In the early morning of Nov. 1, I bundled up my kids and we braved the cold to gather with a group of parents, grandparents and youth in downtown Ottawa. We were there to hold signs, sing chants and greet elected officials as they arrived at the Sustainable Finance Forum with a simple ask: Regulate Canadian banks and pensions now to help protect our climate and our kids’ future.
Such a move would send a clear message that we are seeking a new normal for the sake of the planet’s health and for our kids.
This month, NDP MP Charlie Angus introduced Bill C-372, “An Act respecting fossil fuel advertising” in the House of Commons. This was modelled on the act targeting tobacco advertisements. Reaction was swift and extreme with overblown claims that ordinary citizens would be jailed for sharing positive opinions about oil and gas. Hopefully, common sense will prevail.
While it’s hard to talk about given our economy’s reliance on fossil fuels, we know what’s causing these wildfires and hazy skies. For too long, the oil and gas industry has known about the devastating effects that their emissions would have on the planet and they’ve spent decades working to hide the damage their industry causes from the rest of us.
Read Claire and Miranda's full piece in The Edmonton Journal here.
Parent-led climate action group For Our Kids went to the Ontario Court of Appeal Monday to support youth suing the province over alleged climate inaction.
The lawsuit claims Ontario's plan to curb greenhouse gas emissions is in contravention with Canada’s Paris Agreement commitments to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius — which Ontario pledged to uphold — and constitutes a breach of the Charter rights of the province’s youth, who will suffer the most from climate change.
"Parents will do anything to protect their children," said Whyte. "We'll always show up in that fight."
