Chinazam Igwe
Moncton, New Brunswick
- The Together We Rise Award for Equitable Education and Opportunities
Presented by Children First Canada
Celebrating Canada’s Top 10 U18 Changemakers
2024 Winners Announced!
Autumn Hanak
Peterborough, Ontario
- The Sporting Chance Award for Physical Activity and Play
Presented by Jumpstart
Jaden Braves
Toronto, Ontario
- The No Planet B Award for Combatting Climate Change
Presented by KPMG
Luke MacDonald
Calgary, AB
- The Shake the Movers Award for Civic Engagement and Advocacy
Presented by Children First Canada
Hanna Grover
Surrey, B.C.
- The Strong Minds, Strong Hearts Award for Promoting Mental Health
Presented by KPMG
Brendan McFatridge
Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta
- The Be an Upstander Award for Combatting Bullying
Presented by Rogers
Stella Nadeau
St-Bruno de Montarville, Québec
- The We Belong Award for Combatting Racism & Discrimination
Presented by Six by the Sea
Chloe Quassa
Igloolik, Nunavut
- The Big Crunch Award for Combatting Poverty and Food Insecurity
Presented by Children First Canada
Marigold Mioc
Calgary, AB
- The Shine a Spotlight Award for Ending Violence & Abuse
Presented by Anonymous Donor
Meilun Yu
Markham, Ontario
- The Friendly Future Award for Truth & Reconciliation
Presented by TELUS
Children First Canada is excited to announce the launch of the inaugural flagship event: The Future is NOW!
We invite you join us in celebrating the accomplishments of children and youth who are passionately committed to making Canada the best place in the world for kids to grow up! They see how slow progress can be, and they can’t wait for us to do it. They are building a more equitable and prosperous Canada through creating innovative and game-changing solutions to tackle the most pressing issues facing their generation, such as racism, mental health, and climate change.
During the day, the Young Changemaker Forum will bring together 50 diverse young leaders from across Canada to grow their leadership skills, influence and network to increase their social impact. The event will culminate in a Reception and Awards Ceremony to celebrate the Future is NOW: Top 10 U18 Changemakers, joined by leaders from business, government and civil society.
Let’s celebrate the bright lights and shining trailblazers who are striving to forge a better future for all Canadians within their lifetime.
This spectacular event at the Westin Harbour Castle will be an unforgettable experience that will leave you with a sense of pride in what children and youth can do as leaders not just of the future – but as leaders right NOW!
May 7, 2024
Westin Harbour Castle
Toronto, ON
9am – 1pm
Young Changemaker Forum
6pm – 9pm
Reception & Awards Ceremony
Nominate a Youth
Please review this document to learn more about eligibility and how to nominate a youth.
Please upload the authorization document with the nomination form.
More information
For more information about tables, tickets and sponsorship, please contact: info@childrenfirstcanada.com
100% of funds raised help children and youth achieve their full potential as young leaders and changemakers.
Honourary Hosts
Nazanin Afshin-Jam and Peter MacKay
Honourary Co-Chairs
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau
Honourary Patron
Master of Ceremonies
Omar Sachedina
Anchor of CTV National News
Presenters and Performers
Hannah Flores the Poet
Canadian Award-Winning Spoken Word Artist
Emma Stevens
Mi’kmaq singer-songwriter
The Hon. Jenna Sudds
Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
Thank you to our Sponsors and Partners
Trailblazer
Changemakers
Pathfinders
Accelerators
Media partners
Leadership Cabinet and Jury Members
Alison Dalglish-Pottow (Chair of the Leadership Cabinet)
Andrea Chrysanthou, Owner & Principal, Amplify Communications (LC & Chair of the Board)
Valérie Picher, Strategic Communications, Public Affairs & Corporate Philanthropy (Chair of the Jury)
The Hon. Jim Munson, former Senator and Journalist (LC)
Scott Olsson, Partner, KPMG Private Enterprise (LC & Jury)
Lisa Lalande, CEO, Century Initiative (LC)
Stephen Uwazota, Director, Sustainable Finance, Scotiabank (LC)
Dr. Jamil Asaria, FACE Toronto (LC)
Arin Veerapen, Principal, Boyden (LC)
Christina Chow, Senior Portfolio Manger, Raymond James (LC)
Carey Newman, Indigenous artist, master carver, filmmaker, author (Jury)
Irwin Elman, O.C., Senior Fellow, Laidlaw Foundation (Jury)
Kelly Kasper, Canadian Tire Jumpstart (Jury)
Jayden Paquet Noiseux, Chair of Youth Advisory Council (Jury)
Rayn Asaria, Youth Advisor (LC & Jury)
Toney Bedell, Youth Advisor (LC & Jury)
Adelyn Newman-Ting, Youth Advisory (Jury)
Josephine Majarah, Youth Advisor (Jury)
Lisa Lalande, CEO, Century Initiative
Event Ambassador
Jay McCauley, Global Brand Ambassador, TELUS