What We Do

Young Canadians’ Parliament

What’s the YCP?

What’s the YCP?

The Young Canadians’ Parliament (YCP) is a growing movement of young people under 18 who are standing up for their rights – even at the highest levels of government.

Launched in 2020, the YCP program educates young people about their rights and Canada’s democratic system. Children and youth also learn how to advocate for themselves and others in their community.

Together, young people are speaking up on the issues that matter most to their generation.

Who can apply?

Anyone under the age of 18 who resides in Canada is welcome to apply for the YCP program.

What’s in it for me?

  • Meet other kids and youth across Canada, and join the YCP community
  • Receive a certificate of completion at the end of the one-year program
  • Receive an official letter of recognition for 15 hours of volunteer services
  • Gain exposure to networking and career development opportunities
  • Learn more ways to take action, get involved and make a difference!

For more information, see the YCP Info Sheet:

Learn more about YCP

Click here

Interested in YCP?

Check out the 2022-2023 youth report HERE!

Interested in being a YCP Facilitator?

FIND OUT MORE HERE!

Take Care

Join the YCP!

Do you want to speak up about the issues that matter most to your generation? Join the Young Canadians’ Parliament!

YCP kogo

Advocacy Incubator 2023

We’re busy planning a great 2-day experience for youth 12-18 in Canada who are seeking to accelerate social impact. Register now!

Child Rights Video Contest

Speak up for your rights! You have the chance to be featured across Canada.  Submit a video to our Child Rights Video Contest.

Take Care

Apply by June 6!

Join the Movement!

Tired of waiting for change? You’re not alone. Young people across Canada are uniting as one voice to speak up for their rights at the highest levels of government. We’re stronger together. We need your voice!
YCP kogo

Youth Spotlight

Simi Sahota

"I remember the first event I joined feeling very nervous and not knowing what to expect. At the end of the event, I felt so inspired and grateful that I had a chance to connect with so many youths from across Canada dealing with the same struggles as me. From there, I joined every event. After each session, I had a better faith in myself and that our generation could lead a better and bolder Canada."

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Jayden

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Kamil Kanji

Kamil Kanji

“We have arrived at the place in time where the rights of children matter now more than ever. We are seeing a paradigm shift across the world in regards to the elevation of the voices of young people…”

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Rae Steeves Climate Activist

Rae Steeves

“I believe that standing up for what is right is the most valuable thing you can do with your life. As humans, we have a moral obligation to make the world a better place than it was before we came along, and I believe that it is my responsibility to stand up.”

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Upcoming Events

Aug. 04

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Aug. 11

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Aug. 18

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Aug. 23

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Sep. 01

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Sep. 07

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Instagram

🚨New Research Puts a Multi-Billion Price Tag on Failure to Improve Children’s Health in Canada!

The key findings are staggering:

During the recent pediatric crisis, mothers with children under 12 experienced the greatest loss in productivity due to caregiving for their sick children. It amounted to an economic loss to the Canadian economy of nearly $50 million for mothers and over $13 million for fathers – a staggering combined cost of more than $60 million for the Canadian economy in just the fall of 2022 alone.

60% of Canadians have experienced some form of child abuse, costing an estimated $23 billion annually in court, healthcare and social services costs and long-term effects on earnings;

Childhood obesity affects one in three kids, resulting in up to $22 billion per year in lost productivity and increased healthcare costs;

Bullying affects one in five kids, costing up to $4 billion per year.

Children account for 25.4% of the total First Nations, Métis and Inuit population yet investments to meet their needs and protect their rights still drastically lag.

Between 2017 and 2020, provincial and territorial healthcare spending revealed an imbalance in resource allocation, with children and adolescents receiving $80 billion, only 11.5% of total health expenditures, while older adults received $311 billion or 44.5%.

Read the full report, and recommendations to take ACTION: https://childrenfirstcanada.org/featured/new-research-puts-a-multi-billion-price-tag-on-failure-to-improve-childrenshealth-in-canada/
Link also in Bio.

#ChildrenFirst #RaisingCanada #CdnPoli #Tripledmic #CdnHealth
@CHEO @iwkhealth @ucalgary @uoft @vivicresearch @sickkidstoronto @hollandbloorview @sandboxcanada @camhnews @unicefcanada @theycrh
...

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Check out this opportunity to have your voice heard!

#ChildrenFirst
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If you can't live with your parents, you have the right to be protected. It's your right. Adults who have responsibilty for you, have to make sure you are safe.

#ChildrenFirst #UNCRC
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All kids have the right to non-discrimination. This week is a time to celebrate the contributions and leadership of kids with disabilities, work to remove barriers and reflect on ongoing efforts to become a better, more accessible, more inclusive Canada!

Ask yourself: how can I champion accessibility and inclusion in my everyday life for all kids in Canada?

#ChildrenFirst #NAAW2023
...

13 0
“I remember the first event I joined feeling very nervous and not knowing what to expect. At the end of the event, I felt so inspired and grateful that I had a chance to connect with so many youths from across Canada dealing with the same struggles as me. From there, I joined every event. After each session, I had a better faith in myself and that our generation could lead a better and bolder Canada.”
Simi Sahota - YCP Participant

Simi Sahota

YCP Participant

“I believe that standing up for what is right is the most valuable thing you can do with your life. As humans, we have a moral obligation to make the world a better place than it was before we came along, and I believe that it is my responsibility to stand up.”
Rae Steeves Climate Activist

Rae Steeves

Climate Justice Activist and member of the Young Canadians’ Parliament

YCP Participants

YCP Participant

“I enjoyed meeting new people from across Canada, I enjoyed learning to facilitate and how technology worked. I loved speaking up to parliamentarians and having them listen. I really enjoyed meeting people with the same attitude and energy about changing the world.”

Check out this CBC Kids News Story about the YCP!

Wheelchair

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YCP News

Join the YCP!

Do you want to speak up about the issues that matter most to your generation? Join the Young Canadians’ Parliament! Registration closes September 9. Apply now

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Reports

Did you know that you have rights?

Want to learn what they are?
Check out this poster to find out!

UN Convention on Rights Poster

Find more great stuff!

If you want to learn more about your rights and access helpful resources, click “GO!” now.

Still have questions?

We’ve put together a whole run-down about the YCP!

Children Are Citizens with Rights!

The Young Canadians’ Parliament (YCP) is led by Children First Canada’s Youth Ambassadors and Youth Advisory Council. It is built from a rights-based approach, and one of the central tenets involves teaching children their rights and supporting their participation in decisions that affect their lives. The YCP is open to children and youth in Canada under the age of 18, and involves participants that represent the rich diversity of Canadian society. This project has been made possible in part by the Canadian Red Cross, Government of Canada, Gail O’Brien, TELUS, IG Wealth Management, and #RisingYouth, a program of TakingITGlobal. Special thanks to our partner, Wisdom2Action.

Holding up YCP sign

Sponsors & Content Partners

Government of Canada Logo

Gail O'Brien

Foundation

IG Wealth Management Logo
#Risingyouth hastag
W2A logo
Telus logo
Roots to Harvest logo
Mental Health Commission of Canada Logo
eQ BANNER Logo
BlackNorth Initiative Strength(In) Diversity Large Logo
In this Together Logo
Light Bulb

Amelia Penney-Crocker

Rae Steeves

Rana Nasrazadani