UPDATE: On Thursday afternoon, the Senate passed C-5 without amendments, despite a handful of senators attempting to persuade their colleagues to include language about respecting Indigenous rights. The vote was swifter than anticipated, as previous reports had indicated the Senate review could last until Friday at 5:15 p.m. Thank you to everyone who made a call to their senators. This fight is just beginning.
If for whatever reason the calling tool does not work for you, use this link to find the phone number for all of the senators, and make as many calls as you can.
Here’s a script – courtesy of 350.org – you can use to make your case:
Dear [Senator Name], as a senator, you have been tasked with offering “sober second thought” on proposed legislation before it passes into law. I am urging you to use your powers to hit pause on Bill C-5 and send it back to the House of Commons for amendments.
- Bill C-5 tramples Indigenous rights: The Assembly of First Nations National, the Chiefs of Ontario, and many other Indigenous leaders oppose. As Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak shared in her address to the senate, this bill “poses substantial risk to many, many collective rights” of First Nations including the duty of the government to consult and ensure Free Prior and Informed Consent.
- Bill C-5 bypasses environmental protections: The legislation would create a pathway to approve projects while bypassing 13 laws including the Fisheries Act, Indian Act, Canada Marine Act, Species at Risk Act and the Impact Assessment Act.
- Climate will take a backseat: If this bill becomes law, any future Prime Minister will have unchecked power to fast track new pipelines that wreck our climate. As wildfires rage across the country, it’s more important than ever to ensure Canada upholds its commitments to climate action.
We hope you will act with urgency to protect Indigenous rights, our climate, and our future.
