8 September 2023:
After a season of record-breaking wildfires, 40 cities across Canada will join the Global Fight to End Fossil Fuels next weekend, from September 15-17.
Local organizers will lead rallies from coast to coast, demanding that governments take action to address the root cause of the devastating climate impacts Canadians have experienced this summer – fossil fuels.
“We are marching to ensure a just, fair and livable future for all humans and non-humans on this planet, now and forever,” said Jordyn Boyer, Co-founder and Co-president of Youth Power 4 Climate Justice in Hamilton, ON.
Sadie Quinn, an organizer with School Strike 4 Climate Halifax, added: “In the past year, Nova Scotia/Mi’kma’ki has experienced several extreme weather events including Hurricane Fiona, wildfires, and widespread flooding. Now more than ever, we need to demand urgent, sustained, and justice-centred climate action at all levels of government. The September 15th climate strike will show leaders that the youth are watching.”
Kim Benson, teacher and cofounder of BC Teachers’ Pension Divestment Campaign, said: “I’m marching September 15 to demand leaders and policy makers act like it’s an emergency and boldly make radical changes to transition off of fossil fuels, and make the transformative and systemic changes we need in all aspects of society. I’m marching so I can look my children and my students in the eye and tell them I’m doing everything I can so they can have a fair and just life and a liveable future.”
Maps with the details of the planned actions are available here and from Fridays for Future. Media spokesperson information is available here.
Climate justice is intertwined with migrant justice, and migrants and allies will also march in fifteen cities on September 17 in support of regularization for undocumented people and permanent resident Status For All.
The actions come just ahead of MPs’ return to Parliament as well as the United Nations General Assembly and Climate Ambition Summit – presenting a moment of opportunity for Canadian decision-makers to step up, show leadership, and prioritize climate action.
The Global Fight to End Fossil Fuels has six core demands:
-
No new fossil fuels
-
A rapid, just, and equitable phase out
-
New commitments for international cooperation
-
Stop greenwashing
-
Hold polluters responsible for the damage they’ve caused
-
End fossil fuel corporate capture
For the Canadian federal government, a key demand is to implement a strong, fair emissions cap with no further delays – the only policy currently on the table to begin tackling the outsized climate impact of Canada’s fossil fuel sector. First promised by the Liberals more than two years ago, the cap has been delayed again and again amid intense industry lobbying. People joining the rallies will be calling on Prime Minister Trudeau to stand up to oil and gas companies and deliver policies that put Canadians’ health and future over the profits of big polluters.
-30-
Canada’s farthest-reaching network of organizations working on climate and energy issues, Climate Action Network – Réseau action climat (CAN-Rac) Canada is a coalition of 150 organizations operating from coast to coast to coast. Our membership brings environmental groups together with trade unions, First Nations, social justice, development, health and youth organizations, faith groups and local, grassroots initiatives.
For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Vicky Coo, Communications Lead
comms@climateactionnetwork.ca