THUNDER BAY – Politics 2.0 – The climate issue appears to be heating up in the election campaign in Thunder Bay.
Around the world, today, students and climate activists will take to the streets to participate in a global climate strike. Bruce Hyer, the Green Party candidate in Thunder Bay-Superior North participated with a small but determined group of climate activists.
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May will joined Deputy Leader Daniel Green and a contingent of Greens to march in solidarity with citizens and Swedish teen activist Greta Thunberg. There comes a time when it becomes evident that society is at a turning point. Today’s global climate strikes could be the moment for our movement.
“Greta Thunberg has warned us that: ‘Our house is on fire’,” said Green leader Elizabeth May. “This extraordinary young woman has called on the adults to do our job and keep the children safe. If we don’t feel this in our hearts then we are not listening to what the children are saying. Greens around the world support these strikes and call for governments including our own, to fulfill our obligations as outlined in the Paris Agreement, which is to keep the global average temperature to 1.5 C.”
NDP candidates Anna Betty Achneepineskum (Thunder Bay-Superior North) and Yuk-Sem Won (Thunder Bay-Rainy River) expressed their solidarity with the thousands of climate strikers who took to the streets across Canada. The climate strikers are demanding action from their governments to tackle the imminent climate crisis.
“We must be climate leaders and stewards, showcasing our steadfast dedication to our land and waters that we value so much,” said Yuk-Sem. “We are seeing the devastating impacts of the climate crisis across our region. Poisoning of the land and water, disruption of our wildlife and the effects of global disregard for the planet.”
While Trudeau’s Liberals bend the rules to let big polluters off the hook, the NDP announced a bold action plan to fight climate change and partner with Indigenous people to build a cleaner future. The NDP’s New Deal for Climate Action and Good Jobs would end subsidizing fossil fuels and fund the transition to green energy.
“Flooding and forest fires are threatening our homes,” said Anna Betty. “Polluted air and water are hitting communities hard. And rising temperatures are threatening our farming and forestry industries. Yearly evacuations from Northern communities are extremely disruptive. It’s clear there’s no time to waste on climate action.”
