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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.

What do YCP members do?

  • Meet other kids and youth in Canada and join the YCP community
  • Share issues they care about with leaders in the Canadian government
  • Learn more ways to take action, get involved and make a difference!

YCP members work on advocacy plans with other young people. This requires approximately five hours per month (between June to December). This year’s kickoff was on June 12 and 13. They meet again in July, August, October and November. Through these meetings, they’ll create a final report with their advocacy plans to send to all government leaders in Canada.

Are you a teacher?

Read an overview of the YCP

Check out our reports

Join the YCP!

Do you want to speak up about the issues that matter most to your generation? Join the Young Canadians’ Parliament! We’ll be accepting new applications in 2022. Stay tuned for more details!

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!
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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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.”

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 21

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It’s #victoriadaylongweekend in Canada! Here are some great ideas for you and your kids to spend time together this weekend: https://www.todocanada.ca/victoria-day-fireworks-activities-canada/ #ChildrenFirst #longweekendvibes

It’s #victoriadaylongweekend in Canada!

Here are some great ideas for you and your kids to spend time together this weekend: https://www.todocanada.ca/victoria-day-fireworks-activities-canada/

#ChildrenFirst
#longweekendvibes ...

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children1stca

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May 20

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Calling all students! 👋 Children First Canada is hiring for summer positions! We have three positions available for students in Canada between the ages of 15-30, funded by the Government of Canada through the Canada Summer Jobs program. Applicants should head to the link in our profile and search "Children First Canada" in the search bar ☝️ to apply 👌 #childrenfirst

Calling all students! 👋

Children First Canada is hiring for summer positions!

We have three positions available for students in Canada between the ages of 15-30, funded by the Government of Canada through the Canada Summer Jobs program. Applicants should head to the link in our profile and search "Children First Canada" in the search bar ☝️ to apply 👌

#childrenfirst ...

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children1stca

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May 17

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Today is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. All children have the right to learn in a safe environment and be free from discrimination. Children First Canada is proud to be an ally that advocates for and with all young people – no matter how they identify. #ChildrenFirst #IDAHOBIT2022 #SeeMeAsIAm

Today is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.

All children have the right to learn in a safe environment and be free from discrimination. Children First Canada is proud to be an ally that advocates for and with all young people – no matter how they identify.

#ChildrenFirst #IDAHOBIT2022 #SeeMeAsIAm ...

3 0

children1stca

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May 16

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FEATURED PANEL ALERT! 🚨 Join us, the Coalition for a Better Future and our Young Canadians’ Parliament for a critical conversation that will unite corporate executives, high-ranking federal officials and leaders of civil society organizations to mobilize public and private sector resources to reverse the damaging impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and drive systemic change. 🙌 Register now at the link in our profile ☝️ #investinkids #cdnpoli #childrenfirst @meggiej.14 @simisahotaa @saralaustin

FEATURED PANEL ALERT! 🚨

Join us, the Coalition for a Better Future and our Young Canadians’ Parliament for a critical conversation that will unite corporate executives, high-ranking federal officials and leaders of civil society organizations to mobilize public and private sector resources to reverse the damaging impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and drive systemic change. 🙌

Register now at the link in our profile ☝️

#investinkids #cdnpoli #childrenfirst

@meggiej.14 @simisahotaa @saralaustin ...

6 0

children1stca

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May 15

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It’s #InternationalDayofFamilies today! Children and youth rely on the support of caring adults at home to thrive and grow. We know that families come in all shapes and sizes, and we want to learn more about yours! Tell us, what makes your family unique? #ChildrenFirst

It’s #InternationalDayofFamilies
today!

Children and youth rely on the support of caring adults at home to thrive and grow. We know that families come in all shapes and sizes, and we want to learn more about yours!

Tell us, what makes your family unique?

#ChildrenFirst ...

3 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.”

Rae 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

SEE ALL REPORTS

Did you know that you have rights?

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

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Find more great stuff!

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

Go!

Still have questions?

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

Learn More

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.

Sponsors & Content Partners

Gail O'Brien

Foundation

Amelia Penney-Crocker

Rae Steeves

Rana Nasrazadani

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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.