Encounters with Canada


Encounters With Canada is a youth program operated by the Canadian Unity Council in cooperation with numerous Canadian government departments. EWC was founded in 1982.

The Program

Taking place throughout most of each year, participants aged 14–17 from high schools throughout Canada travel to Ottawa, Ontario and live in the Historica Canada Centre
Students are given a choice of the following sub-themed weeks:
Despite these variations, the main theme of the program is unifying Canadians and cultures within Canada and discussing Canada's identity.
In addition to activities related to their week's theme, participants tour and visit Canadian political institutions such as the Parliament of Canada and the Supreme Court of Canada. Some weeks include visits to cultural institutions such as the National Gallery of Canada and the Museum of Civilization.