Mississauga -- The new Mississauga Youth Advisory Committee Board (MYAC) announced at Council on July 4, 2012 its new name and its three-year plan to reach out to a wider youth community throughout Mississauga.

"I congratulate the board and members past and present of MYAC for the success of this organization," said Mayor Hazel McCallion. "MYAC has provided youth with a voice in important City matters such as our Strategic Plan, Youth Plan, Arts Task Force and the Sports Task Force. Youth should have a strong voice at City Hall. Our future success as a City will depend on youth becoming active and engaged in all aspects of Mississauga."

Formally known as the Mayor's Youth Advisory Committee, MYAC was established 30 years ago in 1982 as an advisory body to the Mayor and Members of Council on City issues, programs and services that have an impact and influence on youth.

"The name change and plan for future will broaden the scope of the youth-led organization to become the umbrella group for youth in community centres, libraries and local schools," said Mississauga Youth Plan Co-ordinator Joanne Foote. "The new MYAC will be the voice for youth across the City, connecting youth to youth in advocating for issues that matter to the more than 145,000 young people in Mississauga."

Foote noted, since the City of Mississauga's Youth Plan was launched in January 2011, most of the plan's 46 recommendations have been put into action. The new MYAC will become the youth-led city-wide advisory team and will be instrumental in supporting the implementation of the City's Youth Plan.

"The City's Youth Plan is more than a list of recommendations in a report," said Mississauga Youth Plan Co-ordinator Joanne Foote. "Its success has inspired a ‘youth movement' in our community. MYAC's transition to a city-wide youth advisory group puts us on the right track in continuing to make youth feel welcome and engaged."

For more information about the City of Mississauga's Youth Plan and Mississauga Youth Movement, go to the City's website at www.mississauga.ca/youth or see us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Mississauga-Youth-Plan/7546471778 or  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 905-615-3200, ext. 5319.