Youth Health in Canada is at a favorable level and adolescents have access to a reasonable standard of health care services. The framework is evolving in response to changing concepts and to the participation of youth themselves. The role of the academic and research leadership in Canada is described. The youth population is healthy and contributes in a positive way to the national fabric and the needs of the majority are adequately met. However, there are sub-populations of youth, who continue to warrant a special focus and are deserving of the attention of youth health professionals. Youth health in Canada is emerging as an adaptation of the American Adolescent Medicine model of the early 1960s. It is a challenging multidisciplinary field in which should play a significant role in shaping its future. Its mandate will be to exercise leadership in addressing the changing needs of the general adolescent population and bringing renewed focus to the special needs of identifiable sub-populations.