Calls for Quebec to support aging out of youth protection

When a child under youth protection turns 18, how are they supported?

The Quebec government promised to follow expert recommendations to amend Quebec’s Youth Protection Act after it came into question following the death of a seven-year-old Granby girl in 2019.

“I could see that they’re trying. I just wish that in my time when I was aging out, something was set in stone, you know, and something was like a little more supportive,” said Nikki Bubb, one of many Quebecers who wishes that at 18, they had more support as they left youth protection.

“I remember leaving care. It was like, I don’t know how to describe the moment I walked out of the door and they were all waving at me, my heart kind of like sank. I was like, ‘Oh my God,’ like, what, one second, you’re like, all in youth protection,” said Bubb. “Your safety is like their main priority or whatever. And then the next second, it’s just like, all right, you’re out in the world. So hopefully you can figure it out, you know?”

Critics say Bill 15 doesn’t go far enough and are calling on the government to put measures in place to help these young adults transition to standing on their own.

“Right now, there’s no legislation that guarantees that youth will receive any kind of support as they leave [youth protection],” Talina Henseleit, executive director of C.A.R.E. Jeunesse. “All the other Canadian provinces and territories have something of that nature, and we really thought that it was Quebec’s turn.”

The Youth Protection Act does state that care can continue for those 18 and over under certain conditions.

“All who aged out of care, the common theme was a feeling of abandonment by the government, their primary caregiver throughout their throughout their youth,” adds Henseleit. “We just we don’t want that to continue. We want a safe exit from care. […] Our youth deserve it.”

Sun Youth is working on putting measures in place to help these young adults transition, saying they understand that although these are now men and women technically, they are still kids and tools need to be in place to help them.

“Transition to not only the workforce, but adulthood. So, we’ve been lucky enough that a lot of kids from youth protection, foster care and group homes already participate in sports activities,” said Tony De Francesco, director of sports and community outreach for Sun Youth. “So we get them at a young age and we can help them. We can help integrate them either through summer employment and things like that.”

For those currently aging out of youth protection, Bubb says to surround yourself with people that are good for you.

“Just don’t – don’t be alone, you know, in that transition, you know? Because it’s a big one.”