Launch of Order of Canada Youth Mentorship Program

The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada speaks at the launch of the Order of Canada Mentorship programme in Toronto, which brings together 25 young Canadians with 25 members of the Order of Canada as their mentors. In the foreground are Brennan Manoakeesick (mentoree) and Roger Mondor (mentor to René Villemure).

The 25 mentors and 25 mentorees gather to discuss the importance of mentorship and of desiring a better country at the launch of event held at Design Exchange in Toronto.

A member of the public asks a question to the 25 mentors and 25 mentorees during the event to launch the Order of Canada Mentorship program in collaboration with Youth in Motion.

The Honourable Laurier Lapierre, member of the Order of Canada and mentor to Josianne Gosselin-Dubois of Gatineau, Québec.

Member of the Order of Canada and mentor Harry Black makes a point as Aleema Jamal (mentoree) of Calgary looks on.

The Governor General listens, as Aaron Hakim of Mississauga takes part in a discussion about mentorship.

Mentoree Bobby-Jo Bodnar with his mentor and member of the Order of Canada Arthur John Hanson as they discuss the importance of mentorship.

Mentoree Sean Husband is seen with Fred Smithers who is mentor to Scott Oldford (far left), from Newfoundland, during a discussion to launch the Order of Canada Mentorship program.

Mentoree Adam Wheeler speaks during a discussion around the motto of the Order of Canada: They desire a better country. The event was the launch the Order of Canada Mentorship Program, which is presented in collaboration with Youth in MotionTM. Also in the photo are mentoree Laxmi Parthasarathy and mentor Tom Jackson.

All participants gather following the event as they embark on a year long relationship between 25 mentors and 25 mentorees. They carry on their conversations online at www.citizenvoices.gg.ca