The Brian Mulroney Institute of Government and The Honourable Mary Coyle Present
Is Anybody Listening? How The Canadian Youth Climate Assembly Can Shape the National Conversation on Climate
January 20, 2026
7:00 pm–9:00 pm
Mulroney Hall 2034
In September 2025, the Canadian Youth Climate Assembly brought together 36 young Canadians, aged 18 to 25, from across the country to represent the perspectives and voices of a generation who are facing the dramatic effects of climate change while stewarding Canada’s future sustainable economy and society.
The Assembly came together to answer one central question: What do young Canadians want Parliament to do to meet Canada’s climate commitments in a way that reflects their values and priorities? Over five days in Ottawa and four online sessions, the Assembly members learned about Canada’s climate commitments, current progress, the role of parliamentarians and government, emissions sources, economic impacts, and potential natural and technological solutions. The Assembly culminated with the presentation of its final report to parliamentarians in the Senate Chamber.
That discussion will continue at the Mulroney Institute’s “Is Anybody Listening? How the Canadian Youth Climate Assembly Can Shape the National Conversation on Climate” panel, co-hosted by The Honourable Mary Coyle. The panel will feature Senator Coyle introducing members of the Canadian Youth Climate Assembly. Two Assembly members representing Nova Scotia, Dylan Clark and Lister de Vitre, will speak about their work on the Assembly, the final recommendations published, the unique perspectives they brought to the Assembly, and any challenges they faced in drafting their recommendations. The panel will also include Dr. Lavinia Stan (Department of Political Science), Mulroney Institute Fellow and the Institute’s Victor Dahdaleh Chair in Democracy and Governance, and the FluxLab’s Dr. Dave Risk, Mulroney Institute Chair in Climate Science and Policy, who will respond to the panelists.
All are welcome.
The Honourable Mary Coyle Biography
Senator Mary Coyle has devoted her career to advancing women’s leadership, gender equality, shared prosperity, and Indigenous rights with a focus on local and international development. Her early work includes roles in Botswana and Indonesia, supporting economic, regional and community development.
As Executive Director of Calmeadow, for 10 years she supported the pioneering of innovative microfinance initiatives internationally and across Canada, including the world’s first commercial microfinance bank in Bolivia and the First Peoples Fund for Indigenous communities in Canada. Joining St. Francis Xavier University in 1997, serving as University Vice-President and Director of the Coady International Institute, she led the Institute’s innovation agenda and the expansion of its global programs for women, youth, and Indigenous leaders. She also served as Executive Director of the Frank McKenna Centre for Leadership.
Senator Coyle is honoured to have played a key role in the establishment of the Stephen Lewis Foundation; the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace, and Security; the Indian School of Microfinance for Women; and the Haitian Centre for Leadership and Excellence. She served on the boards of the MicroFinance Support Facility for Afghanistan, the International Development Research Centre, the North South Institute, and Cooperation Canada.
In the Senate, she serves on the Indigenous Peoples and Foreign Affairs Committees and is co-founder and co-chairs Senators for Climate Solutions.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Languages and Literature, and a Master of Arts in Rural Planning and Development from the University of Guelph.
With three daughters and seven grandchildren, Senator Coyle remains committed to addressing key issues, such as global cooperation, human rights and climate, critical to Canada’s leadership on the global stage.
Credit for photos: Senate of Canada