For Immediate Release
The country-wide week of action calls for just transition legislation in the first 100 days of Parliament
Unceded Algonquin Anishinaabe Territories [OTTAWA] – The “Climate Code Red” week of action for community-led just transition legislation begins today, calling on the federal government to implement just transition legislation in the first 100 days of Parliament.
From Tuesday, October 12 to Sunday, October 17, more than 50 events and actions (so far) will take place from coast to coast – including webinars, climate cafes, petition drives, and canvassing to demand meaningful just transition legislation. A list of all confirmed actions and community partners can be found here.
“The federal government isn’t acting quickly enough to address the climate crisis,” says Robin Tress, a Climate and Social Justice Campaigner with the Council of Canadians, the organization coordinating the week of action.
“That’s why we’ve partnered with grassroots groups from across the country to urge the new Parliament to prioritize climate justice and a just transition when it resumes in the coming weeks.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised a Just Transition Act in 2019, but he has yet to deliver. All week, participating communities will gather signatures on a just transition petition and deliver it to their local MPs – flooding Parliament with waves of support for meaningful action on just transition legislation.
Among more specific demands, the petition calls for legislation that rapidly reduces emissions and decarbonizes the economy while planning support and care for affected communities and workers.
“It’s inspiring to see so many local communities clamouring for climate action when MPs haven’t even taken their seats in Parliament yet,” says Dylan Penner, a Climate and Social Justice Campaigner with the Council of Canadians.
“There is clearly a strong public appetite for bold, transformative changes, and it should give the new Parliament a strong and clear mandate too. It’s time for our elected decision-makers to finally catch up to the public.”
The Climate Code Red week of action is part of an effort by the Council of Canadians to build a network of local communities demanding a just transition – and to help these groups leverage their collective power to bring that transition to life for everyone.
The week of action is also supported by the La Peche Coalition for a Green New Deal, Just Recovery Kingston, TTCriders, the Comox Youth Climate Council, Climate Justice Ottawa, the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions, the Ontario Federation of Labour, 350.org Canada, the Climate Emergency Unit, Future Ground Network, BC Nature, the Grand Riverkeeper Labrador, Seniors for Climate Action Now, Justice for Workers, and several local chapters of the Council of Canadians.
ABOUT THE COUNCIL OF CANADIANS: Since 1985, The Council of Canadians has brought people together through collective action and grassroots organizing to challenge corporate power and advocate for people, the planet, and our democracy. Alongside opposing new fossil fuel infrastructure, the Council has also been working for a just transition and a just recovery at a community level.
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