Black youth in Quebec continue to be disproportionately targeted by everyday discrimination, according to a study released on Sunday by the Afro Youth Summit and the Observatory of Black Communities in Quebec.
The quantitative survey, conducted in collaboration with the polling firm Léger, found that 83 per cent of Black respondents reported having experienced discrimination at least once in their lives, compared to 40 per cent of non-Black respondents, who served as the study’s control group.
Among the 961 Black youth (ages 15 to 35) surveyed, 63 per cent said they had faced discrimination a few times, while 20 per cent said it happened often.
“It’s like our youth are starting life’s game with two strikes against them,” said Édouard Staco, president of the Afro Youth Summit.
These incidents of discrimination—especially when repeated—can chip away at self-esteem and ultimately hinder a young adult’s potential, Staco explained.
He also pointed to the frequency of discrimination in public services. In this regard, 66 per cent of Black youth surveyed said they had experienced unfair treatment at least once when accessing health care, education, justice or transportation services.
“Two-thirds of Black youth say there’s been unequal treatment in government services—these are the basic things you need to succeed in life,” said Staco.
The Afro Youth Summit president said such treatment can take many forms.
“For example, it’s when society or education staff seem to lack ambition for our Black youth,” he said.
He gave the example of racialized teens being steered toward “easier” options, like vocational diplomas (DEPs), instead of being encouraged to pursue higher education.
“Equity means having the belief that our youth have both the right and the potential to be present at all levels.”
The data collected includes all forms of discrimination, both explicit and symbolic. The organization is preparing a qualitative study to better explore the barriers this generation faces.
“We say we’re in the data era. Governments and society as a whole rely on data,” said Staco.
“We need it in order to move the conversation forward and advocate for youth in a serious way.”
By publishing the results of this study, Afro Youth Summit hopes to send a clear message to the government.
“Whether we call it systemic racism or not doesn’t matter—the data shows there’s clearly a problem of injustice within state institutions,” Staco said. “I want to remind the government that these are their youth, too.”
Youth engagement
Despite these troubling findings, Black youth appear to remain hopeful and ambitious.
Among Black respondents, 46 per cent said they have high confidence in the future of their community, compared to just 11per cent who reported low or very low confidence.
“The good news is that despite everything, youth from Black communities are just as confident in their own success as other young people. They believe in their future,” Staco said.
The data shows this confidence translates into strong community involvement: nearly 68 per cent of Black youth believe they are making a positive contribution.
This hope must be nurtured, he added, because it is a powerful driver of change.
“Clearly, our youth are ready to be agents of change, so we need to make sure they’re given equal opportunities for success, so their potential doesn’t go to waste.”
The survey was conducted online between August and October 2024, with 1,463 respondents gathered from three sources: a Léger web panel, an open link shared through a Léger DGTL digital campaign, and an open link distributed by Afro Youth Summit through its network of partners.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on April 13, 2025.
