The Future is NOW! Awards

Celebrating Canada’s Top 10 U18 Changemakers

2024 Winners Announced!

Chinazam Igwe

Moncton, New Brunswick

Presented by Children First Canada

Autumn Hanak

Peterborough, Ontario

Presented by Jumpstart

Jaden Braves

Toronto, Ontario

Presented by KPMG

Hanna Grover

Surrey, B.C.

Presented by KPMG

Brendan McFatridge

Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta

Presented by Rogers

Stella Nadeau

St-Bruno de Montarville, Québec

Presented by Six by the Sea

Chloe Quassa

Igloolik, Nunavut

Presented by Children First Canada

Marigold Mioc

Calgary, AB

Presented by Anonymous Donor

Meilun Yu

Markham, Ontario

Presented by TELUS

The Future is NOW Awards 2025

Join us on May 13, 2025, at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Toronto for the Future is NOW! Awards—a powerful celebration of Canada’s youngest changemakers dedicated to building a brighter, more inclusive future for all. This impactful event brings together inspiring youth leaders from across the country who are championing efforts in areas such as reconciliation, climate action, and mental health.

The Future is NOW! Youth Summit will bring together extraordinary young changemakers from across Canada for a day of empowerment and connection. This dynamic summit will feature inspirational speakers, hands-on workshops, collaborative discussions on the most pressing issues facing youth today, and exclusive networking opportunities with leaders in various fields. Set against the vibrant backdrop of this national gathering, the Youth Summit promises to be an unforgettable experience that equips young leaders with the tools, confidence, and support they need to amplify their impact.

In the evening, the excitement reaches new heights with a dazzling red carpet entrance and a star-studded Future is NOW! Awards Ceremony—a glamorous night honoring Canada’s 10 most outstanding young leaders. Guests will be treated to fine dining, lively entertainment, and an inspiring ceremony that brings together business leaders, philanthropists, and the social elite, all gathered to celebrate and support the next generation of changemakers. This unforgettable evening of achievement, elegance, and youth-led impact will shine a spotlight on the incredible potential of Canada’s young leaders.

100% of Funds Raised Directly Impact Children and Youth

Every dollar raised through the Future is NOW! Awards will directly support children and youth across Canada, helping them achieve their full potential as leaders and changemakers. These funds provide vital resources such as leadership training, mentorship opportunities, and grants to accelerate youth-led initiatives on pressing issues facing young Canadians. Your support helps amplify the voices of young leaders, equipping them with the skills, confidence, and networks they need to drive meaningful change in their communities and across the country.

Nominate a Changemaker

Nominations for the 2025 Future is NOW! Awards open on November 20, 2024, and close on Friday, January 17, 2025. Do you know a young leader who’s driving positive change and deserves to be recognized on the national stage? We invite you to nominate them for this prestigious award! Nominees must be under 18 and actively working to improve their communities and defend the rights of children across Canada.

May 13, 2025
Park Hyatt Hotel
Toronto, ON

Nominate a Youth

Please review this document to learn more about eligibility and how to nominate a youth.

Please upload the authorization document with the nomination form.

More information

For more information about tables, tickets and sponsorship, please contact Jennifer Bassett: jbassett@bassettevents.ca

100% of funds raised help children and youth achieve their full potential as young leaders and changemakers.

Children First Canada is excited to announce the launch of the inaugural flagship event: The Future is NOW!

We invite you join us in celebrating the accomplishments of children and youth who are passionately committed to making Canada the best place in the world for kids to grow up! They see how slow progress can be, and they can’t wait for us to do it. They are building a more equitable and prosperous Canada through creating innovative and game-changing solutions to tackle the most pressing issues facing their generation, such as racism, mental health, and climate change.

 

During the day, the Young Changemaker Forum will bring together 50 diverse young leaders from across Canada to grow their leadership skills, influence and network to increase their social impact. The event will culminate in a Reception and Awards Ceremony to celebrate the Future is NOW: Top 10 U18 Changemakers, joined by leaders from business, government and civil society.
 
Let’s celebrate the bright lights and shining trailblazers who are striving to forge a better future for all Canadians within their lifetime.

 

This spectacular event at the Westin Harbour Castle will be an unforgettable experience that will leave you with a sense of pride in what children and youth can do as leaders not just of the future – but as leaders right NOW!

May 7, 2024
Westin Harbour Castle
Toronto, ON

9am – 1pm
Young Changemaker Forum

6pm – 9pm
Reception & Awards Ceremony

Nominate a Youth

Please review this document to learn more about eligibility and how to nominate a youth.

Please upload the authorization document with the nomination form.

More information

For more information about tables, tickets and sponsorship, please contact: info@childrenfirstcanada.com

100% of funds raised help children and youth achieve their full potential as young leaders and changemakers.

Honourary Hosts

Nazanin Afshin-Jam and Peter MacKay

Honourary Co-Chairs

Sophie Gregoire Trudeau

Honourary Patron

Master of Ceremonies

Omar Sachedina

Anchor of CTV National News

Presenters and Performers

Hannah Flores the Poet

Canadian Award-Winning Spoken Word Artist

Emma Stevens

Mi’kmaq singer-songwriter

The Hon. Jenna Sudds

Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

Thank you to our Sponsors and Partners

Trailblazer

Government of Canada logo / Logo Gouvernement du Canada

Changemakers

KPMG logo
Telus logo
Jumpstart logo / Logo Bon départ
Six by the Sea logo
ROGERS logo
Anonymous Donor
The Creators Bureau logo

Pathfinders

Power Corporation of Canada logo
Canadian North logo
Century Initiative logo / Logo Initiative du siècle

Accelerators

Ripleys Aquarium of Canada logo
CN Tower logo / Logo La Tour CN
6 Academy logo
VIA Rail Canada logo

Media partners

Bell Media logo
ROGERS logo
Telus logo

Leadership Cabinet and Jury Members

Alison Dalglish-Pottow (Chair of the Leadership Cabinet)

Andrea Chrysanthou, Owner & Principal, Amplify Communications (LC & Chair of the Board)

Valérie Picher, Strategic Communications, Public Affairs & Corporate Philanthropy (Chair of the Jury)

The Hon. Jim Munson, former Senator and Journalist (LC)

Scott Olsson, Partner, KPMG Private Enterprise (LC & Jury)

Lisa Lalande, CEO, Century Initiative (LC)

Stephen Uwazota, Director, Sustainable Finance, Scotiabank (LC)

Dr. Jamil Asaria, FACE Toronto (LC)

Arin Veerapen, Principal, Boyden (LC)

Christina Chow, Senior Portfolio Manger, Raymond James (LC)

Carey Newman, Indigenous artist, master carver, filmmaker, author (Jury)

Irwin Elman, O.C., Senior Fellow, Laidlaw Foundation (Jury)

Kelly Kasper, Canadian Tire Jumpstart (Jury)

Jayden Paquet Noiseux, Chair of Youth Advisory Council (Jury)

Rayn Asaria, Youth Advisor (LC & Jury)

Toney Bedell, Youth Advisor (LC & Jury)

Adelyn Newman-Ting, Youth Advisory (Jury)

Josephine Majarah, Youth Advisor (Jury)

Lisa Lalande, CEO, Century Initiative

Event Ambassador

Jay McCauley, Global Brand Ambassador, TELUS