For immediate release
September 10^th, 2009

Over 1000 Canadian Youth to send Strong Message to Government on Climate, Green jobs: Power Shift Canada 2009

Ottawa – Young people from across Canada are taking a stand on climate change this October. From October 23-26^th, over 1000 youth will converge on the nation’s capital to take part in the largest youth gathering for climate change in Canadian history – Power Shift Canada.

Power Shift Canada is a four day summit of intensive social and ecological justice organizing, training, speakers and a massive lobby day to voice to elected officials that Canadian youth want action and bold commitments to creating a clean just future, creating thousands of green jobs, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions to levels mandated by science. Power Shift Canada participants will also participate in a massive demonstration on Parliament Hill in coordinated with the International Day of Action on Climate Change (Saturday October 24).

“At Power Shift Canada we are going to send a message to our elected officials, if they don’t support action on climate change, we’ll elect politicians that do,” said Tria Donaldson, lead coordinator for Power Shift Canada. “The goal of Power Shift Canada is to help connect youth who are taking action on climate change in their communities, workplaces and schools and forge a single, united voice that demands aggressive action from the federal government to deal with the impending threat climate change will have on our environment and our economy.”

Hosted by the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition, the voice of Canadian Youth on climate change, Power Shift Canada is also one of numerous national and international events being organized leading up to the crucial UN climate negotiations taking place in Copenhagen this December.

“Power Shift Canada is part of an international movement of youth worldwide leading up to the United Nations talks in Copenhagen,” says Amber Church, National Director of the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition.  “Canadian youth join with those from around the world who are standing up and speaking out on the climate crisis.  We are mobilizing to create the positive future we need, and are asking our leaders to stand with us, and work with us, to shape that future.”

Numerous campaigns will be running in the lead up to Power Shift Canada. A national video competition will give youth from across the country the chance to voice their concerns about climate change, show the impacts they see in their communities, and let the world know why they want to see change. Youth will also participate in a green jobs photo rally online to share their vision of a green and sustainable workforce. Finally, youth will vote online for their Top Ten Actions for government.

Power Shift events have gathered over 20,000 youth worldwide to lobby their governments for bold and comprehensive action. Other organizations such as 350.org, Kyoto Plus, and C-Day Fill the Hill are working together to demand Canada take a leading role at these negotiations.

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For more information about Power Shift Canada and our campaigns please visit www.powershiftcanada.org, and www.ourclimate.ca or contact:

Amber Church
Director, Canadian Youth Climate Coalition
email: director@ourclimate.ca
ph: 778-238-9884

Tria Donaldson can be reached for comment by calling Amber Church.