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Opportunities for Youth

​Provincial and federal programs for high school and university students who would like to engage in political or entrepreneurial opportunities can be found on this webpage. If you or your children require any assistance with the application process, my staff and I are here to help. Canada's future depends on our youth.

 

Please note that each funding program has its own set of rules, eligibility requirements and deadlines. As well, funding programs can change, be replaced or terminated without notice. Visiting a program’s website regularly for details and updates is recommended.

Opportunities for High School Students

FEDERAL PROGRAMS

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  • Canadian Heritage - Youth Take Charge: This funding program is open to youth-led projects and organizations and aims to encourage young Canadians to be more engaged and active in their communities. Note that the application period for this program is now over and anyone interested in it should monitor the website for a similar deadline in 2021.

  • House of Commons - Youth Opportunities: Students who are at least 16 years of age can apply to work for the House of Commons Administration, where they will have the opportunity to work in various settings within Parliament. Graduating high school students can also apply to the House of Commons Page Program, which offers a unique opportunity for students to work on Parliament Hill and support parliamentary democracy. 

  • Should this be of interest, the Canada Service Corps offers micro-grants to young people between the ages of 15 and 30. Although this program does not necessarily have an entrepreneurial or political aspect, its aim is to support young people “who are inspired with ideas and ready to take action through youth-led community service grants” and may still be relevant.

 

PROVINCIAL PROGRAMS

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  • Government of Ontario - Young entrepreneurs: This page includes links to various resources for youth looking to develop their entrepreneurial skills. The following may be of particular interest:

    • Start a summer company: Students: This program is open to students between 15 and 29 years old and offers start-up money to start a new summer business as well as mentorship from local business leaders. Note that the most recent application period ended on May 17th.  

  • Legislative Assembly of Ontario - Model Parliament for High School Students: “The High School Model Parliament program at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario is designed for civic-minded Ontario students in grades 10 to 12, who are interested in current events and provincial issues. This unique experience brings together students from across the province, for a three-day Model Parliament Program in Toronto. Students will have the opportunity to play the role of a Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) and learn how parliament works through a series of workshops and presentations; and they will meet key figures in Ontario’s Parliament as they forge new friendships with like-minded students.”

 

OTHER PROGRAMS

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Should this be of any interest, I have also included a list below of programs that are offered by various organizations outside the federal and provincial governments:

  • Forum for Young Canadians : The Forum for Young Canadians takes place in downtown Ottawa and “is a bilingual, non-partisan, week-long program which occurs three times per year. During each session, young people aged 15 to 19 years from across Canada come together to:

    • Deepen their understanding of the national decision-making process in Canada

    • Share ideas and acquire tools for community engagement

    • Network and discuss social issues and policy with parliamentarians and youth from across the country”

  • JA Canada: JA Canada is a youth business education organization that works “in partnership with educators, volunteers, and businesses to educate students about financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship”. This organization offers various entrepreneurial learning programs for children and youth of all ages. The following may be of particular interest:

  • CIVIX - Rep Day: “CIVIX is a non-partisan, national registered charity dedicated to building the skills and habits of active and engaged citizenship among young Canadians.” The Rep Day program offered by this organization is a “civic education initiative that connects elected representatives with high school students for a dialogue on current political issues”.

  • Martin Family Initiative: The Martin Family Initiative is a registered charity that offers various mentorship programs to Indigenous youth to help encourage academic and professional success. The following programs may be of interest:

Opportunities for University Students

FEDERAL PROGRAMS

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  • Futurpreneur Canada is a national non-profit organization dedicated to providing young entrepreneurs aged 18-39 with business resources, start-up financing and mentoring to help them launch and sustain successful businesses. Along with its federal partner, the Business Development Bank of Canada, Futurpreneur offers up to $60,000 in start-up financing to young entrepreneurs. Your constituent can contact Futurpreneur at 1-800-464-2923 (see Contact us page).

  • The Youth Take Charge program offered by Canadian Heritage supports youth-led projects in the areas of arts and culture, civic engagement and youth service, economic activities, and history and heritage. Note that the application period is closed.

  • The Young Canada Works program administered by Canadian Heritage helps create summer job and internship opportunities for students and graduates. Please note that these opportunities are in the fields of heritage, arts, culture and official languages, which may not be relevant for students who seek political and entrepreneurial opportunities.

  • The House of Commons provides opportunities for students and young people (see Youth Opportunities – Employment – House of Commons). The Student Employment Program provides secondary and post-secondary students with the opportunity to work in a wide range of fields within the House of Commons Administration. University graduates and young professionals can also apply for the Parliamentary Internship Program, a full-time paid internship working for a Member of Parliament. 

  • The Senate also offers several Student Employment Programs to secondary and post-secondary students, including the Senate Page Program, COOP opportunities, and student employment during the school year or during the summer months.

 

PROVINCIAL PROGRAMS

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ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS

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