150+ organizations across Canada publish open letter to federal government calling for a Youth Climate Corps
NOVEMBER 13 - Today, the Climate Emergency Unit, along with 150+ organizations and institutions across the country, published an open letter calling on the federal government to announce and establish a Youth Climate Corps. Signatories are releasing the letter ahead of COP29 in Baku and the upcoming Fall Economic Statement: the next opportunity for an announcement of this scale. Signatory organizations span many sectors, from climate, labour, Indigenous, faith, education, such as the Canadian Association of University Teachers, the BC Federation of Teachers, Vote16 Canada, CUPE Ontario, the Climate Caucus, and the Green Economy Network.
Highlighting the need for action, the signatories write: “It is time to create an audacious and compelling new public program that mobilizes tens of thousands of young people to confront the climate emergency – this defining generational challenge – all while creating good, green jobs.”
The letter states that “these times call for the transformational opportunities of a Youth Climate Corps. While action on the file is promising, now is the time to show that governments can act quickly and decisively in times of crisis.” Warning against a delay, signatories add that “in order for the YCC to launch with the momentum it needs to succeed, it will need a significant announcement by the end of 2024. Conversely, waiting until the spring of 2025 to launch will leave this government unprepared and shorthanded to successfully launch a program of this size.”
“While we agree that consultations will be necessary to create the best version of the program, we should not be waiting until they are over for an announcement,” said Bushra Asghar, an organizer with the campaign. “Rather, building excitement through a commitment now means we can prepare for the inevitable popularity of this program once it launches.”
“Heading into an election year, we need the courage and leadership to deliver the kind of action that gets people eager to be a part of climate solutions,” added Juan Vargas, another organizer with the campaign. “Holding out on youth by waiting to make a Youth Climate Corps an election promise will lead to the exact same kind of disenchantment and anger that is disenfranchising thousands of us. Tens of thousands of young people eagerly await an invitation from their government to meet this generational challenge. ”
Organizers and campaigners will continue to build momentum and pressure to act.
Read the full open letter (in English et en français) and list of signatories here.
-xx-
Media Contacts:
Bushra Asghar, campaign co-lead, Montreal, 416-315-3298, bushra@climateemergencyunit.ca
Juan Vargas, campaign co-lead, Edmonton, 403-928-4248, juan@climateemergencyunit.ca
