Become a member

Are you a student or 30 and under? Join Canada's largest youth environmental network: the Sierra Youth Coalition!

Membership fee: $20 minimum donation - renewable every 12 months

Sign up here. (Secure payment site)

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Membership advantages

Did you know that SYC members are consulted for all corporate screening processes? You have a voice in where SYC can legitimately obtain funding.

Read our corporate screening policy.

• Via Rail Deal*

How can you get the deal? Follow the steps below. But first, let's compare the advantage:

Round trip Halifax to Toronto - economy class, taxes included

Regular: $646.36

Student (ISIC): $420.36

SYC member: $387.59

• Step 1: Become a member, renew your membership, or verify your membership status with the national office.
• Step two: Send an email to info@syc-cjs.org requesting an official emailed status of membership (the email you'll receive is good for one month and soon we will send out new membership cards, which will do the trick from that day forward).
• Step three: Call VIA (1-888-VIA-RAIL) and book your train ticket. Mention the Discount Entitlement Code: 11261.
• Step four: Have your proof of membership and photo ID on you when you pick up your ticket.

Steps one and two are only for the first time. After that, steps three and four will do the trick.

*Applicable Conditions since February 10, 2010:

 Valid for a 40% discount on the adult regular fare in Economy class, and 10% discount in sleeper classes, for travel anywhere on VIA network.

In Economy class:  travel must be booked in "Economy - supersaver fare" and tickets must be purchased at least three (3) days prior to departure. Seats are limited. Exchanges are permitted without service charge and may be done at any time for travel on the same date as originally booked, but must be rebooked in "Economy - supersaver fare". If the passenger wishes to change their travel date, the change must be made at least three (3) days prior to the new travel date and must also be rebooked in "Economy supersaver fare".

In sleeper classes:  valid in any sleeper class of travel provided bookings are made and tickets are issued at least three (3) days prior to departure.  Tickets must be booked at regular fare of the chosen class. Same day exchanges are permitted, however, a change of date requires a three-day (3) advance purchase. Exchanges are done without service charge.

In all classes, tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. However, they may be exchanged for equal or greater value (by paying the difference in fare). Personal identification with photo, and letter from Sierra Youth Coalition confirming name of passenger must be presented to a VIA ticket agent to obtain discounted tickets. Tickets may be booked online, but need to be issued at a ticket counter, as a VIA agent must verify identification. Tickets are non-commissionable to travel agents and cannot be issued by tour operators.

Forget flying. Trains are the more sustainable way to travel. The Sierra Youth Coalition supports the creation of an electric high-speed train between Quebec and Windsor.