Nationwide rallies held against fossil fuel investment, climate crisis
Around 25 people gathered in Moncton, N.B., Saturday to bring awareness to fossil fuels investments, climate change and Indigenous land rights.
Protesters gathered outside the Royal Bank of Canada [RBC] branch on Mountain Road for the second annual Fossil Fools Day.
Rallies were held across Canada in 40 cities from Vancouver to Halifax.
The goal of the rally for those in Moncton was to encourage major corporations and banks like RBC to take their money out of fossil fuel investments and start taking climate change more seriously.
A letter was delivered to an RBC employee inside the branch from the group of concerned citizens.
Protester Rowan Swain said he wants a liveable future.
"I want a just future that I can be proud of and that I can live in," said Swain.
Swain doesn't believe the federal government or RBC is taking climate change serious enough.
"But, people are starting to wake up to this. It's becoming something that we can't ignore. Wildfires, floods, more extreme weather patterns, famines internationally, these are things that are no longer a question of something that might happen in the future, they're happening right now," said Swain.
Christine Lever said the event was organized to bring attention to the way RBC acts as if there is no climate emergency before the financial institution has its general meeting on April 11.
"We are standing here drawing attention to the fact that there really is a climate emergency, it's not made up and we have to do something," said Lever.
In a news release, Fossil Fools Day spokesperson Eve Saint said RBC is having a negative impact on Indigenous lands, water and communities.
Saint is demanding RBC take action by "respecting Indigenous sovereignty, human rights and stop fueling the climate crisis."
Vanessa Gray, the national spokesperson for Fossil Fools Day, said in the news release that RBC must "rapidly phase out fossil fuel financing," and ramp up investment solutions that are climate safe.
RBC spokesperson Jeff Lanthier said the financial institution recognizes the importance for climate action and embraces its role in supporting clients and communities in a speedy transition to a greener economy.
"Supporting our clients on their de-carbonization journey is where we believe we can have the biggest impact in the climate transition," said Lanthier in a statement.
Lanthier went on to say RBC is allocating $1 billion to develop innovative climate solutions by 2030 and has a goal to grow its low carbon energy lending to $35 billion by the same year.
Lever said the group that gathered in Moncton on Saturday is making a concerted effort to bring the message of climate change to the general public in New Brunswick.
"It's an uphill battle, but we're in it for the long haul," said Lever.
A member of the Codiac Regional RCMP was present for Saturday's rally in Moncton, but it concluded after roughly an hour without incident.
For more New Brunswick news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Richard Perry, record producer behind 'You're So Vain' and other hits, dies at 82
Richard Perry, a hitmaking record producer with a flair for both standards and contemporary sounds whose many successes included Carly Simon’s 'You’re So Vain,' Rod Stewart’s 'The Great American Songbook' series and a Ringo Starr album featuring all four Beatles, died Tuesday. He was 82.
Hong Kong police issue arrest warrants and bounties for six activists including two Canadians
Hong Kong police on Tuesday announced a fresh round of arrest warrants for six activists based overseas, with bounties set at $1 million Hong Kong dollars for information leading to their arrests.
Read Trudeau's Christmas message
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued his Christmas message on Tuesday. Here is his message in full.
Stunning photos show lava erupting from Hawaii's Kilauea volcano
One of the world's most active volcanoes spewed lava into the air for a second straight day on Tuesday.
Indigenous family faced discrimination in North Bay, Ont., when they were kicked off transit bus
Ontario's Human Rights Tribunal has awarded members of an Indigenous family in North Bay $15,000 each after it ruled they were victims of discrimination.
What is flagpoling? A new ban on the practice is starting to take effect
Immigration measures announced as part of Canada's border response to president-elect Donald Trump's 25 per cent tariff threat are starting to be implemented, beginning with a ban on what's known as 'flagpoling.'
Dismiss Trump taunts, expert says after 'churlish' social media posts about Canada
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and those in his corner continue to send out strong messages about Canada.
Heavy travel day starts with brief grounding of all American Airlines flights
American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday because of a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive.
King Charles III is set to focus on healthcare workers in his traditional Christmas message
King Charles III is expected to use his annual Christmas message to highlight health workers, at the end of a year in which both he and the Princess of Wales were diagnosed with cancer.