Climate change is a serious and non-partisan issue. Long-term climate stability will require policy persistence through multiple election cycles. Thus, climate change must be treated as a bridge issue and not a wedge issue. This simple logic is the inspiration for our conference name.
Marshall Saunders, our founder, and the president had the vision to create an organization where people could be empowered to create positive change in our world. In 2007, he founded Citizens’ Climate Lobby. There are now over 100,000 members worldwide, including over 1100 Canadians.
Our politicians truly need our help to secure a healthy climate and 21st-century jobs for future generations.
Check out our conference booklet: CCCL 2018 Building Bridges Booklet
Dr. David Maenz Power Power Point for CCL Canada October 13, 2018
Dr. David Maenz received his Ph.D. from the University of askatchewan and held several academic positions prior co-founding MCN BioProducts in 2001. Dr. Maenz is the inventor or co-inventor of 7patents and is the author of 33 scientific papers and 2 book chapters. Dr. Maenz has retired from business interests and lives in Saskatoon.
Dr.Maenz is the author of The Price of Carbon. “Since the Paris Agreement in 2015, Canada has emerged on the world stage as a leader in carbon pricing. The Price of Carbon is a timely book full of important information for those seeking to understand the urgency of the climate crisis and the powerful solution of pricing carbon. Thank you David Maenz. The world needs carbon pricing. The world needs more Canada.” – Mark Reynolds, Executive Director Citizens’ Climate Lobby.
Artists will soothe our souls at this time of massive change and Angie Nussey is one of those artists doing just that.
Angie set the tone for the conference by bringing authenticity, emotions and spirituality to our climate conference.
If you want Angie’s beautiful voice perfectly transmitting on your device download her album Still Hope here: https://angienussey.bandcamp.com/track/still-hope
Apologies for the slightly substandard audio. This is what a budget of zero paid staff and a very small group of volunteer donating 500+ hours of their time, taking time off work and finding their own money to get to this conference to make this conference happen at CCL Canada produces. We are so grateful to the volunteers who stepped up well in advance to help us out and abided by timelines, workflow and just plain having fun.
Resources from Canadians for Clean Prosperity:
- Canadians-for-Clean-Prosperity- Presentation to the Ontario Government regarding Bill 4
- How Carbon Dividends Would Benefit Canadian Families
If you live in Ontario, our November action is for you to lobbyyour MPP in your home riding and leave comments online about Ontario’s climate policy. Check out the November 2018 Canadian actions sheets due out by November.
For now here is the CCL Ontario October Leave Behind October 2018
Youth Panel
First: Sarah Mah – Asian Women for Equality (apologies for losing the first couple minutes of audio).
Second: Mollie Anderson – Put a Price On It Canada (6 minutes 50 seconds)
Third: Steve Lee – Foundation for Environmental Stewardship (16 minutes 50 seconds)
Be sure to listen to their panel discussion – it will give you hope.
Followed by
- Bruce Hyer interviewed by Gerry Labelle (One hour, and nine minutes)
- Motivational Interviewing with Vince Schutt (One hour and 36 minutes)
- Closing Comments with Gerry Labelle and Cathy Orlando (Two hours and 4 minutes)
- Angie Nussey – leads us out with two beautiful songs. (Two hours and 10 minutes)
If you want Angie’s beautiful voice perfectly transmitting on your device download her album Still Hope here: https://angienussey.bandcamp.com/track/still-hope
The Details
Schedule Saturday to Tuesday
SCHEDULE STILL SUBJECT TO CHANGE – Fourth draft – August 19
CCL LOBBY PREP DAY: Saturday, October 13, 2018, 11 am to 7:30 pm
Main Venue: Marriott Residence Inn, 161 Laurier W, Ottawa, ON
11:00 am to 12:00 pm: Saturday Registration, pick up lobbying assignments and Parachutes for the Planet* sign-up (Dorchester Room 4th Floor)
12:00 pm to 12:45 pm: Review the 2018 Leave-Behind in small groups in the lounge on 4th Floor or in the Dorchester Room- preferably with your first lobbying group but not necessary. Just make it work. Introduce yourselves to each other and get to work, please.
1:00 pm to 1:15 pm: Welcome, Opening, Orientation (Sir Guy Carlton Room 2nd Floor)
1:15 pm to 2:00 pm: Carbon Pricing Keynote #1 – Dr. David Maenz, author of The Price of Carbon, “Climate Change Mitigation – The Costs of Action vs Inaction.”
2:05 pm to 3:00 pm: Climate Action Training with Judy O’Leary – for new CCLers (Dorchester Room 4th Floor)
2:05 pm to 3:00 pm: A Twitter Workshop with Marlo Firme – for veterans and by request (Sir Guy Carlton Room 2nd Floor)
3:00 pm to 3:15 pm: Coffee, tea and fruit break
3:15 pm to 7:30 pm: Techniques in Motivational Interviewing with a fifteen-minute break to grab some food (a light meal of a vegan stir-fry, spring rolls, and small cakes). We might broadcast this to our leaders in Canada – but not widely. No guarantees. Please check emails for instructions. Please try to sit with your first lobbying group during this session. (Sir Guy Carlton Room 2nd Floor)
EDUCATIONAL DAY: Sunday, October 14, 2018, 10 am to 5:00 pm
Venue: 2nd Floor Marriott Residence Inn, 161 Laurier W, Ottawa, ON all Sir Guy Carlton room except where noted
9:30 am to 10:00 am: Sunday Registration in Sir Guy Carlton Room 2nd Floor
10:00 am to 10:30 am: Welcome with musical opening and storytelling with Angie Nussey
10:30 am to 11:15 am: Carbon Pricing Keynote – Dale Beguin, Executive Director of Canada’s Ecofiscal Commission
11:15 pm to 11:30 am: More music and storytelling with Angie Nussey
11:30 am to 12:15 pm: Medical Panel – featuring Kim Perotta of Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment with Dr. Elaine Blacklock, Dr. Antonio Caycedo – moderated by Dr. Sanjiv Mathur
12:15 pm to 1:30 pm: Lunch provided by us (sandwiches) meet with you second lobbying group
1:30 pm to 2:00 pm: Carbon Pricing Keynote – Mark Cameron, Executive Director of Canadians for Clean Prosperity
2:00 pm to 2:15 pm: More music and storytelling with Angie Nussey
2:15 pm to 3:15 pm: Youth Panel – Sarah Mah, Steve Lee and Mollie Anderson
3:30 pm to 4:00 pm: Guest Speaker – Bruce Hyer in discussion with Gerry Labelle
4:00 pm to 4:30 pm: Motivational Interviewing Revisited with Vince Schutt
4:30 pm to 5:00 pm: Closing comments from Cathy Orlando with a final song from Angie Nussey
5:00 to 6:00 pm: Informal and optional sessions with your lobbying leads
LOBBYING Day 1, Parachutes for the Planet, and GROUP PHOTO: Monday, October 15, 2018, all day
Venue: Parliament Hill. Registered guests at Marriott Residence can use the 2nd floor of the hotel as a meeting area or even your suites for pre-lobbying preparation.
*Parachutes for the Planet, please sign up for shifts on the Saturday in the Dorchester Room. While displaying our Parachutes we will casually lobby MPs and Senators. These Parachutes are transformative. Have fun and please get lots of pictures tag with hashtags #ParachutesForThePlanet #CCCLConf2018
NOTE THE TIME FOR OUR GROUP PHOTO ON PARLIAMENT HILL
Arrive at 2:15 at the Centennial Flame on Parliament Hill for a 2:30 SHARP GROUP PHOTO.
EVENING RECEPTION: Monday, October 15, 2018, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Venue: Sir Guy Room, 2nd Floor, Marriott Residence Inn, 161 Laurier W, Ottawa
Vegan tapas food will be served.
LOBBYING Day 2: Tuesday, October 16, 2018, all day
Venue: Parliament Hill. Registered guests at Marriott Residence can use the 2nd floor of the hotel as a meeting area or even your suites for pre-lobbying preparation.
For those of you who would like to receive updates on Facebook, we have set up an event page.
CONFERENCE BOOKLET: At the conference, please read the conference booklet cover to cover. Great care will be taken to making it as comprehensive as possible. Additionally, it makes a great “leave behind” when lobbying.
Conference Registration - open for Oct 4. Later? Please check details.
Registration for our fifth annual conference is now open HERE.
Registration for Sunday only is $20.
Registration after September 1 is $100.
Because of the news coming out of the IPCC this week, registration has reopened October 4 and will close at 11pm.
You can register thereafter October 4 with no guarantees that you will be fed by us or given a lobbying schedule. Somehow we will make it work. You will have to pay at the door.
Registration fees will appear on your VISA as Karelo, not Citizens’ Climate Lobby. This is the sixth conference they have handled for us. Great service. We highly recommend them: secure, professional, and easy.
Hotel and Accomodations
Our Saturday and Sunday conference venue, our conference hotel and Monday night reception venue is the Marriott Residence Inn, 161 Laurier Avenue West.
THE HOTEL LOCATION: There are many Marriott Hotels in Ottawa. Please note the location of the Marriott Residence Inn. It is near the corner of Elgin St and Laurier Ave. This Ottawa Marriott Residence Inn is close to Parliament Buildings and Ottawa City Hall.
Single or Double rooms: $189 / night
DEADLINE: You must book your room by September 12
GUEST AMENITIES
Complimentary hot buffet breakfast served daily
RIMix Monday to Wednesday for complimentary light fares
Free hi-speed internet access in every suite
Complimentary local phone calls
Laundry facilities
Fitness centre
(open 24 hours) with indoor swimming pool
Underground parking
On-site Tim Horton’s: Mon-Fri 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Sat-Sun 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM *
Marriott Rewards Program
And a great sitting area for pre-lobby sessions.
ABOUT THE SUITES
Studio, one and two bedroom suites with separate living areas with fully equipped kitchen and foldout couch.
At least 50% larger than standard hotel rooms
Working desks with ergonomic chairs
Voicemail
Electronic Key Card System
JAIL HOSTEL: Looking for the alternate CCL Hostel: The OTTAWA Jail Hostel is only a 15-minute walk to the Marriott Residence Inn – our conference venue: http://www.hihostels.ca/Ontario/1166/hi-ottawa-jail.hostel
Important Deadlines and Instructions
- Registration open June 6, 2018
- September 12, 2018: Last day to book hotel room at Marriott Residence Inn.
- Monday, October 1, 2018: MP Bios to canada@citizensclimatelobby.org. Any MP bios sent after that time may or may not be photocopied or formatted in time for the conference by us. You will be responsible.
- Monday, October 1, 2018: Conference registration closes.
- Monday, October 1, 2018: Please get us your lobbying appointments as soon as you get them to canada@citizensclimatelobby.org. We will still accept lobbying appointments made after October 1 – even at the conference and lobbying days. We will make it work. However, they may or may not be included in the master list of lobbying appointments.
- Thursday, October 4, 2018: All photocopying will be sent to the printers.
- Thursday, October 4, 2018: special CCL call for conference registrants (optional) – time and place TBA.
- Friday, October 5 to Friday, October 12, 2018: Days of travel and rest for the conference team because we have other events to attend right before the conference such as CANrac’s ClimateCon at York University (October 10 and 11) as well as we are volunteers and have to earn a living. Thus, we will have limited contact via the internet and our workflow will be only what is absolutely necessary.
- At the conference, please read the conference booklet cover to cover. Great care will be taken to making it as comprehensive as possible. Additionally, it makes a great “leave behind” when lobbying.
- Thursday, October 19, post conference video call to share our stories. Time and place TBA.
WHERE TO SEND: Please lobbying appointments in proper format and MP bios to the email box for CCL Canada: canada@citizensclimatelobby.org .
NAME: The name of the MP, their Party and any special roles they may have in Parliament.
TIME: The day of the week, date and time
LOCATION: Including the building and address and room number if possible
STAFF CONTACT: The staff contact person and their contact information
CONSTITUENTS: Names of constituents (even if they are not attending the conference)
MEETING SCHEDULED BY: Who was the CCL scheduler
ALSO WANTS TO ATTEND: Who you would like to have lobby with you. Constituents in the MP’s riding will get top priority. There are no guarantees.
Lobbying Tool Kit
IMPORTANT
- Photo ID is required to get into all buildings on Parliament Hill.
- Allow at least 15 minutes to get through the airport-like security on Parliament Hill.
- Don’t wear and bring anything that looks remotely political such as flags and CCL swag (Climate Lobby are trigger words it seems) because it may be put in storage while you lobby in the building and that will slow you down.
- If your meeting is in Centre Block go through the “Business Door” on the left and not the “Tourist Door” on the right. We will review this at the conference.
- If by chance you get invited to the Parliamentary Dining Hall, men must wear a tie in the Dining Hall. No Jeans allowed.
- At the conference dress comfortably but note lots of pictures will be taken and posted on the internet.
- When lobbying please dress as if you were going to a job interview for a conservative workplace. Please no jeans.
- CONFERENCE BOOKLET: At the conference, please read the conference booklet cover to cover. Great care will be taken to making it as comprehensive as possible. Additionally, it makes a great “leave behind” when lobbying.
Map of Parliament Hill which will be included in your conference booklet
Lobbying resources.
- LaserTalks_BuildingBridgesOctober2018
- Oct2018 LeaveBehind-English-French – this is our official ask of our MPs
- CCCL 2017 The future is ours Conference booklet
- Getting started on lobbying your MP: A Word document that gives suggested dialogue to use when you phone and then email your MP to book an appointment while we are lobbying in Ottawa. Please only book appointments with your MP. If you are brand new to Citizens’ Climate Lobby and do not have a connection with your local CCL group, check with us to make sure someone has not already started booking the appointment.
- Once you have secured an appointment send the following information to canada@citizensclimatelobby.org
– The name of the MP, their Party and any special roles they may have in Parliament.
– The day, date and time of the appointment
– The location including the building and address and room number if possible
– The staff contact person and their contact information
– Who was the CCL scheduler
– Names of constituents (even if they are not attending the conference)
– Who you would like to have lobby with you (primarily constituents in the MP’s riding will get priority but other special circumstances may be considered. There are no guarantees) - MP bio outline: Update or create a bio for your MP and send it to canada@citizensclimatelobby.org by September 1.
- Lobbying Minutes Form – includes tips on how to take good notes and a big reminder to take pictures and send them to us
- Suggested Lobby Meeting Agenda – Ideas for how to conduct your meeting. This one we have been using since 2010
- Lobby Meeting Checklist – Overview of agenda and suggested roles. New in 2017.
- Our Legislative Proposal: Carbon Fee and Dividend in English and French – only two pages long
- We All Own the Air – July 2015 Paper by Dr. Lars Osberg (Dalhousie) of why Carbon Fee and Dividend makes sense for Canada and chock full of valuable data and information
- Check out the House of Commons Calendar to know when your MP will be in your riding to lobby.
For the super-wonky people:
- CCL Canada’s One-Pager on Fossil Fuel Subsidies in Canada for the RNNR: English and French (May 2017)
- CCL One Pager on Border Tax Adjustments: French and English
- CCL Canada Carbon Pricing Policy Guidelines 05-26-16
- One pager on the REMI report
Suggested visuals to bring when lobbying
- The Five Ways to Price carbon – a great visual for orienting politicians unfamiliar with carbon pricing to the various solutions
- *Carbon Fee and Dividend cartoon also available in French
- Cap and Trade cartoon also available in French
- November 2015 Stanford University Infographic on how 100% renewable energy in Canada by 2050 is 100% possible
- Carbon dividend cheque: English and French
- Please look in the conference booklet too. Lots of great visuals in there.
Never Lobbied Before?
Never lobbied before? Don’t worry, we have been lobbying for carbon fee and dividend for over eight years in Canada. You will be officially trained on the Saturday with our proven methodology. By the end of the session on Saturday, you will begin to feel comfortable. And by the end of the educational day on Sunday, you will be empowered to speak for millions.
Canada potentially could lead the world out of the climate crisis and we just might be the change agents that help catalyze the transformation the world so desperately needs.
We will send registered attendees a series of short emails after October 13 to orient everyone to the weekend.
At the conference, you are going to be hanging out with some of the most interesting, bravest and talented climate volunteers on the planet and we like to have fun. Getting out of our comfort zone is our modus operandi.
Canada now has a nationally-integrated carbon pricing policy. Most of our MP’s will be relieved to know that there is someone in her/his riding that supports a national and rising price on carbon pollution.
CONFERENCE BOOKLET: At the conference, please read the conference booklet cover to cover. Great care will be taken to making it as comprehensive as possible. Additionally, it makes a great “leave behind” when lobbying.
We have one over-arching rule: treat politicians with respect and admiration for their service.
The Final Lobbying Schedule
The Final Lobbying Schedule
After registration closes on October 1, the Lobbying Schedule Committee will meet to finalize the lobbying schedule. Great care will go into balancing the following elements: putting constituents in the room, past lobbying participants, weighing the skills of the different people, giving everyone approximately the same number of appointments, considering the lobby-lead requests and avoiding schedule conflicts.
That all being said, we have to be nimble. About 15-20% of lobbying meetings change at the last minute because we lobby parliamentarians mostly face-to-face. Thus, it is especially critical you do not change your lobbying schedule on your own. Everyone will get their lobbying schedules on Saturday, October 13 at the conference.
Reminder of the details
- Getting started on lobbying your MP: A Word document that gives suggested dialogue to use when you phone and then email your MP to book an appointment while we are lobbying in Ottawa. Please only book appointments with your MP. If you are brand new to Citizens’ Climate Lobby and do not have a connection with your local CCL group, check with us to make sure someone has not already started booking the appointment.
- Once you have secured an appointment send the following information to canada@citizensclimatelobby.org
– The name of the MP, their Party and any special roles they may have in Parliament.
– The day, date and time of the appointment
– The location including the building and address and room number if possible
– The staff contact person and their contact information
– Who was the CCL scheduler
– Names of constituents (even if they are not attending the conference)
– Who you would like to have lobby with you (primarily constituents in the MP’s riding will get priority but other special circumstances may be considered. There are no guarantees)
- MP bio outline: Update or create a bio for your MP and send it to canada@citizensclimatelobby.org by October 1, 2018
The Lobby Trap
Be careful of falling through the lobby trap door.
Inadvertently, subconsciously, unintentionally or sometimes quite deliberately, the following may happen when you lobby: someone in your lobbying group will start talking about all the other climate actions that need to be done to save the climate. Unless you have an hour to lobby the Parliamentarian, please focus on the lobbying ask that many CCLers from across Canada have created together. Here is our previous one currently and we are updating it for 2018: CCCL October 2017 Leave Behind_ English _final.
Ultimately, Canada, and the world needs:
- The carbon price to rise predictably to at least $100-150 tonne by 2030.
- For the carbon price to be as upstream as possible and thereby economy-wide.
- Unprecedented cooperation between the federal government, provinces, and territories.
- Border carbon adjustments to level the playing field with countries that don’t have equivalent carbon prices.
- An end to negative carbon pricing – also known as financial incentives to fossil fuel companies or fossil fuel subsidies.
- For long-term viability, the carbon pricing policy has to be void of inducing cynism and must be as bullet-proof as possible against populist attacks. There has to be political will for the carbon pricing policy.
- Most importantly, the carbon pricing must protect the poor and middle class.
The more focused we are, the higher the probability of success.
Have no doubts, you will be speaking on behalf of millions of people.
About Citizens' Climate Lobby Canada
At Citizens’ Climate Lobby, we’re committed to building the political will for the climate solutions we all need. As empowered citizens, we talk with neighbors, friends, and local officials about how national climate action can help ensure a healthy future while strengthening the Canadian economy.
Our volunteers include high school students and concerned grandparents, a Canadian NASA rocket scientist living in Pasadena, healthcare workers from across Canada and many other walks of life. Some are Ph.D.’s who have spent careers researching the intricacies of climate change; others are concerned citizens who just want to know how to help. Whatever our backgrounds, we’re all united by a commitment to making our voices heard as we call for a healthy climate future.
CCL is a non-partisan international organization. Members of CCL’s International’s advisory board include: George P. Shultz, former US secretary of state; Dr. James Hansen, retired Director of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies; Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, Canadian Climate Scientist at Texas Tech University; and others. CCL believes politicians don’t create political will, they respond to it.
Since 2010, CCL Canada has been lobbying parliamentarians for carbon fee and dividend. In 2016, CCL Canada volunteers focused on recorded a total of 199 meetings with staffers, provincial parliamentarians, and federal parliamentarians. In Canada, we have had well over 2000 letters to the editor, articles, editorials, and opinion pieces published in newspapers by or about us since 2010 – including 701 appearances on the editorial pages of newspapers since in 2017 and 17% of all print media hits worldwide in CCL.
CCL believes citizens who are well trained, organized by ridings and with a good system of support can influence the political process. Our volunteers want Canada to lead the fight to save the global climate, and they want to help politicians achieve this noble goal.
Our Core Values
What We Believe In
Citizens’ Climate Lobby is a non-profit, non-partisan, grassroots advocacy organization focused on national policies to address climate change. These core values guide our staff and volunteers along the way:
Focus
We are focused on what we see as the single most impactful solution to climate change — a national carbon fee. We know it will not solve the problem entirely, and appreciate the work that our friends in other groups are doing. So that we can be effective, we do not let ourselves get distracted by work that does not support our core purpose. After we accomplish our goal, we will tackle the next most impactful solution.
Optimism
We believe that people are good and that democracy works. We are confident that our approach will work because we see progress. We stand for a solution, not in protest of other solutions. We don’t expect perfection from ourselves or others; this is a process and we know that people can improve. Together, we are a community that offers one another comfort, support, and fun as we work.
Relationships
We take the most generous approach to other people as possible — appreciation, gratitude, and respect. We listen, we work to find common values, and we endeavor to understand our own biases. We are honest and firm. We know that there is a place for protest, but our approach is to build consensus — that’s what will bring enduring change. That’s why elected officials and their staff, no matter what their politics, say they are happy to see us — and mean it.
Integrity
We are prepared and do our research. We are always on time for meetings. Our approach is thoughtful & thorough. We consult experts and use data. We are open to new information; in fact, we solicit opposing opinions. We refine our solutions to make them better. We follow up when we are asked. We keep on.
Personal Power
We use our voices to be heard. This simple act transforms us from spectators to engaged citizens, and it reveals the true nature of democracy to us. We are volunteer-driven — trusting volunteers to make important decisions and to create and develop things that will be valued by Citizens’ Climate Lobby.
Being Non-Partisan
Our group is open to all who are serious about solving climate change. You are welcome no matter where you live, what you wear, what you do for a living, or who you voted for in the last election. We work with elected officials and community leaders from across the political spectrum because we believe that everyone is a potential ally.
Promotional Materials
- Outreach and Tabling: CCL Canada trifold brochure in Word and PDF
- Social Media: You can link out to our conference page, use this postcard image (png), and use the Twitter hashtag #CCCLConf2018
For Non Canadians
CANADIAN OPINIONS ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE
A February 2016 Canadian survey found that 61 per cent of respondents believed the earth is getting warmer partly or mostly because of human activities.
A March 2017 poll found that nearly two-thirds of Canadians want the Liberal government to proceed with climate regulations, including carbon pricing, regardless of a new direction on the environment from U.S. President Donald Trump, a new Nanos Research poll says.
Thus the take home messages when lobbying Canadian politicians are that we don’t need to convince most Canadian politicians about the science of climate change (there is one MP in Canada we are unsure about) and most Canadian ridings (you might call them constituencies), with a few exceptions, are receptive to climate solutions. At this point, we are relationship building and working with our MPs to help make sure together we strengthen Canada’s climate policies one riding at a time.
CANADIAN CIVICS 101
OVERVIEW: The USA is a democratic republic whereas Canada is a constitutional monarchy. The President is the elected head of state in the USA. Queen Elizabeth II is our head of state and she is represented in Canada by our Governor General, David Johnson. Our head of state is also called “the Crown”. Canada has a bicameral system, just like the USA, with lower and upper houses.
EXECUTIVE BRANCH: In Canada, the political party with the most seats in the House of Commons forms the government and the leader of that party becomes the Prime Minister (PM). The executive branch of the Canadian government is led by the PM and he/she appoints senior Members of Parliament to the executive in a cabinet adhering to the principle of cabinet collective responsibility. The Privy Council is the non-partisan, public service support to the PM and Cabinet and its decision-making structures.
HOUSE OF COMMMONS: Our lower house is called the House of Commons and it is the Canadian equivalent of the US House of Representatives. Our federal representatives are elected in electoral districts which we call ridings. We have 338 electoral districts for 35 million people. Our federal representatives are called Members of Parliament or MPs. Until 2009, governments could call an election at any time within five years of being elected. Since 2009, we have legislated set election dates every four years, unless there is a non-confidence vote in the House of Commons which defeats the government and forces an election. This usually happens when we have minority governments.
MINORITY GOVERNMENTS A minority government happens when the ruling party does not have a majority of the seats in Parliament. Currently, we have a majority government under the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau (and yes, we add “u’s” to a lot of words up here). These recent governments were all minority governments: 2004-2006, 2006-2008 and 2008-2011. Canada is predisposed to minority governments because we have three major political parties and compared to the USA, a significant Green Party which garners about 5% of the popular vote and a regional party: the Bloc Québécois which currently holds 10 seats. Like in the USA and Britain, Canadian MPs are among the last representatives elected using a first-past-the-post ballot which many Canadians hope will change to some form of proportional representation.
THE CANADIAN SENATE: The Canadian Senate, unlike in the USA, is not elected. It is an appointed senate. Most senators hold their seat until the mandatory age of retirement. There are three types of senators in Canada: Independents, Liberals and Conservatives. Currently, Independents and Liberals combined in the Senate are in a majority. The Canadian senate is undergoing a reformation currently. The Senate is divided equally amongst four geographic regions: 24 for Ontario, 24 for Quebec, 24 for the Maritimes (10 for Nova Scotia, 10 for New Brunswick, and four for Prince Edward Island), and 24 for the Western provinces (six each for Manitoba, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Alberta). Newfoundland and Labrador, which became a Canadian province in 1949, is represented by six senators. Further, Canada’s three territories—the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut—are allocated one senator each. An additional four or eight senators may be temporarily appointed by the governor general, provided the approval of the Queen is secured, and the four divisions are equally represented, thus putting the maximum possible number of senators at 113.
THE DOMINATE BRANCH: The House of Commons is the dominant branch of parliament with the Senate and the Crown rarely opposing its will. The Senate is meant to take a second sober look at bills before they pass into law. The Senate reviews legislation from a less partisan standpoint and the Governor General provides the necessary Royal Assent to make bills into law.
POWERS OF A MAJORITY GOVERNMENT: The Canadian Prime Minister in a majority government has powers that a US president could only dream of because she/he has complete control over the executive and the House of Commons for four years (we don’t have mid-term elections in Canada) and they are rarely opposed by the senate or the Governor General.
Past CCCL: Conferences and Events
The Future is Ours – National Conference and Lobbying Days, October 2018
Climate Action Counts – Ontario Election Online Conference – May 2018
Onward and Upward Ontario, March 2017
Everything is Connected: National Conference and Lobbying Days, November 2016
Climate For Change: Ottawa Meeting and Lobbying Days, June 2016
Meeting and Lobbying Ottawa, March 2016
Come Together Ontario, October 2015
Leading Change: Ottawa Meeting and Lobbying Days, June 2015
Carbon Fee Prosperity: National Conference and Lobbying Days, November 2014
Canadian Conference, November 2013
OPTIONAL: Not required but helpful videos and live training from CCL HQ
On the Saturday and Sunday of our conference, you will get plenty of training. These recommendations are 100% optional.
NEW TO CCL? Start by joining our weekly intro call. The Intro Call to CCL is held weekly on Wednesdays at 8pm ET, 5pm PT and it is a live call. CLICK HERE TO JOIN
After the intro call, the next step for new CCL volunteers is Climate Advocate Training.
What: Facilitated by CCL Trainers, this webinar will not only teach you about Citizens’ Climate Lobby’s methods and visions but also inspire you to find your role so you can hit the ground running.
When: Offered two times a month (day session and an evening session).
- Day session is the 1st Wednesday of each month at 1:00 pm ET (adjust for your time zone).
- Evening session is the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 8:00 ET (adjust for your time zone).
By clicking “Register!” you are giving Citizens’ Climate Lobby and Citizens’ Climate Education permission to send you email including information about CCL/CCE and how you can volunteer and support our work. You can unsubscribe at any time by emailing gro.ybboletamilcsnezitic@ebircsbusnu.
Don’t have time for a live session but want to learn more?
RECOMMENDED VIEWING
- Introduction to Citizens Climate Lobby – 26 mins
- Climate Advocate Training – Part 1/Lesson One – 27 mins
- Climate Advocate Training – Part 2/Lesson Two – 35 mins
ADDITIONAL VIEWING
Some may find watching or listening to these CCL USA lessons helpful too but again to remind you, it is not required.
OPTIONAL: Parachutes for the Planet
For instructions on how to start your Parachute for the Planet please go here: http://motherearthproject.org/parachutes/
Read a story about Parachutes for the Planet: https://cclca.wpengine.com/blog-parachutes-for-the-planet-touching-the-heart-through-art/
Canadians, for more information on the project please contact Laura at ccl.westkootenay@gmail.com
Canadians, please send your parachutes by October 1 to:
Citizens’ Climate Lobby Canada
435 Notre Dame Ave, Lower Level
Sudbury ON, P3C 5K6
Or bring to CCL Canada’s National Conference and Lobbying Days.
**Please register your parachute here, and include a brief story about your parachute (25-300 words)**
For USA contact info and mailing address, go to this link.
CLICK HERE for a one-page description on how to make a parachute for the planet that you can share.
OPTIONAL: Thursday, September 20 - CCL Canada Education with Kevin Taft
SAVE THE DATE THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 20
Kevin Taft author of Oil’s Deep State will be our guest on our Canadian CCL Education call
Thurs, Sept. 20
4 pm PT / 7 pm ET SHARP and note your time zone.
Please sign in five minutes early:
Zoom Room 3920795005, https://citizensclimate.zoom.us/j/3920795005
Or dial in: 1 877.369.0926, meeting code: 3920 7950 05
Here’s a video that shows how Zoom works: https://youtu.be/vFhAEoCF7jg
Please sign the doodler: Sign the doodler.
WHY ATTEND? This is an optional call but knowing how our democracy has been compromised by some players in the oil industry will help you in your work. Leave a question the Doodler by September 15 and read the book this summer.
Live Streaming Details
We have a high school teacher who live-streams all of his classes who will help us this year.
We will be in Zoom Room 3920795005
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://citizensclimate.zoom.us/j/3920795005