Research publications

The Library of Parliament’s research publications provide non-partisan, reliable and timely information and analysis on current and emerging issues, legislation and major public policy topics.

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HillNotes

Quick reads on topics of interest to parliamentarians

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HillStudies

In-depth reads on topics of interest to parliamentarians (formerly Background papers and In briefs)

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Legislative summaries

Concise analyses of certain bills before Parliament

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Trade and investment profiles

Fact sheets on Canada’s trade and investment relationship with selected countries and regions

Archived research publications are available in our catalogue.

  1. Youth Voter Turnout in Canada

    HillStudies
    2016-104-e.pdf (651.1 KB)
    This HillStudy examines trends in youth voter turnout for federal elections in Canada from 1965 to 2021 and considers the effects of declining voter participation on Canadian democracy. It explores determinants of Canadian youth voter participation as examined through various surveys and studies. Finally, it highlights initiatives to encourage youth engagement in federal elections.
    Political participation
    Voting
    Young adults

  2. Youth and Mental Health in Canada

    HillNote
    A positive state of mental health and wellness in youth sets the stage for their healthy transition to adulthood. Positive mental health among youth is associated with a greater likelihood of completing school, healthier social relations, higher levels of self-confidence, better income potential and greater resilience. Mental health refers to an overall state of well-being involving thoughts, feelings and emotions, whereas a mental illness denotes a specific condition, such as depression, anxiety, an eating disorder or schizophrenia. In about 70% of cases, symptoms of mental illness begin before age 18, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. About one in five Canadians is affected by a mental health illness by the time they reach age 25; however, many youth experience barriers to accessing mental health care services. “Youth” is defined as the period between childhood and adulthood, generally encompassing the ages of 12 to 25. However, different organizations report on different age ranges. The age ranges below reflect those reported in the works discussed.
    Adolescents
    Government policy
    Mental health
    Young adults