Developed in 1972 as a way to unite 4-H members from across the country, 4-H Canada’s Citizenship Congress is considered a flagship program that gives 4-H members knowledge and insight about Canada, its history and its systems. Delegates explore and develop skills related to civic engagement, governance, parliamentary procedures, citizenship, and politics.

About the Program

February 16 - 20, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario

Citizenship Congress creates multiple opportunities for delegates to network and learn from experts on governance and civic engagement while fostering their research skills, public speaking skills and expanding their knowledge on the parliamentary procedures as they prepare for the annual Citizenship Congress debate.

Check out last year's debate:

Citizenship Congress 2023

Following in-depth consideration and consultation, 4-H Canada made the difficult decision to postpone Citizenship Congress until 2023. The health and safety of our members, volunteer leaders, families, and the communities 4-H impacts continue to be our top priority. Therefore, given the current reality of the COVID-19 pandemic, it would not be possible to host Citizenship Congress in person for 2022.

Rather than host the 50th edition virtually, we felt the 4-H community would be better served by postponing the event to 2023 in order to hold an in-person 50th anniversary befitting of this flagship 4-H Canada event.

By postponing the event until 2023, 4-H Canada can give 4-H’ers the opportunity to experience the full spectrum of activities that make Citizenship Congress special. This includes participating in a mock debate in the Senate of Canada, meeting and interacting with MPs on Parliament Hill, and attending a Canadian citizenship ceremony.

Stay tuned for more information. Further details on the 50th edition of Citizenship Congress will be included in the 2022-2023 4-H Canada Program Catalogue, to be published at 4-h-canada.ca/publications.

Thank you to our partners