What happened when a Greenpeace activist showed up with a climate action banner at a Conservative ‘Axe the Carbon Tax’ rally? I’m here to fill you in!

When Greenpeace Canada’s Senior Energy Strategist, Keith Stewart, saw that Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre would be holding a rally in Toronto, he decided to attend with his own sign — reading “Act on Climate Now”. 

“Now more than ever, it’s so important to peacefully confront politicians who cultivate anger with lies and half-truths in order to bring in donations and votes. That is precisely what Poilieve was doing at that rally,” explained Stewart. “He was whipping up anger against the carbon tax without mentioning the costs of climate inaction, or how the rebates leave all but the wealthiest better off.” 

When the moment was right, Stewart stepped into an open space and raised his sign high. In a flash, security guards grabbed him and ushered him to the police outside of the event. “I was surprised at the speed and ferocity of how I was removed, as if silently holding up a sign with an “Act on Climate Now” message risked derailing the entire show,” reflected Stewart. 

© Griffin Stewart-Wilson. After raising his “Act on Climate Now” sign, Greenpeace Canada climate strategist, Keith Stewart was swiftly removed from the Conservative party ‘Axe the Carbon Tax’ rally by security.

Right now, the oil industry is delaying investing in green initiatives with the hope that if the Conservatives get into office, they’ll repeal environmental regulations. That’s why it’s so important that we keep speaking up for climate action.

The outcome of the upcoming election will be critical, and the results will have impacts across Canada and around the world. We need a government that is committed to science-based climate action and swiftly transitions us away from fossil fuels, and we won’t stop demanding action until the planet and people are protected.

Politicians know how important it is to talk, so we invite you to do the same. “One of the most powerful things you can do is talk to others about why you support climate action. This weakens the rage-machine stoked by some politicians, which is good for the planet and our democracy,” explains Stewart.

Our Greenpeace supporters allow us to call for climate action at every opportunity, and keep the climate crisis top of mind for politicians. Together we can create a better world.