Regional Youth Summits

CUTA organized the first National Youth Summit on Sustainable Urban Transportation in Ottawa in 2002. Similar events were held every two years thereafter in Ottawa (2004), Montreal (2006) and Vancouver (2008). A total of over 300 young people between the ages of 16 and 24 have participated in these events.

The original objectives of the National Youth Summits were to facilitate the exchange of ideas on transit and sustainable urban transportation issues with youth, aiming to build teamwork and leadership skills, to give a foundation of the principles of urban and transit planning, to discuss youth targeted programs, and to discuss active transportation and community marketing. 

In 2011, the format of the National Youth Summit was transformed into five smaller Regional Youth Summits and each region has developed its own program. The outcome resulted in a series of five colorful and energetic events across the country and each one had its own flavor, character and theme. Students, volunteers and other transit-oriented individuals formed part of the organizing committees.

The Prairies and Territories Chapter held their event in Edmonton on May 6-8, 2011, the Quebec Region hosted their event on June 6-8, 2011 in Montreal, and in the Atlantic region, participants from all across the four provinces came to Halifax to participante in that region's youth event from 8-10 June, 2011. Toronto hosted the Ontario event from August 8-10, 2011 and BC held their event in Vancouver on August 19-21, 2011. Over 200 delegates participated in the 2011 Regional Youth Summits.

The next Regional Youth Summits will be held in 2013, and the hosting cities for each region will be determined shortly. We will update this site with more information in the next few months.

More information will be found on this webpage in the fall / winter 2011-2012, or contact the Regional Youth Summit Organizers.