Climate change: ENvironnement JEUnesse will go to the Supreme Court to have Canada condemned
The environmental organization ENvironnement JEUnesse” does not give up “and wishes make it to the Supreme Court of Canada, despite two setbacks before the Quebec courts, either before the Superior Court of Quebec and now before the Court of Appeal of Quebec. The organization wants to take collective action against the Government of Canada for its behavior in the fight against climate change.
I am very disappointed to see this second refusal by the courts, but we will not give up. Climate change threatens our lives and our security, and I'm worried about its increasingly tangible and threatening impacts. I know that I can count on the young people we represent to continue fighting and asserting our rights.
Catherine Gauthier, designated member of the collective action and general manager of ENvironnement JEUnesse
In November 2018, ENvironnement JEUnesse filed a request for authorization against the Government of Canada to take collective action on behalf of all young people under 35 in Quebec.
The objective of the legal action is that the behavior of the Government of Canada in the fight against climate change is declared as infringing the rights of young people and that a conviction ensue. Punitive damages could be demanded following the conviction.
At first instance, the Superior Court refused to authorize the class action against the Government of Canada. ENvironnement JEUnesse's appeal to overturn the decision was also rejected, we learned late in the afternoon.
The Supreme Court recognized in a recent judgment that climate change will have particularly serious and devastating effects in Canada. With the application for leave to appeal from JEUnesse Environment, it will now be called upon to decide what role the Canadian courts should play in this unprecedented crisis.
Me Bruce Johnston, of Trudel Johnston & amp; Lespérance representing ENvironnement JEUnesse
ENvironnement JEUnesse “intends to submit an application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada in order to defend the rights of young people to life, security, equality and to live in a healthy environment, fundamental rights protected by the Charters ”.
