SAINT-HYACINTHE, Que. — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was challenged on climate change during the opening moments of a town hall meeting in Saint-Hyacinthe, Que.
Several early questions focused on the environment, with one man asking Trudeau how he can claim to be pro-environment after his government chose to purchase the Trans Mountain pipeline.
Trudeau responded that economic development and environmental protection have to go hand in hand.
But he said Canadians will still be dependent on fossil fuels for the foreseeable future, and while that's the case the country needs pipelines to get its oil to market.
The evening event is the latest in a series of question and answer-style public meetings being held across the country.
Trudeau has faced tough questions on subjects ranging from pipelines to relations with Indigenous people during earlier town hall meetings in British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Ontario.