This week in the Activist Agenda:

• Kidical Mass Rides (week long)
• New Park Opening Ceremony
• Drinks for Density
• Land Alliance March (solidarity)
• Weekly Climate Strike – Fridays
• Starbucks “Drop the Plant-Based Milk Surcharge”
• Peace Avenue Weekly Bike Ride – Wednesdays
• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
• Orange Shirt Day
• The Art of Honouring the Land and the Water
• Edmonton Rodeo Protest
• Fourth Annual Run for Palestine
• Kidical Mass Ride Edmonton
• Socktober – Month long
• Drawdown Ecochallenge – Month long
• International Day of Non-Violence
• Four Our Kids Banking Campaign Meet-Up
• Plant-Based Treaty and Tofurky Giveaway
• Horsehit
• The Intersections of Black and Indigenous Liberation
• Climate Camp
• October Potluck
• How To Festival: How to Grow a Thousand-Year-Old Tree
• Zoning Bylaw Council Meeting and Public Hearing
• Vegan Outreach Workshop: Inspiring Behaviour Change
• The Colonial Urge to Commodify the Climate Crisis: Unpacking False Solutions

I will be posting some items that are for information purposes only. These are in case anyone reading this would like to show up as a counter-protest to the actions, learn about how groups like Take Back Alberta are mobilizing, etc. They are better organized in many cases. I have highlighted these items with a gray background as exampled by this paragraph.
This articile in the National Observer shows some of their tactics. This is not only about climate change and 15-minute cities but many of our social tenants are being pushed to align more to the far-right ideology complete with the religious overtones.
Check out this video by Take Back Alberta lead spokesperson David Parker.

I have put up several pages of information to help people get involved in the activist scene in Edmonton. Check out the menu above to see a current list of resources and information (it is a work in progress).
The idea of the Activist Agenda is to be a central hub of information to help people access that information so that they can become involved. It is focused on activism and community in Edmonton and area.

Issues presently posted on this website. Easy access to groups and information to get involved – getting active (with more to come):

• Animal Rights/Welfare/Diet
• Climate Crisis – Climate Justice
• Environment – General
• Food
• Housing/Homelessness/Houselessness
• Media
• Peace
• Petitions
• Racism
• Social Justice
• Transportation/Mobility
• Waste/Littering/Plastic Pollution

Video of the Week

September 16th – 24th – Kidical Mass Action Days: “Become a part of it and organize a Kidical Mass, a school street, or a bike bus/bicibus. We have an open source platform with information and materials to get you started. We are a worldwide movement and it is still growing.”
There is an event on October 1st. See below.
URL: Kids on Bikes – Kidical Mass
Hashtags: #KidicalMass #StreetsforEveryone #StreetsforKids

September 24th, Sunday – City of Edmonton New Park Opening Ceremony: “Join us for an exciting event this Sunday, September 24th, for the grand opening of the NE River Valley Park! The countdown has begun, and you’re invited.”
Time: 11am – 4pm
Location: 903 153 Avenue NE
Website: City of Edmonton

September 25th, Monday – Drinks for Density: Meet like-minded urbanists, build a better city and support one of the fantastic local businesses that better city planning makes possible. “Grow Together Edmonton, Paths for People and Climate Justice Edmonton are coming together for a meet, greet and planning session in support of Edmonton’s new Zoning Bylaw.
Between beers and a few introductions, we’ll discuss the importance of zoning to our city’s climate, affordability and vitality, and help map out effective strategies for speaking with council about this and the future of smart, sustainable growth in Edmonton.
Come out and show everyone what a great city has to offer. After all, urbanists that drink together, grow together.”
Time: Doors at 7, talks at 7:30
Location: Bent Stick Brewing Co, 9926 78 Avenue
Register: Eventbrite

September 27th, Wednesday – Land Alliance March: “Five First Nations from Northern Ontario will come to Toronto to lead a march calling on Premier Ford to end unwanted mining activity on our Territories.  These five strong First Nations have formed a historic alliance to protect our lands and waters in the face of mounting concerns about encroachment on our territories by mining exploration companies who have been enabled by the Ford Government.”
This is happening in Toronto, but we can help support this action by Tweeting about it (Hashtags #FreeGrassyNarrows, #FreeGrassy #GrassyNarrows #LandAlliance, #MarchForTheLand), Retweeting, donating, etc.
Stay tuned for a possible solidarity action in Edmonton.
Website: Free Grassy Narrows

September 27th, Wednesday – Starbucks “Drop the Plant-Based Milk Surcharge”: “There are so many reason’s why Starbuck should drop the dairy surcharge already. Do we really have to count the ways in which dairy is bad for the environment and your health? Well I am not going to. You can google peer reviewed studies that prove my point.
The most important reason however to drop the dairy surcharge is because of the suffering the Dairy Cows go through. The surcharge should be applied to the product that is causing the most damage to the animals and the world. Plant milk does not harm the animals. While there is discussion and debate on the most harmful nut out there, it is clear that Animal Agriculture and the Dairy Industry are the most harmful nuts out there.
So with that being said, Lets sit in a Starbucks until they kick us out with signs and stickers and then move outside to show the public the absurdity.
Be Vegan!
Time: 11 am – 2 pm
Location: Starbucks, 11926 – 104th Avenue
More information: Edmonton Animal Save – Facebook page

September 27th, Wednesday – Weekly Bike Ride: Peace Avenue Bike Ride
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: 118th avenue and 103rd Avenue
Facebook: Peace Avenue Bike Club

September 29th, Friday – Weekly Climate Strike: A weekly reminder to Edmontonians that we are in a Climate Emergency.
We are restarting the weekly morning climate strikes.
Extra signs will be available for people to use – or bring your own.
Time: 8 am to 9 am
Location: 109thstreet and 88th Avenue
Facebook: Edmonton Climate Strike

September 30th, Saturday – White Peace Poppy: The White Peace Poppy is an acknowledgement of ALL victims of war – civilians, refugees, ‘collateral victims’, etc. I even go further and want to protect the environment, animals (domesticated and wild), justice (No Justice, No Peace), damage/destruction of infrastructure and services that impact people, etc by advocating for peace.
Some groups offer – red poppies for remembrance and white poppies for a peaceful future. I can wholeheartedly support that.
A fellow peace activist recently wrote me – “it’s not enough to remember those who died in wars (red poppy) —you also have to work for peace –the white poppies.”
White poppies are worn every year by thousands of people across the UK [and in many places around the world – including Edmonton, AB, Canada] and beyond. They were first produced in the aftermath of the First World War, to hold on to the key message of remembrance, ‘never again’. They stand for three things:
1. Remembrance of all victims of war, including both civilians and members of the armed forces. We remember people of all nationalities. We remember those killed in wars happening now, as well as in the past. We also remember those who are often excluded from the mainstream, such as refugees and victims of colonial conflicts.
2. Challenging war and militarism, as well as any attempt to glorify or celebrate war. White poppies encourage us to question the way war is normalised and justified. They remind us of the need to resist war and its causes today.
3. A commitment to peace and to seeking nonviolent solutions to conflict. By drawing attention to the devastating human cost of war, white poppies highlight the urgency of our ongoing struggle for peace.”
I will set up a table to offer free White Peace Poppies. I will also be setting up a display of #ClimateStrike/#EndFossilFuels signage in the area so if people want to come and show solidarity with this message – please join me.
Time: 11 am to 3 pm (I may step away for a meal or washroom break)
Location: Old Strathcona Farmer’s Market
More Information: Peace Pledge Union

September 30th, Saturday – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: “The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.”
The City of Edmonton also marks this day.

September 30th, Saturday – Orange Shirt Day: “Creating awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of Indian Residential Schools.”
You can show your solidarity and support for justice and truth by wearing an orange shirt on this day.
There is also a run in Edmonton that you can participate in and most schools and education ffacilties are encouraging people to wear an orange shirt on this day. Powerful visual when you see a whole crowd wearing orange in the hallways.
The City of Edmonton also marks this day.

September 30th, Saturday – The Art of Honouring the Land and the Water: “On National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, you’re invited to an enlightening and transformative event that celebrates Indigenous stewardship of the land and water. At the heart of our gathering, two revered Indigenous Elders will engage in a profound discussion on the paramount significance of fostering connections between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Organizations and Communities.
This day of reflection is also one of creativity: what begins as a discussion will feed into a program exploring how climate advocacy can be at once poetic, culinary and artistic.
Presented in collaboration with the Écolab series by the Society for Technological Arts.
Time: 10 am (ET – so 8 am MT)
Registration: Virtual broadcast

September 30th, Saturday – Edmonton Rodeo Protest: “Once again the bullies of the world put on cowboy hats and jump on the backs of animals so they can wrestle smaller animals to the ground in a show of strength.
That is how you determine strength? By wrestling an unwilling innocent creature to the ground.
I have no words of kindness for these evil beings.
Let us protest against the Bullies of the world who congregate at the Expo and ride the animals like the cowards they truly are.”
Time: 5 pm to 7:30 pm
Location: Edmonton Expo Centre
More information: Facebook

September 30th, Saturday – Fourth Annual Run for Palestine: “Join us for the Fourth Annual Run For Palestine Edmonton! This special fundraising event supports Al Makassed Hospital’s Neonatal Unit in Al Quds. Mark your calendar for September 30, 2023, and come participate in the event at Victoria Park, site 2 and 3, located at 12030 River Valley RD NW. Whether you prefer a casual 1 km walk or a more competitive 5 km run, there’s something for everyone. Ticket pricing is as follows: Adults: $30 per person Children (ages 4-12): $20 Group rate: $120 We look forward to seeing you there.”
Time: 10:30 am to 4:30 am
Location: Victoria Park. 12030 River Valley Road
Event Page: Facebook

October 1st, Sunday – Kidical Mass Edmonton: “Join us for a ride from Aspen Gardens to Greenfield Playground. This is an opportunity for kids and their grown-ups to ride their bikes (or scooters) together, on city streets.
What to expect:

• We will meet at 3:00pm and the ride will start at 3:30pm
• The ride will be led and marshalled by community volunteers
• Snacks and drinks will be provided at the end of the ride
• If we need to cancel due to weather conditions or poor air quality we will post a notice on this website by 2:00pm on the day of the ride

Time: 3 pm
Location: Starting at Aspen Gardens (See website for map of route details)
Website: Let’s Bike There YEG

October 1st – 31st – Socktober: “Our goal it so collect 2000 pairs of socks to help make this a warmer fall for our neighbours in need.
We will be adding drop off locations as we organize.
If you are interested in having a box on your doorstep, building, place of work or community, please let us know!”
Location: TBA
Event page: Facebook
Organizer: Overdose Awareness Edmonton

October 1st – 31st – Drawdown Ecochallenge: “This October 1-31st, we’re partnering with Project Drawdown for our *new* Drawdown Ecochallenge! Join us as we connect Project Drawdown’s Solutions with our Actions to work towards reversing climate change, together. Register as a Team Captain TODAY and stay tuned for more exciting announcements about our partnership!”
Though this campaign focuses on the individual ‘carbon footprint’ aspect I think it is worthwhile for people to understand where we as, individuals, can reduce our personal impact but be aware that the changes that really need to happen at the government and corporate level.

October 2nd, Monday – International Day of Non-Violence: I have been involved in many groups and ALL of them have been based on non-violence principles. I like that.

October 2nd, Monday – “Protect Our Kids” a Presentation by James Lindsey: This is a Take Back Alberta event. I am putting it here because the Religious and Ultra-Conservatives are effectively mobilizing and bringing in speakers and ideologies from the USA. I do not think this is healthy for our society, planet, and definitely not for our children.
This is a Tweet the presenter made: “I’m going to Canada in about a month to try to help free the people from their Communist country!”
This event is put here in case anyone wants to post a counter protest or some other action.
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Life Church, 4461 – 50th Street
More info: Eventbrite – this link no longer works because Eventbrite found it “hateful” or “dangerous” – see the Tweet below from Daivd Parker. Please note that True North that he is quoting is where his wife works. Good going Eventbrite. They were probably responding to complaints by local activists that found this event distasteful. This is how activism works.

October 4th, Wednesday – Banking Campaign Meet-Up!: “Frustrated by banks investing in fossil fuels?
Join us for a 1 hour meet-up to talk about some of the upcoming actions and events we’re organizing as part of the Banking For Our Kids campaign!”
[One of the things I switched to Servus credit union back in the 90s was that I thought they did not invest in fossil fuels. I was wrong and I am working on ways to encourage them to shift away from that kind of investent.]
Time: 5 pm (MT)
Register: For Our Kids

October 6th, Friday – Weekly Climate Strike: A weekly reminder to Edmontonians that we are in a Climate Emergency.
We are restarting the weekly morning climate strikes.
Extra signs will be available for people to use – or bring your own.
Time: 8 am to 9 am
Location: 109thstreet and 88th Avenue
Facebook: Edmonton Climate Strike

October 7th, Saturday – Plant-Based Treaty and Tofurky Giveaway: “Join us in celebrating a Thanks Giving without any suffering attached to it. We invite you to not only talk about the ways in which people can make a difference with their food choices, but also to receive a free Tofurky!
We never really know how the day will unfold, however, there could be music…..
There could be some fun while giving out free food.”
Time: 11 am to 2 pm
Location: Old Strathcona Farmer’s Market
More information: Facebook event page

October 7th, Saturday – Horsehit: Jann Arden (the singer/songwriter) is involved in an organization called Horseshit. She is calling for people to make some social media noise highlighting live horse exports on this day.
Time: all day
Location: Wherever you are
Website: Horseshit
Hashtags: #SayNeigh #horseshit

October 10th, Tuesday – The Intersections of Black and Indigenous Liberation: “Research for the Front Lines, SHIFT Centre for Transformation, The Climate Justice Organizing Hub, University of Ottawa’s Laboratory for Engaged Research, and Concordia’s Social Justice Centre present: The Intersections of Black and Indigenous Liberation. This will be a conversation between Kanahus Freedom Manuel and Sam Leguizamon Grant, sharing insight, analysis and calls to action.”
Time: see event page and Zoom to figure that out but I think it will be 2 pm in Edmonton
Location: Virtual (unless you are in Montreal and attend in person)
Event Page:
Zoom Registration: Zoom

October 11th, Wednesday – Virtual Shifter Screening & Discussion: “On August 25th and 26th, 2023, Tom Babin, host of the hit YouTube channel Shifter, interviewed numerous Edmontonians about active transportation and our vision for safe streets for everyone.
On October 11th at 7:00PM his film will premiere on YouTube and we encourage you to watch, like, and share it with your friends and neighbours to help build on the political momentum around active transportation.
At 7:30PM, Tom will be available for a zoom discussion at 7:30 alongside other active transportation advocates from the YEG Bike Coalition where we can talk about upcoming events and opportunities to keep up the momentum.”
Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm MDT
Location: Virtual – Zoom
Registration: Michael Janz

October 13th, 14th, and 15th – Climate Camp: “Join us [Climate Justice Edmonton] this fall on October 13-15 for Climate Camp! Over the weekend, we’re bringing 100 new and experienced climate and community organizers together in Edmonton, where we’ll build community relationships and foster the skills needed to strengthen the climate movement in so-called Alberta. If you’re passionate about climate wins in your communities, organizing for collective power and to resist disaster capitalism, Climate Camp is for you!
You can expect session topics like: Climate Justice 101, One-on-One Conversations, Crafting a Personal Narrative, Art as Activism, How to Build Multiracial Movements, and How to do Power Analysis.
Deadline to apply (for those who require a hotel room): September 12, 2023
Deadline to apply (for those who do not require a hotel room): October 6, 2023
We will be capping attendance at around 100 participants to stay within capacity so apply as soon as possible! At this time, we are limiting participation from minors to people who live in Edmonton.”
Location: University of Alberta, Edmonton
Registration: Fill out this form

October 15th, Sunday – October Potluck: “Bring your own plates, cutlery, beverage and serving plus a vegan potluck dish to serve at least 6 people (per adult attending). And bring your friends. Everyone is welcome!”
Time: 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Location: Riverdale Community League 9231 100 Ave
Cost: $5 or $3 for members to cover rental cost
URL: Alberta Vegans

October 16th, Monday – City of Edmonton Zoning Bylaw Renewal Inititive: Zoning is one of those things that goes on without much attention by the average citizen – until you want to make some changes to your house, business, etc. It affects the types and sizes of buildings and businesses that can be built/operated in certain areas of our city.
The current bylaw has not ahd a good overhaul since the 60s.
The proposed zoning changes will allow more densification, a greater mix in neighbourhoods (small apartment blocks, multi-family dwellings, etc in traditional ‘single family home’ neighbourhoods), etc.
This has made for some bitter battles happening in the Edmonton community. People that do not want intrusion of these changes into their neighbourhoods because they want the area to stay the same, urbanists that want more densification and climate friendlier/15-minute cities/etc, developers that want to put more buildings into a smaller area thus increasing their profits, etc.
It is not pretty but this is what a democracy looks like.
This is the proposed new bylaw
Taproot Edmonton has written a good informative article and Grow Together Edmonton has put together a guide to help you register to speak and some pointers.
Time: starting at 9:30 am (but if you register to speak it could be any time after that or even on a different day).
Location: Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 1 Sir Winston Churchill Square
More Information: City of Edmonton – there are two changes that the council will be voting on and you will have to figure out if you are going to speak to one or both of them since the form to speak will ask you to list the
Register to speak: City of Edmonton

October 19th, Thursday – Curbing Traffic: Building happier, healthier, more human-sized cities for everyone: “We’re excited to welcome half of Melissa & Chris Bruntlett thanks to the Dutch Cycling Embassy, Ualberta SURP, Paths for People, Bike Edmonton, and the Alberta Professional Planners Institute. Save the date and official registration to follow.
Melissa and Chris Bruntlett are Canadian authors and urban mobility advocates who strive to communicate the benefits of sustainable transport and inspire happier, healthier, more human-scale cities. Their first book, Building the Cycling City: The Dutch Blueprint for Urban Vitality, explored the urban and transport planning decisions that established the Netherlands as a bicycle paradise, and how North American communities are translating these ideas to build their own cycling cities.”
Chris will be talking on a number of topics such as:

·       Quick wins – proven successes of low-cost, low-effort measures to increase cycling

·       Pop-up to permanent – Light, fast construction methods, materials, practices

·       Bikenomics – how the the (local) economy benefits from cycling

·       Touristic & recreational routes – how to include cycling into tourism & recreation

·       Parking – Learning best practice when it comes to secure, convenient parking

·       Communication and storytelling – Winning “hearts and minds” with stakeholders

Time: 6 pm to 9 pm
Location: University of Alberta – more exact details forthcoming
More details: Facebook
Register and more information: Michael Janz

October 21st, Saturday – How To Festival: How to Grow a Thousand-Year-Old Tree: “Imagine living in a city filled with thousand-year-old trees. Imagine a future that’s greener than the present. Join designer and master gardener Dustin Bajer to learn about an initiative to grow thousand-year-old trees across Edmonton. Learn about trees that can live for thousands of years, the methods and locations for planting them, ways to ensure their safety, and why cultivating a greener future is essential today.
This is an online program. To receive a link and passcode to the online class, please register and instructions will be sent to you within 24 hours of the session. Zoom, a third-party app, will be used for this virtual session. By joining, you acknowledge that EPL does not take responsibility for Zoom’s privacy policies and practices.
Dustin Bajer is an educator, master gardener, writer, beekeeper, and founder of Shrubscriber. Shrubscriber brings together gardeners, schools, and climate-conscious organizations with community workshops, seeds, and step-by-step propagation instructions, so that we can distribute thousands of trees and grow a food-secure, biodiverse, and climate-adapted Edmonton. Learn more and join at Shrubscriber.com.
Time: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Location: Online event – virtual
Registration: Edmonton Public Library

October 21st, Saturday – Vegan Outreach Workshop: Inspiring Behaviour Change: “This training is ideal for those who advocate on behalf of nonhuman animals to friends, family, and strangers. In this training you will learn:

– How to avoid debates and arguments
– How to reduce defensiveness in others
– How to manage other people’s egos
– How to help people explore their values (what questions to ask)
– How to help people align their actions with their values

The training will be approximately 2 hours followed by a Q and A session.
Time: this is a global event so it is best to figure out the time when you register.
Location: Virtual
Event Page: Facebook
Registration: Form

October 26th, Thursday – The Colonial Urge to Commodify the Climate Crisis: Unpacking False Solutions: “Indigenous Climate Action is dedicated to raising awareness about the impacts of climate change on Indigenous communities and advocating for sustainable solutions that respect Indigenous sovereignty, knowledge, and cultural practices. As we navigate the complexities posed by this climate crisis, it is vital to address not only genuine solutions but also the false solutions that can perpetuate more environmental harm and social injustices. The aim of this webinar series is to facilitate open and informative discussions that shed light on various false solutions that are often presented as viable approaches to combat the climate crisis and counteract them with real, Indigenous-led solutions.
Part 1: Unpacking False Solutions
Panel highlighting false solutions with a short recap of UNFCCC COP27. This webinar discussion will cover questions like:

• How can we begin to identify when a solution is false? What are false solutions?
• How can false solutions impact Indigenous communities? How can we resist?
• How are false solutions being presented at the UNFCCC COP? How might this impact communities?

Time: 2 pm MT
Location: Zoom – Virtual
Registation: Indigenous Climate Action

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Start Planning for the Future

There are global days of action happening throughout the world. Edmonton can participate in these actions – all it takes is you.

• November 17th-19th – Parkand Conference – “Alberta at the Crossroads: Building the World We Want”: “Alberta is at a crossroads. The status quo is not sustainable politically, economically, or ecologically. The decisions we make from now on will determine whether we join a worldwide movement towards building a more just future or if we go backward. This conference is about ensuring Alberta moves forward. It is about dreaming big and making things happen. It is about how we push for change and envision a province that is just, equitable, and sustainable. It is about how we look to what others outside our borders have been doing, while also finding ways to support and expand the work that many among us have already been doing to build a more just province and world.”
• By bringing together thinkers, writers, and activists from Alberta and beyond, “At the Crossroads” will be a space where we can learn from each other and begin shaping the Alberta we want for us and for future generations.
• December 1st – 10th – Ignite Change Global Convention: 75th Anniversary United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights hosted by the John Humphrey Centre in Edmonton.
• February 5th – 9th – International Week at the University of Alberta: “A warming globe, increasing numbers of refugees and displaced persons, gender disparity, economic inequalities, freshwater shortages, famine, war… We are bombarded with these issues and many others facing the planet and its inhabitants daily. 
  To address these issues, the UN established the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be achieved by 2030. The Goals, adopted in 2015, call on governments and civil society worldwide to address the world’s most pressing issues, from poverty and education to health and the environment.
  I-Week is a chance to hear international and local perspectives on global issues. On February 5-9, 2024, International Week speakers connected their work to the SDGs. 
  U of A’s annual International Week is an incubator of ideas and a source of inspiration for us to work together for a better world. Stay tuned for updates on I-Week 2024.
• 2024 YEG Winter Cycling Congress is happening in Edmonton this year: “Join us in February 2024 [22nd to 24th] for an unforgettable multi-day event filled with informative sessions, bicycle excursions, and a community of passionate winter cyclists. Discover new possibilities while exploring the cycling-friendly city of Edmonton. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to connect with fellow enthusiasts and learn from experts in the field.” [I think the “cycling -friendly” is a bit of a stretch – Michael].
  You can register here. Early bird rate is only until September 30th, 2023 so if you want to save a bit of money because the 450$ could be a bit of a deterrent. Mind you, if you go as a representative of a non-profit group the cost is only 200$. Good time to step up as your Community League cycling advocate and representative.

Call Out for Help

On the ALERT (Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams) website, there is a call-out by the Edmonton Police for help in identifying a bedroom that was the background in the alleged sexual exploitation of minor.

Youth Climate Corps

“Climate mobilization in Canada has yet to feel like a grand societal undertaking. The Youth Climate Corps is an invitation to the country’s youth to mobilize to confront today’s gravest threat: the climate emergency. We are past overdue on a real plan that acts fast to transform the country away from its current trajectory to growing emissions and climate disaster. A Youth Climate Corps would put thousands of young people to work in rapidly curbing emissions, preparing our infrastructure for its coming impacts, and responding to the emergencies we’re locking in.”
You can support the call for a Youth Climate Corps through the Climate Emergency Unit website.

Heat Pumps

The National Observer issued a good article on heat pumps – let’s call it Heat Pumps 101 and it includes a link to an online calculator so that we can do a rough estimate of the savings that could be garnered by switching to a heat pump.
If you are buying a new home or upgrading your heating system, please consider a heat pump system.
ALL new housing should be electric heat pumps.

Information and Suggestions

If you are on Facebook, check out the Edmonton Activist Calendar page.

Please share information with me so that I can populate this with more details and information. I intend to eventually get it so that it is emailed out to people and has a better site but for now, this is what I have to offer you.

Edmonton Tool Library – a great resource for sharing tools and resources within our community. Check them out. They are also looking for volunteers to join their team.

Petitions/Letter writing

– petitions can be an effective way to raise awareness of an issue and sometimes they even work. Here is a list of present ongoing petitions in Canada that I wish to highlight:

• Save Our Canada Pension Plan – It appears that Public Interest Alberta has a letter-writing campaign and petition to the UCP government to express citizens’ opposition to their expressed intention to withdraw from the CPP and establish an Alberta Pension Plan. Check it out here.
• Efficiency Canada has launched a letter writing campaign to petition the federal government to invest in energy efficiency programs for low-income households.
• Let’s Get Indigenous Communities Safe, Clean Drinking Water Now. FFS.
• Plant Based Treaty – this portal will help you send a letter to your city councillors
• Ban on advertising – a comprehensive ban on advertising, sponsorship, and promotion of fossil fuel companies, products, and services (including gasoline, gas utilities, and internal combustion engine vehicles) to protect public health – Federal petition (e-4469). Open until September 28th, 2023
• Make Mental Health Accessible To All Canadians Through Our Universal Health Care System
• No raises for public servants until the minimum wage is a living wage! – every segment of the workforce will tend to stand up for what they will benefit from taking action. We need a living wage/universal basic income right across our country.
• STOP BIG OIL FROM POLLUTING OUR CLIMATE
• Sink the fossil fuel industry’s plan!
• Reject forest biomass as a false climate solution
• Stop toxic tailings pollution
• Stop Executions of Activists in Iran
• RESPECT INDIGENOUS RIGHTS ON WET’SUWET’EN TERRITORY

Volunteering

Casino Volunteering – most charities, non-profit groups (NGOs), and other organizations conduct casinos to help them out with their funding. I recently read this in a newsletter: “It was calculated that each volunteer hour generated $640 in funding to Argyll”. (This is a sizable amount of money – I used to say that each volunteer shift provided the NGO with about 2,000$. Great return on time for the volunteer’s time.)What can you legally do that could bring in this kind of funds for a group that you support or what to see stay solvent?
Your community league, your child’s school/kindergarten, your church, community league, etc are always looking for volunteers. The local environmental group, the groups that feed people on the streets, etc also need your participation in casinos (if they do them).

Courses/Workshops

The University of Alberta has several courses on climate change and related subjects. You can find a list of them on the Climate Action at the University of Alberta website.

See the Climate Camp training and workshops in October above along with the trainings in vegan activism and course by Indigenous Climate Action.

Employment

If you are looking to get a ‘green job’ you might want to check the GoodWorks website

Please send things that should be on this list to michael.kalmanovitch@gmail.com

Disclaimer – the Activist Agenda tries to ensure that the information contained within it is accurate but mistakes do happen. Please double-check events and information that are relevant to you to make sure you have the correct date, time, location, and any other relevant information.

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