US EditionFormer Liberal cabinet minister says young people are hesitant to enter politics
Young Canadians face barriers such as stigma, incumbency, and lack of encouragement, causing under-representation in federal politics despite four new MPs born after 2000, experts say.
- Marchi, the former Liberal cabinet minister, said young people are avoiding politics due to concerns about privacy and growing toxicity in a piece published Oct. 11, 2025.
- Researchers at Carleton and the University of Ottawa concluded the 2024 paper on youth representation found young people’s absence in candidate pools limits nominations, with incumbency a major obstacle.
- Education and civic groups warn young people face financial barriers and poor civic literacy, while political culture’s tone and stigma deter many from entering politics.
- Four Canadians born in the early 2000s were elected in the spring election, and Jake Sawatzky urged youth to engage as city councillors or school board trustees since many think the system `isn't built for them`.
- Many young adults report favouring diplomacy and non-governmental organizations over politics, shrinking the candidate pool, while potential young nominees face similar election odds to older politicians.
40 Articles
40 Articles
More and more young people refuse to participate in the political process, regrets a former federal minister, Sergio Marchi.
Winnipeg Free Press
Former Liberal cabinet minister says young people are hesitant to enter politics
Breaking News, Sports, Manitoba, Canada
OTTAWA — More and more young people refuse to participate in the political process, regrets former federal minister Sergio Marchi. He says that when he asks the students of his university course of politics how many of them are interested in a career in public life, he is surprised if two or three of them raise their hands. Mr. Marchi, who was Minister of International Trade from 1997 to 1999, then Ambassador to the World Trade Organization and …
More and more young people refuse to participate in the political process, regrets former federal minister Sergio Marchi. He says that when he asks students in his university course of politics how many of them are interested in a career in public life, he is surprised if two or three of them raise their hands. Mr. Marchi, who was Minister of International Trade from 1997 to 1999, then Ambassador to the World Trade Organization and the United Na…
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