Â鶹ÒùÔº

As we move closer to the start of the fall term, returning to school is often a source of conversation and excitement.

Thinking about postsecondary education, and discussing what attending a new institution will be like, or in what program one will major, is related to building a future that often hinges on educational attainment and income.

However, what is often missing from back-to-school conversations is the reality that approximately , and even fewer attend postsecondary institutions.

The implications of a lower level of educational attainment can include a higher likelihood of poverty—, food insecurity, worse health outcomes and fewer employment opportunities—and an with criminal justice systems.

Barriers for youth aging out of care

In Canada, youth who are among the most vulnerable members of society and require specialized, integrated government system planning.

Despite their resilience, many of these young people face and systemic discrimination. Without sustained support, many fall through the cracks. This is not a reflection of individual failure, but instead of fostering opportunity.

To address the needs of this population, Canada must shift from punitive responses toward meaningful investments in education and , prioritizing learning from those with .

Supports must —meaning they are uniquely tailored and intensive, designed for people with complex needs and draws on and affirms young people's identities, cultural contexts and strengths.

Systemic neglect has consequences

Research shows youth with care experience are drastically in Canada's justice system and are 20 times more likely to be involved with it compared to their peers.

This is not coincidental—it is the result of systemic neglect, the and the absence of support at critical transition points.

When youth age out of care, often as young as 18, they are expected to navigate adulthood with , limited life skills and inadequate financial support. The result is a predictable cycle of poverty, and .

The cost of this approach is staggering. Incarcerating a single youth can cost , with total public expenditures exceeding $1 million per youth over the course of a justice-involved life.

Seeking better outcomes

These resources are spent on reacting to crises, not preventing them. In contrast, providing access to postsecondary education—including tuition waivers, housing support and mentoring—costs an average of $85,000 to $100,000 over four years. The . Youth who access education are far more likely to achieve stable employment, experience better health outcomes and contribute positively to their communities.

Education is not a luxury, it is a and a powerful tool for interrupting intergenerational cycles of trauma. Yet in Canada complete a postsecondary credential.

This low rate is not due to lack of ability or ambition, but rather reflects the lack of targeted, consistent support. Provinces that have implemented tuition waiver programs are beginning to see the transformative potential of this approach. Despite this, access remains uneven and .

Just and fiscally responsible approach

The criminalization of youth from care is a and reflects a societal willingness to spend more on punishment than prevention. Canada, like , has a practical incentive to reverse this trend. Making early and data-driven investments in education, mental health services and housing for youth aging out of care is not only more humane, it is also a fiscally responsible and socially just approach.

By shifting public investment from , Canada can reimagine the future for thousands of young people. These youth deserve the same chances we would want for any child: a fair start, a quality education and the opportunity to thrive. It is time to stop and start investing in their potential.

Strong economic returns

Investment in education, housing and mental health for youth leaving care has been shown to reduce justice involvement and lead to strong economic returns. A found that extending support for youth aging out of care leads to long-term economic and social benefits.

In Ontario, every dollar invested in extended care from ages 21 to 25 could yield $1.36 million in savings or earnings over a lifetime through improved educational attainment, reduced reliance on social benefits, lower rates of criminal justice involvement and increased contributions through taxes.

Similarly, a more recent estimated that raising the age of care from 18 to 21 would cost $146 million but generate up to $254 million in benefits.

for youth from care is a cost-effective, humane and socially responsible alternative to allowing justice involvement to become their default path.

How we can all benefit

The current punitive system invests heavily in the costliest outcomes—justice involvement—while underfunding pathways that foster resilience, success and societal connection and contribution.

A national commitment to educational equity for youth from care is a sound fiscal strategy and a to ensure all youth in Canada can benefit from postsecondary education.

As a society, we all benefit from this approach.