In an era defined by overlapping global emergencies, young Canadians are forging their paths with a unique blend of resilience and apprehension. A recent exploration into the mindset of this generation reveals how they are chasing personal dreams against a daunting backdrop of climate change, economic uncertainty, and international instability.
The Weight of the World on Young Shoulders
The concept of a global polycrisis—the simultaneous occurrence of catastrophic events like pandemics, war, and environmental disaster—is not an abstract term for today's youth. It is the atmosphere in which they are coming of age. For individuals like Joshua Bujold, a 17-year-old psychology student at Montreal's Dawson College, this reality shapes daily decisions and long-term aspirations. Photographed in October 2025, Bujold represents a cohort that is acutely aware of the challenges inherited from previous generations.
This awareness extends beyond headlines. Young Canadians are navigating a landscape where affordability crises clash with career goals, where news of a $50-billion corporate merger coexists with reports of deadly drunk driving crashes and searches for kidney donors. They process climate reports predicting glacier extinction in the Arctic alongside personal anxieties about student debt and housing.
Pursuing Purpose in Precarious Times
Despite the pressures, there is a determined focus on building meaningful lives. Many are channeling their concerns into their fields of study and career choices. A psychology student, for instance, might be driven by a desire to address the growing mental health toll of these perpetual crises. Others are leaning into sustainability, technology, or community advocacy, seeing solutions within the problems themselves.
This generation's experience is not one of passive worry but of active adaptation. They are digital natives who consume news of international conflicts, hacking scandals, and political shifts in real-time, yet they also mobilize through social media for causes they believe in. The "yo-yo weather" and extreme events like the early flu surge or the Bondi Beach shooting that shook expats in Montreal are not just stories; they are data points informing their worldview and resilience.
A Generation Defining Its Own Future
The dialogue among young Canadians suggests a pragmatic form of optimism. They acknowledge the severity of the polycrisis—from environmental regulations and methane emission rules to geopolitical tensions—but refuse to be defined solely by doom. Their dreams are being recalibrated, not abandoned. Pursuing education, advocating for change, and seeking human connection become acts of defiance against instability.
As they look ahead, their conversations are laced with a critical question: how to build a stable, fulfilling life in an unstable world? Their answers, still unfolding, point toward community support, psychological adaptability, and a redefinition of success that includes well-being and ethical contribution. The journey of Joshua Bujold and his peers is a testament to the enduring human spirit, striving for purpose and dreams even when the horizon seems clouded.
