Canadian Civil Society Groups Participate in Caravans to Cancun

For Immediate Release

November 29, 2010

Canadian Civil Society Groups Participate in Caravans to Cancun Climate Talks

Message Delivered to Communities Impacted by Canadian Mining Company New Gold

Members and staff from the Council of Canadians, the Polaris Institute and the Public Service Alliance of Canada are traveling to the Cancun climate talks this week by way of an international caravan. Organized by international and Mexican activists, the caravans are designed to bring local struggles against social and environmental injustices into the limelight as the global community convenes for the climate negotiations in Cancun.

The Canadian delegation began its journey in Cerro San Pedro where the local population has spent years struggling against a gold mine owned and operated by Canadian company New Gold. A letter, signed by 36 civil society organizations expressing deep regret at the Canadian government’s unwillingness to hold Canadian mining companies accountable for their actions overseas, was presented to local residents who have been affected by the mine. The letter was drafted in response to the failure of the Corporate Accountability of Mining, Oil and Gas in Developing Countries Act (Bill C-300) to pass through Canadian parliament.

Having delivered the letter, the Canadian delegates are now passing through 13 Mexican States, stopping in a number of towns to meet with local populations who have been impacted by climate change and environmental degradation. This is one of 5 international caravans that will be transporting over 1,000 Mexican and international participants to Cancun from various locations in Mexico arriving en masse in Cancun on December 3rd.

Richard Girard, Research Coordinator from the Polaris Institute, stressed that “the caravans are highlighting to the world the contradictions of holding climate change talks in a country that is already experiencing environmental crises that are having serious impacts on human beings.”

“Sharing our struggles and strengthening our international solidarity is crucial if we are going to create climate justice for workers. PSAC is proud to be part of this caravan,” reinforced John Gordon, National President of the Public Service Alliance of Canada.

“We are a grassroots group and we want to meet with the people of Mexico. We need to build people-to-people alliances to stop climate change, the abusive practices of Canadian mining companies, and build a better world,” says Brent Patterson, Campaigns and Communications Director with the Council of Canadians and participant in the caravan.

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For More Information or to arrange interviews with caravan participants:

Dylan Penner, Media Officer, Council of Canadians, 613-795-8685 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              613-795-8685      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              613-795-8685      end_of_the_skype_highlighting, dpenner@canadians.org