In 1983, the students and staff of the Yorkton Regional High School were invited to host the annual provincial leadership conference of 1985. A year later the Premier of Saskatchewan, the Hon. Grant Devine, challenged the Yorkton students to turn the 1985 provincial conference into a national conference. This would be one of Saskatchewan’s contributions to the 1985 International Year of the Youth project.

The students and staff of Yorkton Regional High School accepted the challenge, and the 1985 conference was held on September 18th, 19th, and 20th in Yorkton, SK. Over eight hundred students and student advisors attended this conference which had for its theme “YOUTH OF TODAY – LEADERS OF TOMORROW.” Not only did the people come from all across Canada, but there were also strong delegations from five states south of the border and one delegate from Mexico City. Among the keynote speakers were Mark Scharenbroich, Pamela Wallin, Laurie Skreslet, Jack Donahue and a host of others from within and outside Canada.

The advisors at the Yorkton conference voted unanimously to support the idea of an annual leadership conference across the nation. Provinces and Territories would be invited to host these conferences. Through the interest, effort, and commitment of these advisors, the Canadian Association of Student (Government) Advisors, now known as the Canadian Student Leadership Association, was born.