Young Canadians Present Climate Recommendations to Parliament
From
October 8, 2025
In Ottawa, late September 2025, more than twenty Parliamentarians gathered in the Senate Chamber, hosted by Senate Speaker Raymonde Gagné, to hear the findings of the Canadian Youth ClimateAssembly (CYCA) - the first national citizens’ assembly on climate change in Canada, and the first anywhere in the world designed specifically for young adults aged 18-25.
Over five days in Ottawa, 33 young Canadians selected through a civic lottery deliberated for 35 hours on how Canada can meet its climate commitments in ways that reflect the values and priorities of their generation. Drawn from nearly 700 applicants, Assembly members represented every region and the full socio-demographic diversity of Canada.
Their recommendations include calls for Parliamentarians to work across party lines to meet Canada’s international commitments, to embed youth voice and representation in climate policymaking, to phase out public subsidies to oil and gas, and to accelerate the transition to clean electricity. They also call for expanded mental health support for Canadians facing climate-related distress and for the recognition of Indigenous leadership and sovereignty in land stewardship and the clean energy transition.
“This is history in the making - Canada’s first youth climate assembly, the first citizens’ assembly anywhere in the world to bring young adults into direct partnership with Parliamentarians,” said Senator Mary Coyle, Co-Chairof Senators for Climate Solutions. “These young Canadians have demonstrated that with the right process, it is possible to build consensus on even the most divisive issues.”
Jasmin Kay, Chair of the Assembly, added: “Assembly members came from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, yet they found common ground on one of the most contentious issues of our time. They were adamant in their belief that Canada should lead on climate action and must live up to its international commitments.”
The Assembly identified seven guiding principles for effective climate action -collaboration, intergenerational resilience, systems thinking, transparency,pragmatism, non-partisanship, and equity - and outlined six overarching priorities for Canada’s climate policy, including youth representation, accountability, innovation, justice, resilience, and education.
