Thread by @ecojustice_ca

RALLY FOR CLIMATE: Tune into this thread for highlights from the rally in support of #GenClimateAction

Emcee for the event, Sophia Mathur, is currently speaking about her early days in climate activism starting at 7 years old, and how long the fight for climate justice has been — including her and her co-applicants’ ongoing efforts to hold the Ontario govt accountable in court.

Beze Gray, an applicant, is now up to mic. They’re speaking about how government, colonialism and racist environmental policy decisions have allowed for a majority of Canada’s petro-chemical facilities to be located next to their home community of Aamjiwnaang First Nation.

Beze wants to see a world where future generations in their community can engage in traditional land-based activities as they did growing up. Pollution threatens these things, which is why Beze is taking the Ford govt to court.

Madison Dyck is up to mic now. Madison is speaking about her love for Lake Ontario, and how it’s one of the fastest warming lakes in the world. She’s “speaking on behalf of the lake” today, and is motivated to fight for climate justice for the lake and surrounding lands.

Madison is speaking about the growing danger of the wildfire crisis, and how although wildfire is integral to nature and forests, climate change exacerbates them.

Madison Dyck is saying that although she is “fighting” for climate justice, the word can be misleading. She also finds hope and peace in nature. Madison says it’s critical to maintain energy in the efforts for climate justice.

Zoe Keary-Matzner is now speaking. She’s saying that Ford’s rolling back of the province’s climate targets is not an isolated incident; govts around the world are avoiding action against climate change. She’s emphasizing the need to reduce GHG emissions within the next 8 years.

Zoe is saying that what she didn’t understand at the start of this case was how powerful individual action is. She says every person at the rally today has taken more action for climate than the Ford govt ever has (oop!).

Shelby Gagnon is now up. Shelby is from Aroland First Nation and takes a moment to acknowledge the spirits at the park today. They feel the past, present and future here at Queen’s Park today. She says the land is hurting, which in turn hurts our bodies.

Shelby is now speaking about how the climate change has impacted their community. She says her community is referred to as the “blueberry people” — Shelby has noticed less and less blueberries with each passing year. They say the missing berries is like losing a loved one.

Alex Neufeldt is up — a small business owner. She’s speaking about how, if Doug Ford really cared about entrepreneurs, he wouldn’t have rolled back Ontario’s climate targets. Climate change is expensive, and threatens the livelihood of up-and-coming businesses.

Alex says shed like to finish off with some words for politicians:

“Yes, she knows young climate activists like her are inspiring. But she’d like to be inspired by politicians for a change. And if they don’t, they risk getting dragged through court.” (Oop!!)

Shaelyn Wabegijig, the last plaintiff to speak, is up. She says Canada has a dark history of colonialism that still impacts Indigenous communities today.

Shaelyn says that the systems in place will need to make space for Indigenous and natural law in order to achieve a livable future.

She wants to remind Ford that our e-conomy relies on our e-cosystem!!

Vanessa Gray with @Indigenous_ca is now speaking. Vanessa is here to show support for her sibling Beze Gray (an applicant in the youth climate case). She’s highlighting the injustice of petro-chemical refineries located near her home nation, referred to as Chemical Valley.

@ForOurKidsCAN are closing out the speeches. They are saying how deeply grateful they are for the fearlessness of the youth applicants in this case, as well as the frustration that it takes young people to hold the govt to account for climate action.