Mitchell Gould

To communicate with public office holders and provide advisory services in respect of federal legislation, regulations, and public policy initiatives affecting youth, including but not limited to online harms legislation, artificial intelligence technologies (including chatbots), and other existing or proposed legislative or regulatory measures that may impact young people. Requesting $500,000 over two years to formally integrate youth mental health leadership and lived experience into federal workforce, health, and education strategies, by funding partnerships with Jack.org to support youth co-design, policy consultation, and evaluation initiatives with departments like Health Canada, ESDC, PHAC, and PCH. Seeking a federal investment of $2.5 million over three years through the Public Health Agency of Canada or the Youth Mental Health Fund to scale Jack.org’s Be There Certificate and edHub, reaching 75,000 youth by 2028 with evidence-informed mental health literacy tools in both digital and school-based formats. Engaging with Canada’s regional development agencies (e.g. ACOA, CanNor, PrairiesCan, FedNor, FedDev Ontario) to explore regionally tailored initiatives that strengthen the youth talent pipeline, support youth mental health and leadership, and contribute to the growth of local businesses by equipping young people with the skills, resilience, and capacity to participate in and lead regional economic development. Advocating for the recapitalization of the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) and allocation of $3 million over three years to Jack.org to fund 420 paid, peer-led youth mental health leadership positions—delivering mentorship, Jack Talks, and outreach that will reach 200,000 youth across Canada by 2028.

Launch an LEC-led pilot program through Intergovernmental affairs to help with interprovincial skilled trades certification and employment. Position LEC as a lead delivery partner in the National Workforce Strategy to develop Skilled Trades Talent Hubs serving racialized, newcomer, youth, and women-led communities Launch an LEC-led pilot program funded by the Foreign Credential Recognition Program to help newcomers prepare for skilled trades certification and employment. Include LEC in Build Canada Homes to lead modular housing workforce development and co-create micro-credentials for prefabrication technologies.

Federal policies that unlock public land for affordable housing by providing incentives for land trusts and private developers to acquire it at below-market rates, ensuring its dedicated use for affordable housing. That the government develop a National Workforce Strategy that features support to expand pre-apprenticeship programs to support the creation of a complete pipeline of talent into the construction workforce. Pursue federal investment in Blue Door's enterprise training model to facilitate housing creation, skills development, and homelessness reduction. Engage government on skills training for newcomers to Canada and the country's existing workforce. That the government make Blue Door a key partner in establishing a Skilled Trades Talent Hub in the 905 area, in the style of the Workforce Hubs created by the Biden administration across the United States.

Engaging with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and other federal departments regarding the development of Indigenous-led data centre infrastructure in Northwestern Ontario, including initiatives related to artificial intelligence infrastructure, digital sovereignty, and national data capacity. Engaging with the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada regarding consultation frameworks, regulatory processes, and governance considerations associated with the Deep Geological Repository for used nuclear fuel. Engaging with the Department of Finance regarding potential tax policy considerations affecting Indigenous-led infrastructure and economic development projects, including projects located on lands undergoing Addition to Reserve processes. Engaging with Indigenous Services Canada and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada regarding Addition to Reserve (ATR) processes associated with lands required for major economic infrastructure projects led by Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation. Engagement with federal departments and agencies regarding the development and implementation of Canada’s nuclear energy strategy and related policies affecting the Deep Geological Repository (DGR) for used nuclear fuel and new nuclear energy generation and transmission. This includes recognition of Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation’s role as host Nation, the development of Indigenous-led nuclear and nuclear-enabling infrastructure opportunities, and federal regulatory, governance, and oversight frameworks associated with the DGR project. Engagement with federal departments and agencies regarding funding, financing to support new nuclear energy generation and transmission. Develop a joint Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation–federal infrastructure strategy to support the Nation’s role as host of the DGR, including investment in housing, roads, utilities, broadband, and emergency services. Formally recognize Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation’s Regulatory Assurance and Accountability Protocol (RAAP) as a binding oversight framework in all federal permitting, review, and regulatory processes in relation to the Nation's existing agreement to act as a willing host to Canada's Deep Geological Repository for nuclear waste on their traditional lands. Secure federal funding to support Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation’s development of data centres on Nation land through existing and forthcoming programs through Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, and the Regional Development Agency for Northern Ontario. Establish a technical table between the Government of Canada and the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation to work towards a treaty table to resolve longstanding jurisdictional ambiguity affecting the Nation’s ability to fully engage in planning for the Deep Geological Repository (DGR). Engaging with Indigenous Services Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), and FedNor to explore federal support for Wabigoon to lead the modernization and expansion of on-reserve and regional infrastructure, specifically focused on energy systems and digital connectivity, to advance community well-being, regional economic development, and Indigenous-led infrastructure delivery. Secure federal funding commitment of the remaining needed to complete Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation’s critical water treatment plant upgrade. Fund and prioritize Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation’s Indigenous-led modular housing strategy as part of Build Canada Homes, with pre-development support and alignment with Indigenous procurement and workforce plans.

Engaging with Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, and other federal departments regarding the integration of community recreation infrastructure within federal Northern and Arctic investment initiatives affecting Nunavut communities. Engaging with federal departments and agencies to seek funding and support for community infrastructure and workforce development through the Nunavut Community Hubs Initiative, including partnerships and investment opportunities to advance recreation infrastructure renewal, enhance community programming, and strengthen local workforce capacity across Nunavut. Engaging with Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) regarding federal investments supporting community infrastructure, recreation facilities, and community capacity development in Nunavut communities. Engaging with National Defence, Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, and other federal departments regarding community benefit opportunities associated with Northern and Arctic infrastructure and defence investments, including initiatives supporting community recreation infrastructure and programming in Nunavut. Engaging with Canadian Heritage and other federal departments regarding federal programs and policy initiatives supporting recreation infrastructure, community programming, and workforce capacity development in Northern and remote communities, including Nunavut.

Engage with federal officials concerning the lack of available federal financial support for smaller-scale supportive and affordable housing projects across Canada. Discussions will address potential policy or program solutions to improve access to capital and ensure these projects can participate in current and future federal housing initiatives. Engage with federal officials and institutions, including Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada and CMHC, regarding the funding gap affecting supportive housing developments in York Region. Discussions will focus on upcoming federal housing funding opportunities and on maintaining access to capital programs during the transition to Build Canada Homes, including projects previously eligible for CMHC funding.