Youth Leadership Team (Substance Use)

Background

In 1999, Health Canada instituted an external youth advisory body, the Youth Leadership Team (YLT), to provide advice on tobacco control programs targeted to youth. In 2024, the YLT’s mandate expanded to encompass all controlled drugs and substances. The YLT provides a mechanism for Health Canada to engage young audiences on substance use issues, enable them to develop knowledge and skills, and build leadership capacity. Over the years, the structure of the group has evolved.

YLT members provide their insights and feedback on topics related to substance use including:

• public education initiatives and resources
• policy and regulatory initiatives

Members also collaborate to create and implement projects on substance use reduction, prevention, and vaping risks awareness in their communities and schools. YLT initiatives consist of presentations, videos, social media activities and peer-to-peer assistance.

Membership

Members are between the ages of 16 and 22 with at least one representative from each province and territory. The aim is to include members to reflect the diversity in Canadian society such as but not limited to:

• Inuit, First Nations and Métis communities
• different races, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, or other factors

The YLT also seeks representation to include youth who currently use substances, have previously used substances, or who have never used them.

Contact

For more information about the YLT, or for ways to get involved, contact the Tobacco Control Directorate.