Our government said last month that a green and just recovery will be their number one priority when Parliament resumes this fall. Let’s hold them to it. We don’t have a moment to lose — we know big polluters have been lobbying federal officials to ask for bailouts and rollbacks of environmental rules.
Like Prime Minister Trudeau, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland holds a lot of power when it comes to determining which way the COVID-19 recovery steers our country. We are calling on both of them to prioritize health, better social safety nets and the needs of workers alongside essential investments that protect nature and build resilience to future crises. This means they must fully commit to:
- A fair transition to a sustainable low-carbon economy
- Protecting and restoring of land, freshwater, and ocean ecosystems along with the wildlife that call these places home
- Ending single-use plastics in favour of building a circular economy
- Replacing toxic chemicals used in agricultural, consumer goods and manufacturing with safer alternatives
- Developing accessible, affordable and healthy communities and transportation networks
- Prioritizing social and racial justice, economic equity, and well-being, in partnership with Indigenous Peoples and the communities most exposed to environmental harm
We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a more just, sustainable, and healthy Canada — a Canada that works for everyone, not just a wealthy few. But big polluters are pushing the federal government to funnel recovery spending into their pockets instead. We can’t let this happen.
Millions have already joined the call for a green and just recovery. Today, let’s make sure that Justin Trudeau and Chrystia Freeland keep their promises!
Chrystia Freeland
Minister Chrystia Freeland is Justin Trudeau’s right-hand woman in the federal government and her role has now been expanded to include managing Canada’s finances. As our society recovers from COVID-19, she should lead the way towards a green and just recovery for all .
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Call Chrystia Freeland (Minister’s office: 613-369-3710)
“Hello Minister Freeland, I am calling to ask that you publicly commit to a budget that invests in a green and just recovery. Your government was elected on a mandate to deliver on climate action and build a stronger, more inclusive and more resilient country. You have spoken about the need for sustainable and equitable recovery. There is no better way to do both than by tackling the climate crisis & social inequalities as we recover from COVID-19. Will you commit to a budget that invests in a green and Just Recovery that puts people and our climate first?”
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Hi Minister Freeland,
I want to thank you for your work in these difficult times. As we continue to respond to the COVID-19 health crisis and prepare to rebuild, we cannot go back to the way things were. We need a recovery that puts people first and steers our society towards a climate-safe future.
As Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, you have a lot of influence when it comes to determining which way the COVID-19 recovery steers our country, and you have spoken in support of a green and just recovery. To rebuild our country better and stronger after COVID-19, it’s critical that we address the intersecting crises facing society, including: wealth inequality, colonialism, racism and climate change. As such, the economic recovery plan must ensure a Just Recovery, including these key principles for a green recovery:
- A fair transition to a sustainable low-carbon economy
- Protecting and restoring of land, freshwater, and ocean ecosystems along with the wildlife that call these places home
- Ending single-use plastics in favour of building a circular economy
- Replacing toxic chemicals used in agricultural, consumer goods and manufacturing with safer alternatives
- Developing accessible, affordable and healthy communities and transportation networks
- Prioritizing social and racial justice, economic equity, and well-being, in partnership with Indigenous Peoples and the communities most exposed to environmental harm
The recovery from COVID-19 must make our society more resilient, fair and sustainable. I urge you to develop a recovery plan that invests in a just and green recovery.
Sincerely,
Your name.
Prime Minister Trudeau
Months ago, as the pandemic unfolded, Prime Minister Trudeau himself posed this question to Canadians: “We should always take advantage of moments of crisis to reflect: Can we change the system to do better?” The answer is yes, and the moment is NOW!
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Copy and paste the text below as a comment under Prime Minister Trudeau’s last post on Facebook or Instagram or share and tag him in a story (@justinpjtrudeau):
Call Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister’s office: 1 613-992-4211)
“Hello Prime Minister Trudeau, I am calling to ask that you publicly commit to a budget that invests in a green and just recovery. Your government was elected on a mandate to deliver on climate action and build a stronger, more inclusive and more resilient country. You have spoken about the need for sustainable and equitable recovery. There is no better way to do both than by tackling the climate crisis & social inequalities as we recover from COVID-19. Will you commit to investing in a green and Just Recovery that puts people and our climate first?”
Send an email ([email protected])
Dear Prime Minister Trudeau,
I want to thank you for your work in these difficult times. As we continue to respond to the COVID-19 health crisis and prepare to rebuild, we cannot go back to the way things were. We need a recovery that puts people first and steers our society towards a climate-safe future.
Alongside your new, hand-picked Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, you promised a green and equitable recovery from COVID-19. Now we need you to deliver on this promise in the upcoming Throne Speech and budget.To rebuild our country better and stronger after COVID-19, it’s critical that we address the intersecting crises facing society, including: wealth inequality, colonialism, racism and climate change. As such, any economic recovery plan must ensure a Just Recovery, including these key principles for a green recovery:
- A fair transition to a sustainable low-carbon economy
- Protecting and restoring of land, freshwater, and ocean ecosystems along with the wildlife that call these places home
- Ending single-use plastics in favour of building a circular economy
- Replacing toxic chemicals used in agricultural, consumer goods and manufacturing with safer alternatives
- Developing accessible, affordable and healthy communities and transportation networks
- Prioritizing social and racial justice, economic equity, and well-being, in partnership with Indigenous Peoples and the communities most exposed to environmental harm.
Polling shows that 61% of Canadians want governments to prioritize climate action in their response to the pandemic. Already, we are far, far behind many other countries taking the opportunity the COVID-19 recovery presents to shape a better world — from the green agendas in the European Union and South Korea to the labour reforms being explored in New Zealand.
This is your chance to make your campaign slogan a reality and Choose Forward — make history by transforming Canada to be fairer, kinder, greener. Now is the time to make big shifts. Don’t waste the opportunity by tinkering around the edges.
Sincerely,
Your name.
The federal government has to step up with real support for communities to recover from the pandemic in a way that builds resilience and sustainability. It’s NOT a time for handouts to the oil companies, causing the climate crisis or increasing our vulnerability to threats like climate change.
Let’s speak out together and make sure the recovery plan puts people and nature first.
Thank you and keep the pressure up!
Discussion
A green recovery is by far the best option for a sustainable future. Please make the right decisions. My children and grandchildren are counting on you. Thanks!
Please hear our calls. Thank you.
there us no Planet B
Let’s all help and change...
We need to invest in plant-based agriculture and divest from animal agriculture. I do not support any tax dollars going to subsidize any animal industries. Animal agriculture is the main culprit in destroying this planet.
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Do this for your children's children. Thank you
A fair transition to a sustainable low-carbon economy Protecting and restoring of land, freshwater, and ocean ecosystems along with the wildlife that call these places home Ending single-use plastics in favour of building a circular economy Replacing toxic chemicals used in agricultural, consumer goods and manufacturing with safer alternatives Developing accessible, affordable and healthy communities and transportation networks Prioritizing social and racial justice, economic equity, and well-being, in partnership with Indigenous Peoples and the communities most exposed to environmental harm
This is common sense. What is best for the natural world is best for us. Clear your minds and clear your conscience and get a green economy moving forward as fast as possible. There is no other sane path forward. If you do not, then how will you live with yourself after your tenure is over? Sandford Anderson
The warning signs are loud and clear. If we don't take heed NOW and regard nature, biodiversity, habitat protection, climate change a priority we will destroy this planet. Our arctic ice cap is not far from disappearing and with that polar bears and a whole ecosystem. We absolutely need to heed the loud warning signs and have an aggressive Green plan NOW. Not tomorrow or next week or next year. NOW. I have been extremely disappointed on how badly Canada has rated in the protection of the environment. Very sad that you are ready to destroy our environment and all living things for the almighty dollar.