A large crowd of close to 2,000 people marched through downtown Toronto Saturday afternoon as part of Canada-wide protests calling on the new Liberal government to prioritize the climate, Indigenous rights, migrants and workers ahead of the fall budget.
Protesters’ concerns included Prime Minister Mark Carney’s support for new fossil fuel projects, potential public service cuts as well as other issues like Indigenous rights, anti-war activism and more.
Organizers said in a release that the Liberal government’s agenda “pushes forward climate destructive pipelines, continues the arming of Israel and scapegoats migrants.”
“We are building a common front because at this point, when we see the climate catastrophe that we are all facing, the world is on the brink of war because of the huge armaments that are being built up in most countries,” said Syed Hussan, an organizer and spokesperson for the Migrants Rights Network, to a crowd in Sankofa Square ahead of the march.
“So we need to take a stand here.”
The protest was organized by a coalition of 14 partner organizations that represent movements for migrant justice, economic justice, Indigenous rights, anti-war activism and climate justice. Similar protests were planned around Canada, including Ottawa, Montreal and Vancouver, as well as other places around the world.
Among the issues raising alarm bells for protest organizers are the new Liberal government’s promise to make significant cuts to federal program spending at the same time as the government adds billions of dollars to its military budget.
The Prime Minister’s Office did not return a request for comment from CBC News Saturday.
Organizers also criticized Carney’s plan to fast-track a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project and its decision to appoint a former Trans Mountain pipeline CEO to lead a newly-announced major projects office.
Environmentalist David Suzuki, who said he was attending Saturday’s rally as a grandfather trying to protect future generations, said he believes Carney is caught in a political system that is putting the economy over the long-term survival of humanity.
“We’re in a crisis,” he said. “We’ve got a Prime Minister who I know knows very well about climate change and the threat, but he’s still supporting pipelines and LNG.”
Bill C-5, which was pitched as a way to speed up approvals for major projects and shore up the domestic economy in the face of U.S. tariffs, also drew criticism at Saturday’s rally.
Indigenous and environmental groups have said they fear fast-tracked projects could undermine Indigenous rights and sidestep environmental protections.
Carney defends Bill C-5 amid court challenges by First Nations
The coalition is opposing another piece of proposed legislation, one they say is “anti-immigrant.”.
Bill C-2, introduced earlier this year after U.S. President Donald Trump tied the threat of tariffs to Canada’s border security, would give authorities new powers to search mail, facilitate police access to personal information and make it easier for officials to pause or cancel immigration applications.
The federal public safety minister signalled Wednesday that the government is open to adjusting the bill in an upcoming committee process.
Critics say new border legislation aligns Canada’s immigration system with the U.S.
Hussan with the Migrants Rights Network said the bill attacks immigrants and refugees, calling it an attempt to distract and divide Canadians.
“We will not be divided. It’s not immigrants versus Indigenous, not Indigenous people versus workers, it’s not climate versus jobs. It is one unified people, and we are all affected by the climate we’re in,” he said.
Palestinian solidarity was another issue that figured prominently at Saturday’s rally.
It comes days after a team of independent experts commissioned by the United Nations Human Rights Council concluded Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Israel has rejected the allegations and did not co-operate with the commission.
Canada’s plan to recognize Palestinian statehood is a ‘constructive step’: Rae | Power & Politics
Carney’s government has taken an increasingly sharp tone on Israel’s actions in Gaza and across the Middle East in recent months, saying it intends to recognize Palestinian statehood at the UN General Assembly this month.
Omar Elkhatib, an organizer with the Palestinian Youth Movement, called on Canada to impose a full arms embargo on Israel, going beyond the current ban on arms that could be used in Gaza.
“We believe that enforcing an arms embargo reflects the demand of all peoples seeking justice … for all oppressed peoples,” he told the crowd.
In Ottawa, large crowds gathered late Saturday morning along Wellington Street near Parliament Hill before loudly marching through the downtown.
“They’re drawing the line on decisions made by elites that are ruining our country,” said Don Davies, the interim leader of the federal NDP who took part in Saturday’s protest in Ottawa.
“[It’s about] recognizing that social justice, economic justice, climate justice, Indigenous justice, justice for migrants and justice for people around the world — like in Palestine — are interrelated. And they’re saying that enough is enough.”
As part of the demonstration, protesters painted a large red-and-white mural on Wellington Street in front of Carney’s office.
In a social media post, Ottawa police said that a stretch of Wellington Street would remain closed until late Saturday afternoon so the paint could be removed. Two people also ended up being arrested for mischief, they said.
