Youth at Risk in Winnipeg Symposium

Hosted by CMU in collaboration with Massey College and Inner City Youth Alive

Massey College, Inner City Youth Alive, and CMU logos

Free Event
October 17, 2026
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Marpeck Commons
2299 Grant Ave.

 

About the Symposium

Purpose

This symposium aims to foster informed dialogue, strengthen cross-sector collaboration, and generate practical solutions to improve outcomes for youth at risk in Winnipeg.

Event Description

Youth at Risk in Winnipeg Symposium event poster

This free event will bring together community leaders, educators, policymakers, and practitioners to explore the factors contributing to youth vulnerability in Winnipeg and identify effective policy and community responses.

The day will feature keynote presentations from former Winnipeg Police Chief Devon Clunis on public safety and youth risk factors, and education expert Dr. John Wiens on the role of education in supporting vulnerable youth.

Panel discussions will examine the factors contributing to youth risk, with a particular focus on educational engagement and absenteeism.

Following a luncheon address by Hon. Renee Cable, Manitoba's Minister of Advanced Education and Training, participants will collaborate in working groups to develop policy recommendations and practical strategies.

The event will conclude with a summary of key insights and next steps, fostering a shared commitment to improving outcomes for young people in Winnipeg.

Who Should Attend

This forum is designed for professionals, practitioners, and community leaders who work with or care about the well-being of young people in Winnipeg.

It will be especially valuable for teachers and educators, social workers, counsellors, not-for-profit and community organization leaders, direct service providers, government and policy professionals, school administrators, researchers, and others engaged in supporting youth and strengthening communities.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn from leading experts, exchange perspectives across sectors, and contribute to discussions aimed at developing practical and effective responses to the challenges facing youth at risk.

Networking Opportunities

Because no single sector can address these challenges alone, the symposium is designed to encourage relationship-building and cross-sector collaboration, providing opportunities to connect with professionals and community leaders from across education, social services, government, law enforcement, and the non-profit sector. Attendees will have time throughout the day to build relationships, share experiences and promising practices, strengthen partnerships, and explore new opportunities for collaboration in supporting youth and families in our community.

 

Online Registration Now Open

 

Resources

Executive Summary: Multiple Disadvantages, Public Safety, and the Policy Agenda

Schedule

Symposium Schedule
9:00–9:15 AM

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Opening remarks from representatives of Canadian Mennonite University, Massey College and Inner City Youth Alive.
9:15–9:45 AM

Public Safety and Youth at Risk

Devon Clunis, former Chief of the Winnipeg Police Service, will address public safety, youth and the community conditions that can lead young people toward—or away from—violence and crime.
9:45–10:45 AM

Panel: Factors Driving Risk Among Youth

Chair: Rod Murphy– former Member of Parliament

Rebecca Chambers – educator and columnist, Winnipeg Free Press, and co-lead of the Winnipeg Free Press Media Literacy and Learning Project
Mitch Bourbonniere, O.M. – social worker, educator and community activist with decades of experience working with young people in Winnipeg
Kate Kehler – Executive Director, Social Planning Council of Winnipeg

The panel will examine the interconnected circumstances affecting young people, including poverty and social conditions, school disengagement, community safety, family and community supports, and exposure to violence.
10:45–11:15 AM

Panel: Education and Youth at Risk

Dr. John Wiens, educator and former Dean of Education at the University of Manitoba, will examine the importance of education, school attachment and the role schools can play in improving outcomes for young people facing barriers.
11:15 AM – 12:15 PM

Education Panel

Chair: Kent Dueck– Founder, Inner City Youth Alive

Brian Mayes – Winnipeg City Councillor for St. Vital,former member of the City’s Executive Policy Committee, and candidate for school trustee Louis Riel School Division.

Sel Burrows, O.M. – longtime community and social-justice activist and founder of Point Powerline, the Point Douglas community crime-prevention network
Janice Zamparutti – educator, Indigenous leader and former Winnipeg School Division administrator

The panel will examine absenteeism, school disengagement and the roles that schools, families, neighbourhoods and community organizations can play in keeping young people connected to education and opportunity.
12:15–12:30 PM

Lunch (generously provided by Massey College)

Participants are invited to pick up their lunch and return for the working lunch program.
12:30–11:15 PM

Working Lunch – Government Perspective

The Honourable Renée Cable, Manitoba Minister of Advanced Education and Training
1:15–2:30 PM

From Discussion to Action

Participants will divide into four breakout working groups to consider what governments at all levels—federal, provincial, the City of Winnipeg and school boards—can do to reduce barriers, increase opportunities and enhance public safety for young people in Winnipeg.

Each group will identify practical policy options and priorities for action.
2:30–3:00 PM

Reports and Next Steps

The four working groups will report back to the symposium, highlighting their principal recommendations and priorities for action.