Conservative MP Jamil Jivani is taking a stand, set to deliver an open letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney this month demanding the government finally acknowledge the deepening crisis facing young men across Canada.
Jivani said Wednesday that Canadians across the country are signing the letter, which he plans to deliver on Jan. 26. It urges the federal government to recognize and respond to worsening outcomes for boys and young men.
“Young men in Canada are in crisis. This is a very important issue, and I am thankful to the Canadians across the country who are making their voices heard and demanding action from the Prime Minister,” he told True North.
In the letter, Jivani argues the Carney government has failed to take the issue seriously, noting that the 2025 federal budget contains no targeted measures addressing young men.
“Young men in Canada are in crisis. Moms and dads see it. Teachers see it. Community leaders see it. People across the country are asking the federal government to take this seriously.”
Jivani points to a range of federal data showing men are disproportionately affected by opioid deaths, unemployment, suicide, homelessness, violent crime and poor educational outcomes.
For example, he noted that men accounted for 71 per cent of opioid deaths in 2024. He also said that unemployment among young men reached more than 22 per cent in May 2025, the highest level in over 10 years.
“Suicide rates are three times higher among men, and substantially higher for boys in their teens and twenties,” said Jivani.
Housing instability is also cited as part of the broader pattern, with 67 per cent of shelter users being men in 2023.
Jivani also highlighted that homicide rates where men and young boys were victims have climbed 20 per cent since 2016.
“In 2020, 19 per cent of boys did not graduate high school (Statistics Canada). This problem is bigger than any one statistic. It affects mothers and fathers raising boys, young men searching for purpose, and communities that feel left behind,” said Jivani.
Jivani referenced several organizations that have previously urged Ottawa to act, including the National Bank of Canada, Movember Canada, the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation, and the Senate of Canada.
The Conservative MP called on Carney to start by acknowledging the issue exists and said the letter’s signatories have two questions.
“Will you acknowledge the crisis facing young men in Canada? Will you take action to support and empower young men in our country?”
Jivani is also advocating for Canadians in three other initiatives.
One is to save young people from drug addiction by offering access to treatment programs rather than punishing them through the justice system. Another is to abolish the ban on tobacco-free nicotine pouches. The third initiative calls on the Liberals to prosecute open-air drug use.
Jivani will submit his letter to support young men to Carney on Jan. 26.