Canadian Teens Suing Government Over Climate Change

A lawsuit has been filed against the government of Canada by teenagers who claim that the country is not doing enough to decrease the effects of climate change.

The plaintiffs say that Canada is one of the 10 highest greenhouse gas (GHG) releasers in the world and continue to cause, contribute, and allow the emissions, despite knowing that GHGs cause climate change.

“Serious harms from climate change are already occurring across Canada and are disproportionately harming children and youth,” the lawsuit states.

The plaintiffs allege that the corrective measures that have been implemented by the government of Canada are not enough to stem the tide against climate change.

The Canada climate change lawsuit also claims that the country continues to participate in and support the growth of industries that involve fossil fuels which put forth levels of GHGs that are not compatible with a Stable Climate System.

“Because of their vulnerability and their age, these individuals and the generations of children and youth to follow will continue to bear a disproportionate share of the burden of climate change,” the plaintiffs allege.

In addition, the plaintiffs say that the defendants have a “common law and constitutional obligation” to safeguard the common natural resources that are important to maintaining human life and liberties.

An article in CBC states that the lawsuit was filed right before a climate change strike in Vancouver, which was attended by 16-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg.

The lawsuit claims that the Canadian government has not been committed to reducing GHG emissions to a point that is consistent with the best available scientific information. Also, the plaintiffs allege that the defendants have not fulfilled their promises to reduce GHG emissions.

The Canadian teens also state that the defendants continue to encourage the transport, export, and import of fossil fuels by accepting and regulating fossil fuel infrastructure, which includes gas and oil pipelines.

“They have also aggravated the harms suffered by the plaintiffs by Impugned Conduct that causes, allows and contributes to dangerous levels of GHG emissions,” the Canada lawsuit claims.

The lawsuit continues by asking the court for an order that would require the defendants to develop and implement a plan who’s goal would be to reduce GHG emissions “consistent with Canada’s fair share of the global carbon budget necessary to achieve GHG emissions reductions consistent with the protection of public trust resources subject to federal jurisdiction and the plaintiffs’ constitutional rights.”

The teens also claim that the Canadian government has created numerous national plans aimed at decreasing GHG emissions, but none of the plans would meet the country’s obligation to “protect public trust resources, or Canada’s children.”

“Because GHGs, particularly CO2, remain in the atmosphere for many centuries, each year that emissions fail to decline increases the rate of emissions reductions needed in following years to avoid irreversible damage,” the lawsuit states.

Do you agree with the teenagers who have filed this climate change lawsuit against Canada? Leave a message in the comments section below.

The plaintiffs are represented by Joseph J. Arvay, O.C., Q.C. and Catherine Boies Parker, Q.C. of Arvay Finlay LLP and Chris Tollefson and Anthony Ho of the Tollefson Law Corporation.

The Canada Climate Change Lawsuit is Cecilia La Rose, et al. v. Her Majesty The Queen in Right of Canada, Case No. 1750-19, in the Federal Court of Canada.

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