2025–2026
ANNUAL REPORT
Youth Advisory Council Annual Report 2025–2026
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CONTENTS 04
Message from Mayor & Council
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Youth Advisory Council Mandate
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Highlights
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Youth Advisory Council Members, Roles & Term Work 07
2025–2026 YAC Members
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2025–2026 YAC’s Term Work
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Delegations
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Events
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Engagement
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Recommended Focus Areas for 2026–2029
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Stay Connected
This report accurately reflects the activities of the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) for the 2025 term.
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Youth Advisory Council Annual Report 2025–2026
MESSAGE FROM MAYOR & COUNCIL Watching young people become engaged in their community is one of the most rewarding parts of serving on City Council. The Youth Advisory Council continues to show what is possible when youth are given the opportunity to participate and be heard. Through the Youth Advisory Council, members gain a firsthand look at local government while contributing their own perspectives and experiences. Their participation helps strengthen the connection between youth and City Council and reminds us of the value of hearing from different generations. The work of the Youth Advisory Council goes beyond a single year. The relationships built, the lessons learned and the confidence gained will continue to have an impact long after each member’s term has ended. On behalf of Grande Prairie City Council, thank you to the members of the Youth Advisory Council for another successful year. Your contributions are valued, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact you will continue to make in Grande Prairie. Sincerely,
Mayor Jackie Clayton
Youth Advisory Council Annual Report 2025–2026
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YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL MANDATE To provide an effective link between community boards and Committees, Council, community agencies and Grande Prairie youth. The Committee provides an opportunity for youth to have input by engaging in community discussions around important events, policies, economic changes, infrastructure, etc. Members are encouraged to provide their input and seek the opinions of their peers and the youth community on important issues. More information about the Youth Advisory Council’s role can be found in the City’s Boards and Committees Bylaw C-1422 (cityofgp.com/city-government/bylaws-policies-procedures/bylaws/boards-and-committees).
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Youth Advisory Council Annual Report 2025–2026
HIGHLIGHTS This year, the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) demonstrated a strong commitment to identifying youth priorities, strengthening youth engagement, and fostering collaboration within the community. Through workshops, community outreach, civic participation, and ongoing dialogue with City Council, Administration, and community partners, members explored the issues and opportunities that matter most to local youth. YAC’s efforts helped identify key focus areas, expand opportunities for youth engagement, and ensure youth perspectives continue to inform community conversations and decision-making in Grande Prairie.
Key highlights from the 2025 – 2026 term include: Identifying Focus Areas YAC members participated in a collaborative workshop to explore the priorities, needs, and opportunities that matter most to youth in the community. Through a variety of activities and discussions, members identified potential focus areas for 2026– 2029. These focus areas help highlight the issues of importance to youth in Grande Prairie and will establish a foundation for future collaboration with City Council, Administration, and community partners.
Strengthening Youth Engagement YAC members connected with peers, promoted youth engagement, and increased awareness of opportunities for youth to share their perspectives and get involved in the community. YAC also worked with City Administration to relaunch its Instagram account, creating new opportunities to engage local youth, expand its reach, and strengthen communication efforts.
Collaboration and Civic Participation Throughout the year, YAC members attended eight (8) monthly meetings, welcomed ten (10) delegations from community organizations and City departments, and participated in nine (9) community events. These experiences increased members’ awareness of local initiatives and fostered discussions about issues affecting youth in Grande Prairie. Members also strengthened relationships with City Council through regular engagement with Councillor Flach and Councillor Thiessen, helping build connections between youth and local decision-makers.
Youth Advisory Council Annual Report 2025–2026
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YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS, ROLES & TERM WORK This Term YAC had 17 youth members, two non-voting City Council representatives, and two members from City Administration.
2025 – 2026 YAC Members ■ Chair: EJ Igao ■ Vice Chair: Tarandeep Namsot ■ Secretary: Gurshaan Baidwan ■ Agenda: Tristan Sitek ■ Council Members: ■ Ava Moulton ■ Bushra Salad ■ Kennedy Borle ■ Lauren Pulumbarit ■ Mason Huckabone ■ Randy Tagologon ■ Rocky Rupana ■ Emma Dwyer ■ Tanvinder Rupana ■ Anjelie Fe Pedrano ■ Rania Asim ■ Tristan Paragras ■ Yuhan Lin
■ City Council: ■ Councillor J. Flach ■ Councillor C. Thiessen ■ City Administration: ■ Devin Johnson,
Community Development Coordinator
■ Sophia LeBlanc,
Youth Program Assistant
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Youth Advisory Council Annual Report 2025–2026
2025 – 2026 YAC’s Term Work Key Activities
Accomplishments ■ Learned about the roles and responsibilities of YAC members and
YAC Orientation
Strategic Planning Meetings & Delegations
municipal government.
■ Attended the Community Board Member Welcome Session. ■ Established two key focus areas to guide future advocacy and projects. ■ Participated in eight monthly meetings at City Hall and welcomed ten
(10) delegations from community organizations and City departments.
■ Contributed to meaningful discussions on issues affecting youth in Collaboration
Grande Prairie.
■ Represented YAC on the Youth Employment Skills and Strategy Leadership Table.
Communications
Youth Week
Youth Career Discovery Expo Events & Engagement
■ Advocated for and supported the relaunch of a dedicated YAC Instagram channel.
■ Received YAC’s Annual Youth Week proclamation from City Council. ■ Hosted youth-focused activities during Youth Week. ■ Participated in the Youth Career Discovery Expo, including a youth-led
videography project and recommending Sunrise House as the recipient of a Community Playhouse donation.
■ Participated in nine (9) community events throughout the year.
Youth Advisory Council Annual Report 2025–2026
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DELEGATIONS YAC welcomed ten (10) delegations from community organizations and the City of Grande Prairie. Each of the following delegations presented information on their initiatives, answered questions, and exchanged ideas with the members:
Grande Prairie Council on Aging YAC received information on the “Yard Gnomes” Volunteer Recruitment Initiative and provided feedback on increasing youth volunteer participation and improving the volunteer experience.
City Corporate Communications YAC discussed youth communications and social media engagement, including the need for youth-focused social media channels and the development of an Instagram presence.
City Events and Programming YAC learned about community events and opportunities for youth involvement and volunteering, and provided feedback on event promotion and the City’s Community Events Calendar to help improve awareness among youth.
City Aquatics YAC provided input on Youth Week initiatives and selected the movie Jaws for the Dive-In Movie event.
Grande Prairie Pride Society YAC received information about the organization, its purpose, and the programs and supports it provides within the community, such as Pride Month events and activities that promote inclusion, education, and community connection.
Gryphon and Phoenix Youth Program YAC learned about youth programming and mental health supports available to young people in Grande Prairie through the Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention.
GP Youth Fest YAC received information about the launch of this new, community-led event for youth and opportunities for youth participation in event planning, volunteering, and community engagement activities.
Alberta Health Services – Primary Care YAC learned about the recent restructuring of Alberta’s health care system through the Healthy System Refocus initiative and shared feedback regarding access to care and wait times.
Grande Prairie Regional Hospital YAC received information about hospital services and career opportunities available within the health care sector.
Grande Prairie Police Service YAC received an update on police service transitions and learned about community safety initiatives in Grande Prairie, including efforts by the Community Engagement Team to strengthen relationships between youth and local law enforcement
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Youth Advisory Council Annual Report 2025–2026
EVENTS YAC members attended nine (9) local events during the year. These events gave them a chance to learn, network, and be involved in the community.
Community Board Member Welcome Session
Youth Career Discovery Expo
Thriving in the City
‘Start Before You’re Ready!’ workshop with Tara Zeller
Growing the North Conference
Women of Influence
State of the City
Youth Week Events
Provincial Launch of Seniors’ Week
Youth Advisory Council Annual Report 2025–2026
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ENGAGEMENT On May 7th, the 3rd Annual Youth Career Discovery Expo brought together 2,500 youth and community partners to explore career, education, and training opportunities. YAC members contributed through a youth-led videography project and a community playhouse initiative.
Videography Project At the annual Youth Career Discovery Expo, YAC members participated in a youth-led videography project that captured the event from a youth perspective. Members helped plan, film, and conduct interviews with attendees, exhibitors, and community partners while developing skills in storytelling, media production, and content creation. The final video will support future promotion of the Youth Career Discovery Expo and highlight career exploration opportunities available to local youth.
Community Playhouse Donation Thanks to local business CW Xteriors, youth attending the Youth Career Discovery Expo helped build a playhouse while gaining hands-on experience and exposure to careers in the skilled trades. Based upon YAC’s recommendation, CW Xteriors donated the playhouse to Sunrise House, where it will be auctioned to raise funds for programs and services supporting youth and families.
FCSS Social Needs Assessment On January 12, YAC participated in an engagement session for the FCSS Social Needs Assessment, providing youth perspectives on community needs, barriers and opportunities. Members shared feedback on topics including youth spaces, mental health supports, affordability, transportation, recreation and community connection to help inform future FCSS planning.
RECOMMENDED FOCUS AREAS FOR 2026 – 2029 This year, YAC members focused on relationship building, learning about community priorities, and exploring issues affecting youth in Grande Prairie. Through planning and discussion, members identified the following focus areas to guide their work from 2026–2029: 01. Youth Participation
02. Youth Wellbeing
These focus areas will help direct future engagement, collaboration, and advocacy opportunities to support positive outcomes for local youth.
STAY CONNECTED The Youth Advisory Council is committed to ensuring youth voices continue to be heard in Grande Prairie. Through social media engagement, community events, and ongoing outreach efforts, YAC encourages local youth to share their ideas, experiences, and perspectives on issues that matter to them. Follow YAC on Instagram to stay informed about upcoming opportunities, community initiatives, and ways to get involved.
instagram.com/gpyouthadvisorycouncil youth@cityofgp.com cityofgp.com/YAC