Sunshine Coast Sue Big Oil Campaign Launch

Join us for the launch of the Sunshine Coast Sue Big Oil campaign!When: Sunday, Sept 18, 2022 @ 11:00 – 12:30
Where: Roberts Creek Legacy Garden
What: Introduction, Inspiration, and Action for the Sue Big Oil campaign
Speakers: 

Candace Campo, Shishalh Nation
Fiona Koza, West Coast Environmental Law 
Avi Lewis, UBC Centre for Climate Justice
Alaya Boisvert, Sunshine Coast Climate Action Network

For decades, oil and gas corporations have known that burning fossil fuels would cause the heat waves, wildfires, drought, and flooding that we’re now experiencing in BC. These multinational companies spent millions to deceive, deny, and distract us on their way to billions in profit — specifically, $3 billion per day for 50 years — by preventing action on climate change. 
While they are making money, the people of BC are losing lives and untold millions of dollars due to climate change. Hundreds died during the 2021 heat dome, the town of  Lytton was destroyed, and Abbotsford and elsewhere experienced devastating floods. Rising sea levels, decreasing water supplies, destruction of biodiversity, and much more caused by climate change are persistent and growing threats.
Locally, we have seen roads and bridges washed out, docks damaged, homes condemned, millions of sea creatures killed, water supplies depleted, and crops drying up in the fields.
In 2018, the District of Sechelt, along with the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities, voted to join 13 other communities around BC and send Climate Accountability letters to the Big Oil companies. Now, West Coast Environmental Law is spearheading a campaign to force oil and gas corporations to change their business practices and pay their fair share for the harm they’re causing. 
Across British Columbia, municipalities are being asked to join a class action lawsuit to sue the world’s five biggest oil companies (Chevron, Exxon, Saudi Aramco, BP, and Shell) for climate damages and repairs. Vancouver City Council has already voted to join. 
We want the Sunshine Coast to be next! In that effort, a growing group of local climate and environmental activists has created Sunshine Coast Sue Big Oil. We represent a variety of dedicated citizen groups – the Sunshine Coast Conservation Association, the Sunshine Coast Climate Action Network, and others. We are participating in all-candidates meetings in the upcoming municipal elections, canvassing in parks and on the streets, and collecting signatures on petitions. The September Launch will be our formal launch.
For more information, contact Dawn Allen (604-620-5115) or Anthony Paré (604-789-1237)