Young people are not only the leaders of tomorrow but also, the leaders of today. That is why the Prime Minister and our government have prioritized creating more opportunities to empower youth in communities across Canada. Youth councils offer the chance for young leaders to have their voice heard and see their impact reflected in all levels of government - which is was so important to me to start one when I was elected as MP for Markham-Thornhill in 2017. Each year, a new council is formed, new goals are made, and incredible events, discussions, and fun follows.

Meet the 2023-2024 Markham-Thornhill Young Leaders!

Meilun Yu: Council Co-Chair

My name is Meilun, and I'm a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania . This is my 5th year in the CYC, and I look forward to inspiring more young people to become leaders in their communities. Outside of the council, I work with my nonprofit The New Gen to help empower immigrant youth, and I coach boxing in my free time.

Francis Li: Council Co-Chair

Hi everyone! My name is Frances, and I am a Grade 12 student at Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School. This is my second year on CYC, and I look forward to working with the amazing leaders across our community. Beyond CYC, I enjoy getting involved by working with other non-profit organizations such as CREATE Markham and The New Gen.

Daniel Pu: Outreach Executive

Hi everyone! My name is Daniel Pu and I am a current grade 11 student at Bayview Secondary School. This is my second year at CYC, and I look forward to further bring into light issues often overlooked in the traditional curriculum. Outside of CYC, I am the Managing Director at Canada FutureFocus where with it suite of networks, I collaborate with like minded youth to advocate and address key community challenges and as well amplify youth voices. Additionally, I also fly the Royal Canadian Air Cadets fleet of 2-33A gliders throughout the weekend.

Anya Yang: Marketing Executive

Hi, I’m Anya and I am a grade 11 student at St. Robert Catholic High School. This is my second year on the council, and I’m really excited to help create change in our community together! I am also the founder of BirdieUP, a program dedicated to upcycling badminton shuttlecock into keychains. In my free time, I like writing and reading.

April, 2024

I was pleased to connect with our Constituency Youth Council yesterday, to discuss their insights on tackling climate change. As we gear up for the 2024 federal budget, it’s vital to prioritize youth voices in our shared efforts to build a sustainable future for all Canadians. Their perspectives drive our collective action towards a greener, fairer tomorrow.

February, 2024

What an incredible privilege to host Alexia Monize, Edna Nortey and Travis Fonderson as guest speakers for our first in-person panel discussion of the year! Their powerful life testimonies and insights on empowering Black youth in our communities and navigating life as BIPOC were truly touching and insightful. We couldn't have asked for a better way to end off Black History Month this year!

January, 2024

Members of the 2023-24 CYC Youth Council met with Mary Ng, Member of Parliament for Markham-Thornhill, to have a discussion regarding youth employment, development, and entrepreneurship. MP Ng shared her experiences and expertise on the subject and concluded with sharing her excitement for this year's youth council and of all of work the council has done in the past.  

Meet the 2023-2024 Markham-Thornhill Young Leaders!

Meilun Yu: Council Co-Chair

My name is Meilun, and I'm a student at Markville Secondary School. This is my fourth year in the CYC, and I look forward to inspiring more young people to become leaders in their communities. Outside of the council, I work with my nonprofit The New Gen to help empower immigrant youth, and I coach boxing in my free time.

Nabil Rajput: Council Co-Chair

My name is Nabil, and I'm in my 3rd year of the Honours Life Sciences Program at McMaster University. I joined the CYC in 2019 because I am interested in issues related to the environment and youth empowerment. Over the years, the CYC has taught me many skills and provided a platform where like-minded individuals work together on important issues, come up with solutions, and gain valuable insights into the political system in Canada. I am looking forward to working with everyone this year!

Sukh: Communications Chair

Hello! My name is Sukh and I am a first year Rotman Commerce student aspiring to specialize in Finance and Economics at the University of Toronto. I have a passion for politics and climate change, which is why I first joined the CYC. I have been a part of this council for almost 3+ years now, and it has been a very fulfilling experience. I’ve been able to work with some amazing politicians, alongside create meaningful relationships with other youth my age to stimulate change in our community. I am very excited for this new year and I look forward to working with the CYC this year!

CYC 2022-2023

June, 2023

Members of the 2022-23 CYC Youth Council wrapped up their last meeting of the year by discussing their plans for next year, reviewing executive applications and talking about the feedback they received from CYC members about the council.

April, 2023

Choosing the right career path is one of the most consequential decisions a high school student has to make. To help their peers navigate this process, Our Markham-Thornhill CYC hosted a university Q/A panel alongside six post secondary students from different universities.

March, 2023

Minister Ng joined the Markham-Thornhill Youth Council to discuss their ongoing projects, and share her experience serving as a MP and a Minister. During this meeting, the Youth Council spoke about their efforts to empower their peers to take action on climate change, get involved in their community, and so much more.

January, 2023

The Markham-Thornhill youth council hosted their first meeting of 2023. During this meeting, they outlined their priorities for the year, began planning events, and more!