We mobilized in unprecedented numbers in this election to elect Green New Deal champions. 

Now let’s get to work.

Demand a Green New Deal

Photo Credit: Desiree Wallace

A timeline of how young people made climate and a Green New Deal front and centre in the 2019 election:

Our Strategy: 

We made sure climate was front and centre in the 2019 election with our plan to organize, strike, vote, organize:

  1. Make the climate crisis a central election issue by participating in the largest climate mobilization in global history. On September 27th nearly 1 million across the country people joined the Global Climate Strike.
  2. Organize in our communities to push candidates and parties to champion a Green New Deal. Our Time local hubs across the country are organizing creative actions to push political leaders of all stripes. Join an organizing hub near you.
  3. Turn out a historic youth vote behind Green New Deal champions by training thousands of young people to engage and organize their communities. And by backing some of the most vocal champions across the country. We elected 8 Green New Deal champions on October 21.
  4. Mobilize our power after the election to push MPs to work across party lines to implement a Green New Deal that works for people and the planet. Sign the petition here.

 

 

Meet Our Squad of Green New Deal Champions

Leah Gazan – Winnipeg Centre

A pillar in the Winnipeg community for nearly 30 years, Leah has spent her life fighting for human rights on the local, national, and international stage. She has a track record as a tireless advocate for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and for UNDRIP. Leah is a new MP who won her seat in office after running a bold and inspiring grassroots campaign in the 2019 election. Leah wasted no time getting to work. She met with Our Time organizers on her first day in Ottawa and enthusiastically accepted the Our Time mandate letter.

Matthew Green – Hamilton Centre

A former Hamilton city councillor and long-time community activist, Matthew Green has been all-in on a Green New Deal for Canada since jumping into the fray of federal politics. He ran an energizing justice-centered campaign in the 2019 election that inspired the Our Time community from coast to coast. His actions post-election continue to inspire us. On October 28th, Matthew stepped out of new MP orientation to greet young people who were occupying the House of Commons and calling for a Green New Deal. Matthew was the first MP to accept our mandate letter and commit to its demands.

Jenny Kwan – Vancouver East

An immigrant to Canada, Jenny Kwan is a politician and an organizer who bridges the divide between Vancouver’s social movements and the political realm. She is a regular presence at climate movement events in her community and beyond. On her first day back at work after being re-elected to represent Vancouver East for a second term, Jenny proudly accepted the Our Time mandate letter and its demands.

Peter Julian – New Westminster—Burnaby

Peter Julian was born and raised in the riding he’s represented in Parliament since 2004. After the 2019 election, Peter not only met with Our Time organizers, he handed us the Green New Deal motion he plans to file on November 12 in exchange for our mandate letter.  His Green New Deal motion calls for “net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, millions of green economy jobs, investments in infrastructure and industry, guaranteed access to clean water, air, healthy food and nature, and [to] address historic and present inequalities suffered by First Nations, Metis, Inuit peoples as well as vulnerable communities.”

Daniel Blaikie – Elmwood—Transcona

First elected in 2015 in the closest race in the country, Daniel Blaikie has been involved in social, environmental, and labour causes throughout his life. Right after his re-election, he met with Our Time organizers and accepted their mandate letter.

Niki Ashton – Churchill—Keewatinook Aski

First elected in 2008 at the age of 26, Niki has fought for youth, climate action, Indigenous rights, and social justice throughout her time in office, showing a willingness to push the boundaries of what is politically possible. Niki was among the first MPs to accept the Our Time mandate letter after the 2019 federal election.

Alexandre Boulerice – Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie

Alexandre Boulerice was a journalist and worked in the labour movement before he was first elected in 2011. Although always concerned about the environment and climate, a Green New Deal became a top priority for him after the release of the 2018 IPCC report. He shared a photo of himself with our mandate letter.

Don Davies – Vancouver Kingsway

Before he was elected for the first time in 2008, Don Davies worked as a labour lawyer. Committed to his community and to his role as an MP, he has introduced more legislation than any MP in the House of Commons during his tenure. He shared his support for our mandate letter, along with a photo of himself with Victoria MP, Laurel Collins.





Blogs

October 28, 2019

Earlier today, I was arrested

At 9:30 am on October 28th, 27 young people were arrested today occupying the House of Commons calling on our newly elected MPs to come together, put partisan politics aside, and govern for a Green New Deal. Here’s a personal account from one of them.

October 22, 2019

About last night

We’re in a critical window right now, where the priorities of our next government are up for negotiation. Let’s speak up.

October 21, 2019

We’ve built something special.

Before polls closed on Oct. 21, Our Time campaign manager, Amara Possian, sent out one last e-mail with some reflections about the campaign.

October 16, 2019

These 10 candidates will change politics — let’s get them elected.

Our Time is organizing an inter-generational alliance of voters to turn out to elect these champions and we really need your help in these critical races.
10 of our Green New Deal champions are running in some of the tightest races in the country. Here’s who they are and how you can support them.

October 8, 2019

Climate and the Leaders’ Debate

Last night climate change was one of the most discussed issues during the English Federal Leaders’ Debate. Between the shouting matches and bickering over who is worse for Canada, and the significant air time wasted on a white nationalist like Maxime Bernier, 21 minutes were devoted to climate change. It came up during conversations about the economy, about leadership, about Indigenous rights, and other debate topics.

October 3, 2019

Our Time Newsletter 11

It’s E-18, and we’re still buzzing from last Friday’s massive climate strikes. That’s why today’s newsletter is a bit of a special edition. Instead of the usual format, we just wanted to highlight the next steps we’re taking to turn this outpouring of energy into momentum for a made-in-Canada Green New Deal. (Photo Credit: Nhattan Nguyen)

September 25, 2019

Our Time Newsletter 10

It’s E-26, and big things are happening. Last week, more than 4 million people turned out for the first wave of Global Climate Strikes, and this Friday, millions more will take part in cross-Canada mobilizations during the second wave. Plus, just yesterday, we announced 16 new candidate endorsements, bringing our total number of Green New Deal champions to 29.

September 18, 2019

Our Time Newsletter 9

There are 33 days left to election day, and while the campaign is just getting going, Our Time is in full swing. Our message of the week: Millions of people around the world are joining the upcoming global climate strikes. Are our politicians paying attention?

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