Dogwood News on B.S. Snap Fed Election

 
 
 
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Welp! Canadian voters are heading to the polls. And while this might feel like an annoying exercise when there are much bigger issues at hand, this election is also an opportunity — to make climate the centre of every conversation from now until September 20.

The Liberals’ climate plan so far has been to acknowledge there’s a climate emergency (to sound progressive!), but then use public money to make it worse (ah, the newest form of climate denial). They’re spending 20 billion dollars to build an oil sands expansion pipeline through unceded Indigenous territories, in a province that is literally on fire.

This is our first election in the grips of dystopian climate breakdown. The question facing voters is how much worse we want things to get.

Yes, the fossil fuel industry is the most powerful unelected force in our country. Oil and gas companies have unlimited money and technology, armies of lobbyists, spies and mercenaries. Their tentacles reach deep into our government and political parties. But corporations can’t vote.

Millions of Canadians are waking up for the first time to the deadly seriousness of the climate crisis. It’s our job to channel peoples’ emotions straight onto their ballot. That starts on the campaign trail.

Every candidate from every party needs to answer two simple questions: First, are you ready to start leaving coal, oil and gas underground where it belongs? And if so, will you fight like hell to cut off government support for fossil fuel expansion? Anything less than a full-throated YES on both questions is a fail, from today forward.

Over the next five weeks, we can set the terms for what we expect from the next government. We'll be working through this election and beyond to build the long-term people power needed to hold any government to account.
 
 

 
 
 
The Prime Minister’s campaign got off to a rocky start in B.C. this week. Rather than face Indigenous youth calling on him to answer their questions about land rights and the climate crisis, Trudeau ignored the group then flew the coop to his awaiting helicopter. -Just in Canada

On another campaign stop in B.C., Justin Trudeau committed more money to suppressing wildfires next year, while ignoring expert advice on how to prevent megafires. At the same time, he’s investing far more in what’s causing the increased frequency and intensity of those fires: extracting and burning fossil fuels. The hypocrisy is intolerable. -CTV News

Erin O’Toole continues to be embarrassingly out of touch on, well, everything — his election platform includes a promise to increase punishments for “people who disrupt pipelines". -The Narwhal

Canada’s federal election may not be wanted. But if we want more and better climate action, it is needed. -National Observer

Every candidates’ debate in this federal election should be using the climate crisis as its jumping off point. But this call for a national leaders’ debate to address the global emergency is a good start. ​​-The Tyee

Scotland could be first country to enact ecocide laws, making environmental destruction a fifth offence their court prosecutes alongside war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression. -The Daily Record

The CBC has developed an online “vote compass”, helping Canadians figure out which political party’s platform best aligns with their values.


Dogwood Recommends: thinking about food security — bee bombs!

Climate fires, draughts and heat waves have been (and will continue to) undermine food security here at home and around the world. But there are many small things farmer and non-farmer folk alike can do to support local food production. Here’s a fun one.

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Taking Action  

Making Art, Making Change
"Any human power can be resisted and changed by human beings. Resistance and change often begin in art." - Ursula K. LeGun

Taking Ursula's words to heart, our volunteer teams are getting their hands dirty with art for social change! This week saw our Lower Mainland team hand-painting banners and screen-printing signs that call out our government for funding oil & gas in the midst of the climate crisis!

 
Want to help us spread the message? Sign up to volunteer with Dogwood! There are art builds, canvassing shifts, and tabling at local events happening every week across the province. Build community, build resistance, and build a better future for BC!  
 
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Dogwood brings together everyday British Columbians to win back decision-making power over our environment, energy and democracy.