​Climate Rally: Protect our Environment, Protect our Greenbelt

Join us for the Global Rally

A coalition of environmental and climate groups will stand together for the future of our Earth.

After a summer of smoke, fires, and devastating extreme weather events worldwide we will be calling out all levels of government to pass legislation and recognize the importance of our environment, that acknowledges how interrelated health care, land development, and future jobs are, and takes action to ensure the safety of our future. The lives and livelihoods of millions are being impacted, particularly Black, Indigenous, and racialized communities in Canada and the Global South.

On September 16th, we rally, we march, and we demand change!

We will meet at the Clock Tower in Victoria Park at 2:30 pm

Speakers will start at 3:15 pm until 4:15 pm. Come and listen to climate groups, activists, and environmental advocates from Waterloo Region and surrounding.

Local groups will be at the event to share information about their efforts.

Speaker List: 3:15 pm

Smudging & Indigenous Opening - Cheryl Baker

Introduction - 50by30WR - Stephanie Goertz

Kitchener South Green MP Mike Morrice

Council of Canadians - Marilyn Hay

Faith Climate Justice - Kai Reimer-Watts

Kitchener Councillor and NDP MPP Candidate Debbie Chapman

Waterloo Region Labour Council  - Ramzi Abdi

"Intensification" - Brooklin Lake-Wallis

Kitchener Councillor and Green MPP Candidate Aislinn Clancy

Waterloo Region Climate Initiatives - Caterina Lindman

50by30WR & Ontario Climate Emergency Campaign - Barbara Schumacher

This is a great way for you and your family/friends to get more involved in local initiatives.

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Information Tables:

Faith Climate Justice

Council of Canadians

Local Activists held a rally during FordFest on Friday, September 8th to loudly voice opposition to the removal of land from the Greenbelt and other issues. Public opposition to these attacks on Ontario’s environment is surging. Following the revelations by Ontario’s Integrity Commissioner, and those of the Auditor General earlier this month, let’s keep the pressure on and demand the provincial government keep their promise to protect the Greenbelt.

For more information about the global mobilization against fossil fuels see: https://fightfossilfuels.net/

For more information about the greenbelt promise: https://greenbeltpromise.ca/

Register to receive updates

Local groups can also register to set-up tables, run an activity, or speak

Partnered Groups:

Faith Climate Justice

Council of Canadians

Faith Climate Justice:

As Waterloo Region begins the task of "building back better" in the wake of COVID-19, our local economy needs to be reset on firmer foundations of justice that puts people first, while also caring for our planet. This can include, for instance, providing affordable, energy-efficient housing and clean, affordable renewable energy to our community. The essential workers who have kept our community going throughout the pandemic—and the vulnerable people those workers support—can all benefit from a collaborative effort to build a prosperous, sustainable, low carbon community, if we work together with a shared vision forward, grounded in social justice. Now is the time for a just, sustainable transition to a low-carbon local economy.

'The Council of Canadians stands for our most vulnerable People, our beleaguered Planet and our weakening Democracy: we strive to safeguard our 'Commons': public healthcare and public education, social safety nets, protection of our air, land, and water, and protection of our fundamental democratic rights.  We need to shift away from how our governments are increasingly functioning as if part of the private, for profit sector, where funds spent on the safety, security and wellbeing of people or the protection of our shared environment are costs to be cut - rather than investments to be made in individuals, communities and our nation as a whole.  In the private sector, the driving goal is profit which, for the shareholders, is reasonable.  But when it comes to governments and governments, the taxpayer is the shareholder and the funds we entrust to our governments must serve our needs and aspirations as individuals and communities, not those of multinational companies and corporations.  When respect to addressing our exponentially worsening climate crisis, we need our governments to stop giving billions of taxpayer dollars to fossil fuel companies and start investing those billions in a just transition to clean, renewable energy, and we need regulations which put our shared environment first rather than the profit aspirations of companies which pollute our air, land, and water.'