Leap Barrie hosted the meeting, giving each participant the chance to share their ideas of what a Green New Deal could look like

NEWS RELEASETHE LEAP BARRIE*************************End fossil fuel subsidies; invest in low-carbon jobs and housing; reform our electoral system – these were just some of the many ideas put forward by nearly 100 community members during a town hall meeting in Barrie, Tuesday, held to discuss what a Canadian version of a Green New Deal might look like. It was one of more than 150 meetings being held across Canada.

“At the heart of the Green New Deal is the idea that we can’t tackle the climate crisis in isolation. We need a vision that also addresses growing inequality, Indigenous rights and racism,” said Sheetal Rawal, of The Leap Barrie. “The ideas we heard here tonight will help inform how we, as a country, can do that.”

The Leap Barrie hosted the meeting to bring the community together to talk about a local vision for a new economy — one that includes a rapid, inclusive and far-reaching transition. Each participant was given the chance to share their ideas of what a Green New Deal could look like.

“We don’t have any time to wait. CO2 levels are skyrocketing and need to be brought down before it’s too late,” said Mike Speers, an organizer and one of the event’s facilitators. “One key part of a Green New Deal for Canada is the need to cut our emissions by at least half within the next 11 years. But, we also need to make sure that it lifts up all of us and leaves no person or group behind.”

Input from Tuesday’s meeting will be used to identify and define principles for a national Green New Deal initiative. For more information, visit www.greennewdealcanada.ca

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