Despite Canada seeing an unheard of amount of forest fires, residents at a rally against fossil fuels are saying it’s not too late to change course.
“Canada is literally burning, and with an election coming up, the opportunity to change course on policy is here,” said Sam Stevenson, a volunteer organizer, while standing with a group of people holding signs against fossil fuels.
On Friday, residents gathered outside of the Liberal MP Lloyd Longfield’s office, inviting him to sign a pledge to request an immediate moratorium of new fossil fuel approvals, including the TransAtlantic Mountain Pipeline, and support Just Translation legislation to help workers and communities move toward a 100 per cent renewable energy future. After the rally, Stevenson will also reach out to other political leaders to sign the pledge.
For one Guelph resident, Kathleen Corrigan, the fight against climate change has become personal.
“My son is fighting fires in BC and I became a grandmother for the first time four months ago,” said Corrigan, “I worry about him.”
“It’s everything over the years, but it’s really getting personal and that’s the push.”
Morgan Dandie Hannah said the current air quality is making it hard for her to breathe.
“With the extra pollution that is being put into our atmosphere, I’m having asthmatic problems myself here in Guelph, especially at night,” she said at the event.
Susan Buchanan, a Metis elder, said she is devastated by the state of our planet during the event.
“She will survive, but we may not survive as a species given that we have caused so much harm for ourselves."
The rally is one of many that are taking place across Canada to ask the federal government to stop the use of fossil fuels.
Since coming to power in 2015, Stevenson points out the federal government has not reduced Canada’s carbon emissions.
"The fire has already started, from a scientific viewpoint, we don't have anymore time for inadequate policy to prevent climate change from getting any worse," he said.
Michelle Bowman, part of the Green Party of Canada's shadow cabinet for environment, spoke at the event and said they can still turn things around.
“I’m here today to shout from the rooftops that we know what the problem is, we know what the answers are,” she said, “I know it won’t be easy, but it’s achievable.”
Due to previous commitments, Lloyd Longfield was not in attendance for the event, but will be meeting with Stevenson at a later date.
His office issued the following statement:
“Lloyd continues to advocate on climate change policies, and knows some changes take longer than others. He was delighted to work on the Climate Change Accountability Act directly via the Environment Committee, and has also worked on zero emission vehicles as co-chair of the Automotive Caucus. He is also very active with both the City of Guelph and University of Guelph on implementation of energy conservation, alternate energy, and circular economies.
The Government understands that a just transition for workers is important for the transformation to a net zero economy. They have launched consultations with industry, labour and Canadians to understand how to best support workers in the transition. Indigenous leaders and communities of course will be part of these consultations and conversations as well.
Energy workers are going to be important in leading the way with their skills and will help us achieve net-zero emissions. We know that the investment in fighting climate change is working to get to our goal of net zero and planning for competitiveness is part of the strategy to create jobs and invest in new projects.”
