Applying Canada Prime Minister’s Youth Council; Young Canadians are the leaders of tomorrow

Now Accepting Applications for the Prime Minister’s Youth Council. Join Other 16-24-Year-Olds from Across This Country to Share Your Voice!

Canada 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 on issues of importance to them and to all Canadians. Youth Council members meet both online and in person several times a year to discuss issues that matter to their peers, their community, and their country. They interact with each other outside of meetings to discuss ideas and upcoming activities, and to talk with their peers about issues that matter most to them. There may also be opportunities to engage with local and national organizations, meet with policy makers and decision-makers like Cabinet Ministers, and attend public events.

Applying to the Prime Minister’s Youth Council is a three-step process. First, you will need to create a profile. Once you have successfully created your profile, you will need to apply for the opportunity, following which you will receive an email invitation to complete the application questionnaire.

Need more information?

Group photo of PMYC members outside in Iqaluit, Nunavut

Have a question about engagement opportunities with the Government of Canada or the Prime Minister’s Youth Council? You should be able to find your answer below by browsing the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

If you can’t find an answer to your question, feel free to contact us at pch.jeunesse-youth.pch@canada.ca.

Frequently asked questions:

Background Canada Prime Minister’s Youth Council

1. 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 on issues of importance to them and to all Canadians. Listening to young people about issues that matter to them is an important commitment of the government. The Prime Minister wants to hear directly from young people, and the Prime Minister’s Youth Council is one mechanism to support this dialogue. The Council is also supported by its Vice Chair, the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, who maintains close ties with its members.

2. How many members does the Youth Council have?

The Youth Council currently has 18 members. Please visit the Council members section to find out more about current and past members.

3. Will the Youth Council always have 18 members?

The size of the Youth Council may change over time as members complete their mandates and as new waves of Youth Council members are selected. The Youth Council may have up to 30 members in total.

4. What is expected of the Youth Council members?

Youth Council members meet both online and in person several times a year to discuss issues that matter to their peers, their community, and their country. They interact with each other outside of meetings to discuss ideas and upcoming activities, and to talk with their peers about issues that matter most to them. They also engage with local and national organizations, meet with policy makers and decision-makers like Cabinet Ministers, and attend public events.

5. How long do members serve on the Youth Council?

Members serve for a mandate of up to two years.

6. Can Youth Council members serve more than one mandate?

Youth Council members may serve one mandate in total.

7. Are Youth Council members paid?

Members are allocated a fixed remuneration for their time while conducting Youth Council business. Accommodation and travel costs are also covered when Youth Council members attend in-person meetings.

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

Youth Council members provide advice verbally at meetings with the Prime Minister, the Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, Ministers and Government officials, and they also provide written input. The Prime Minister wants to hear from young people on subjects that matter to them and to all Canadians. Youth perspectives are one of many sources of relevant input that go into the policy-making process.

9. What is the time commitment for Youth Council members?

The Youth Council meets in person up to four times per year. In addition, there are virtual meetings and planning activities leading up to and following in-person meetings. On average, Youth Council members spend 15 hours per month on Youth Council-related activities.

10. Do Youth Council meetings take place on school days or weekends?

Meetings are scheduled with the availabilities of Youth Council members in mind as much as possible. Youth Council members may be excused from meetings when there are unavoidable work, school, family, and other time commitment conflicts.

11. Do Youth Council members sign a media waiver? What if they are under the age of 18?

Yes. Youth Council members sign a consent form to authorize the Government of Canada to use images or video footage taken of them.

If Youth Council members are under the age of 18, then they sign a consent form along with their parents or legal guardians.

12. Are accommodations provided to Youth Council members with special needs?

Yes. Accommodations for special needs or disabilities are provided according to Youth Council members’ specific situation.

13. Do Youth Council members take care of their own travel arrangements?

The Government of Canada arranges all Youth Council members’ travel and accommodation needs, including booking travel, reserving hotel rooms, and providing food during in-person Youth Council meetings.

14. Are meetings held only in Ottawa?

Meetings may take place anywhere in Canada. So far, the Youth Council has met in Ottawa, Ontario (September 2016), Calgary, Alberta (January 2017), Montreal, Quebec (May 2017), Winnipeg, Manitoba (January 2018), Ottawa, Ontario (June 2018), Toronto, Ontario (October 2018), Sherbrooke, Quebec (January 2019), Iqaluit, Nunavut (August 2019) and held exceptional virtual meetings to address the COVID-19 pandemic in March, May, and June 2020. Please visit the Council meetings section to find out more about meetings.

Application process for the Youth Council

15. When can I submit my application?

The Prime minister is currently accepting applications for the next cohort of members. Canadian youth, permanent residents and protected persons aged 16-24 years during the application period can apply.

Alternatively, you can sign up to receive updates on youth engagement opportunities, including notifications about the next application period for the Prime Minister’s Youth Council.

16. What is the application process?

To apply, you must first create a profile. Then, you will be sent a link to complete an application form, which will include multiple choice questions and long answer questions that provide you with an opportunity to describe your school, work and life experience, as well as your community engagement experience, aspirations and vision for Canada.

17. How do I apply?

The Prime minister is currently accepting applications for the next cohort of members. Applications are filled out and submitted online. Please contact us if you are having any difficulty accessing the form. Accommodations will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

18. Can I apply now for the Youth Council?

Alternatively, you can sign up to receive updates on youth engagement opportunities, including notifications about the next application period for the Prime Minister’s Youth Council.

19. Is there an age requirement?

To be considered eligible for the Youth Council you will need to be no older than 24 and no younger than 16 on August 17, 2020.

20. Do I have to be bilingual in order to apply?

You may apply in the official language of your choice. You do not have to be bilingual.

21. How will I be notified if I am selected for the Youth Council?

If your application moves into the final stages of the selection process, you will be contacted at the email address that you provided in your application.

22. If I am selected for the Youth Council, what happens next?

You will receive a training package ahead of time to help you prepare for your meetings. Additional training will be provided at in-person sessions.

23. If I am selected for the Youth Council, will my name and photo be displayed in the media or online?

Yes. Your name, biography, and photo will be displayed on the Youth Council’s website once the members have been announced publicly. Your name could also be mentioned in various communications products and in the media. This is part of the reason why Youth Council members sign a consent form.

24. If I already applied and was not selected, can I apply again for the next round of selection?

Yes. You are able to apply in future selection rounds if you are still aged between 16 and 24 on August 17, 2020.

25. If I applied previously, do I need to resubmit my application to be considered in a future round?

Yes. We encourage you to submit a new application when the next call for applications opens. You can sign up to receive updates on youth engagement opportunities, including notifications about when the next application period for the Prime Minister’s Youth Council

26. Do I have to be Canadian in order to apply?

Do I have to submit proof of residency, citizenship, or age with my application?You must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person in order to apply. You do not need to submit proof of your identity with your online application. However, if you are contacted for the next steps of the selection process, you will need to provide satisfactory proof to establish your identity.

27. Can I apply if I am a Canadian living abroad?

Yes. We will review individual cases once candidates are selected for the interviews and for the final selection.

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

We will accept applications submitted using the online application only. If you have little or no Internet access, experience other barriers to using the online form or are seeking an accommodation for special needs, please contact us. Accommodations will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

29. How long will it take me to fill out the application online?

Some questions on the application require careful reflection and for others you may need to consult your records (for example, volunteer hours). You should plan to spend a few hours preparing your application to ensure an accurate representation of yourself.

30. Does the information in my application remain confidential?

The personal information you provide in this application will be used for three purposes:

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

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.

Candidates who are selected to become members of the Prime Minister’s Youth Council will be asked to write a brief biography that will be released online. This biography will only contain information that the members wish to include.

31. How can I get in touch with you if the applications are not open?

If you have trouble accessing the application portal, please contact us.

32. May I nominate someone else for the Youth Council?

You may not. 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 issues, or wish to contact us on behalf of someone who cannot contact us because of accessibility issues, please contact us.