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.
Anyone under the age of 18 who resides in Canada is welcome to apply for the YCP program.
For more information, see the YCP Info Sheet:
Check out last year’s youth report HERE!
Do you want to speak up about the issues that matter most to your generation? Join the Young Canadians’ Parliament!
Registration closes on November 22.
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.”
Today is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Every child has the human right to participate in their culture, learn about their heritage, and be proud of their identity. Every child has the right to thrive in safe and equitable communities.
Today we reflect on the tragic history of residential schools, the ongoing inequities and discrepancies across Canada, the missing and murdered children, and the multigenerational trauma experienced. Learn more about how you can reflect, learn, and take action.
Read The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action 👉 found at the link in our bio.
Indigenous people of any age can call The Hope for Wellness Hotline at: 1-855-242-3310
Former Residential School Victims can access mental health supports at: 1-866-925-4419
#NDTR #EveryChildMatters #OrangeShirtDay
WE'RE HIRING!
Children First Canada is seeking to recruit four Youth Researchers to support the Young Canadians’ Parliament program from October 1 - January 31.
Working with CFC offers an opportunity to advocate for the rights of all 8 million kids in 🇨🇦
Apply and learn more at the link in our bio!
#ChildrenFirst #YoungCanadiansParliament #YouthLeaders #TodaysYouthTomorrowsLeaders #YouthAdvocates #YouthEmpowerment #YouthMovement #ChildAdvocacy #LeadersToday
Register to join us on October 6 - with The Hon. Karina Gould, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development- to learn more about our #RaisingCanada report!
The #COVID19 pandemic has exacerbated the top 10 threats to childhood and had a disproportionate impact on equity-deserving children and youth.
Be a part of this virtual gathering to unpack the key findings of the Raising Canada 2022 report and learn how you can take action in your own community.
Registration link in bio -
Thursday, October 6
12:00pm - 1:30pm EST
A special thanks to our presenting sponsor @td_canada Bank Group and The Government of Canada for funding this project.
#RaisingCanada #NotFair #ChildrenFirst @healthycdns @achfkids @sickkidstoronto @sickkidsvs @surecallofficial @cheohospital @mcmasterchildrens @igwealthmanagement @hollandbloorview
@desireebombenon @karinagould @saradaustin @uottawa @caufieldtim @picardonhealth @larissa_speaks @michaelungar.phd
Register to join us on October 6 - with our Moderator André Picard - to learn more about our #RaisingCanada report!
The #COVID19 pandemic has exacerbated the top 10 threats to childhood and had a disproportionate impact on equity-deserving children and youth.
Be a part of this virtual gathering to unpack the key findings of the Raising Canada 2022 report and learn how you can take action in your own community.
Moderator André Picard is the renowned health columnist at The Globe and Mail @globeandmail. Join us at the event to share in his experience and reflections.
Registration link is in our bio for Raising Canada 2022
Thursday, October 6
12:00pm - 1:30pm EST
A special thanks to our presenting sponsor @td_canada Bank Group and The Government of Canada for funding this project.
#RaisingCanada #NotFair #ChildrenFirst @healthycdns @achfkids @sickkidstoronto @sickkidsvs @surecallofficial @cheohospital @mcmasterchildrens @igwealthmanagement @hollandbloorview
@desireebombenon @karinagould @saradaustin @uottawa @caufieldtim @picardonhealth @larissa_speaks @michaelungar.phd
Register to join us on October 6 - with special opening from Elder Claudette Commanda - to learn more about our #RaisingCanada report!
The #COVID19 pandemic has exacerbated the top 10 threats to childhood and had a disproportionate impact on equity-deserving children and youth.
Be a part of this virtual gathering to unpack the key findings of the Raising Canada 2022 report and learn how you can take action in your own community.
Registration link is in our bio for Raising Canada 2022
Thursday, October 6
12:00pm - 1:30pm EST
A special thanks to our presenting sponsor @td_canada Bank Group and The Government of Canada for funding this project.
#RaisingCanada #NotFair #ChildrenFirst
@healthycdns @achfkids @sickkidstoronto @sickkidsvs @surecallofficial @cheohospital @mcmasterchildrens @igwealthmanagement @hollandbloorview
@desireebombenon @karinagould @saradaustin @uottawa @caufieldtim @picardonhealth @larissa_speaks @michaelungar.phd
Can you imagine being in pain for longer than necessary?
Wait times for accessing pediatric surgical services are up to 2.5 years beyond clinically accepted timelines.
If you agree that this is #NOTFAIR, share this post and come to our #RaisingCanada digital event on October 6th to learn more about how you can take action and put #ChildrenFirst at the link in our bio 👆
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.”
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
Systemic racism prevents Black children in Canada from reaching their full potential. In her latest blog, CFC's founder and CEO, Sara Austin, explains why racism must be eradicated in order to achieve our vision of making Canada the best place in the world for kids to grow up.
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.
Want to learn what they are?
Check out this poster to find out!
If you want to learn more about your rights and access helpful resources, click “GO!” now.
We’ve put together a whole run-down about the YCP!
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.
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates, events and more!
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.
