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For general questions on the Prime Minister’s Youth Council not addressed on this page, please contact jeunesse-youth@pch.gc.ca.

Frequently asked questions

• General information about the Prime Minister’s Youth Council

  What is the Prime Minister’s Youth Council?

  The Prime Minister’s Youth Council is a group of young Canadians who provide non-partisan advice to the Prime Minister and the Government of Canada to inform the Government’s approach to addressing key issues affecting youth in Canada.

  What is expected of Council members?

  Members of the Prime Minister’s Youth Council meet online and in person to discuss issues that matter to them, their peers, their community, and their country. Members also meet and collaborate outside of formal meetings, engaging with their peers, local and national organizations, policymakers and decision makers like Cabinet Ministers and Government officials, and attend public events. Council members participate in the official language of their choice.

  How long do members serve on Council?

  Usually, members serve 1 mandate of 2 years.

  Are Council members paid?

  Yes, members receive an honorarium for their time while conducting Council business. Accommodation and travel costs are also covered when Council members attend in-person Council meetings.

  What is the time commitment for Council members?

  On average, Council members spend 15 hours per month on Council-related activities.

  Are accommodations for disabilities provided for Council members?

  Yes, accommodations for members with disabilities are provided according to Council members’ specific situation.

  Do Council meetings take place on school days or weekends?

  As much as possible, meetings are scheduled on days and at times that work best for Council members. Council members may be excused from meetings when there is unavoidable work, school, family, and other obligations.

  Visit the Prime Minister’s Youth Council website for more information about what the Council does.

• Eligibility and application process

  Is the application process currently open?

  Recruitment is now closed. For the latest on the Prime Minister’s Youth Council, as well as government opportunities for youth including funding, jobs, and programs, subscribe to the Leaders Today Newsletter and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

  Who is eligible to apply?

  To be eligible for the Prime Minister’s Youth Council, candidates must be between 16 and 24 years of age on the closing date of the recruitment campaign. Youth from every region, background, and lived experience are invited to apply online.

  Candidates must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person to apply. Candidates do not need to submit proof of identity with their online application. However, if they are contacted for the next steps of the selection process, they will need to provide satisfactory proof to establish their identity.

  Canadian Heritage and the Government of Canada are committed to strengthening inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility and Reconciliation. Youth belonging to equity-deserving groups are highly encouraged to apply.

  How do I apply?

  When a new call for applications launches, you can find the most up-to-date instructions on how to apply on the Prime Minister’s Youth Council Become a member webpage.

  Can I apply if I am a Canadian living abroad?

  Yes. Individual cases are reviewed once candidates are selected for the video interview and for final selection.

  Can I apply in person, using regular mail, etc.?

  Applications are submitted using the online application form. If you are having any difficulty accessing the form, have little or no Internet access, experience other barriers to using the online form, or require accommodation during any phase of this process, please contact the Youth Secretariat at jeunesse-youth@pch.gc.ca. Accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis.

  How long does it take to fill out the application online?

  The application typically takes 10-15 minutes to complete, allowing applicants to save progress and make changes as necessary. Candidates may be asked to submit a résumé/CV as part of the application process.

  What is the selection process?

  The selection process consists of the following steps:

  • The applicant completes and submits the online application.
  • Applications are screened to produce a list of candidates who will proceed to complete a video interview.
  • Video responses are assessed to develop a short list of candidates to be considered.

  A final selection of candidates will then be made. Note, a background security check may be required during the process.

  Does the information in my application remain confidential?

  The personal information you provide in this application may be used for up to 3 purposes:

  • selecting members of the Prime Minister’s Youth Council;
  • for statistical, research, evaluation, and reporting purposes; and
  • if you consent in your application – identifying candidates for other engagement opportunities offered by the Government of Canada beyond the Prime Minister’s Youth Council (such as participating on another federal youth council or being a youth participant at a Government meeting or event).

  The personal information provided in your application may be shared with other Government of Canada institutions in accordance with subsection 8(2) of the Privacy Act and will only be accessed by those parties directly involved in the above activities, including the Prime Minister and his Office.

  How are video interviews evaluated?

  Evaluators will consider the following:

  • Have responses been provided to all questions?
  • Does the candidate communicate ideas coherently, and present creative thoughts?
  • Does the candidate demonstrate their potential contribution to the Prime Minister’s Youth Council framed by their lived experiences and contributions to their community and others?
  • Does the candidate demonstrate their role in bringing about change?
  • How well does the candidate demonstrate their ability to problem solve, empower others, and contribute to positive group dynamics?

  The evaluation method may vary where an applicant has requested special accommodations to be supported in the application process; this will be addressed on a case-by-case basis and communicated with the individual.

  May I nominate someone else for the Prime Minister’s Youth Council?

  Each applicant must fill out their own application. During a recruitment campaign, if you wish to encourage someone to apply, share the call for application with them. If you have accessibility requirements or wish to contact us on behalf of someone who cannot contact us because of accessibility issues, please contact the Youth Secretariat at jeunesse-youth@pch.gc.ca.

• Roles and functions

  Are in-person meetings held only in Ottawa?

  In-person meetings are typically once per year and are typically held in Ottawa, but can take place anywhere in Canada.

  What costs are covered for Council members attending meetings?

  All costs associated with Council meetings, including meals, accommodation and transportation, are covered in accordance with the National Joint Council Travel Directive.

  How do Council members provide policy advice to the Prime Minister?

  They do this in various ways, including through meetings, consultations, and in writing.

  What is the Prime Minister’s role with the Council?

  The Prime Minister is the Chair of the Council. The Council was created to ensure that the Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, and Government officials could draw on the diverse perspectives of young Canadians across the full spectrum of federal priorities.

  What is the Minister’s role with the Council?

  The Minister responsible for youth is the Co-chair of the Prime Minister’s Youth Council and represents the Prime Minister in the day-to-day business of the Council. The Minister proactively meets with and solicits the advice of Council members on federal priorities, and relays Council member priorities and ideas to the Prime Minister and colleagues.

• Parental information

  Is a parental consent form required for my child to travel and attend Council meetings?

  Depending on your child’s age, a consent form may be required.

  How is transportation and supervision managed for young Council members traveling to meetings?

  For all Council members who are under the age of 18 and traveling without a parent, a representative will meet them and ensure that they get to the meeting place and hotel safely.

  Are parents allowed to accompany their child to Council meetings, and what level of participation is permitted?

  Parents may chaperone their child to Council meetings if the member is under 18. If the member is 18 or over, accompanying parents must cover personal travel, hotel, and meal costs. Parents can be with their child at broader events and meetings with public engagement activities. When sessions are closed to the public, parents may not attend.

• Stay informed about opportunities to get involved

  Besides the Prime Minister’s Youth Council, how else can I get involved?

  Your application may be used to identify candidates for other youth engagement opportunities within the Government of Canada beyond the Prime Minister’s Youth Council, such as participating on another federal youth council, engaging in the development of the State of Youth Report, or as a youth participant at a Government meeting or event.

  Youth under 16 or over 24 can also sign up to receive email updates about opportunities to participate in activities or provide input on important policy and program work.

• Contact us

  If you have a question not addressed on this page or for accommodation requests, please contact the Youth Secretariat at jeunesse-youth@pch.gc.ca.