Share Close Share this Story: As it happened – 500,000 in Montreal climate march led by Greta Thunberg

Greta Thunberg stops by City Hall, tells Mayor Valérie Plante she's "still very overwhelmed" by the march today in Montreal. Calls crowd of 500,000 "unbelievable." #climatestrikemontreal pic.twitter.com/Mz8vYrjXjU

Thanks for following our rolling coverage of today’s march. Question/comments? ariga@postmedia.com

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Greta Thunberg becomes first person to receive key to the city from Mayor Valérie Plante. #climatestrikemontreal pic.twitter.com/W16KdyMUXk

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Greta Thunberg signs the Golden Book at Montreal City Hall with some tips from Mayor Valérie Plante pic.twitter.com/rfGF0bBPay

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In her opening remarks, the mayor reiterated that the city plans to reduce its carbon emissions by 55 per cent by 2030 on its way to carbon neutrality by 2050.

“Greta represents all the you who are pushing pushes us, the adults, the leaders, the companies, to take our responsibilities,” Plante said.

She says she is giving her the keys to the city to thank her for coming to Montreal and for inspiring many people in the fight against climate change.

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“In both cases it means absolutely nothing. In both cases, it’s just empty words. We’ve told (elected officials) to unite behind the science but they didn’t listen.”

“You are a nation that is allegedly a climate leader. Sweden is also allegedly a climate leader,” she said.

She said Canada shares some attributes with her native Sweden.

“We have done this together and I can’t thank you enough for being here. It’s just incredible to be united in such a way for a common cause. It just feels great, doesn’t it?”

“We’re at least 500,000 here today – you should be very proud of yourself,” Thunberg said to cheers.

In a speech peppered with French, Greta Thunberg told Montreal marchers that the fight against climate change will not stop until world leaders take the problem seriously.

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The Gazette’s Jason Magder is near the stage, providing a live feed of speeches. Apologies if it breaks up; the network is spotty due to the number of people at the march.

“We have been told so many times that there is no point in doing this, that we can’t have an impact and make a difference. But I think we have proven that to be wrong by now. We are the change and change is coming.

“Some would say we are wasting lesson time, we say we are changing the world so that when we are older we will be able to look our children in the eyes and say we did everything that we could.

“Today we are millions striking and marching and we will keep doing it until they listen,” Thunberg said. “It should not be up to us, but somebody needs to do it.This is an emergency and we will not be bystanders.

She urged Montreal marchers to keep up the fight.

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“She’s really courageous to do what she’s doing,” Dugas-Paquet said. “You can say she’s had a good influence.”

Dugas-Paquet said she’s inspired by 16-year-old Swedish student Greta Thunberg, who led the march and inspired a global movement. She joined the climate strike by joining the rally instead of going to class.

“When we finally realize what’s happening, it will be too late,” said Léona Dugas-Paquet, 10, who was marching with her mother. “We’re very concerned because maybe when it’s too late to save the planet, we’ll still be around and that would be tragic.”

They came from far and wide to lend their voices to the cause and march for awareness of a climate crisis they feel powerless to prevent.

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“Today we’re nearly 500,000 people gathered in Montreal but there are also 52 protests across Quebec,“ organizer François Geoffroy said. “Behind these protests are simple and clear demands… It’s a historic moment where, together, we’re asking elected officials for concrete actions.”

“Today we’re nearly 500,000 people gathered in Montreal but there are also 52 protests across Quebec,“ organizer François Geoffroy said. “Behind these protests are simple and clear demands… It’s a historic moment where, together, we’re asking elected officials for concrete actions.”

In March, in another youth-led climate march , 150,000 people took over Montreal’s streets.

“Not only the largest march in history of Quebec, but the largest gathering for the climate of the whole week,” an organizer said.

Later, the throng cheered when it was told that “close to half a million” people were taking part.

“Earlier we spoke of the largest environmental march, but we can now forget environmental – it’s the largest march of any kind in Quebec history,” an organizer just told the crowd near the stage at the end of the march.

There is no official crowd count but organizers are calling today’s event historic, Jesse Feith reports.

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“We’re here, united as youth, to say we won’t tolerate it anymore and change is coming.“To those in positions of power, it’s very simple (…) if we do not protect Mother Earth, Mother Earth will not protect us. No matter how much money or power you have, you cannot escape this reality.”

“We’re here, united as youth, to say we won’t tolerate it anymore and change is coming.“To those in positions of power, it’s very simple (…) if we do not protect Mother Earth, Mother Earth will not protect us. No matter how much money or power you have, you cannot escape this reality.”

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About 1 kilometre North of the stage... 90 minutes after marchers first reached it. #climatestrikecanada pic.twitter.com/5SztaMsoot

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View from corner of Robert-Bourassa and de la Gauchetiere as marchers stream in. pic.twitter.com/vkqy0VPEFB

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The march arrived at the stage about an hour ago and tens of thousands are still streaming in. pic.twitter.com/0s30pv1MVR

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To give you an idea: this is 500 meters from the state and it’s DENSE. #ClimateAction montreal pic.twitter.com/Y3HEeYT2ix

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Kids running to get a spot in front of the stage. We have reached our destination, corner Robert-Bourassa and Wellington. pic.twitter.com/UaJA0nsEly

And, these are by Gazette reporters T’Cha Dunlevy and Chris Curtis, who are near the end of the march. Music and speeches are on tap.

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One marcher shows off his creativity and stilt skills at the #climatestrikecanada event in Montreal pic.twitter.com/pxr1iprHUn

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It dawns on me that, with the size of this crowd, most won’t even see the stage or here the speeches at Montreal’s climate march. pic.twitter.com/VUjS4wW39r

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Carol Dillon is here from Perth, Ont. with her daughter and granddaughter and says she’s more energized about the environmental movement than she ever has been. “There needs to be more people our age out here.” pic.twitter.com/ifRiHj5msB

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Some youthful scamps climbed up a pillar on University Street to get a sense of the enormity of the thing. And possibly get a good Twitter/Insta/Snapchat shot in there. pic.twitter.com/Z0ExILAvIC

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Later, during the march, a protester attempted to throw an egg at Trudeau on Sherbrooke St., near Park Ave., Gazette colleague Frédéric Tomesco reports. Police handcuffed the man and took him away.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was targeted by an anti-pipeline protester at a stop in Montreal on Friday.

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Gazette colleague Jason Magder is doing a Facebook Live from the middle of the march.

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Dominic Champagne of Le Pacte pour le transition speaks during a climate press conference prior to the march in Montreal on Friday, Sept. 27, 2019.

Mei Chui of Extinction Rebellion climate activist group speaks during a climate press conference prior to the march in Montreal on Friday, Sept. 27, 2019.

MONTREAL, QUE.: SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 -- Climate activist Éve Grenier of Fridays for the Future speaks during climate press conference prior to march in Montreal Friday September 27, 2019. (John Mahoney / MONTREAL GAZETTE) ORG XMIT: 63212 - 1570

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife, Sophie Grégoire, are surrounded by security as they take part in the climate march on Friday, Sept. 27, 2019 in Montreal.

Milan Penners, left, and Malik Bigras take part in climate march in Montreal on Friday, Sept. 27, 2019.

Téa Verdene, left, and Anna Fraser take part in climate march in Montreal on Friday, Sept. 27, 2019.

Perry Bellegarde, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, presents Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg with a native vest during press conference prior to the climate march in Montreal on Friday, Sept. 27, 2019.

Protesters cheer Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg during her speech at the end of the climate march in Montreal on Friday, Sept. 27, 2019.

Overview of the climate change protest looking north on Park Ave. north of Pine Ave. in Montreal on Friday, Sept. 27, 2019.

Overview of the climate change protest looking north on Park Ave. north of Pine Ave. in Montreal on Friday, Sept. 27, 2019.

Greta Thunberg speaks to climate crisis protesters at the end of the march through Montreal on Friday, Sept. 27, 2019.

Protesters fill Robert-Bourassa Blvd. at the end of the climate march in Montreal on Friday Sept. 27, 2019.

Thousands of protesters flood the streets of Montreal, Canada, during the global climate strike on September 27 2019, led by Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.

Marchers began gathering midmorning in the streets of Montreal during the global climate strike on September 27 2019.

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg gets the key to the city from Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante after the climate march on Friday, Sept. 27, 201, in Montreal. Thunberg and Plante met privately before there was ceremony where Thunberg received the key to the city and signed the Golden Book of the city.

Greta Thunberg looks at the vest presented to her by Perry Bellegarde, Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, at press conference prior to big climate march in Montreal Sept. 27, 2019.

Protesters fill Park Ave at the start of the big climate march in Montreal Friday September 27, 2019.

An enthusiastic show of support from a balcony overlooking a throng of people joining the Greta Thunberg-led climate march along Parc Ave. in Montreal on Friday, Sept. 27, 2019.

Greta Thunberg joins Indigenous youth at the head of the big climate march in Montreal on Friday, Sept. 27, 2019.

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Article content continued And here are some photos of Thunberg-inspired marches around the world.

12:30 p.m. The march is mammoth

And we're off! With Greta and Indigenous groups leading the way. #ClimateMarch pic.twitter.com/0egq3bTidb — T'Cha Dunlevy (@TChaDunlevy) September 27, 2019

Looking up Parc Ave. #climatemarch in Montreal. That’s a big crowd waiting to come down from Mount Royal. pic.twitter.com/xoht0Wh1m6 — Monique Beaudin (@moniquebeaudin) September 27, 2019

Mon dieu. Sur ma rue. Ils se rendent sur le Mont-Royal. Jamais vu ça. #MarchePourLeClimat pic.twitter.com/GZRGjl8riS — Marie-Eve Tremblay (@METremblayRC) September 27, 2019

Coin Sherbrooke et Parc... les manifestants continuent d’affluer par milliers en direction du Parc Jeanne-Mance où commencera la marche #27septembre #Montréal pic.twitter.com/ELQbjSOb1t — Jean-Seb Cloutier (@jsebcloutier) September 27, 2019

12:25 p.m. Suzuki impressed with Thunberg

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11:55 am. Trudeau reacts

From the Canadian Press: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he has thanked Greta Thunberg for mobilizing so many people, particularly young people, around climate change. The Liberal leader was asked about his meeting with the 16-year-old activist during a news conference in Montreal today. Trudeau – who has faced criticism for his government’s purchase of the Trans Mountain oil pipeline project – says he agrees with Thunberg that Ottawa needs to do more for the environment. He’s made a series of announcements this week aimed at reducing emissions, protecting oceans and encouraging conservation. From Reuters: Trudeau is promising more climate action but has also had to defend his decision to buy and expand a major oil pipeline in western Canada. “In my wonderful conversation with Greta this morning, we talked directly about the need to do more, much more. I thanked her for the amount of people that her call to action has mobilized,” he told reporters after promising to plant 2 billion trees if re-elected. Photo by ANDREJ IVANOV / REUTERS

11:30 a.m. Crowds gathering

The march is set to start at noon.

Crowd is building ahead of #ClimateStrike march, which gets underway around noon at this spot. #FridaysForFuture pic.twitter.com/lqyyzbsR4Y — Jason Magder (@JasonMagder) September 27, 2019

Concordia University students marching on Sherbrooke St., to join the #climatestrikecanada pic.twitter.com/xprjiy9EKu — Monique Beaudin (@moniquebeaudin) September 27, 2019

11:15 a.m. Thunberg on Trudeau, Indigenous youth, Montreal and Trump

Photo by John Mahoney / Montreal Gazette

Thunberg answered four questions from reporters.

She was asked about her meeting with Justin Trudeau this morning.

“My message to all the politicians around the world is the same, just listen and act on the current most available science. I try not to focus so much on individuals and rather focus on the whole picture because … of course it’s easier just to blame someone. And of course (Trudeau) has a lot of responsibility and he’s obviously not doing enough. Because this is a system that is wrong. My message to all the politicians is the same, just listen to the science, act on the science.”

Why did she invite Indigenous youth to help lead the march?

“Indigenous people have for centuries and millenniums protected the local environment and of course we need to because they are often the ones who are being, who are at the front line, so we need to be able to hear their voices. So that’s why I think it’s so important that indigenous people lead this fight.”

Why did she decide to come to Montreal?

“Why I decided to go to Montreal, because I was planning on where to go and of course, I want to go to Canada as well and I was invited to attend the march in Montreal. I thought why not? And I decided to go there because I think it’s fun to visit lots of different places. Because this is not just one country, this is everyone. Also because I know Canada is striking on the 27th and the U.S. is striking on the 20th so that’s why I sort of changed countries because diff countries strike on different dates.

“From Canada I have already seen today that the strikes have been very big and I think and I hope the rest of the strikes of Canada will be very big as well. I know you have elections now, and that is always a very busy time when I really want to understand what is going on. I expect that you as well as other countries take your responsibility and do your part from a global perspective.”

Does she have a theory about why some political leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, mock her?

“Of course I don’t know. I don’t understand why grownups would choose to mock children and teenagers for just communicating and acting on the science when they could do something good instead. I guess they must feel like their world view or their interests or whatever it is, is threatened by and we should take that as a compliment that we are having so much impact that people want to silence us, we’ve become too loud for people to handle, so they want to silence us. So we should also take that as a compliment.”

10:45 a.m. Thunberg speaks

Greta Thunberg addresses the press conference. The Gazette Facebook page is covering Thunberg’s press conference live.

Thunberg, who has been tweeting images of marches around the world this morning, said:

“It’s great to be here with you all in Canada. I’m looking very much forward to today. So today there’s another global climate strike and it is very exciting to be see the pictures and the videos from all around then world and to hear from everyone who has been organizing the local strikes.

“The strikes have been very successful today. I think it’s too early yet to have any official numbers but I guess we will have to see how many turned out.

“I’m very excited to be here and it’s going to be very much fun today and to once again stand together, people from all around the world, for one common cause, that is very empowering. It is very moving to see everyone, everyone who is so passionate to march and strike, people of all ages, all generations.

“It’s a very good day I would say.”

9:45 a.m. Thunberg is on her way

It was unclear if Greta Thunberg was going to take part in this morning’s press conference by march organizers. But they now confirm she will indeed be there. She’ll make a statement and answer a few questions.

But she seems to be running late. Will arrive in an hour.

One of the organizers confirmed a report that Thunberg arrived in Montreal in an electric car borrowed from Arnold Schwarzenegger.

“We’re all here for the same reason: We are sick and tired. Things must change.



Our voices as youth will not stop. We will be here, whether you like it or not, to make sure you hear our voices.” – Cédric Gray-Lehoux#MarchePourLeClimat #ClimateStrike #FridaysForFuture pic.twitter.com/Uq0kv1U04Y — Jesse Feith (@JesseFeith) September 27, 2019

Gazette colleague Jesse Feith is at the press conference. He writes:

François Geoffroy, spokesperson La Planète S’invite au Parlement (LPSP), opened the press conference.

“Nine months ago we launched a call, not just to march but to strike for the climate,” Geoffroy said. “In 40 years, no government has presented a credible transition program. Our trust is running out, and so is our patience.”

Ève Grenier Houde, from Fridays for Future, said: “We’re the ones who will live the worst case scenarios predicted by science. Our resources are limited. We need support from our parents, teachers and elected officials.”

She had a plea for Montreal’s mayor, Quebec’s premier and Canada’s prime minister: “Madame Plante, Mr. Legault and Mr. Trudeau, it’s your responsibility to ensure our future.”

Dominic Champagne, spokesperson for the Pacte pour la transition: “The situation has not gotten any better since Earth Day in 2012. It’s only gotten worse. But this movement will continue to grow until we reach a tipping point.”

You can watch the press conference live on the Facebook page of La Planète s’invite au Parlement.

9:30 a.m. The premier says he’s listening

Unlike politicians such as Valérie Plante, Justin Trudeau, Yves-François Blanchet and Elizabeth May, Quebec Premier François Legault decided not to participate in today’s march, instead sending his environment minister, Benoit Charette.

But he posted a message on Facebook this morning, telling Quebec’s youth that he hears their plea for action.

In reads, in part: “Do not be afraid of your beliefs and be proud of your passion. It is with great hope that I watch you walk for our future. And it is with a helping hand that I propose to help us build a more prosperous, greener and therefore more proud Quebec.”

A poll out this week indicated that climate change is tied with health care as the number one issue among Quebec voters.

En cette journée de mobilisation pour notre planète, je m’adresse directement à vous, à tous les jeunes du Québec, pour... Posted by François Legault on Friday, September 27, 2019

9 a.m. The plan

Picture-perfect weather, free transit and Bixi bikes, tens of thousands of students and workers taking the day off to join, growing fears about the impact of climate change, and the presence of prominent Swedish activist Greta Thunberg.

You can see why some are expecting the youth-led march to be huge — even bigger than the one on March 15, when 150,000 university, CEGEP, high-school and primary students took over the city’s streets. Some are predicting double that number will show up today. It could be the biggest ever climate event in Canada.

We’ll know in a few hours. In the meantime, here’s the schedule for the day.

9:30 a.m. Organizers hold press conference. It’s unclear whether Thunberg will be there.

Noon. Four-kilometre march starts at the George-Étienne-Cartier-Monument on Park Ave. It is to end at Wellington St., near Nazareth St.

5:30 p.m. Thunberg meets privately with Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante at city hall.

6 p.m. At public event, Plante gives Thunberg keys to the city. A photo op is planned but Thunberg is not scheduled to speak.

Colleague Jesse Feith has more about what to expect.

Stay tuned. A team of Montreal Gazette reporters, columnists and photographers will be on the ground all day. Come back often; this post will be updated throughout the day.

[#ClimateWalkout] ‍🚇 and 🚌 are FREE today! Make it really count for the environment and take public transit! Plan your trip here ⏩ https://t.co/MkIOBlDwVN pic.twitter.com/JfGYHovIWN — STM (@stminfo) September 27, 2019

Salut Montréal! Pour la grève du climat d'aujourd'hui, les transports en commun et les vélos partagés sont gratuits! Sans frais! Faites partie de l'avenir! (crédit photo de ma soeur) #VendredisPourLeFutur#FridaysForFuture #ClimateChange #ChangementClimatique #Montreal ⚜️🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/qwIV0H4jPM — Bryn Dhir 🌎🏥 (@BDhir) September 27, 2019

The map below, from the STM, shows the start/end points of the march, as well as the area affected by road closures and bus detours.

⚠️ Marche pour le climat : planifiez vos déplacements ⚠️



La circulation sera particulièrement difficile dans la zone comprise entre Berri, Peel, St-Joseph et de la Commune en raison des entraves et du grand nombre de participants attendu.



En savoir + : https://t.co/jmO13BEFPa pic.twitter.com/YiVcBpI81t — Police Montréal (@SPVM) September 26, 2019

ariga@postmedia.com