For Parents

Program overview

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 reflection, and community-building. The program is organized and led by youth, with support and oversight from adult volunteers (Adult Resource Counsellors) and a governing Board of Directors.

Over four days, delegates take part in a model parliament, structured reflection 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. Its roots are in the Christian tradition, though today it welcomes delegates of all beliefs, backgrounds, and identities.

The OYP impact tends to outlast the weekend. 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. 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.

Many families first hear about OYP through word of mouth - a friend, a sibling, or someone in their community who's already been through the program. We're glad you're here to learn more directly.

Safety & supervision

The safety and wellbeing of every delegate is a top priority at OYP. The program is supervised throughout by Adult Resource Counsellors (ARCs) - many of whom are OYP alumni themselves or parents of past delegates, bringing firsthand familiarity with the program to their role. Delegates are supported by a larger adult presence throughout the weekend than they'd typically experience at a school event, including Chief ARCs and a team of ARCs who stay on-site at the hotel for the full duration.

All ARCs and youth leaders are required to submit a vulnerable sector check from their local police service before taking on their role, and ARCs follow a formal code of conduct. Chief ARCs oversee all aspects of the volunteer team, ensuring delegates are in their rooms by lights out and up and moving in the morning.

In case of an emergency

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.

Code of conduct

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.

Health, allergies & medication

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.

Accessibility

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.

Cost & financial assistance

Cost

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, since they're confirmed fresh each year.

Financial Assistance

Cost should never be the reason a young person misses out on OYP. The [OYP bursary program] covers the remaining balance of the registration fee for successful applicants, so financial need doesn't have to stand between a delegate and the experience.

To apply, delegates complete a bursary application form, which is submitted to OYP's Privacy Officer, who removes the names before applications are reviewed by the Board of Directors, so decisions are made confidentially and without bias. While OYP aims to support every applicant, funding isn't unlimited - delegates are asked to request only the amount they actually need, so the bursary can go further for everyone who applies.

Many delegates have also found success applying for support through local service clubs - organizations like Rotary, Kinsmen/Kinette, and Lions Clubs - as well as their church or school. 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.

FAQ

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. That said, OYP is non-denominational in practice and welcomes families of all beliefs, or none. Vespers is designed to be support meaningful 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.

What will my teen actually get out of this?

More than most people expect from a single weekend. 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.

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, or their school for support. Full details are on our Financial Assistance section.

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.

Have Other Questions?

If there's anything else you want to know, please reach out to our Chief ARCs

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