On Monday, Nov. 4, David Suzuki took the stage at the Brampton City Hall to a round of applause and cheers.

Suzuki was hosting the 905 Talks Climate, a panel discussion outlining the challenges and solutions racialized and marginalized communities face when dealing with the climate crisis.

Before Suzuki and the panellists began their discussion, the Brampton Guardian had a few minutes to chat with Suzuki about current climate-related issues. Here are a few of his thoughts on relevant topics.

1. Older generation action

“I think that what we need is for elders like me to go in and take over the parliament buildings. They belong to us. We've got to occupy them so that we can open the door and let young people come in and hold parliament, have them debate, have them pass laws.”

2. The Greta Thunberg “panic” among young people

“It's about time. It's about time. If we're not panicked by this, what the h*** does it got to take? What kind of excuse is that or criticism, you know, she's just saying it like it is. God damn it, if that isn't a moment of panic.”

3. Post-election results in Alberta

“Alberta has dug their heels in. Rather than saying, "Look, help us, help us make the transition, we've got all this expertise and energy, we got to go a different direction,” they are refusing to even acknowledge that climate is an issue.”

“Trudeau certainly bought a pipeline to try to service Rachel Notley in Alberta and we can't continue to allow politics to drive what we do.”