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Unfulfilled climate change promise from PM Trudeau prompts upcoming Penticton protest

Citizens calling for action from Ottawa are expected to meet at Service Canada office Saturday
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A previous climate change protest in Penticton from July of 2021. Organizers of the “Penticton Day of Action for a Just Transition” have announced an upcoming gathering on 386 Ellis Street on Saturday (March 12). (Brennan Phillips - Penticton Western)

A three-year-old, unfulfilled election promise from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has sparked an upcoming protest in Penticton, set to go on Saturday (March 12).

Community members concerned about climate change and lack of progress on Trudeau’s “Just Transition Act” are expected to meet in front of the Service Canada office on 386 Ellis Street at 11 a.m.

“It’s been nearly three years since Justin Trudeau promised the Just Transition Act and we haven’t seen any serious progress,” the organizers of the protest wrote in an email.

“Meanwhile, our communities are experiencing extreme climate impacts and a multi-year global pandemic with the economic crisis it has fuelled. Inequality between the wealthy and those struggling to make ends meet has soared.”

Frustration over the lack of action from Ottawa has prompted organizers to call the protest “Penticton Day of Action for a Just Transition.”

“Citizens across Canada are demanding that the government passes a Just Transition Act that would give all workers the opportunity to be trained in well-paid green jobs,” it adds.

The act, legislation that would create new economic institutions to implement a green transition, was presented as a campaign promise by the prime minister ahead of the 2019 Canadian federal election.

Parts of B.C. experienced extreme weather throughout 2021, including the heat dome and wildfires during the summer and atmospheric rivers and flooding in the fall.

READ MORE: Victims of heatwave and flood events to be honoured in vigil in Penticton

READ MORE: B.C.’s year of extreme weather ‘consistent’ with climate change, meteorologist says


@lgllockhart
logan.lockhart@pentictonwesternnews.com

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