About the Council
This group of young Canadians engages with the Prime Minister, his Cabinet and senior government officials several times a year to discuss issues of importance to them, their peers, their community and their country. This often results in the Prime Minister tasking ministers and federal departments and agencies to undertake further analysis of issues in order to address the Council’s input.
The Council provides a unique platform for youth to influence policy by expressing themselves in their own voice. Council members develop and deliver input in their own words in the medium of their choice, be it a video, a post on social media, a formal presentation, a written letter, or by using tools like e-petitions to Parliament.
Council members may provide input on particular topics, based on:
- their school, work and life experience
- input from other youth in their community
- their research and volunteer experience
The Prime Minister is the chair of the PMYC and the Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, is the vice chair.
Reports and projects
Council members provide input on a range of issues, often working with other youth in their communities. Here are just a few examples of their work (note: this list is not exhaustive and is in the process of being updated).
Reports
Projects
Accessibility
Council members have shared perspectives on legislation related to accessibility, and have conveyed how issues concerning accessibility and persons with disabilities are linked to other issues youth face.
- Facebook Live (December 2, 2017) – Conversation on Accessibility, with Council member Simone Cavanaugh
Canada Service Corps and youth service
Council members have participated in sessions to help develop and advance the Canada Service Corps (CSC).
- Promotional video (January 8, 2019) – How the Canada Service Corps is changing the culture of service in Canada
- Highlight video (August 30, 2018) – Global Youth Service Summit
- News release (January 16, 2018) – Prime Minister launches Canada Service Corps
Canada’s Youth Policy
Council members played an important role in the development of Canada’s youth policy, engaging in dialogues with youth across the country as well as sharing perspectives of their own on the policy’s objectives, guiding principles, priorities and next steps.
- News release (May 3, 2019) – Prime Minister launches Canada’s Youth Policy
- Policy (May 3, 2019) – Canada’s Youth Policy
- Report (December 7, 2018) – Building a Youth Policy for Canada – What We Heard
- News release (February 13, 2018) – Young Canadians to guide country’s first youth policy
Canada Youth Summit
On May 2-3, 2019, in Ottawa, current and past Council members joined 300 young leaders from coast to coast to coast to participate in the Canada Youth Summit.
- Website – Canada Youth Summit
- News release (April 2, 2019) – Prime Minister announces first-ever Canada Youth Summit
Gender-based violence
Council members have spoken to the Prime Minister about combatting gender-based violence in many ways. They have shared perspectives with officials on Canada’s Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence, they have provided input into the creation of the Survey of Safety in Public and Private Spaces, and they have discussed topics such as street harassment and sexual assault on campuses.
- Report: A year in review 2017-18 (June 19, 2018) – Canada’s Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence
Mental health
Mental health is an important issue for youth, often discussed by the Council since its first meeting in September 2016. Council members have raised issues such as reducing stigma, increasing funding for mental health services, suicide prevention and cyberbullying.
- Twitter video (May 9, 2017) – Council member Donovan Taplin discusses how to address mental health challenges in rural municipalities
Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples
Council members have emphasized to the Prime Minister and other officials the importance of reconciliation and its vital link to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth. Their efforts include a letter to the Prime Minister to express support for Canada’s implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, providing input on implementing the 94 Calls to Action (PDF format) of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, and Indigenous rights and reconciliation in the context of environmental policies and energy decisions.
- Facebook Live (May 4, 2017) – The Prime Minister Trudeau and Minister Joly discuss reconciliation with the Youth Council (also accessible on YouTube)
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