Create a supportive environment where young people in the Chaleur region can develop their full potential with the support of their families, friends, and community
Planet Youth Chaleur aims to prevent substance use among young people by fostering healthy environments, strengthening partnerships, and building a culture of primary prevention rooted in evidence and shared responsibility.
The project brings together partners from health, education, justice, community, municipal, and Indigenous sectors, coordinated with the support of Public Health at Vitalité Health Network and the Chaleur Regional Service Commission’s Community Development Service. This coalition reflects a deep commitment to community collaboration and inclusivity, ensuring that prevention becomes a collective effort involving families, schools, organizations, and decision-makers.
The Planet Youth student survey has been adapted to the region’s linguistic and cultural context and implemented in Francophone and Anglophone high schools. Survey findings will guide the establishment of concrete objectives and actions that will be implemented in a participatory manner, mobilizing partners around sustainable solutions adapted to the local context.
Equity is central to Planet Youth Chaleur. While the initiative focuses broadly on all young people, it pays particular attention to groups who face greater social and health inequities, including Indigenous youth, 2SLGBTQI+ youth, those living in poverty or rural areas, Francophone youth in minority situations, and youth from immigrant or culturally diverse backgrounds. The initiative targets social determinants and aims to reduce inequalities among young people, with a particular focus on those living in rural areas, in poverty, or from minority backgrounds.
Planet Youth Chaleur will contribute to research on adapting the Icelandic Prevention Model to a rural and bilingual Canadian context. More specifically, the research project attached to the initiative will help better understand contextual and sociocultural factors related to the implementation of Planet Youth Chaleur. A participatory and iterative rigorous research approach will be put forward, involving youth and community partners.
By mobilizing diverse partners around a shared vision, Planet Youth Chaleur seeks to demonstrate how local collaboration and evidence-based action can create lasting, positive change for youth well-being.
Lead organization: Chaleur Regional Service Commission
Website: planetejeunessechaleur.ca
Socials: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram
Contact: info@planetyouthchaleur.ca
Location: Chaleur region, New Brunswick
The Chaleur region, located in northeastern New Brunswick, is predominantly rural and includes Bathurst, Belle-Baie, Belledune, the Chaleur Rural District, and the Mi’kmaq community of Oinpegitjoig (Pabineau First Nation). Its population is linguistically diverse, with French-speaking, English-speaking, and bilingual residents. The region is also becoming increasingly culturally diverse, serving as one of the reception centres for French-speaking refugees outside Quebec.
This project is funded as part of the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Youth Substance Use Prevention Program (YSUPP). Learn more here.
