[1] Several musicians, including Walter Susskind, then the music director of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and Ezra Schabas[2] helped to found NYO Canada in 1960, for the purpose of allowing young musicians to gain experience needed to play in professional orchestras.

[4] More than 40% of the professional musicians in Canadian orchestras have previously played in NYO Canada.

[5] Resident conductors of NYO Canada have included Victor Feldbrill, who served in the post from 1960 to 1964, and subsequently in 1969 and in 1975.

[10] In 2018, the orchestra performed at Young Euro Classic in Berlin[11] and at the Edinburgh International Festival.

[14] In December 2023, it was announced that Naomi Woo would serve as principal conductor for the NYO's 2024-2025 season.