Draft:Tanner Evan Bergsma
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Submission declined on 10 August 2026 by QuantumRealm (talk). This draft's references do not show that the person meets Wikipedia's criteria for inclusion for people. The draft requires multiple published secondary sources that:
Declined by QuantumRealm 37 days ago.
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Submission declined on 17 May 2026 by ChrysGalley (talk). This draft's references do not show that the person meets Wikipedia's criteria for inclusion for people. The draft requires multiple published secondary sources that:
This draft is not written from a neutral point of view. Wikipedia articles must be written neutrally in a formal, impersonal, and dispassionate way. They should not read like a blog post, advertisement, or fan page. Rewrite the draft to remove:
Declined by ChrysGalley 3 months ago.
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Submission declined on 25 February 2026 by Grapesurgeon (talk). This draft's references do not show that the person meets Wikipedia's criteria for inclusion for people. The draft requires multiple published secondary sources that:
Declined by Grapesurgeon 6 months ago.
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Submission declined on 24 February 2026 by Grapesurgeon (talk). This draft's references do not show that the person meets Wikipedia's criteria for inclusion for people. The draft requires multiple published secondary sources that:
Declined by Grapesurgeon 6 months ago.
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Comment: "Bergsma is described as a global youth leader and public speaker"
- this is one of several promotional lines in this draft. The source? Bergsma's own words. There isn't yet significant independent and reliable sources to demonstrate notability. See the WP:GOLDENRULE. ChrysGalley (talk) 09:48, 17 May 2026 (UTC)
- Comment: Unfortunately the added sources aren't significant coverage from independent sources. I'm seeing one is a press release, which is influenced by Bergsma. What we need is basically independent news coverage that is more than just like a brief mention of his name. grapesurgeon (talk) 17:15, 25 February 2026 (UTC)
- Comment: Possible he's notable, but imo the only major sources given in article are the stratford today ones. Needs more independent significant coverage grapesurgeon (talk) 19:18, 24 February 2026 (UTC)
Tanner Evan Bergsma | |
|---|---|
 Tanner Bergsma, 2026 | |
| Born | September 3, 2002 Stratford, Ontario, Canada |
| Occupation | Author |
| Years active | 2023–present |
| Known for | Youth and social issues advocacy |
Tanner Evan Bergsma is a Canadian author and youth advocate from Stratford, Ontario. His public activities have included advocacy concerning homelessness, housing affordability, mental health and youth participation.
Early life and education
[edit]Bergsma is from Stratford, Ontario, and studies psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University. A 2026 profile published by the university described his experiences with homelessness and his subsequent involvement in youth advocacy and social initiatives.[1]
According to the Laurier profile, Bergsma experienced periods of unstable housing during the three years following his departure from home before becoming involved in advocacy and youth-focused initiatives.[1]
Advocacy
[edit]Bergsma has advocated on homelessness and housing affordability in Stratford. In May 2025, StratfordToday reported that he was scheduled to address the City of Stratford's Social Services Sub-committee concerning housing insecurity and the cost-of-living crisis.[2]
In June 2025, CTV News reported on Bergsma's participation in a community campaign calling on Stratford to improve housing affordability. The report also discussed the city's housing priorities and the development of a ten-year housing and homelessness plan.[3]
In June 2025, Bergsma and members of Unity Beyond Borders presented a proposal to Stratford's social services committee concerning homelessness and housing. The proposal called for increased affordable housing, public consultation on Stratford's housing plan, a lived-experience advisory committee, year-round emergency shelter capacity and mobile outreach.[4]
The City of Stratford's Social Services Sub-committee minutes document Bergsma's appearance before the committee on June 10, 2025, concerning housing and the cost-of-living crisis.[5]
In September 2025, StratfordToday reported on a Stratford council debate concerning a proposed temporary homeless shelter. Bergsma was a speaker during the meeting and discussed his experience of homelessness and the need for emergency shelter during winter.[6]
In July 2026, The Stratford Beacon Herald reported on a housing protest in Stratford involving Bergsma and his calls for greater attention to homelessness and affordable housing.[7]
In May 2026, MyStratfordNow reported on Bergsma's work concerning homelessness and youth advocacy, including proposals concerning an inclusive shelter and youth advisory structures.[8]
Youth advocacy and international activities
[edit]Bergsma became involved with Wilfrid Laurier University's Changemakers Hub, where he serves in a lived-experience advisory role concerning issues including mental health, homelessness and neurodiversity.[1]
In October 2025, Bergsma participated in the International Forum on the Wellbeing of Youth in Seoul, South Korea. StratfordToday reported that he was one of 150 young leaders participating in the forum and that the event involved the development of youth policy recommendations concerning issues including mental health, climate sustainability, employment and peacebuilding.[9]
The Laurier profile states that Bergsma was one of three Canadian youth selected to participate in the forum and that he contributed to the Eunpyeong Declaration, a framework of youth policy recommendations.[1]
Other public advocacy
[edit]In March 2025, CBC News reported on a rally in Kitchener concerning a proposed Waterloo Catholic District School Board policy regarding the display of Pride flags at schools. Bergsma attended the rally and was quoted by CBC News discussing inclusion and the proposed policy.[10]
Writing
[edit]- Finding the Light Within: Charting a Path to Resilience (2024).[11]
Talks
[edit]- How I Turned Adversity into Achievement — TEDxKiwanis Park Youth (2025).[12]
Awards
[edit]- Kitchener Youth Action Council Youth Award for Social Justice & Action (2025).[13]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 "Laurier Changemaker Tanner Bergsma turns personal hardship into hope for Gen Z". Wilfrid Laurier University. 2026-02-17. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ Ross, Rob (2025-05-28). "Stratford advocate calls for urgent action on housing insecurity". StratfordToday. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ Pickel, Jeff (2025-06-13). "Community members call on Stratford to improve housing affordability, city says it's a top priority". CTV News. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ Ross, Rob (2025-07-03). "Stratford group proposes bold plan to tackle homelessness". StratfordToday. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ "Social Services Sub-committee - June 10, 2025". The Corporation of the City of Stratford. 2025-06-10. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ Harris, Matt (2025-09-09). "Council says no to Wordofa's Rotary Complex shelter solution". StratfordToday. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ Atwood, Bill (2026-07-14). "Frustrated residents protest Stratford's housing crisis". The Stratford Beacon Herald.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ↑ Elghussein, Hussam (2026-05-01). "Stratford local working to better homelessness and boost youth advocacy". MyStratfordNow. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ Ross, Rob (2025-11-11). "Stratford youth leader joins global forum to shape UN policy". StratfordToday.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ↑ CBC News (2025-03-25). "Rally ahead of Catholic school board meeting protests motion to ban Pride flags at schools". CBC News. Yahoo News Canada. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ Bergsma, Tanner (2024). Finding the Light Within: Charting a Path to Resilience. Google Books.
- ↑ "How I Turned Adversity into Achievement". YouTube. 2025-02-05. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ "Kitchener's KYAC Youth Awards honour local youth". City of Kitchener. 2025-05-08. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
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