Report of the Prime Minister’s Youth Council

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On this page

• A message from the Prime Minister of Canada and Minister of Youth
• The Prime Minister’s Youth Council (PMYC) - How does it work?
• The PMYC is a sought-after advisor on priority issues
• Highlights of Youth Council meetings
  • The Council’s inaugural meeting in Ottawa - September 2016
  • In Calgary, the PMYC welcomed second cohort of members - January 2017
  • PMYC in Montreal: A dialogue on reconciliation - May 2017
  • In St John’s, the PMYC met to discuss issues facing Atlantic Canada - September 2017
  • PMYC meeting in Winnipeg: Diversity and inclusion - January 2018
  • With a third cohort of members, the PMYC met again in Ottawa - June 2018
  • In Toronto, PMYC members advised the PM on housing and employment - October 2018
• The PMYC brings the voices of youth to the table
• Developing a youth policy for Canada
• PMYC by the numbers
• A message from the PMYC’s inaugural members
• Cohorts of the PMYC
• List of organizations that have participated at PMYC meetings
• The PMYC represents just one way the government is changing how it engages with youth

A message from the Prime Minister of Canada and Minister of Youth

Throughout my life and career, I have emphasized how vital it is to actively involve young people in the policy conversation. Their innovative ideas on how to solve complex challenges are informed by the profound and critical stage of life they are experiencing in this present moment. They possess a distinctive ability to frame issues differently, and to call attention to matters of importance that may otherwise be overlooked or underestimated.

Young people have always contributed to building a better Canada in many different ways, through volunteering, through student government, through starting businesses, through civic action and (we should remind ourselves) through running for public office. But they can also feel alienated and excluded from the more traditional avenues for providing input to government policy.

That is why in July 2016 I launched the Prime Minister’s Youth Council, as a platform for young people to engage directly with me, my Cabinet, Parliamentarians, and with senior government officials to ensure that we do a better job of understanding and addressing the needs and perspectives of Canada’s youth, at the highest levels of government.

Considering the 20,000 applications I have received to date, it is clear that young people are ready to take their seat at the table.

Since the Youth Council’s first meeting with me in September 2016, I continue to be inspired by their hard work, their tenacity, their insightfulness and their commitment to integrating the voices of as many other youth as possible into their work. The Youth Council has weighed in on important issues ranging from mental health and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, to clean growth and youth service, and to building Canada’s first-ever Youth Policy.

Through this report, I want to show to Canadians how the Youth Council has impacted and shaped the government’s work on priority issues, and how this new advisory body is changing the way we seek and incorporate youth perspectives into policy. Together, we are building a better Canada.

The Prime Minister’s Youth Council (PMYC) - How does it work?

PMYC members meet both online and in person several times a year to discuss issues that matter to them as well as to their peers, their community, and their country.

The PMYC is a sought-after advisor on priority issues

When choosing what to discuss at meetings, or what projects to undertake, the Prime Minister and Cabinet as well as PMYC members put forward topics for consideration.

This approach supports a two-way dialogue. Government can obtain input from youth on specific programs and initiatives, and PMYC members can advance issues that are important to them – both of which contribute to policy development that better resonates with young people and with Canadians.

“I have witnessed and benefitted first-hand from the perseverance and dedication of PMYC members. Through the PMYC, young Canadians have a distinctive platform to convey their unique perspectives, and those of their communities, to the highest levels of government. Their input has immense value to policy-makers, who regularly seek their honest, fearless advice.”

Highlights of Youth Council meetings

The Council’s inaugural meeting in Ottawa
September 2016

Ottawa meeting - Key results and follow-ups

Discussions on climate action fed into the National Youth Summit on Climate Change on November 23, 2016, with over 100 youth from the Ottawa-Gatineau region participating, and more joining the conversation online. The summit reached well over 500,000 Canadians on social media through #YouthClimateAction.

The Prime Minister heard loud and clear from the PMYC members that mental health is a priority for youth.

To continue the conversation, the Prime Minister held a teleconference to explore the topic further, and requested officials from the Public Health Agency of Canada to arrange a virtual meeting with the Youth Council to go over Canada’s efforts to improve mental health.

Their voice, and the chorus of other voices across the country helped lead to the targeted funding for mental health and addiction services in federal, provincial and territorial health agreements, as outlined in the August 2017 Common Statement of Principles on Shared Health Priorities.

In Calgary, the PMYC welcomed second cohort of members
January 2017

Calgary meeting — impact

The PMYC shared frank and challenging perspectives about discrimination that young women and minority groups can experience in interactions with the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). The 2017 release of Canada’s Defence Policy included new initiatives to make sure the CAF reflects the diversity of the country that it defends, and to eliminate harmful behaviours and ensure a work environment free from harassment and discrimination.

The Expert Panel on Youth Employment reflected Youth Council input in its report, 13 Ways to Modernize Youth Employment in Canada. The report includes a suite of recommendations on strategies to better equip young people to join the workforce, how to support more youth entrepreneurship and ways to create safe and equitable workspace.

Canada’s Innovation and Skills Plan reflected several key messages from PMYC members, including supporting work-integrated learning and investing in coding and other digital skills learning to get young Canadians interested in science, technology, engineering and math early in their lives for them to have the skills needed to succeed in the future.

PMYC in Montreal: A dialogue on reconciliation
May 2017

Montreal meeting - outcomes and follow-ups

After the meeting, PMYC members submitted a letter to the Prime Minister to express support for Canada’s implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

On May 30, 2018, Bill C-262 (An Act to ensure the laws of Canada are in harmony with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples) passed the Third Reading in the House of Commons with unanimous support from the government.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to Indigenous youth in his announcement on February 14, 2018 to develop the Recognition and Implementation of Rights Framework.

“Indigenous youth should not grow up surrounded by the things that place them at elevated risk for suicide – things like poverty, abuse, and limited access to a good education and good health care. Better opportunities for Indigenous Peoples, and certainly for Indigenous youth, are precisely what we hope to achieve through this Framework.”

In St John’s, the PMYC met to discuss issues facing Atlantic Canada
September 2017

St. John’s - A milestone in developing a youth policy for Canada

The PMYC’s discussions in St John’s, including with other local youth, helped to inform preliminary areas of focus in the development of a youth policy for Canada, including:

• Canadian identity
• Civic engagement and volunteering
• environment and climate change
• finances
• marginalized youth
• physical and mental health
• rural, remote and northern communities
• youth employment
• youth voice

PMYC members presented these themes to the Prime Minister, which became the launching point for government consultations and roundtable discussions across Canada. In their presentation, PMYC members also spoke to three overarching themes for the Policy:

• A human rights-based approach
• Accessibility
• Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples

PMYC meeting in Winnipeg: Diversity and inclusion
January 2018

Winnipeg meeting — Continuing the conversation

PMYC members continued to share their perspectives on diversity and inclusion, particularly related to gender equality, supporting immigrants and refugees, and combating racism.

Through their work, PMYC members have highlighted issues such as street harassment and the living conditions of neighbourhoods with high newcomer populations. These inputs shape Canada’s efforts to build a more inclusive society, where all Canadians have equal access to services and opportunities.

PMYC members have also emphasized to the Prime Minister that the PMYC should be just the beginning when it comes to creating formal mechanisms for youth perspectives to be heard at the highest levels. This was a central theme in the PMYC’s discussion on Bill C-25 (An Act to amend the Canada Business Corporations Act, the Canada Cooperatives Act, the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act and the Competition Act), which received Royal Assent on May 1, 2018. Because of input from PMYC members, government departments are also working to educate chairs of federal boards on the value of the perspective of a young person in these positions.

With a third cohort of members, the PMYC met again in Ottawa
June 2018

The PMYC discussed:

• Youth policy for Canada
• Canada’s Place in the World
• Responding to the opioid crisis
• Gender, diversity and inclusion
• Canada’s G7 commitments

The PMYC met with:

• Prime Minister of Canada
• Minister of Global Affairs
• Minister of International Trade
• Minister of Health
• Minister of Environment and Climate Change
• Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development
• Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage (Multiculturalism)
• Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on LGBTQ2 Issues
• The Hon. Mike Lake, Member of Parliament for Edmonton—Wetaskiwin (Alberta)
• Anne Minh-Thu Quach, Member of Parliament for Salaberry—Suroît (Quebec)
• Chief Public Health Officer of Canada
• Innovation Centre at Bayview Yards
• Local youth representatives from the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization, the Circle of Care Program (Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health), Growcer, the Native Women’s Association of Canada, the Spectrum LGBTQ Community Youth Group and Youth Ottawa

PMYC Cohorts 2 and 3 in Ottawa: A new chapter

With a third cohort of PMYC members, fresh perspectives were shared on the PMYC’s ongoing priority issues, including:

• Canada after cannabis legalization
• Canada’s energy future
• health services in Canada’s North
• mental health and suicide prevention
• protecting the environment
• trade with the United States

PMYC members continued to advance work on a youth policy for Canada, where they analyzed data from cross-Canada consultations launched in February 2018.

In Toronto, PMYC members advised the PM on housing and employment
October 2018

The PMYC discussed:

• Youth policy for Canada
• Affordable housing
• Homelessness
• Youth employment
• Prevention of radicalization of youth to violence

The PMYC met with:

• Prime Minister of Canada
• Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
• Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance (Youth Economic Opportunity)
• Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
• Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
• Employment and Social Development Canada
• Public Safety Canada
• Chair of the Federal Expert Panel on Youth Employment
• Covenant House Toronto
• LinkedIn
• MaRS Discovery District
• Royal Bank of Canada

Toronto meeting — Conveying perspectives on intersecting issues

During the meeting, PMYC members engaged in a panel discussion with leaders from the public sector and the private sector on enhancing economic opportunities for youth. PMYC members shared ideas on innovating how Canada’s post-secondary institutions approach work-integrated learning.

In discussions with the Prime Minister, PMYC members attested to the distinct challenges young people face when trying to find a home and live independently, and the connection between housing and accessing viable employment opportunities. Be it trying to purchase their first home or simply finding an affordable place to rent in big cities like Toronto and Vancouver, young people are confronting new and different obstacles that are redefining expectations of conventional paths to home ownership and wealth generation that previous generations have experienced.

The PMYC brings the voices of youth to the table

“The PMYC believes that you don’t need to give young people a voice. Young people already have a voice, they just need a platform to have that voice heard.”

“Initially I was nervous to apply. I kept asking myself, am I worthy of this? Do I even have a chance to get selected? But it kept popping into my head as something to try, and finally I decided to just go for it because what did I have to lose? And through this experience I’ve realized that everyone is worthy of it. Everyone has a story that deserves to be heard. You just have to go for it!”

“It was incredible, that first moment we were all in the same room together, to hear everyone’s perspective. In many ways the PMYC has made me a better listener. It is so important to be exposed to the different perspectives and experiences that come from every corner of our country. I will be forever grateful for that.”

“Being on the Council has been amazing. I’ve been able to meet people from all across the country, and they all have such diverse experiences. That’s one of the main strengths of the PMYC, no two Council members are alike. We all have our own views, our own takes on issues. Being able to hear from each other and convey what we are hearing directly to the Prime Minister, is invaluable to having conversations about what we think Canada’s future should look like.”

“Being a young leader in my community means not being apathetic towards problems that exist. It means staying active and aware and not being intimidated by the challenges before us. Every member of the community, every person can take action.”

“Being the first Inuk on the PMYC has given me a lot of encouragement. I have been able to stand in front of youth back home, and tell them that they can go for what they want, and that it can happen. I am a living example of that in my own community.”

The PMYC is a force for amplifying the youth voice

Developing a youth policy for Canada

As Minister of Youth, the Prime Minister is committed to creating a first-ever Youth Policy for Canada. In May 2017, the Prime Minister asked his Youth Council to play a primary role in supporting its development and to help bring as many young people as possible into the conversation.

“For a youth policy to succeed, for a youth policy to be relevant and impactful to young people as well as to all Canadians, youth themselves must be at the centre of its realization. They need to hold the pen, they need to tell us what is important to them, and we need to be ready to listen.”

During summer and fall 2017, PMYC members worked on identifying topics and potential themes for a youth policy. These themes where presented to the Prime Minister at the in-person meeting held in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. They also became the launching point for the development of online consultations and roundtable discussion guides.

In February 2018, the Government of Canada launched cross-Canada consultations to provide young Canadians with an opportunity to discuss and provide comments on the identified priority themes, as well as highlight supports and solutions to improve the lives of youth across Canada.

Discussions about a youth policy across the country

As part of consultations, PMYC members led, co-hosted and participated in over 25 youth dialogue roundtables with their peers. The perspectives of young Canadians were also shared as part of dozens more roundtables as well as thousands of ideas received through online consultations. Find out more about this dialogue – which elicited more than 10,000 individual responses – by reviewing the section Building a Youth Policy for Canada on Canada.ca/youth.

The outcomes of these discussions contributed to the development of the Youth Policy. In August 2018, PMYC members also participated in an intensive session in Ottawa, working with government officials to shape the language of these key elements.

An ongoing and iterative process

During its in-person meetings, PMYC members have spent time discussing and updating the Prime Minister on their contributions to the Policy. As an ongoing effort to ensure the relevance of the Policy and its associated initiatives, PMYC members, and youth across Canada will continue to play an important role in its review and renewal.

The core objective of the Youth Policy is to ensure that youth voices are heard and can influence government actions and decisions on issues that matter to them, in a tangible and effective manner.

PMYC by the numbers

A message from the PMYC’s inaugural members

As we wrap up our term as members of the Prime Minister’s Youth Council, we are proud to reflect back on our contributions. We have provided bold, unbiased advice to the best of our abilities. But we have also received much in return. Through the PMYC we have been able to connect with youth across the country and share in each other’s experiences. We are inspired by the leadership young people are showing from coast to coast to coast. We have a voice, and we are using it.

We want to take this opportunity to extend our gratitude to the Prime Minister. While at times we may have pushed and challenged you, we know that you were always open to listening and we thank you for creating this important avenue through which youth can have their voice heard.

And finally, thank you to all the young Canadians who have been a part of the PMYC’s work, at our meetings, at discussions in our communities and on campuses, and participating in discussions online. Young Canadians have a wide range of perspectives, and we represent just a few of them. By working together, by engaging in dialogue, and listening to each other, we amplify our collective voice. We look forward to continuing to work with the PMYC and its future members as alumni. We will keep working to make sure youth have a voice and we hope you will as well!

Sincerely,

• Sara Abdessamie
• Mustafa Ahmed
• Hani AL Moulia
• Alex Bouchard
• Joe Darcel
• Greg Francis
• Sylvia Pascua-Matte
• Rachel Smale
• Donovan Taplin
• Aaron Taylor
• Mac Tebbutt
• Élyse Tremblay-Longchamps
• Nmesoma Umenwofor-Nweze
• Ashley Whiteman
• Chris Zhou

Cohorts of the PMYC

List of organizations that have participated at PMYC meetings

(September 2016 to December 2018)

• Atlantic Growth Advisory Group
• Canadian Armed Forces
• Canadian Blood Services
• Canadian Roots Exchange
• Choices for Youth
• Communications Security Establishment
• Community of Bell Island, Newfoundland and Labrador
• Covenant House Toronto
• Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
• Department of Canadian Heritage
• Department of Finance Canada
• Department of Justice Canada
• Department of National Defence
• Employment and Social Development Canada
• Environment and Climate Change Canada
• Expert Panel on Youth Employment
• Fédération de la jeunesse canadienne-française
• Global Affairs Canada
• Growcer
• Health Canada
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
• Indigenous Services Canada
• Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
• Innovation Centre at Bayview Yards
• Leaders from the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Métis community
• LinkedIn
• MaRS Discovery District
• Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre
• Members of the House of Commons of Canada
• Natural Resources Canada
• Native Friendship Centre of Montreal
• Native Women’s Association of Canada
• Office of the Prime Minister
• One Young World
• Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization
• Premier’s Youth Council of Newfoundland and Labrador
• Privy Council Office
• Public Health Agency of Canada
• Public Safety Canada
• Rainbow Resource Centre
• Royal Bank of Canada
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police
• Sacred 7 Youth Council
• Say No for Nick
• Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on LGBTQ2 Issues
• Spectrum LGBTQ Community Youth Group
• Status of Women Canada
• Students Commission of Canada
• Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
• Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health
• Young Diplomats of Canada
• Youth of the Kahnawà:ke Mohawk Territory
• Youth Ottawa

The PMYC represents just one way the government is changing how it engages with youth

The Canada Service Corps, launched in January 2018, is innovating how youth can access short- and long-term service and volunteer opportunities.

Through subscriptions on Canada.ca/youth, the Government of Canada has sent more than 450,000 invitations to youth engagement opportunities.

Federal departments are working together to streamline processes for youth delegates to participate at national and international summits and meetings.

For public consultations, the Government of Canada is applying new strategies to target youth and to seek their input.

For more information about the Prime Minister’s Youth Council, and the Government of Canada’s work to engage youth more broadly, visit

Canada.ca/youth !

Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication

©Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada (2019)
All rights reserved

All requests for permission to reproduce this document or any part
thereof shall be addressed to the Privy Council Office (Youth Secretariat).

Cette publication est également disponible en français :
Rapport du Conseil jeunesse du premier ministre.

CP22-172/2019E-PDF
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