Environment Minister Catherine Mckenna answers a question during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, May 12, 2016.Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press
A roomful of high school students who had the ear of the federal environment minister on Tuesday peppered her with a range of questions and ideas, from encouraging corporations to think about sustainability to suggesting the government create incentives for people to adopt vegetarian diets.
Catherine McKenna appeared in front of several hundred students at Magee Secondary School, where some came prepared with detailed questions about federal environmental policies.
Grade 11 student Jeremy Hughes asked whether the government would consider pursuing solar or electric-powered aircraft through Quebec-based Bombardier.
"Bombardier is one of Canada's top and most internationally recognized customers," he began. "If the government of Canada were to invest more money in Bombardier for them to focus their research on eco-friendly modes of transportation in the realm of aviation then perhaps Canada could be helping countries outside of North America."
"Emissions of the aviation sector are a huge thing, we are working to get an agreement this year," McKenna replied.
After the event, Mr. Hughes said the question stemmed from a longtime interest in aviation.
"I've always had an interest in airplanes. I took note that every single airplane I've ever been on pollutes," he said in an interview.
One student asked about old houses that were built with old growth trees that are now being torn down. McKenna encouraged the student to submit her thoughts through a federal government climate change website.
Another went into meticulous detail about her idea for encouraging developing countries to pursue green technology.
"You're hired," the minister quipped in response.
The federal Liberals have made climate a major issue, renaming Ms. McKenna's department to specifically mention climate change.
Ms. McKenna and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are currently working with the premiers on a long-term strategy to meet or exceed the target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030. The prime minister met with the premiers this past March, with another first ministers' meeting scheduled for the fall.
Ms. McKenna commended the students at Magee Secondary for thinking about solutions to climate change.
Her visit coincided student research projects, which were on display at the school, on environmental issues. Students conducted research into wind and solar energy and capsula mundi, a tree-planting project for burying deceased persons.