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Working in coalition to stop Doug Ford’s regressive agenda

February 19, 2019

In a recent article, NOW Toronto examines how social justice organizations, labour, environmental groups and others are coming together in new ways to fight Premier Doug Ford’s regressive austerity agenda in Ontario.

With new cuts announced every week, including recent leaked documents that reveal Premier Ford’s plan for significant health care privatization, the Ford government’s threats to Ontario’s social programs are constant, as is the need for groups to collaborate.

As NOW reports, “Council of Canadians Ontario organizer Mark Calzavara says their organization is working with labour, anti-poverty advocates ACORN, the Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA), unions and others on a Toronto-focused strategy. They came together over Ford’s cut to city council and are now taking action on wider provincial issues, such as the omnibus Bill 66.”

Chapters This Week

February 15, 2019

NTW Chapter screening Anthropocene
Northwest Territories Chapter screening Anthropocene

Council chapters are made up of volunteers who work with local community groups, organized labour and others to promote the Council’s campaigns to protect water and public health care, work for fair trade, climate justice and democracy as well as other issues of social and economic concern. Check out some of our chapters’ recent actions below and be in touch if you are interested in getting involved in a chapter near you.

A 100% renewable SK is 100% possible

February 14, 2019

The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recently told us we need to do more – quickly – on climate change, but our provincial government is trying to get away with doing even less.

Premier Scott Moe’s Saskatchewan Party government is challenging the federal government’s carbon pricing plan in court to try to get out of it. Meanwhile, the Moe government’s climate plan, “Prairie Resilience” is largely just a redressing of the plan from eight years ago. In particular, it sets an incredibly weak target for the oil and gas sector of a 10 per cent emissions reduction by 2030.

You and I can’t let this happen because we have the solutions. We have the policies and technologies we need for a fair and fast transition to renewable energy that protects workers and upholds Indigenous rights. Tell Premier Moe and your local MLA now that their plan is not enough.

Right now, the Council of Canadians is working on two important strategies to push Saskatchewan towards this just transition:

Minnesota governor to renew appeal to stop Enbridge’s Line 3

February 14, 2019

Minnesota Can't Wait organizers met with Governor Tim Walz at the Minnesota State Capitol on January 9, 2019. (Photo: Devon Cupery, Living on Earth)

Enbridge's Line 3 pipeline just became a lot less buildable. On February 12, recently elected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced that his administration will renew his predecessor's appeal to Enbridge’s Line 3 pipeline expansion project.

To recieve updates on how you help #StopLine3 you can sign our pledge here.

Saskatoon chapter pushes city to examine bottled water use

February 12, 2019

Single-use water bottles clog landfills. Bottled water corporations take what should be a publicly available resource and sell it for profit.

More than a year ago, the Saskatoon chapter of the Council of Canadians asked its city council to consider becoming a Blue Community, including banning the sale of bottled water in city facilities. The request prompted a review of the city’s ability to provide public tap water in municipal facilities – and the results were not positive.

Saskatoon municipal staff recently delivered a report rejecting the proposal to ban bottled water, revealing that municipal facilities such as arenas and recreation centres do not have adequate water fountains and refilling stations to meet users’ needs. The Saskatoon chapter’s request put a clear spotlight on the question of access to public water.

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