Canadian artists are urging Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Liberal Party to divest from fossil fuels and embrace renewable energy following a summer marked by wildfires and drought in the country. Notable musicians like Sarah Harmer, Tamara Lindeman of the Weather Station, Luna Li, Dan Mangan, and Cris Derksen have endorsed an open letter and petition that will be presented to Parliament on September 17.
Dubbed “Music Draws the Line,” the initiative is spearheaded by Music Declares Emergency Canada and features the full letter on its website, showcasing the signatories. The letter questions the absence of significant climate action, Indigenous sovereignty, and cultural investment in government mandates and speeches. It criticizes the consideration of oil and gas projects under the guise of ‘nation building’ and the proposed fast-tracking of such projects under Bill C-5’s Building Canada Act.
While Carney has not explicitly opposed supporting new pipeline construction, the initial list of “nation-building projects” for accelerated approval did not include one. The proposed projects encompass LNG expansion in B.C., small modular reactor development in Ontario, container terminal expansion in the Port of Montreal, copper mine ventures in Saskatchewan, and the expansion of a copper and gold mine in northwestern B.C.
Music Draws the Line urges the Liberal Party to prioritize climate, reconciliation, and culture by committing to a shift away from fossil fuels, transitioning to renewable energy sources, and centering Indigenous sovereignty. The campaign emphasizes the pressing nature of climate change as a fundamental challenge of our era.
In response to the campaign, Keean Nembhard, press secretary to Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin, highlighted the government’s dedication to combatting climate change, protecting communities, and fostering a sustainable economy through various initiatives. The letter, which initially garnered a few dozen signatures in August, has now amassed over 200 supporters.
The letter’s closing plea emphasizes the urgency of the situation, calling for bold leadership, foresight, and a commitment to future generations.