Young Canadians’ Parliament (YCP) brings together young people from across Canada to learn about their rights, understand Canada’s democratic system, build practical advocacy and leadership skills, and work together to create positive change on issues that matter to them.
Launched in 2020, the YCP program educates young people about their rights and Canada’s democratic system.
Together, young people are speaking up on the issues that matter most to their generation.
Anyone under the age of 18 who resides in Canada is welcome to apply for the YCP program.
1. Children’s Rights: Understand children’s rights and why youth should have a voice in decisions that affect their lives
2. Democracy & Parliament: Learn how Canada’s democratic system works and how decisions and policies are made.
3. Advocacy & Leadership: Build practical skills to identify issues, communicate your ideas, develop advocacy strategies, and advocate for change.
4. Indigenous Rights & Reconciliation: Explore Indigenous governance, treaties, reconciliation, and contemporary issues affecting Indigenous peoples and communities.
5. Equity & Inclusive Leadership:Explore bias, privilege, intersectionality, and inclusive approaches to leadership and advocacy.
6. Current Issues: Explore real-world issues affecting young people, from online safety and AI to poverty, affordability and other issues that matter to your generation.
7. Form Ideas to Action: Apply what you learn by working with your peers to develop an advocacy project and present your ideas to others.
YCP combines interactive learning, collaborative activities, parliamentary education, advocacy training, and project development. The program is designed to give participants opportunities to learn together, apply their knowledge, and build confidence as young leaders.
The first part of the program focuses on building a strong foundation in children’s rights, civic education, Parliament, Indigenous rights, equity and inclusion, advocacy, and current issues.
Participants will also begin applying what they learn through discussions, activities, case studies, and collaborative work with their peers.
The final stage of the program focuses on turning learning into action. Participants develop their advocacy projects while building presentation, public speaking, facilitation, and community engagement skills.
Participants will receive guidance and support as they prepare to communicate their ideas and share what they have learned with others.
YCP may also include short, interactive learning activities that participants can complete before or between live sessions. These activities are designed to build foundational knowledge and give participants more time during live sessions for discussion, collaboration, and hands-on learning.
Learning activities may include:
Activities are designed to be accessible and engaging for participants with different levels of experience, learning styles, and familiarity with advocacy.
Do you want to speak up about the issues that matter most to your generation? Join the Young Canadians’ Parliament!
Apply by June 6!
“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…”
“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.”
Our YCP program has 5-star reviews from our alumni!
Learn to take action on issues YOU care about by joining YCP today!
You can register using the link in our bio!
#ChildrenFirst #childrights #cdnpoli #8millionstrong #youngcanadiansparliament #ycp2023 #youthvoicesmatter #jointheconversation
Words have the power to shape minds, and reading gives us access to a world of wisdom. This International Literacy Day, we're empowering our children through the magic of books. Join us in fostering a love of reading. #ChildrenFirst #InternationalLiteracyDay #ReadingIsPower
Are you under 18 and eager to build a better Canada for kids?
Join our next cohort of the Young Canadians’ Parliament and work with young leaders from coast to coast to coast to build a better Canada!
#ChildrenFirst #childrights #cdnpoli #8millionstrong #youngcanadiansparliament #YCP
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Avez-vous moins de 18 ans et désirez-vous bâtir un Canada meilleur pour les enfants?
Joignez-vous à notre prochaine cohorte du Parlement des jeunes Canadiens et travaillez avec de jeunes leaders d’un océan à l’autre pour bâtir un Canada meilleur !
#droitsdesenfants #cdnpoli #8millionstrong #jeunesparlementcanadiens #PJC
As kids head #BackToSchool 📚✏️🚌 you may be hearing the news about our #RaisingCanada report on the state of the nation’s children.
It’s making headlines in national and local news 📢
The report highlights the top 10 threats to childhood and calls on our Prime Minister and Premiers to take urgent action to improve children’s mental and physical health.
Spoiler alert ‼️ #thekidsarenotalright
As a parent, you may be wondering what this means for your child and what you can do to make life better for them and for their peers.
Our founder and CEO @saralaustin has a message for you!
Check out the 3 simple daily practices recommended @lby @drshimikang and learn how you can speak up for kids and help them speak up for themselves!
We all have the power to make life better for the kids we know and love 💕 and for all 8 million kids in Canada 🇨🇦
Will you join us?
#childrenfirst
#raisingcanada
#kidsofcanada
#mentalhealth
#righttoplay
#childrights
#8millionrising
#8millionstrong
🚨The #RaisingCanada 2023 report is now available! 🚨
As kids head #backtoschool, the #RaisingCanada report couldn't be timelier. The report sounds the alarm on the state of the nation’s children, shedding light on the top 10 threats to childhood.
Among the key findings:
- 1/2 of Canadian youth experienced depression during the pandemic
- Rates of violence, poverty and racism have increased significantly
- Food insecurity among young people increased by 29%.
Climate change 🌎 is a persistent threat in 2023 due to rising rates of climate-related illnesses, deaths, and massive disruptions caused by wildfires and floods.
And for the first time, the report identifies technology misuse as an emerging and cross-cutting threat 📲.
Let's stand together and demand action.
It’s time for the Government of Canada and every province/territory to put #ChildrenFirst
Dive into the report to learn more about the challenges facing children and how we can make Canada the best place in the world for kids to grow up!
Read more about the top 10 threats by using the link in our bio!
🎒🍎✏️The pencils are sharpened, the notebooks are new, and our hearts are full of anticipation. A brand new academic year is here! Wishing everyone a spectacular journey of discovery, filled with new friendships, inspiring lessons, and unforgettable moments. Let's make this a #SchoolYearToRemember! So, what are your goals this year? Drop them in the comments below! #ChildrenFirst #SchoolYearBegins #WelcomeBack #BacktoSchool
Simi Sahota
YCP Participant
Rae Steeves
Climate Justice Activist and member of the Young Canadians’ Parliament
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.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Landmark Social Media Safety Act Signals a New Era for Canada’s 8 Million Kids The Era of Impunity for Big Tech Must End: Children First Canada Welcomes Introduction of the Legislation and Calls on Parliament to Act with Urgency to Protect Children and Youth. OTTAWA, ON —...
Annual ‘Raising Canada’ report includes a unified plea by child advocates for urgent government action. October 16, 2024, Calgary, AB – The state of childhood in Canada has reached a breaking point. The seventh annual Raising Canada report, released today, finds that the top 10 threats to childhood are escalating,...
Call follows virtual Young Canadians’ Parliament where kids met with government officials to discuss critical issues facing children.
June 18, 2020, OTTAWA – Children from across Canada are calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to take urgent action as schools close for summer vacation. The children who participated in...
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We’ve put together a whole run-down about the YCP!
YCP is grounded in a rights-based approach that recognizes children and youth as active citizens with the right to participate in decisions that affect their lives. Through YCP, participants build the knowledge, confidence and skills to understand their rights, make their voices heard and advocate for change.
