Many families first hear about OYP through word of mouth - a friend, a sibling, or someone in their community who's already attended. We hope this information fills in the gaps, but if it doesn't, reach out to the contacts listed below.
Ontario Youth Parliament has been running since 1969, making it one of the oldest model youth parliaments in Canada. Each year, OYP brings together delegates aged 14 to 21 from across the province for a four-day residential program built around three pillars: parliamentary debate, guided spiritual reflection, and community-building. The program is organized and led by youth, with support and oversight from adult volunteers, who are called Adult Youth Counsellors or ARCs for short, and a governing Board of Directors.
Over four days, delegates take part in a model parliament, structured spiritual discussion sessions called vespers, and a range of social and community activities. OYP is non-partisan: delegates aren't assigned to political parties and speak and vote according to their own conscience, and the organization itself holds no affiliation with any political party.
OYP is faith friendly and inclusive of those who do not belong to any faith or spiritual tradition. Youth discuss their culture and spirituality openly whether they are Muslim, Hindu, Christian, another faith - or don't have a faith tradition at all. We reflect Canada's mosaic and celebrate all backgrounds, faiths, identities and cultures.
The OYP impact tends to outlast the weekend. Many alumni describe it as a formative experience - one that shaped their confidence, their sense of civic engagement, and friendships that lasted well beyond their delegate years.
In a 2025 survey of OYP alumni, 75.4% said the program built their leadership skills, 70.8% said it built their public speaking skills, and 83.1% said they felt genuinely supported and accepted within the OYP community.
ARCs are briefed on the location of the nearest hospital at every parliament, and OYP follows a full incident reporting system. Parents of minor delegates are contacted directly in the event of any incident involving their delegate. Fire safety and evacuation procedures are reviewed with all delegates and ARCs at the start of the weekend.
Delegates are expected to follow OYP's no alcohol/drug policy and no-harassment policy throughout the program, as well as OYP's hotel accommodation code of conduct during their stay.
Our kitchen team prepares meals to accommodate all common allergies and dietary restrictions; other dietary needs are handled in direct conversation with the family ahead of time. ARCs do not administer medication to delegates without parental consent.
Because OYP operates out of borrowed community spaces rather than a purpose-built facility, accessibility accommodations are made to the best of our ability on a case-by-case basis - families are encouraged to reach out ahead of time to discuss specific needs.
OYP's registration fee is designed to be all-inclusive: it covers the full cost of the weekend, including accommodations, meals, programming, and bus transportation for delegates travelling from more than 100 km outside the host city. A slightly reduced fee is available for delegates who choose not to stay in the hotel.
To secure a spot, delegates are required to pay a deposit (typically in the $150 range) at the time of registration. Exact fees and deposit amounts for the upcoming parliament are always listed on our Registration page.
Cost should never be the reason a young person misses out on OYP. For those who may require some financial assistance, the OYP bursary program covers the registration fee minus the deposit for successful applicants, so financial need doesn't have to stand between a delegate and the experience. Check out the Financial Assistance page for more info on what it covers and how to apply.
Many delegates have also found success applying for support through their church, temple, mosque, synagogue, their school, or local service clubs - organizations like Rotary, Kinsmen/Kinette, and Lions Clubs. We're currently putting together a package of supporting materials to help delegates apply to these kinds of external sources, so keep an eye out for that resource.
What will my teen actually get out of this?
In short, more than than most people expect from a single weekend away. In our 2025 Alumni Impact Study, 75% of alumni said OYP built their leadership skills, 70% said it built their public speaking skills, and 83% said they felt genuinely supported and accepted within the OYP community. Many describe it as a turning point - a place where they gained real confidence, a stronger sense of civic engagement, and friendships that lasted well beyond their teenage years. You can read the full Alumni Impact Report for more detail on what alumni say about their experience.
Is OYP a religious program?
OYP has its roots in the Christian tradition and includes vespers - a nightly space for reflection and discussion - as part of every parliament. We are a faith-friendly organization and inclusive of all cultures, identities and beliefs.. Vespers is designed to support meaningful spiritual reflection and connection, regardless of what your teen brings into it.
Is my teen going to be pushed toward a particular political viewpoint?
No. OYP is non-partisan - delegates aren't assigned to a political party, and the organization itself has no affiliation with any political party or movement. Debate in the House covers real policy issues, and delegates are encouraged to speak and vote according to their own conscience. What isn't up for debate is your teen's identity or right to belong - that's accepted unconditionally, separate from any policy discussion.
How is my teen supervised, especially overnight?
Adult Resource Counsellors - many of them OYP alumni or parents of past delegates - are on-site for the full weekend, including on the OYP buses and at the hotel overnight, and every ARC and elected executive member has completed a vulnerable sector check. You can find our full safety and supervision details, including our emergency and incident reporting protocols, on the Safety & Supervision section of this page.
My teen has never been away from home like this before — is that okay?
Yes, and it's a common starting point for a lot of delegates. Many teens arrive not knowing anyone and describe it as one of the more supportive environments they've been part of - 83% of alumni say they felt genuinely supported within OYP. If your teen has specific needs (medical, dietary, accessibility, or otherwise), our team works directly with families ahead of time to plan for them.
What if we can't afford the registration fee?
Cost shouldn't be the reason your teen misses this. The OYP bursary program can cover the remaining balance of the registration fee for families who need it, and many delegates also successfully apply to local service clubs, their church, temple, mosque, synagogue, or their school for support. Full details are on our Financial Assistance page.
How long has OYP been running, and who runs it?
OYP was founded in 1969 and is one of the oldest model youth parliaments in Canada. It's organized entirely by youth, with oversight and support from adult volunteers (ARCs). The program is run by the Ontario Youth Parliament Association and it's governing Board of Directors - many of whom are OYP alumni themselves, some going back decades.
If there's anything else you want to know, please reach out to our Chief ARCs
