Mr. Speaker, in my riding of North Island—Powell River, youth are telling us that climate change is a priority. My first town hall on climate change, held in Port McNeill at North Island Secondary School, had three presenters who spoke to issues relevant in the region.
Adrian Van Gorkom, a student, was the first to present. He spoke of his survey of fellow students on their concerns about the environment and climate change. The results were powerful, as we heard that this issue is seen as incredibly urgent. He, along with two other presenters, Megan Hanacek and “The Marine Detective”, Jackie Hildering, focused on battling fear, creating solutions and youth engagement.
Whether it is the students of Campbell River who have protested multiple times at city hall asking leadership and community members to act now, or the Comox Valley students who met with several elected representatives to discuss issues of climate action in their region, or the students of Powell River who left their classrooms and walked out to protest the lack of climate change action, young people are stepping up to the plate. I hope that the government is willing to act with them.