black Youth Action Plan that ongoing funding could no longer be guaranteed.
While $16.5M has been allocated, the province is shifting priorities toward private sector partnerships and employment placement — at the expense of the community services that make employment possible.
For several community organizations, this means a potential loss in operational funding and the layoff of thousands of staff. Revitaled has identified that, within the Durham Region, 22 agencies and 90,000 Black youth and families are affected.
Here’s what the data tells us:
• Black youth unemployment sits at 25.7% vs 17.6% for the general youth population (Statistics Canada, 2023)
• 94% of Black youth aspire to university, but only 60% believe it’s possible
• Black Canadians earn the lowest wages in STEM and skilled trades sectors
You cannot remove mentorship, advocacy, mental health support, and education navigation and expect job placements alone to work. A young person cannot keep a job if they are fighting systemic barriers at school, at home, and in their community.
These are not “extra” services.
They are the infrastructure that keeps youth from falling into crisis.
✍🏾 If you’d like to loan your voice to advocate for the reinstallation of BYAP funding, sign the petition here:
https://parentsofblackchildren.good.do/protectcriticalsupportsforblackchildrenandfamiliesinontario/
Personalize the message. Share how these programs have impacted you or your family. And contact your MPP. The more voices heard, the stronger we are.
Ontario families are facing the sudden loss of critical community supports following a provincial decision to end funding for programs serving Black children, youth, and families. These programs provide essential services including: Mental health support Student advocacy Tutoring and educational sup...