Forum for Young Canadians National Summit

Forum for Young Canadians, a signature programme of the Rideau Hall Foundation, brings 300 students aged 15 to 18 to Ottawa for a week of hands-on civic learning. Participants meet Senators and Members of Parliament, tour Canada's democratic institutions and run simulations of how national decisions get made. Three sessions run between February and April 2027, and travel, meals and accommodation for the week are covered, with a $995 participation fee payable only after acceptance and full or partial bursaries available.

What you get:

• Travel to and from Ottawa, meals and accommodation fully covered for the week
• Meetings with Senators, Members of Parliament and other national leaders
• Guided visits to institutions such as the House of Commons, Senate and Supreme Court of Canada
• Sessions delivered in English and French with simultaneous interpretation at the primary venue
• A national network of peers aged 15 to 18 from across Canada
• Full or partial bursaries toward the $995 participation fee for applicants who demonstrate financial need

What you'll do:

• Take part in multi-day simulations of elections, Cabinet meetings and the federal budget
• Attend panels and discussions with political leaders, activists and public servants
• Join workshops on media literacy, Indigenous governance, public speaking and ethical leadership
• Tour Rideau Hall and Parliament and join evening social and team-building activities

Key dates:

• Applications close October 25, 2026
• Session 1: February 7 to 12, 2027
• Session 2: February 28 to March 5, 2027
• Session 3: April 18 to 23, 2027 (the application form lists this session as April 17 to 23)

More information:

• Applicants indicate a preferred session week; each week has limited capacity and preferences are not guaranteed
• The application asks four reflective questions, answerable in writing, video, audio, artwork or slides, plus one personal reference who is contacted automatically
• Applications are reviewed by a panel of adjudicators against a published rubric; selection balances regions, genders and other factors
• Questions to forum@rhf-frh.ca

• Aged 15 to 18 during the Forum for Young Canadians Summit week you attend
• Currently living in Canada
• Your 15th birthday must fall before the first day of your session and your 19th birthday after its last day; no exceptions
• A parent or guardian contact is required, and accepted participants under the age of majority need a guardian to complete registration and consent forms
• One personal reference (teacher, coach, community leader, mentor) who has agreed to be contacted