nder the Radar is a weekly special series bringing you compelling, under–the–radar stories from around the world, one region at a time. This week in the Americas, over one million Canadian youths are caregivers for family members, but Canada’s healthcare system lacks the infrastructure to support them. Other noteworthy under–the–radar stories from the region include Chilean salmon farms’ impact on the environment, Montreal’s controversial decision to hire private security guards to patrol neighborhoods, and a Guatemalan ecotourism project’s effect on its community.
Over one million young people in Canada are responsible for caring for their family members with long–term illnesses, disabilities, or other life–altering health conditions. A recent case study depicts the countless struggles these young caregivers face. These youths, who fall within the 15 to 24 age range, are often responsible for over 20 hours a week in unpaid work. The most recent survey in 2018 suggested that 1.5 million Canadians ages 15 to 30 fulfilled such caregiving roles, but given the increase in life expectancy and the growing number of people 60 years and older, this number has likely increased. Similarly, the pandemic also increased the number of people who need caregiving, yet caused a decline in the number of staff at caregiving homes in Canada. Thus, the current number of young caregivers in Canada is unknown, demonstrating the lack of infrastructure Canada has to identify and support them.
Although they choose to help their family, many young Canadian caregivers have reported an increase in mental health struggles, difficulty balancing their responsibilities with school and a social life, and economic difficulties. One such caregiver, who began caring for her mother at 16, pointed out that many of her mother’s doctors, nurses and even her own family did not acknowledge her as a caregiver because of her age. Similarly, she pointed out the difficulty of having to take care of her mother while not having access to financial resources, including the inability to pay for therapy for her own mental health or pay for transportation.
In general, the World Economic Forum argues that we need to invest in the care economy to “future–proof” our economies. Currently, GDP does not account for the caregiving sector, with many people—most often women—working full–time, unpaid care jobs. By investing in caregiving, countries would be more cognizant of the infrastructure they lack to support these often overlooked members of society. Investing in the care economy would also create new jobs, specifically ones that are not likely to be replaced anytime soon by automation. And the need for caregiving jobs is only growing as the World Health Organization estimates that by 2050, the number of people over the age of 60 will double to 2.1 billion. Of course, by investing in the caregiving industry, countries will also allow better opportunities and skill development for children currently taking care of their family members.
Here are some other under–the–radar stories from the Americas:
- The Chilean coast is home to many salmon farms, but some of Chile’s indigenous fishermen are criticizing the damage the non–native fish have on the ecosystem despite the Chilean Salmon Council’s sustainability assurances.
- The city of Montreal has hired private security guards to patrol high–crime neighborhoods, but organizations that work with homeless populations in Montreal are criticizing the decision.
- The Chico Mendes Project in Guatemala has planted thousands of trees since 1999, without government funding, while also promoting ecotourism, which includes homestays and language lessons for volunteers.
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Canadian youth struggle as unsupported caregivers
Image via Adobe Stock.
June 27, 2025
Diplomatic Courier’s Stephanie Gull brings you weekly under–the–radar stories from around the world. This week in the Americas: Over a million young Canadians bearing exceptional caregiving burdens reveal a lack of support infrastructure.
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nder the Radar is a weekly special series bringing you compelling, under–the–radar stories from around the world, one region at a time. This week in the Americas, over one million Canadian youths are caregivers for family members, but Canada’s healthcare system lacks the infrastructure to support them. Other noteworthy under–the–radar stories from the region include Chilean salmon farms’ impact on the environment, Montreal’s controversial decision to hire private security guards to patrol neighborhoods, and a Guatemalan ecotourism project’s effect on its community.
Over one million young people in Canada are responsible for caring for their family members with long–term illnesses, disabilities, or other life–altering health conditions. A recent case study depicts the countless struggles these young caregivers face. These youths, who fall within the 15 to 24 age range, are often responsible for over 20 hours a week in unpaid work. The most recent survey in 2018 suggested that 1.5 million Canadians ages 15 to 30 fulfilled such caregiving roles, but given the increase in life expectancy and the growing number of people 60 years and older, this number has likely increased. Similarly, the pandemic also increased the number of people who need caregiving, yet caused a decline in the number of staff at caregiving homes in Canada. Thus, the current number of young caregivers in Canada is unknown, demonstrating the lack of infrastructure Canada has to identify and support them.
Although they choose to help their family, many young Canadian caregivers have reported an increase in mental health struggles, difficulty balancing their responsibilities with school and a social life, and economic difficulties. One such caregiver, who began caring for her mother at 16, pointed out that many of her mother’s doctors, nurses and even her own family did not acknowledge her as a caregiver because of her age. Similarly, she pointed out the difficulty of having to take care of her mother while not having access to financial resources, including the inability to pay for therapy for her own mental health or pay for transportation.
In general, the World Economic Forum argues that we need to invest in the care economy to “future–proof” our economies. Currently, GDP does not account for the caregiving sector, with many people—most often women—working full–time, unpaid care jobs. By investing in caregiving, countries would be more cognizant of the infrastructure they lack to support these often overlooked members of society. Investing in the care economy would also create new jobs, specifically ones that are not likely to be replaced anytime soon by automation. And the need for caregiving jobs is only growing as the World Health Organization estimates that by 2050, the number of people over the age of 60 will double to 2.1 billion. Of course, by investing in the caregiving industry, countries will also allow better opportunities and skill development for children currently taking care of their family members.
Here are some other under–the–radar stories from the Americas:
- The Chilean coast is home to many salmon farms, but some of Chile’s indigenous fishermen are criticizing the damage the non–native fish have on the ecosystem despite the Chilean Salmon Council’s sustainability assurances.
- The city of Montreal has hired private security guards to patrol high–crime neighborhoods, but organizations that work with homeless populations in Montreal are criticizing the decision.
- The Chico Mendes Project in Guatemala has planted thousands of trees since 1999, without government funding, while also promoting ecotourism, which includes homestays and language lessons for volunteers.
