Harper Government Supports Unite and Ignite Youth Forum in Ottawa

MERRICKVILLE, Ontario, May 1, 2013 - Gord Brown, Member of Parliament (Leeds–Grenville), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced an investment from the Government of Canada in Town Youth Participation Strategies (TYPS)/Youth Centres Canada for their Unite and Ignite youth forum in Ottawa.

“The Government of Canada is proud to support the participation of young Canadians in Unite and Ignite, which allows them to share and learn from each other about community engagement, problem solving, and strategies for supporting youth,” said Mr. Brown. “Through this experience, young people will gain important tools to help them become engaged citizens who contribute to Canada’s future.”

The funding will enable over 300 youth aged 14 to 25 to take part in the 2014 edition of the forum, under the theme “Reflections, Perspectives and Now.” Over four days, young people from across Canada will develop strategies to address issues concerning youth, while learning the skills they need when engaging with community decision makers. The youth will leave the forum with action resolutions to implement in their communities. Participants will also learn about Canadian history through a workshop on the Six Nations and the War of 1812, as well as visits to Parliament and the War Memorial, helping them make connections between the past and present.

“Our Government wants to give young people the opportunity to connect with one another and exchange ideas, while deepening their knowledge of Canada and its history,” said Minister Moore. “Today’s investment demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that youth have access to opportunities that help them become active Canadians involved in shaping our country.”

“Our conference has been described by youth as transformative and the single best learning week of their lives. It works because of the unique interaction created by the youth and their youth centre supporters, who are open to share, learn, and listen to a shared Canadian history, while recognizing that our history’s lessons can only be learned by understanding different experiences and perspectives,” said Les Voakes, Executive Director, TYPS Youth Centres Canada. “The success of our program depends on bringing together youth from across the country, and thanks to support from the Government of Canada, we will increase regional and cultural representation of youth attending Unite and Ignite.”

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $83,843 through the Exchanges Canada program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This initiative helps Canadian youth connect with one another, experience the diversity of Canada’s communities, languages and cultures, and get involved in the future of the country.

For more information (media only), please contact:

Sébastien Gariépy
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Official Languages
819-997-7788

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca