Nov 9th — Sunny Ways? Justin Trudeau Refuses Solar Panels for 24 Sussex Renovation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                     

 

Over 200 demonstrators sit-in at Rideau Hall over four days to demand a freeze on tar sands expansion

November 9, 2015 (Ottawa) — Almost three hundred people participated in actions of civil disobedience, being called ‘Climate Welcome’, at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s residence in Ottawa. For four days demonstrators marched to Rideau Hall, attempted to deliver ‘welcome gifts’, and staged a sit-in in front of the residence. The actions were planned to demand a freeze on tar sands expansion and a transition to a justice-based, clean energy economy.

On Sunday demonstrators marched to Rideau Hall carrying five large solar panels for the Prime Minisr to incorporate into the renovations at 24 Sussex Drive. There, Indigenous Leaders from across the country, including Tantoo Cardinal, Melina Laboucan-Massimo, and Reuben George gave speeches in front of a crowd of around one hundred people.

Over the last four days, demonstrators delivered gifts demonstrating the need for a freeze on tar sands expansion. Scientific reports, broken treaties with First Nations, millions of signatures from petitions opposing tar sands and pipeline projects, water samples from bodies of water put at risk by tar sands projects from all over the country, and finally five large solar panels, were offered to the Prime Minister’s office to be delivered to Justin Trudeau.

“The solar panels are representative of the “sunny ways” and real climate solutions that we could be using to power Canada’s economy, instead of expanding the tar sands,” said Clayton Thomas-Müller, ‘Stop it at the Source’ campaigner with 350.org Canada. “We hoped that the Prime Minister will incorporate them into renovations at 24 Sussex Drive, and that they serve as a constant reminder of this weekend’s actions, the fiduciary and legal obligations Canada has to Indigenous Peoples, and the investments we must make into renewable energy resources.”

A representative from the Prime Minister’s Office was eventually sent to receive the gifts, but declined to accept the solar panels. Instead he he told demonstrators that the “information [they had] provided would be carefully considered, and incorporated into the Prime Minister’s plan on climate in Paris”. Demonstrators were also assured that they would receive an answer to their demands.

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Media Contact: Amina Moustaqim-Barrette | (514) 229-5843 | [email protected]

Nov 8th Climate Welcome Activists Deliver Four Large Solar Panels to Justin Trudeau’s Door

November 8, 2015 (Ottawa) — Over one hundred people are expected to rally in front of Rideau Hall today in support of the Climate Welcome sit-ins that have taken place since Thursday. Protesters will deliver a set of solar panels as Trudeau’s last ‘welcome gift’ in hopes that they will be incorporated into the renovations at 24 Sussex Drive.

This is the last of four days of sit-ins called ‘Climate Welcome’. The purpose of the actions, organized by 350.org Canada ahead of the UN climate summit in Paris this December, is to call for a freeze on tar sands expansion and a commitment from Trudeau to build a clean energy economy.

Over 200 people from all over Canada have joined the demonstrations over the last four days. Demonstrators have yet to receive an answer to their demands.

When and Where: November 8, 2015. Press interviews at Rideau Falls Park at 10 a.m., march begins towards Rideau Hall at 11 a.m., arriving at Rideau Hall for sit-in and attempting gift presentation at 11:30 a.m.

Visuals: Large group sit-in at the Prime Minister’s residence, youth marching with signs led by First Nations and Indigenous Metis People, large banners, singing and chanting, large solar panels

Twitter: @350Canada #ClimateWelcome #AccueilClimat
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Media Contact:

Amina Moustaqim-Barrette

(514) 229-5843

[email protected]

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Nov 7th Tantoo Cardinal, Ellen Gabriel to Sit-In at Prime Minister’s Residence for Third Day of Climate Welcome Actions

November 7, 2015 (Ottawa) —  Indigenous leaders, including actor Tantoo Cardinal and activist-artist Ellen Gabriel, will lead over 70 people in the third day of sit-ins being called ‘Climate Welcome’ at the Prime Minister’s residence to demand a freeze on tar sands expansion. Individuals from all over the country have sent water samples from bodies of water put at risk by tar sands projects to deliver as gifts to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The purpose of the actions, organized by 350.org Canada ahead of the UN climate summit in Paris this December, is to call for a freeze on tar sands expansion and a commitment from Trudeau to build a clean energy economy.

When and Where: November 5-8, 2015. Daily schedule: Press conference at Rideau Falls at 9:45 a.m., march begins towards Rideau Hall at 11 a.m., arriving at Rideau Hall and attempting gift presentation and sit-in at 11:30 a.m.

Visuals: Large group sit-in at the Prime Minister’s residence, led by First Nations and Indigenous Metis People, marching with signs, large banners, singing and chanting, dozens of bottles of water samples from bodies of water potentially affected by the tar sands, Indigenous round dancing.

Twitter: @350Canada #ClimateWelcome #AccueilClimat
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Media Contact:

Amina Moustaqim-Barrette

(514) 229-5843

[email protected]

 

Nov 6th – Ottawa Climate Change Demonstrators React to Keystone XL Announcement

Youth, Indigenous leaders and environmental activists sitting in at the Canadian Prime Minister’s residence are reacting to President Obama’s announced rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline.

Clayton Thomas-Muller, Stop it at the Source Campaigner with 350.org Canada, says, “Obama’s rejection of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline sets a new standard for political climate action. Justin Trudeau needs to take note that it is time now to listen to the science, to Indigenous Peoples, and to freeze tar sands expansion. We are here sitting-in at the Prime Minister’s house, filled with exhilaration and a awe at the power of social movements like the climate justice movement, and how it is actively diffusing the greatest crisis of our time. It’s Justin Trudeau’s turn now to act and to commit to a freeze on tar sands expansion. Because it’s 2015.”

Around 70 people, mostly youth, are sitting-in and risking arrest at the Prime Minister’s residence today for the second of four days of climate change demonstrations. The purpose of the actions, organized by 350.org Canada ahead of the UN climate summit in Paris this December, is to call for a freeze on tar sands expansion and pipelines and a commitment from Trudeau to build a clean energy economy.

 Amina Moustaqim-Barrette

(514) 229-5843

[email protected]

Nov 6th – Youth and Students Lead Second Day of Sit-In and Gift Presentation at Prime Minister’s Residence to Demand Climate Action

November 6 (Ottawa, ON)— Around 70 people, mostly youth, will be joining a sit-in and gift presentation at the Prime Minister’s residence today. Participants will be risking arrest as they attempt to deliver 30 boxes full of millions of signatures from petitions to stop tar sands and pipelines to Trudeau.

This is the second of four days of sit-ins and gift presentations being called the ‘Climate Welcome’. The purpose of the actions, organized by 350.org Canada ahead of the UN climate summit in Paris this December, is to call for a freeze on tar sands expansion and a commitment from Trudeau to build a clean energy economy.

When and Where: November 5-8, 2015. Daily schedule: Press conference at Rideau Falls at 9:45 a.m., march begins towards Rideau Hall at 11 a.m., arriving at Rideau Hall and attempting gift presentation and sit-in at 11:30 a.m.

Visuals: Large group sit-in at the Prime Minister’s residence, youth marching with signs led by First Nations and Indigenous Metis People, large banners, singing and chanting, boxes full of millions of signatures from petitions. Participants risking arrest.

Twitter: @350Canada #ClimateWelcome #AccueilClimat

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Contact: Amina Moustaqim-Barrette, (514) 229-5843, [email protected]

Nov 5th – Dozens Risking Arrest for Day 1 of Sit-Ins at Prime Minister’s Residence in Demand of Climate Action

November 5, 2015 (Ottawa) — Dozens from across Canada are risking arrest by marching to the Prime Minister’s residence and sitting-in at Rideau Hall. The protesters will also be attempting to deliver a gift to Trudeau of scientific reports and broken treaties with First Nations.

This is the first of four days of sit-ins and gift-giving being called the ‘Climate Welcome’. The purpose of the actions, organized by 350.org Canada ahead of the UN climate summit in Paris this December, is to call for a freeze on tar sands expansion and a commitment from Trudeau to build a clean energy economy.

When and Where: November 5-8, 2015. Daily schedule: Press conference at Rideau Falls at 9:45 a.m., march begins towards Rideau Hall at 11 a.m., arriving at Rideau Hall for sit-in and attempting gift presentation at 11:30 a.m.

Visuals: Large group sit-in at the Prime Minister’s residence, youth marching with signs led by First Nations and Indigenous Metis People, large banners, singing and chanting, dozens of reports detailing the scientific, economic and human rights case for freezing tar sands expansion and building a justice-based clean energy economy.

Twitter: @350Canada #ClimateWelcome #AccueilClimat
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Media Contact:

Amina Moustaqim-Barrette

(514) 229-5843

[email protected]

Nov 2nd – Hundreds to Sit-In and Risk Arrest at Prime Minister- Elect Justin Trudeau’s Residence to Demand Climate Action

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 2, 2015

Contact: Amina Moustaqim-Barrette,  (514) 229-5843, [email protected]

Hundreds to Sit-In and Risk Arrest at Prime Minister-Elect Justin Trudeau’s Residence to Demand Climate Action

November 3, 2015 (Ottawa) — Hundreds of youth, Indigenous leaders, and prominent environmental activists will be risking arrest by marching to the Prime Minister’s residence, sitting-in, and delivering welcome gifts for what is being called a ‘Climate Welcome’.

The purpose of this action, organized by 350.org ahead of the UN climate summit in Paris this December, is to call for a freeze on tar sands expansion and a commitment from Trudeau to build a clean energy economy.

When: Every day from November 5 – 8

Where: Press conference at Rideau Falls at 9:45 a.m., march begins towards Rideau Hall at 11 a.m., arriving at Rideau Hall and attempting gift presentation at 11:30 a.m.

Visuals: Large group sit-in at the Prime Minister’s residence, people marching with signs led by First Nations and Indigenous Metis People, large banners, singing and chanting.

• Thursday, November 5 – Gifts of millions of signatures from petitions opposing pipeline and tar sands expansion
• Friday, November 6 – Gift of scientific reports and broken treaties with First Nations by previous governments
• Saturday, November 7- Gift of water samples from bodies of water across Canada put at risk by tar sands pipelines
• Sunday, November 8 – Gift of solar panels to incorporate into renovations of 24 Sussex Drive

Twitter: @350Canada #ClimateWelcome #AccueilClimat

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Contact: Amina Moustaqim-Barrette,  (514) 229-5843, [email protected]

Nov 3rd 2015 – 350.org Canada Reacts to TransCanada’s Request to Pause Keystone XL Review

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE           

Ottawa, ON — 350.org’s Stop it at the Source Campaigner, Clayton Thomas Muller issued the following reaction to the news that TransCanada has requested that the Unites States State Department pause its review of the Keystone XL pipeline:

“Four years ago, the fight to stop tar sands expansion that started with Indigenous Peoples in Alberta grew to become the lightning rod of the US environmental movement with a powerful sit-in at the White House. Now, it’s clear that TransCanada has lost and they recognize this loss. This is one of the greatest victories for this movement in decades, and now it’s time to bring this momentum to Canada. On Thursday I’ll be helping to launch what could be the largest act of civil disobedience in the history of Canada’s climate movement to call for our new Prime Minister to listen to the people, freeze tar sands expansion and commit to building a clean, just energy future.”

For more information about the Climate Welcome sit-ins planned to start this week: http://climatewelcome.ca/

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Twitter: @350Canada #ClimateWelcome #AccueilClimat
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Contact: Amina Moustaqim-Barrette,  (514) 229-5843, a[email protected]

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Oct 29th 2015 – Strategic Youth Voters Say Trudeau Risks Alienating them with Inadequate Climate Stance

Youth release open letter pledging non-violent civil disobedience to demand Trudeau commit to a freeze in tar sands expansion

OTTAWA, ON (October 28, 2015)- Today, an open letter addressed to Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau was published by youth planning to sit-in at 24 Sussex Drive from November 5-8 in demand of bold climate action, ahead of the UN summit on climate change.  

The open letter, signed by youth of “the strategic, ‘anything but Harper’ vote”, states that while Canada’s primary collective goal of stopping Stephen Harper was achieved, Prime Minister designate Justin Trudeau’s refusal to commit to climate targets is worrisome. The letter goes on to call on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to take “bold action to reverse the extensive damage that has already been done, and to prevent the worst effects of climate change.”

Scientists say that 85% of tar sands reserves must stay in the ground to keep within the limit of 2ºC of warming for a safe climate. “Despite repeated inquiries from Canadians across the nation, Justin Trudeau has failed to elaborate on plans to reduce carbon emissions, and failed to provide any sort of emissions targets ahead of the climate negotiations in Paris,” explained Kristen Perry, a strategic youth voter and letter signatory.  

Another of the letter’s signatories, Ellen Gillies, explained that the goal of the “Climate Welcome” actions are to “demand that Justin Trudeau commit to what scientists have been calling for for years: a freeze in tar sands expansion and a justice-based shift to a clean energy economy.” Since the announcement of the actions in early October, hundreds of people have signed up to take part.

Organizers estimate that it could be the largest action of its kind in the history of Canada’s climate movement. The sit-ins come a few short weeks before Trudeau is scheduled to appear at the international climate summit in Paris.

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Contact: Amina Moustaqim-Barrette,  (514) 229-5843, a[email protected]

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Full letter here.

Oct 26th – 350.org Responds to Plans for Renovations at 24 Sussex Drive during Climate Sit-Ins

With the announcement of renovations to be done at 24 Sussex Drive, and of Prime Minister-Elect Justin Trudeau’s absence from the residence during the planned climate sit-ins from November 5-8, Clayton Thomas-Muller, ‘Stop it at the Source’ campaigner with the global climate change campaign 350.org has issued the following statement:

“In light of the renovations being done to 24 Sussex Drive, we are happy to announce that we’ll be delivering a special housewarming gift to the residence for Prime Minister-Elect Justin Trudeau: Canadian made solar panels. We hope these panels will be incorporated into the renovations as a symbol of Trudeau’s commitment to combatting climate change and moving Canada towards a justice-based, clean energy economy.

These solar panels are one of many gifts that we’ll be delivering for the climate sit-ins from November 5-8, and with Justin Trudeau relocating just across the street, it will be easy for him to come collect the rest.”

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Contact: Amina Moustaqim-Barrette,  (514) 229-5843, a[email protected]