Exchanges Canada

About the Program

The Exchanges Canada program helps youth to enhance their knowledge and understanding of the country, while connecting with other youth in Canada.

Participants can go almost anywhere in Canada. They can discover a rural area or a city centre, a French- or English-speaking community, a province or territory on the other side of the country or closer to home. Through their participation, youth develop a sense of national identity, and attachment to the country, and a deeper appreciation of its rich diversity. The Program aims to involve youth participants from all walks of life, including Indigenous youth, racialized youth, youth with disabilities, and youth from rural or remote communities.

The Exchanges Canada program has two components:

Youth Exchanges Canada

Youth Exchanges Canada supports a number of Canadian organizations in offering reciprocal exchanges for individual youth or groups of youth, generally between the ages of 12 and 17. Youth from different parts of the country are paired according to their ages and interests, then each participant takes a turn hosting their “twin” in their home.

Read more about Youth Exchanges Canada.

Youth Forums Canada

Youth Forums Canada provides funding to organizations in Canada that offer workshops and conferences to youth — generally aged 14 to 25 — that may cover topics such as history and society, arts, culture and communities, official languages, geography, industry, institutions, and democracy in Canada. Participants meet in a central location and spend time exchanging ideas, learning about Canada and exploring a unique Canadian community.

Read more about Youth Forums Canada.