Each of us has the power to change the world through community involvement and public service, but society needs change its current attitude, Justin Trudeau told a passionate audience in Owen Sound May 6.

"We are in a pivotal moment of life on Earth," said Trudeau citing our concepts of time and space have changed drastically in the past half-century. "We have gone from infinite open space to a very closed system and within a closed system, every single action has an impact on everything else."

Trudeau stated that environmental issues, global poverty and the current climate crisis are all the result of millions of small actions that have amounted to create adverse results.

"Small actions can meaningfully get us out of this," he added with optimism.

Trudeau believes that public service is the best form these actions can take, but warns that society has become cynical.

"The idea of service is no longer put forward as a genuine goal in society. We have to be careful of the messages we send out about what is valued," said Trudeau. "Even journalists and politicians who are essentially working for the people to improve society don't get much respect."

Despite his views on the present state of society, Trudeau remained optimistic about Canadian youth and the future.

"Young people get a bad rap for being apathetic and cynical. It's not because they don't care, it's because they care so much, they are hurt that they don't have a say," he said. "There should be an opportunity for every young person to serve and build a better Canada."

And Trudeau has reason to be optimistic about youth; earlier that day he gave another presentation to an auditorium full of students who had traveled from all across Grey-Bruce to hear his message and learn what they can do to make a difference.

Prior to the evening's event, he also had the opportunity to meet with the five students who had won a poster contest sponsored by the Mental Health Crisis Line of Grey Bruce.

"It was amazing meeting him, he was very intelligent, very articulate," said West Hill student Katherine Brown. "We talked a lot about not knowing what to do right after high school. He really inspired me to take a little more time and to follow my dreams."

"They really reminded me just how extraordinary our young people are," said Trudeau of the students he met.

Apart from the contest winners, audience members also had an opportunity to discuss a number of issues with Trudeau during a question period that followed his speech. Trudeau answered a number questions on a variety of topics including the benefits of buying local food and bridging the widening gap between the rich and poor in Canada.

At the end of the night, Master of Ceremonies Caroline Tykoliz offered Trudeau a gift, adding: "I hope you look on it some day when you're Prime Minister," a sentiment that was met with a round of applause from the audience.

The Mental Health Crisis Line of Grey-Bruce sponsored the event as part of their Mental Health Week activities and also featured an awards ceremony for the five poster contest winners.