Voices from Saint John pressed federal lawmakers this week to consider a national strategy for children and youth, pointing to local programming that proponents say shows what a focused approach can achieve. The discussions add momentum to Bill S-212, the National Strategy for Youth and Children Act, which is being shepherded through the Senate and the House of Commons in Ottawa.
From struggling student to program advocate
Chris Miller, a recent high-school graduate from Saint John, told a community roundtable that his experience with the Saint John Learning Exchange changed his trajectory. Miller said the organisation’s culinary and carpentry classes taught him practical trade skills, but also helped him develop teamwork and leadership.
“I got to learn a lot ... working in a group with people and having patience. You can also work on your leadership skills when working in a group.”
Miller’s remarks were shared as part of a roundtable that included Senator Rosemary Moodie, New Brunswick Health Minister John Dornan and Dr. Sarah Gander, among others. The event was organised locally and photos were submitted by the Business Community Anti-Poverty Initiative.
What stakeholders said and why Ottawa matters
Senator Moodie has been guiding Bill S-212 through parliamentary stages in Ottawa. During the roundtable she and other participants argued a national strategy could improve outcomes for children and youth across Canada by aligning policy and resources.
The Saint John Learning Exchange describes itself as a non-profit committed to empowering youth and adults to reach education and employment goals. In the local meeting, Miller told attendees the program offered something he found missing at his high school — a practical path to employment combined with supportive mentorship.
Representatives at the table framed Miller’s story as evidence that community-led, skills-based programming can inform federal policy. They urged federal lawmakers in Ottawa to consider frameworks that would support similar initiatives nationally, though the roundtable did not propose specific federal funding levels or legislative amendments beyond backing the concept of a national strategy.
Local program features highlighted
Roundtable participants highlighted several elements of the Saint John Learning Exchange that they said could be models for broader policy:
- Practical skills training — culinary and carpentry classes that teach trades;
- Soft-skills development — teamwork, leadership and patience cultivated in group settings;
- Pathways to employment — programming intended to help participants reach education and job-readiness goals.
Speakers emphasised that while local programs cannot substitute for national policy, they can inform Ottawa about what works on the ground.
Participants and roles
| Participant | Role |
|---|---|
| Chris Miller | Recent high-school graduate and program participant |
| Senator Rosemary Moodie | Senator guiding Bill S-212 |
| John Dornan | New Brunswick Health Minister |
| Dr. Sarah Gander | Roundtable participant |
For Ottawa residents, the roundtable is a reminder that decisions made in the capital about federal strategies and legislation such as Bill S-212 can be shaped by local evidence and testimony from across the country. Advocates at the meeting argued that listening to youth — and to examples where community organisations have produced measurable change — should be central to federal deliberations.
The conversation in Saint John will now form part of the broader public and parliamentary debate around the proposed national strategy as it continues to move through Ottawa’s legislative process. Proponents say a coordinated national policy could provide a framework for funding, programming standards and cross-jurisdictional collaboration; critics and opponents were not represented at the Saint John roundtable.
As Bill S-212 progresses through Ottawa, stakeholders from provinces and communities will continue to press for details about implementation, funding and accountability. For participants like Miller, the key message was straightforward: programmes that offer skills, mentoring and a listening ear can help young people find direction — and federal policy should make room for scaling effective local models.
