Members in action

Natural Resources Canada’s Youth Council met with Rachel McCormick, Director General of International Affairs, Head of Delegation for the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) and NRCan’s lead negotiator and representative at the 2024 G20 Energy Transitions Working Group (ETWG). This meeting provided an opportunity for Youth Council members to learn about Canada’s participation in multilateral fora while also providing their perspectives on issues related to natural resources on the international stage.

Youth Council members discussed several topics, including Indigenous reconciliation, engagement and advocacy; artificial intelligence and concerns around data sovereignty and energy costs; and continued youth engagement and participation in international negotiations. Youth Council members also identified hydrogen, thermal coal, natural gas, and the threat of greenwashing as topics which should be considered key priorities throughout Canada’s upcoming G7 Presidency.

Natural Resources Canada’s Youth Council met in person in Ottawa. Members engaged in a series of team-building activities, learning workshops and networking events with representatives from across the department. Members also discussed a wide range of natural resources issues with various Natural Resources Canada experts. The meeting concluded with a private tour of Parliament and a meet and greet with the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources on Parliament Hill.

The Youth Council is now ready to start working on the topics they selected for the first year of their mandate, which include:

• Helping communities (Indigenous, northern, and remote) overcome energy, infrastructure, and employment challenges;
• Dealing with effects of climate change on Canada’s natural resources; and
• Impacts of AI on Canada’s natural resource sectors and climate change-related initiatives.