Students from Woodlands High School have been actively engaged in raising awareness about the threat of climate change and determined to make sure that our political leaders treat this matter as a priority. They have been mounting a campaign to register their expectations with the Prime Minister. Unfortunately the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) response was shocking and embarrassing. Instead of welcoming youth activism and nurturing their passion, the PMO was rude and disinterested.

Many of us have been regularly encouraging our youth to take personal interest in policies that govern our country. Justin Trudeau was in Mississauga on Monday calling on the youth to claim their rightful place in defining Canada’s priorities. Stunts like this one damages any enthusiasm our youth may feel towards taking ownership of our current affairs.

Not only are we borrowing these huge financial deficits from our youth, but we are also borrowing our planet and its resources from them. We need to take their concerns very seriously and treat them with the respect they deserve.

To the students at Woodlands and all youth: Don’t let others discourage you from pursuing your priorities. Many will bet that you will lose interest if they ignore you, but I know you will disappoint them. You have the strength and ability to make a difference by pushing for what you believe in.