When the Truth and Reconciliation report was released in 2015, many saw it as a chance to finally acknowledge the past and move forward together in a harmonious relationship with the Indigenous peoples on whose land we live and work. Fast forward to five years later and while the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to threaten peoples’ health and disrupt their lives, industry is pushing ahead with projects that disregard Indigenous rights, including the right to Free, Informed and Prior Consent. From east coast to west coast, we continue to see racist harassment and violence directed against Indigenous people, often in the name of land and resource theft. Government is complicit in these ongoing acts of colonial violence whether they support industry outright or stand aside and do nothing. Both stances are an abdication of duty. They are the continuation of a genocidal Canadian protocol that puts profits above the health and wellbeing of Indigenous communities, valuing industrial projects more than human rights.

On Monday morning, the Just Recovery principles launched! People are ready for a #JustRecoveryforAll, a positive transformation of society that stems from COVID instigated reforms. According to EKOs research from earlier in May, 73% of Canadians are ready in fact! This bodes well for the change we need to see, to #BuildBackBetter, to address the inequalities that are currently embedded in our system and make choices that protect our long-term health and wellbeing.

Art by Corrina Keeling

News about our government’s actions during COVID-19, in relation to a potential oil and gas bail-out, is coming in fast! Toronto350 members support a just recovery where funds go directly to workers, people and communities, helping create a greener, healthier future. This post is the first in a series of responses. Also, see the end of the blog for a recap of what’s happened provincially and federally so far.

On September 27th, Friday’s For Future Toronto (F4FTO) spearheaded the Global Climate strike which drew crowds of 50,000+ to Queen’s Park. Now, the F4FTO youth organizers for Climate Strikes Canada are planning their next global climate strike!

The strike will take place on Black Friday, November 29th, the Friday before the UN Climate Change Conference in Madrid, Spain. The rally will be at Queen’s Park at 11:30 with the March at 12 noon. Find the facebook event listing at Global Strike for Climate Justice.

written by Isabella, Climate Striker and member of Fridays for Future Toronto.

For the first time in history, people around the world are faced, with varying levels, the same threat regardless of gender, race, age, socio-economic status, religion or culture. From September 20-27, the climate crisis will be put front-stage internationally as millions of climate justice supporters rally, strike and support.

Join in on a week of climate actions, September 20 - 27th. This Global Week of Climate Justice Action is being led by youth Climate Strikers and here in Toronto, it begins with a youth rally and teach-in on September 20th and ends with a global strike that, to quote the Fridays for Future event page, involves all of us - "unions, workers, parents, grandparents, every single one" of us.