Expanding Access to Justice Education for Youth Across Canada 

Level. Changing Lives Through Law is helping young people see justice not as something to fear, but as something they can shape. With support from the Rideau Hall Foundation’s Catapult Canada initiative, Level is developing the Legal Learning Hub for Youth, a new online platform that brings accessible, culturally relevant legal education to youth across the country. The Hub will empower over 1,200 youth, particularly those who are Indigenous, Black, racialized, or living in rural and northern communities, to understand their rights, build confidence, and engage meaningfully with Canada’s justice system. 

The Legal Learning Hub 

The Legal Learning Hub for Youth will translate Level’s proven in-person programs into self-guided, interactive digital modules co-created with youth and community partners. Drawing from the Indigenous Youth Outreach Program, Black Youth Justice Program, and Environmental Justice Program, the Hub will offer videos, case studies, and role-playing exercises that make legal education accessible and engaging. Designed for mobile and desktop use, the platform will help youth learn how the law affects their daily lives, build advocacy skills, and explore future careers in the justice sector. 

“This investment will allow Level to remove geographic and systemic barriers to legal education and justice by transforming our proven youth programs into a free, digital Legal Learning Hub. With this support, thousands of Indigenous, Black, and underserved young people across Canada will gain the knowledge, confidence, and tools to understand their rights and shape a more just future for all.” says the Level team.  

Addressing Systemic Barriers to Legal Education 

Many young people in Canada grow up disconnected from the legal system, unsure of their rights and uncertain where to turn when faced with injustice. For Indigenous, Black, and racialized youth, this disconnect is compounded by systemic barriers such as racism, under-resourced schools, and a lack of culturally relevant curriculum. In some communities, geography alone limits access to legal resources or mentors. 

National data highlight the urgency of this work. Indigenous youth make up roughly 8% of Canada’s youth population but account for 50% of those in custody. Research by Justice Canada and Legal Aid BC confirms that youth want earlier, culturally grounded legal education and more diverse representation in law. Evaluations of Level’s own programs show that youth participants report greater confidence, improved understanding of their rights, and an increased sense of belonging in legal and civic spaces when given the tools to engage meaningfully. 

Promoting Legal Empowerment with Support from the Rideau Hall Foundation 

Through support from the Rideau Hall Foundation’s Catapult Canada initiative, Level is scaling its impact by building a national digital platform that breaks down barriers to legal learning. Catapult funding allows Level to co-develop the Hub with youth, create trauma-informed and culturally grounded content, and expand outreach to rural, northern, and underserved communities. 

More than just funding, Catapult provides a network of collaboration and shared learning. As part of this national initiative, Level joins organizations across Canada working to make education more inclusive, community-led, and accessible.