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

Stephen Mensah serves as the Executive Director of the Toronto Youth Cabinet, the city of Toronto’s official youth advocacy body, where he advocates on behalf of Toronto's over 600,000 youth.

Stephen has championed initiatives that have impacted Ontario’s 2 million students such as pushing for free menstrual products, addressing anit-Black and anti-Indigenous racism, and taking proactive measures to deal with the rising youth mental health crisis, and so much more!

Register your class, club and individual students NOW to hear from Stephen and take ACTION on the issues that matter to them! Spaces are limited -

https://childrenfirstcanada.org/featured/advocacy-summit-2023/

#ChildrenFirst #Advocacy #AntiRacism #MentalHealth #PeriodPoverty
@toyouthcabinet @stephenmensah_ @amnestycanada @jackdotorg @jackchapters @leadnowca
...

8 2

Budget 2023 has been released. While it delivers promises on healthcare and dental supports, and has a focus on clean economy, children & youth are not receiving the catalytic investment & strategy needed to support their development. #ChildrenFirst #CdnPoli #Budget2023 @justintrudeau @cafreeland @marciien @karinagould

Read our response here: https://childrenfirstcanada.org/featured/children-first-canada-responds-to-federal-budget/
...

12 0

👀's and 👂's on Ottawa: How will children and youth in 🇨🇦 be prioritized? Urgent leadership, investments, and data-based strategies are needed to get us closer to the goal of Canada being the best place in the world for kids to grow up!

#ChildrenFirst #CdnPoli #Budget2023
...

13 0

No one can abduct you. No kid in Canada can be removed from the country against their will. Every adult as the responsibility to protect children and youth from kidnapping.

#ChildrenFirst #UNCRC #HumanRights #ChildrensRights
...

6 0

Today is a time to reflect on the importance of access to drinking water for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children and youth in Canada. Learn more about the cultural importance of water from the Assembly of First Nations:
https://www.afn.ca/honoring-water/

#ChildrenFirst #UNWater @assemblyoffirstnations
...

11 0

Today marks the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The UN has observed this date since 1979, to call on action to combat racism and racial discrimination. Too many kids in Canada still experience injustice. Learn more on this history of this date -
https://www.un.org/en/observances/end-racism-day

#ChildrenFirst #FIGHTracism #Standup4humanrights #ChildrensRights
...

15 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