650 Municipalities have Declared a Climate Emergency in Canada
It’s true that our climate is changing – and we know it is because of human influence.
Canada’s Changing Climate Report, led by Environment and Climate Change Canada, reveals that Canada is warming twice as fast as the rest of the world.
The report contains alarming facts on the state of climate emergency in Canada and an urgent warning to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
While it might be tempting to throw your hands up and panic, feel nervous, anxious and feel really uncomfortable….
We here at Random Acts of Green want to help.
Thankfully, 650 Canadian municipalities have joined forces with an international movement to declare a state of emergency regarding the climate crisis!
We wanted to take a moment and champion them here – and hope that more cities take action.
Read On to see the climate emergency declarations in Canada.
1. Vancouver, British Columbia
2. Halifax, Nova Scotia
3. Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia
Declared on February 12, 2019.
Capital Regional District (CRD)
The Capital Regional District (CRD) is the regional government for 13 municipalities and three electoral areas on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, serving more than 413,000 citizens. The board voted unanimously in favor of making a Climate Emergency Declaration on February 13, 2019.
This includes:
4. Central Saanich, British Columbia
5. Colwood, British Columbia
7. Highlands, British Columbia
8. Langford, British Columbia
9. Metchosin, British Columbia
10. North Saanich, British Columbia
17. Edmundston , New Brunswick
The first city in New Brunswick was declared on February 19, 2019.
18. Powell River, British Columbia
Declared on February 21, 2019.
19. Kingston, Ontario
First city in Ontario declared on March 6, 2019.
20. New Westminister, British Columbia
21. Richmond, British Columbia
More Climate Emergency Declarations in Canada… continued!
22. Islands Trust Council, British Columbia
23. Hamilton, Ontario
24. Moncton, New Brunswick
25. Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
26. Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK), British Columbia
27. London, Ontario
28. Burlington, Ontario
29. West Nipissing, Ontario
30. Ottawa, Ontario
31. Nanaimo, British Columbia
32. St. Catharines, Ontario
33. Halton Hills, Ontario
34. Cape Breton Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia
35. Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation – Old Crow, Yukon
36. Wolfville, Nova Scotia
37. Colwood, British Columbia
38. Greater Sudbury, Ontario
39. Prince Edward County, Ontario
40. Vaughan, Ontario
41. Brampton, Ontario
42. Port Moody, British Columbia
43. Sarnia, Ontario
44. Bathurst, New Brunswick
45. Mississauga, Ontario
46. Kitchener, Ontario
47. Oakville, Ontario
48. Whitby, Ontario
49. qathet Regional District, British Columbia
50. Squamish, British Columbia
51. Gananoque Town Council, Ontario
52. North Vancouver District, British Columbia
53. West Vancouver, British Columbia
54. Chatham-Kent, Ontario
55. King Township, Ontario
56. Smithers, British Columbia
57. Duncan, British Columbia
58. North Cowichan, British Columbia
59. Langley Township Council, British Columbia
60. Milton Town Council, Ontario
61. Edmonton, Alberta
62. Burnaby, British Columbia
63. Halton, Ontario
64. Ajax, Ontario
65. Peterborough, Ontario
Declared September 23, 2019.
Did you know this is where Random Acts of Green is headquartered?
66. Annapolis County Council, Nova Scotia
67. Whitehorse, Yukon
68. Woolwich, Ontario
69. Wilmot Town Council, Ontario
70. Kenora, Ontario
71. Canmore, Alberta
72. Toronto, Ontario
73. Wellesley Town Council, Ontario
74. Waterloo, Ontario
75. Barrie, Ontario
76. Berwick, Nova Scotia
77. Collingwood, Ontario
78. Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
79. Aurora, Ontario
80. Peel Regional Council, Ontario
81. Central Elgin, Ontario
82. Bowen Island Municipal Council, British Columbia
83. Surrey, British Columbia
84. St. John’s, Newfoundland
85. Brantford, Ontario
86. Cowichan Valley, British Columbia
87. Windsor, Ontario
88. Meaford, Ontario
89. Cobourg, Ontario
90. Brant County, Ontario
91. Tecumseh Town Council, Ontario
92. Amherstburg Town Council, Ontario
93. Pickering, Ontario
94. White Rock City Council, Ontario
95. Thunder Bay, Ontario
96. Newmarket, Ontario
97. Goderich, Ontario
98. Durham Regional Council, Ontario
99. Caledon, Ontario
100. St. Thomas, Ontario
101. Stratford, Ontario
102. Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
103. Shippigan, New Brunswick
104. Clarington, Ontario
105. Muskoka District Council, Ontario
106. Essex Town Council, Ontario
107. Lions Bay Village Council, British Columbia
108. Gravenhurst Town Council, Ontario
109. Pembroke City Council, Ontario
110. Belleville City Council, Ontario
111. Huntsville Town Council, Ontario
112. Bracebridge Town Council, Ontario
113. Brock Town Council, Ontario
114. Calgary City Council, Alberta
115. Cornwall City Council, Ontario
116. Inisfill City Council, Ontario
117. Pemberton Town Council, British Columbia
118. New Glasgow, Nova Scotia
119. Grey County Council, Ontario
120. Penticton City Council, British Columbia
Declared May 17th, 2022
121. Qualicum Beach Town Council, British Columbia
122. Dufferin County Council, Ontario
123. Port Hope, Ontario
124. Chase, British Columbia
125. Fredericton, New Brunswick
Climate Emergency Canada List Last Updated: June 26, 2023
Additionally, the movement was sparked in Quebec as early as August 2018 which has seen more than 525 municipal councils endorse a Declaration d’urgency Climatique. Learn more about it here.
First Nations leaders from across Canada passed a resolution declaring a “global climate emergency” at the Assembly of First Nations, representing 634 First Nations across Canada.
There are a number of municipalities across Canada that are in the process of declaring a climate emergency.
Many councils end up debating the particular language used when addressing climate.
For example, the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) in British Columbia declared a ‘climate action imperative’ on April 11th. The City of Guelph, Ontario voted to ‘acknowledge a climate crisis’ rather than declare a climate emergency.
Many of these cities are also part of The Partners For Climate Protection Program. This is a network of 400+ Canadian municipal governments who have committed to reducing greenhouse gases and acting on climate change. It consists of a five-step Milestone Framework that provides guidance and supports to reduce emissions in the municipality.
The evidence provided in the most recent report confirms that Canada’s climate has warmed in response to global emissions of carbon dioxide from human activity.
This is a clear wake-up call for all Canadians that climate change is real and requires urgent action – and we want to help!
The science is clear that we all need to reduce our carbon footprint.
The Random Acts of Green® mobile app is designed to help you understand your impact by quantifying the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that can be reduced when you make low-carbon lifestyle choices.
Take action TODAY.
Join these brave municipalities who have the courage to acknowledge the situation we are in and commit to doing something about it.
One of the best ways to take climate action is to talk about it.
Learn How To Have Effective Climate Conversations – According To Experts
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