The Integration and Settlement Policy Department is launching an intake process to select a second cohort of IRCC Youth Advisory Group (YAG) members for 2021-2023. First launched in the spring of 2019, the YAG serves a forum for engagement between youth and policymakers on cross-cutting issues with respect to immigration, settlement and integration, citizenship, refugee affairs, and international issues.

Nominating youth members

To help determine the YAG’s membership, we are inviting your organization to nominate a maximum of two youth from your community and/or existing networks to apply to the YAG. Given that IRCC is aiming to solicit nominations from as wide a group of stakeholders as possible, only two nominees per organization will be considered. (Should you wish to recommend additional organizations that you represent, please reach out to IRCC at: IR[email protected]).

You will receive a link to submit your nominations online shortly. From there, the nominated youth will have access to an online application form that they will submit directly to IRCC.

The deadline for nominated youth to submit their applications is Monday, May 3, 2021.

In determining your nominees, please consider the following:

• Youth applicants must currently live in Canada and be between the ages of 16 and 24 on May 3, 2021 (i.e., the date of the application deadline).
• Nominees may self-identify as an immigrant, newcomer, refugee, naturalized citizen, or Canadian youth. Nominees do not need to have gone through the immigration system themselves, but should have direct experience with newcomers (e.g., mentoring a newcomer youth or providing services for youth).
• Nominees should be youth with leadership capacity who make positive change in their community, and who have an interest in engaging on policy and programming and learning more about the federal policy process.

Nominees should also be aware of and comfortable with the roles and responsibilities of serving as a YAG member. Please share the attached YAG Information document with your nominees, for their consideration. In particular, nominees should be aware that:

• Successful applicants will be invited to join the YAG for a two-year term.
• All meetings will be held virtually. The YAG will meet four to five times per year via videoconference (using Zoom or a similar platform). Members will be expected to participate consistently in meetings.
• Members will receive compensation for their participation in the YAG in the form of honoraria payments provided after participation in videoconference meetings.

The IRCC selection process

Nominees that complete the online application form and meet the criteria will be assessed by IRCC officials.

Top applicants will be selected for virtual interviews, which will be used to finalize the selection process. Successful candidates will then be invited to join the YAG.

In selecting YAG members, IRCC will consider the strength of applicants’ responses to the online application form and during the interviews. In addition, IRCC will strive to balance interests in the settlement and integration, immigration (including international topics and international students), citizenship, and refugee sectors. Age, gender, diversity, regional representation, and representation from francophone communities will also be considered in the composition of the group.

Benefits to participating 

Beyond helping to ensure that youth perspectives are considered in IRCC policy and programming, by participating on the YAG youth will have the opportunity to:

• Develop their communication, analytical, and leadership skills.
• Collaborate and network with a dynamic group of youth from across the country—including other selected YAG members, as well as members of other federal youth councils.
• Participate in conferences and events focused on immigration and related policy issues.
• Learn more about the federal government, including the policymaking processes and cross-cutting immigration-related topics, as well as the federal hiring process.

IRCC recognizes that youth have a great capacity to influence their communities, create meaning, and initiate change. We are thrilled to be launching this initiative and contributing to efforts across the federal government to ensure that youth perspectives are taken into consideration when advancing policy and programming decisions.

Should you have any questions on the intake process or on the YAG more generally, please contact us at I[email protected].