With the recent news that MKI is holding off on their massive seismic project offshore Nova Scotia, and BP releasing ½ of their lease area, now is the perfect time to initiate a public inquiry into the offshore industry in the province.

Council of Canadians chapters activists have been taking part in ongoing solidarity actions with Wet'suwet'en, joining the call “that the provincial and federal government uphold their responsibilities to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and ‘Anuc niwh’it’en (Wet’suwet’en law).” The Council has made a donation to the Unist'ot'en camp legal fund as well as a donation to help cover the travel costs of youth to join the camp. We continue to stand in solidarity with Wet'suwet'en. Look for the next solidarity action and join a chapter near you!

On January 7, 2019 militarized RCMP invaded and occupied unceded Wet'suwet'en territories and faced children and elders with heavy assault rifles following a court injunction granted to Coastal Gaslink (TransCanada). They were trying to forcibly clear a path for a fracked gas pipeline. Fourteen land defenders were arrested, including Gitdumt'en Clan spokesperson Molly Wickham. 

Council of Canadians supporters and chapters activists have been taking part in ongoing solidarity actions with Wet'suwet'en, joining the call “that the provincial and federal government uphold their responsibilities to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and ‘Anuc niwh’it’en (Wet’suwet’en law).” We stand in solidarity with these land defenders, who have been fighting to protect their land and sovereignty for decades - from the 1997 Delgamuukw-Gisday’wa court case to the Unist'ot'en Camp that has blocked pipelines and healed the land since 2009.

Cameron Fioret, a PhD student at the University of Guelph and member of the Guelph chapter of the Council of Canadians, writes in a thought-provoking op-ed that “the advent of the commodification and privatization of water has resulted in strife and inequality amongst the most marginalized people in society.”

Fioret goes on to say that “it is a widespread, pressing issue that will be exacerbated by climate change, whereby clean water will be even more of a luxury for the privileged few of humanity. Anyone who desires for a world of equitable access to clean water should not tolerate the status quo.”

Members of the Council of Canadians Peterborough-Kawarthas chapter in Ontario joined with the local group, the Peterborough Alliance for Climate Action for an event last weekend called “Drum for the Planet.”

Participants marched through the streets, banging on drums, using bells and tambourines as well as their voices, to raise awareness about the urgent need for climate action now. Many wore bright green signs with messages and slogans, calling on governments to act before global warming reaches a critical tipping point.

On January 8, Council of Canadians chapters across the country supported the International Day of Action: Stand in Solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en. See #CouncilChapters for highlights and read more about actions you can take now in support of the Wet’suwet’en.

Council of Canadians chapters have been busy organizing for climate justice by adding to a growing number of municipalities calling for a moratorium on offshore drilling and much, much more! See all their amazing work here #CouncilChapters.

Last week, Council of Canadians chapters organized for water & climate justice, against offshore drilling, stood in solidarity with the Unist’ot’en and much more! See all their amazing work here #CouncilChapters.

New Brunswick now has a Progressive Conservative government in place, under the leadership of pro-fracking and pro-Energy East pipeline Blaine Higgs.

Check out these updates from #CouncilChapters as they host events and take part in actions in communities across the country!