August 12, 2016 – Ottawa, Ontario – The Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau reminded the world today that the International Youth Day is an opportunity to reflect on contributions by youth – both past and present – to making the world a better place.

The theme of this year’s International Youth Day is eradicating poverty and achieving sustainable production and consumption. These global challenges demand fresh thinking and renewed vision. No one is ever too young to be a leader, and seek the answers that could combat climate change, build fairer, more inclusive societies, and change the world.

Canadian youth have innovative ideas and new perspectives on how Canadians should address the opportunities and challenges of our day. That is why Canada has established the Prime Minister’s Youth Council to ensure Canadian hear, at the highest level of government, what young people have to say. Youth issues are everyone’s issues, and youth should have a voice in decisions that will affect them for the rest of their lives.

On this day, and every day, PM Justin Trudeau encourages young people to initiate and lead the change we seek and need now. “Be the leaders of today. There is no reason to wait until tomorrow,” stated PM Trudeau.

YPSWA joins all those, who are marking this International Youth Day as a happy and inspiring occasion. YPSWA is especially proud that this day is coming on the heels of Canada winning a gold medal at Rio Olympics by a 16-year-old Penny Oleksiak, who is a young leader and inspiration to millions of Canadian Youth.