Durban, South Africa - Canadians of all walks of life, including people from the Canadian Youth Delegation, the Polaris Institute, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, Alternatives, the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union, the Public Service Alliance of Canada and others have come together to march in the Global Day of Action at the UN climate conference in Durban, South Africa.  

“Civil society from around the world are joining together today to demand that governments take action to address climate change,” said Tony Clark of the Polaris Institue, “but of all countries, the Canadian government who are recognized as the most obstructive at the climate negotiations.”  

In just the past week, more reports have been released exposing Canadian government lobbying to weaken the EU fuel quality directive regulations, to allow the import of dirty tar sands fuel. Minister Kent has also refused to deny that Canada will be legally withdrawing from the Kyoto protocol.  These actions commit the planet to irreversible climate change, violate human rights, and destroy Canada’s international reputation.  

“Unlike our government, who puts the interests of dirty industry before the interests of the people and the planet, Canadians want clean air, meaningful employment, and just futures for their children,” said Natasha Peters from the Canadian Youth Delegation.  

Representatives from labour, youth, and environmental groups from Canada will be marching together to call on the government to put lives of people before the pocket books of polluters.

High resolution photos from the march will be available afterwards

When: 9 am SAST onwards, Saturday, December 3, 2011.

Where: Botha’s Garden, Durban, South Africa

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