Learning call: The Canadian Youth Climate Assembly

In late September 2025, the Canadian Youth Climate Assembly delivered its recommendations to Parliamentarians gathered in the Senate Chamber. The Assembly was tasked with considering what young Canadians want Parliament to do to meet Canada’s climate commitments in a way that reflects their values and priorities. Its recommendations call upon Parliament to prepare communities for escalating climate risks, to reduce emissions from the oil and gas sector, and to strengthen climate accountability.

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Canada’s first national climate assembly was unusual for a number of reasons. First it was designed specifically for young adults aged 18 to 25. It is the latest in an emerging trend of using assemblies to engage young people. Second, it combined online meetings with a five-day in-person session. It is the first assembly to bring participants together for such an intense period – reflecting the environmental and financial costs of a more dispersed design. Third, it was commissioned and received by parliamentarians, led by the cross-party group Senators for Climate Solutions. This raises critical questions of how non-governmental actors can integrate assemblies into their representative work.

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The Assembly’s final report, a short highlights video, and media coverage can be found at climacan25.ca.

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In this KNOCA Learning call, we will be joined by Senator Mary Coyle, Chair of the Senators for Climate Solutions that commissioned the assembly, Jasmin Kay, the program lead and Assembly Chair from MASS LBP along with members of the assembly and a representative from a youth activist group (details to follow)

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