On September 20, across Canada, thousands of people Draw The Line demanding that our government stop funding war, colonial violence, and fossil fuels, and begin investing in life, care, and justice.
Organized by a coalition of community and climate justice groups, Draw the Line brought together more than 70 communities across Canada, including five For Our Kids teams.
In Toronto, For Our Kids team members joined a crowd of thousands at Queen’s Park, setting up an outreach table alongside banners calling for climate justice to protect future generations. For Our Kids team members spoke with community members, handed out postcards, and gathered signatures urging Mayor Olivia Chow to take bold local climate action.
The table also featured the For Our Kids’ campaign calling on the federal government to adopt strong methane regulations and achieve near net-zero methane emissions by 2035. Methane, a super-pollutant released mainly from oil and gas operations, traps more than 80 times as much heat as carbon dioxide in its first 20 years in the atmosphere. Methane emissions have been the source of wildfires across the nation and can cause respiratory illness, among other challenges when children have a right to a safe, clean environment.
The Toronto rally also spotlighted justice for Grassy Narrows First Nation, where community members have fought for decades to end mercury contamination in their waters. Families joined calls for cleanup and accountability, connecting the issue to the broader themes of reconciliation and environmental health.
In Edmonton, For Our Kids members rallied with local families and faith leaders, sharing why this moment matters. “I am drawing the line for my three-and-a-half-year-old son,” said Will Van Engen. “He deserves a future with a stable climate, healthy environment, and the ability to go outside without fear of smoke or extreme heat."
The London team emphasized Indigenous leadership and gratitude during their local event. “Indigenous peoples remain the rightful stewards of these territories,” said one participant. “We owe it to future generations to protect these lands and waters together.”
In Burnaby, For Our Kids members called on the federal government to scrap Bill C-5, which threatens to weaken climate accountability. Children carried hand-painted signs reading “Save Our Future” standing alongside parents who spoke about the need for governments to take responsibility for policies that directly impact young people’s lives.
In Antigonish, families and students rallied nearby St.Francis Xavier University. “I am here for my kids, and for the whole next generation,” said one parent. “I am here for our planet. It makes me mad that we keep going on as normal when we really need to change things.”
During Wyanne Sandler’s closing remarks, the For Our Kids’ National Network Director reflected on the importance of the moment: “I want to underline the urgency of these issues. We need our governments to stop excusing corporate greed, to stop investing in war and fossil fuels, and instead to invest in our communities.”
Together, we are sending a clear message: Canada cannot claim climate leadership while continuing to fund war, fossil fuels, and environmental destruction. Families everywhere are drawing the line for their children, for their communities, and for a livable future.
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