The Hon. Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, MP for Beaches—East York, presented the petition at a virtual session of the House of Commons on November 5, 2020.
Development and Peace — Caritas Canada has joined over 30 Canadian churches and organizations to launch For the Love of Creation, a faith-based initiative for climate justice and a just recovery. This summer, the initiative collected 2,500 signatures on an e-petition that calls the Government of Canada to:
- Commit to reducing Canadian GHG emissions by 60 percent below 2005 levels by 2030, and invest in a just transition;
- Honour the rights of Indigenous peoples;
- Commit equal support for climate change adaptation and mitigation measures in the Global South;
- Respond to the pandemic in the Global South through debt cancellation and by doubling funding for Canadian international development NGOs.
The petition creates the framework for a green and just recovery in Canada and solidarity with people living in poverty in the Global South. It was presented in the House of Commons on November 5, 2020 and the government must respond by December 20, 2020.
You can help keep up the momentum on these demands by calling or emailing your MP to reiterate the importance of building back better here in Canada and in the Global South. Members of Parliament have a duty to listen to their constituents. Your input can have a big impact on their party’s positions. At a time when the federal government is spending billions to address the health, economic and social impacts of the pandemic, your MP needs to know that Canadians don’t want to go back to the old “normal” of poverty, inequity, climate change and Indigenous rights violations.
How to contact your MP
Find your MP’s contact information and get in touch. You can leave a message with their office, or request a longer in-person, phone or online meeting, depending on the options in your region. If you are meeting the MP, you could go with other Development and Peace members. Also consider inviting your local priest, bishop or a member of a religious community. That would show how concerned faith-based community leaders are about caring for creation and the preferential option for the poor.
What to say to your MP
Here is a sample script for your phone call or email to your MP. Please adapt it to reflect yourself and your concerns:
I am Joanne Smith, a resident of your riding and a member of Development and Peace-Caritas Canada. I have three children and five grandchildren. I care deeply about their future and I know that you do, too. I am very concerned about the pandemic and climate change. I know that the worst impacts of these problems are on poor people, refugees, women and Indigenous peoples.
Thankfully, I have a safe home, a full belly and free healthcare. But I know that many Canadians are struggling to put food on the table. I also know that millions around the world don’t have the luxury of safe isolation and affordable healthcare. I want our government to do more for them.
Canada is investing billions in responding to the pandemic. These investments should benefit the most vulnerable people in Canada and around the world. I want you to insist on a green and just recovery. I want Canada to respect its climate commitments and the rights of Indigenous people.
I want Canada to cancel the debts of the poorest countries. I want Canada to increase international aid for climate change adaptation and pandemic recovery.
Like many Canadians, I have dreamt of a greener, more just world. I am asking you, as my representative, to do everything you can to make this dream a reality.
Thank you for listening. You can reach me by email at (spell your email) or by phone at_____________. Have a great day!
Need more help talking to your MP? Talk to your local animator.
Once you have contacted your MP, tell us about it, by filling in a short report here on our website.
Join the campaign!
As we campaign to rebuild a stronger, healthier, and more just world, we can show that Canadians wish to take a new path. Our vision of a more just and green future requires slashing our greenhouse gas emissions by reducing our consumption and extraction of fossil fuels, reducing inequality by honouring the rights of Indigenous peoples, and enabling countries in the Global South to respond to the pandemic in their countries by cancelling debts and increasing international aid.
We are at a critical juncture for our common home. We must come together to support a global recovery to the pandemic that moves us towards a more sustainable and equitable future for all.
Join our Recovering Together campaign to support a green and just recovery that will build the resilience of communities and address the global climate crisis. Watch the campaign launch webinar and visit the campaign webpage to learn how to raise awareness and funds. You will also find several campaign resources, including the Campaign Guide. To learn more about the ecumenical For the Love of Creation initiative, visit the website.
