Thursday on the conference grounds of the COP21 climate talks in Paris, the Canadian Youth Delegation criticized Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for failing to meet with them, saying he only provided a photo opportunity to them and didn’t engage in the substantive climate issues that matter to youth in Canada.

The group chanted “youth want to be heard, not just seen” to a crowd of media and onlookers while holding up signs listing a number of core demands for Canadian negotiators including ending the expansion of the oilsands and implementing the recommendations of the truth and reconciliation commission.

Spokesperson Katie Perfitt said, “we are here to call out the Canadian government for only being interested in taking selfies with Canadian youth…and not actually listening to what we have to say.”

Perfitt said the government's lack of engagement with youth and frontline community members at the conference has caused “serious concerns about the Canadian government’s ability to develop sound climate policy that is justice based and in line with climate science.”

Video: Carol Linnitt

“We are serious about climate action and we demand real climate action now from the Canada government,” Perfitt said. 

The delegation's additional demands include Canada reaching zero emissions by 2050, putting an end to fossil fuel subsidies, paying a 'fair share' in the climate treaty process and supporting indigenous-led renewable energy projects.

Delegation member Aleah Loney said, "we're here today to pair our faces with our voices and make clear that including youth means hearing what they're asking for."

Trudeau failed to meet with members of the delegation, including those officially included in Canada's COP21 delegation, before he returned to Ottawa for the opening of Parliament.

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