Youth Central’s Mayor’s Youth Council has launched a new Civic Toolkit designed to help young Calgarians understand how local government works, and how to make their voices heard. The toolkit guides youth through practical ways to engage with municipal government, from contacting their City Councillor to participating in public hearings and writing policy briefs.
Whether you’re passionate about safer parks, better transit, more affordable housing, or another issue affecting your neighbourhood, the Civic Toolkit provides the tools and resources to turn your ideas into action.
What’s Inside
The toolkit covers key topics that empower youth to participate in local decision-making, including:
- Practical tips, email templates, and advice for contacting your City Councillor
- How to write clear policy briefs with supporting evidence and realistic solutions for decision-makers
- How to participate in public hearings, including what to expect, how to register, and how to prepare
- Understanding Calgary’s city budget and how it shapes the services and infrastructure youth rely on
- How to identify community issues, recognize patterns, stay informed, and advocate for positive change
Why Civic Engagement Matters
Youth experience Calgary in unique ways. From transportation and recreation to housing and public spaces, youth perspectives are valuable, and they deserve to be part of the conversation.
The Civic Toolkit encourages youth to move beyond simply identifying problems. It provides practical guidance for researching issues, connecting with decision-makers, and participating in the democratic process through respectful, informed advocacy.
Created by Youth, for Youth
One of the most exciting aspects of the Civic Toolkit is that it was researched, written, and designed by members of the Mayor’s Youth Council Civic Engagement Committee. Their goal was to create an accessible resource that helps other young people understand how municipal government works and feel confident participating in it. They consulted with City Councillors and City of Calgary administration to ensure the toolkit was accurate and a resource to truly help someone understand how to be engaged.
Whether you’re interested in making your neighbourhood safer, improving city services, or simply learning more about how Calgary’s municipal government works, the Civic Toolkit is a great place to begin.
Discover how your voice can help shape the future of Calgary.
