Quebecers demand 'real democracy' in climate marches across the province

At just eight years old, Flavie Richard has already participated in a handful of climate demonstrations, with her latest being Quebec City's climate march on Friday.

Her mom, Karen Côté, says it's important to engage children of all ages in climate action. 

"So that the next generations also carry on the message we want to send to our governments, to everyone," said Côté. 

"If we reduce pollution, well, the Earth will be in better shape," added Flavie, holding a handmade sign that said, "if you want to breathe, stop polluting."

The umbrella organization Pour la suite du monde is organizing marches in 17 cities and towns including Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Baie-Comeau, Rouyn-Noranda and Shawinigan.

In Quebec City, marchers left Parc des Braves around 3 p.m. heading toward the National Assembly.

Andre Pikutelekan, who is Innu from Pessamit, was among hundreds of demonstrators Friday afternoon. 

"The current government is quite deaf to the needs of Indigenous communities. It's important to show that we're here to speak out about the issues that affect us," said Pikutelekan.

In Montreal, protesters will meet at the George-Étienne Cartier monument at Mont-Royal Park at 6 p.m. Friday and will march until reaching Place du Canada in the city's downtown. Five years ago today, hundreds of thousands of people, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, gathered at the same point for one of the largest protests in the province's history.

Organizers say that this year, they're highlighting "major challenges" in Quebec's public consultation process and pushing for "real democracy."

"We're sick and tired of the fact that important decisions with major impacts on our future are being taken unilaterally and behind closed doors," said Francis Waddel, a spokesperson for Demain Verdun at a press conference Friday morning with other march organizers.

Waddel cited Northvolt's EV battery plant coming to Montreal's South Shore as an example of the province falling short of reflecting the population's wishes.

In that case, the Quebec government changed its rule around environmental reviews before approving the project, thereby exempting it from an assessment by the Bureau d'audiences publiques sur l'environnement (BAPE).

Waddel also criticized the pivotal energy legislation, Bill 69, for not mentioning Quebec's carbon neutrality goals or a move away from fossil fuels. The bill is expected to dominate the National Assembly's fall session.