Nominations are now open for the inaugural “The Future Is NOW!” Awards, recognizing Canada’s youngest change-makers who are making a difference on issues like mental health, climate change, reconciliation, and more. Winners will be celebrated at a star-studded event on May 7, 2024, and receive financial support for their causes.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau serves as Honorary Patron, with former MP Peter MacKay and human rights activist Nazanin Afshin-Jam as Honorary Co-Chairs.
The event, dubbed the “Oscars for social impact,” will feature a Young Changemakers Summit and a red-carpet awards show celebrating the top 10 changemakers under 18.
“Kids are Canada’s greatest natural resource, and they deserve our respect and support,” says Sara Austin, Founder and CEO of Children First Canada. “We hope these awards not only recognize youth who are courageously leading the charge, but also inspire others to rise as leaders of social change.”
As the Minister of Youth, it is incredible to see initiatives like The Future is NOW! Awards that acknowledge the positive impact that young Canadians make from coast to coast to coast,” says Marci Ien, Minister of Women, Gender Equality and Youth. “Our government is proud to get behind opportunities that empower young people to be active participants in their communities. We’ve seen firsthand how the dedication of young leaders, investing their time and energy into causes that speak to them, can benefit others, our environment, and their own personal journeys. Good luck to everyone being nominated and thank you for all that you do.’’
“We will be looking for young people who demonstrate values of courage, collaboration, equity, diversity and inclusion,” says Toney Bedell, a long-time Youth Ambassador with Children First Canada and member of the awards’ jury. “We can’t wait to celebrate and support youth who are blazing a trail and working to make their communities and our country a better place for all!”
To be eligible, nominees must be under 18 years old as of May 7, 2024, and have lived in Canada for at least a year. The deadline to nominate a deserving young person is 5 p.m. ET on March 20th, 2024. [Include the link to the FAQ: The Future Is NOW! Awards FAQ.]
“We will be looking for young people who demonstrate values of courage, collaboration, equity, diversity, and inclusion,” says Toney Bedell, a long-time Youth Ambassador with Children First Canada and a member of the awards jury.
The Future is NOW! is spearheaded by the national charity Children First Canada and supported by the Government of Canada, KPMG, TELUS, and Canadian Tire / Jumpstart.
