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What We Do

Young Canadians’ Parliament

What’s the YCP?

The Young Canadians’ Parliament (YCP) is a growing movement of young people under 18 who want to talk about the issues that matter most to their generation. Through national online forums, children and youth share their views with parliamentarians and speak up for their rights. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will continue to hold national virtual forums until in-person sessions in Parliament are safe to resume.

Why should I join?

  • You’re under 18
  • You want to meet other young people across Canada to talk about things you care about
  • You want to learn more about your rights as a child/youth
  • You want the government to know what matters to you

What’s in it for me?

  • You’ll meet other kids/youth in Canada and become a part of the YCP community
  • You will get to share issues you care about with leaders in the Canadian government
  • You’ll learn more ways to take action, get involved and make a difference!

Are you a teacher?

Read an overview of the YCP

Check out our reports

Stay tuned for details!

Apply by May 23!

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!
Apply Now

Youth Spotlight

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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Abigail 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.”

More

Sagni Kuma

“When I think of YCP, I think: empowerment, education and advocacy. I think of a platform open to children and youth across this country. I think of a better future, one where all decision-making is done while taking the impacts on youth into great consideration.”

More

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children1stca

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May 5

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Young people across Canada are speaking up for their rights at the highest levels of government. We’re stronger together. We need your voice! The Young Canadians’ Parliament (YCP) is now accepting applications for 2021. The deadline to apply is May 23. Click the link in our bio to join the movement now! ➡️ Don’t forget to tag a friend and spread the word! . . . . #YCP #PJC #ChildrenFirst #YoungCanadiansParliament #YouthLeaders #TodaysYouthTomorrowsLeaders #YouthAdvocates #YouthEmpowerment #YouthMovement #ChildAdvocacy #LeadersToday

Young people across Canada are speaking up for their rights at the highest levels of government. We’re stronger together. We need your voice!

The Young Canadians’ Parliament (YCP) is now accepting applications for 2021. The deadline to apply is May 23.

Click the link in our bio to join the movement now!

➡️ Don’t forget to tag a friend and spread the word!
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#YCP #PJC #ChildrenFirst #YoungCanadiansParliament #YouthLeaders #TodaysYouthTomorrowsLeaders #YouthAdvocates #YouthEmpowerment #YouthMovement #ChildAdvocacy #LeadersToday ...

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children1stca

View

May 5

Open
Les jeunes à travers le Canada défendent leurs droits aux plus hauts niveaux du gouvernement. Ensemble, nous sommes plus forts. Nous avons besoin de votre voix! Le Parlement des jeunes canadiens (PJC) accepte maintenant les candidatures pour 2021. La date limite pour poser sa candidature est le 23 mai. Cliquez sur le lien dans notre bio pour rejoindre le mouvement dès maintenant ! ▶️ N'oubliez pas de taguer un ami et de faire passer le mot ! . . . . #YCP #PJC #Enfantsd'abord #Parlementjeunescanadiens #JeunesLeaders #JeunesaujourdhuiLeadersdemain #Autonomisationdesjeunes #Mouvementdesjeunes #Défensedesenfants #Leadersaujourdhui

Les jeunes à travers le Canada défendent leurs droits aux plus hauts niveaux du gouvernement. Ensemble, nous sommes plus forts. Nous avons besoin de votre voix!

Le Parlement des jeunes canadiens (PJC) accepte maintenant les candidatures pour 2021. La date limite pour poser sa candidature est le 23 mai.

Cliquez sur le lien dans notre bio pour rejoindre le mouvement dès maintenant !

▶️ N'oubliez pas de taguer un ami et de faire passer le mot !
.
.
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.

#YCP #PJC #Enfantsd'abord #Parlementjeunescanadiens #JeunesLeaders #JeunesaujourdhuiLeadersdemain #Autonomisationdesjeunes #Mouvementdesjeunes #Défensedesenfants #Leadersaujourdhui ...

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children1stca

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May 3

Open
May is #AsianHeritageMonth! During the #COVID19 pandemic, Asian children and their families have faced increased microaggressions and harassment. To mark Asian Heritage Month this year, we’re proud to showcase the voices of Asian Canadians who are working hard to combat anti-Asian racism in our nation. Together, we can make Canada the best place in the world for kids to grow up! Click the link in our bio to read our statement on anti-Asian racism. #Diversity #UnitedInDiversity

May is #AsianHeritageMonth!

During the #COVID19 pandemic, Asian children and their families have faced increased microaggressions and harassment.

To mark Asian Heritage Month this year, we’re proud to showcase the voices of Asian Canadians who are working hard to combat anti-Asian racism in our nation. Together, we can make Canada the best place in the world for kids to grow up!

Click the link in our bio to read our statement on anti-Asian racism.

#Diversity #UnitedInDiversity ...

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children1stca

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Apr 30

Open
Today is the International Day to #EndCorporalPunishment of Children. Sadly, children often experience violence at the hands of their caregivers. Let's celebrate the progress & redouble the efforts to #ENDviolence together. Show your support by participating in two virtual events and endorsing a statement to better protect children at the link in our bio. #ChildrenFirst @gptoendviolence

Today is the International Day to #EndCorporalPunishment of Children. Sadly, children often experience violence at the hands of their caregivers.

Let's celebrate the progress & redouble the efforts to #ENDviolence together. Show your support by participating in two virtual events and endorsing a statement to better protect children at the link in our bio.

#ChildrenFirst
@gptoendviolence ...

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children1stca

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Apr 26

Open
#MythMonday: Babies have been largely unaffected by the #COVID19 pandemic. There has been an alarming spike in maltreatment of babies during the pandemic. Since September 2020, @cheohospital has seen and treated more than twice as many infants under one year old for maltreatment concerns – specifically fractures and head trauma. Doctors have also seen more cases of neglect and malnutrition. Read more at the link in our bio. #ChildrenFirst #RaisingCanada

#MythMonday: Babies have been largely unaffected by the #COVID19 pandemic.

There has been an alarming spike in maltreatment of babies during the pandemic.

Since September 2020, @cheohospital has seen and treated more than twice as many infants under one year old for maltreatment concerns – specifically fractures and head trauma. Doctors have also seen more cases of neglect and malnutrition.

Read more at the link in our bio.

#ChildrenFirst #RaisingCanada ...

12 0

children1stca

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Apr 21

Open
#Budget2021 includes significant funding for children and youth in several areas. But investments fall short in addressing the urgent and systemic issues that undermine the physical and mental health of kids. Click the link in our bio to read our statement. #ChildrenFirst #YourBudget #cdnpoli @cafreeland @MonaFortier @JustinTrudeau @HonAhmedHussen @ameliapenneycrocker

#Budget2021 includes significant funding for children and youth in several areas. But investments fall short in addressing the urgent and systemic issues that undermine the physical and mental health of kids.

Click the link in our bio to read our statement.

#ChildrenFirst #YourBudget #cdnpoli

@cafreeland @MonaFortier @JustinTrudeau @HonAhmedHussen @ameliapenneycrocker ...

10 0
“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.”

Abigail Steeves

Climate Justice Activist and member of the Young Canadians’ Parliament

“When I think of YCP, I think: empowerment, education and advocacy. I think of a platform open to children and youth across this country. I think of a better future, one where all decision-making is done while taking the impacts on youth into great consideration.”

Sagni Kuma

Youth Ambassador, Children First Canada

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.”

Watch

Watch More Videos

Check out this CBC Kids News Story about the YCP!

Read More

Learn More

YCP Member Speaks Up About Climate Change

Abigail Steeves is a 14-year-old climate justice activist based in Halifax, N.S. She is also a member of the Young Canadians’ Parliament – an initiative to amplify the voice of children and youth at the highest levels of government.

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Reports

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Did you know that you have rights?

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

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Still have questions?

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

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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.

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Contact

1(877) 837-2258
info@childrenfirstcanada.com

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Children First Canada is a national organization with staff located in Ottawa, Calgary, Toronto and Halifax. In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that we live, work and play on: the traditional, unceded territories of the Algonquin Anishnaabeg; the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta; the traditional territory of many nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnaabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat, and home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis – covered by Treaty 13 signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit, and the Williams Treaties signed with multiple Mississaugas and Chippewa bands; and the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq, Mi’kma’ki.