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Friday’s protests were held in Canada by protestors who wanted to condemn the government’s inaction on climate change. This was part of a series worldwide environmental protests.
These events were part the Fridays for Future movement, which was inspired by a Swedish activist. Greta Thunberg.
Montreal activists held a teach in on Indigenous sovereignty and decolonization at Mount Royal. They displayed a red-and-yellow banner that read “Land Back” over the statue.
Ryder Cote–Nottaway (21 years old) was urging those present to keep the Earth safe for future generations.
He stated that climate change is affecting Indigenous communities’ ability “traditional, ancestral, and inherent rights.”
He said, “In my territory you see a lot forestry, clear-cutting,” in an interview. “The animals, they’re going away. The rivers and waters are being polluted.”
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Numerous other events were planned across Canada, including in Ottawa, Quebec City and Calgary. Other climate demonstrations were also held around the globe, including 300 in Germany.
The Canadian protests were held to denounce colonialism and capitalism’s contribution to climate change. However, there were also other local issues such as the $6-billion highway expansion in Ontario or the Quebec government’s decision not to fence in threatened caribou sheds.
Montreal’s crowd was young and included many students including Juliana Saroop, 19, who was part of the group. According to the Dawson College student, she sometimes feels overwhelmed and paralyzed by the climate crisis. However, seeing the global protests makes it feel a little more hopeful.
Climate protests were held in cities across Canada as part of a global movement. #ClimateChange #FridaysForFuture #GlobalClimateStrike
“There’s a big difference in individual and global change, and right now we’re trying to fight for a bigger change,” Saroop said.
Protesters in Ottawa carried signs that said “Don’t be an idiot fossil” and “Every decision is important now.” Numerous people showed support for the climate protest, including a person wearing a large green dinosaur costume and posing for photos while holding a sign that said “Don’t choose to extinction.”
Linda McCourt, a protester, stated that she would like to see more government investment in renewable energy.
She stated, “We should’ve done that already.”
Sarah Scott, the organizer of the climate strike said that she was participating in it because she is disappointed at the actions taken by different levels of government regarding climate change. She stated that she is also concerned about the effects of climate change. Russian invasion in UkraineSubventions for the oil market are having a negative impact on the environment.
About 150 protestors gathered at Vancouver Art Gallery, British Columbia. They marched a few blocks to the Royal Bank of Canada branch.
According to the group, RBC is Canada’s largest fossil fuel funder. Naisha Khan, organizer, said that protesters are asking the bank to stop funding fossil fuels.
Khan stated in an interview that banks and financial institutions play a significant role in financing the climate crisis.
“We are using the opportunity today with the theme of people not profit’ to hold banks and RBC accountable for their role as financiers of climate chaos.”
RBC said in a statement that it “believes climate change is one of the world’s most pressing issues” and it is working with governments, its clients and other stakeholders to reduce carbon emissions in line with global targets for financial institutions.
RBC stated that “Traditional energy sources such as fossil fuels are still necessary for our daily lives.”
“They are essential as we transition to, the world develops and uses more sustainable sources of electricity and builds the infrastructure needed to support a greener future.”
This report was published by The Canadian Press on March 25, 2022.
— With files from Erika Ibrahim in Ottawa, Brieanna Charlebois in Vancouver and The Associated Press.
