Editor:
We are delighted to report that a petition circulated by the Sunshine Coast Sue Big Oil campaign has reached a milestone of more than 2,000 local signatures. The petition calls on local governments to join a BC-wide class action lawsuit against Big Oil to recover costs incurred due to climate change. (See West Coast Environmental Law’s www.suebigoil.org)
Climate-related disasters (e.g. flooding, drought, fires, etc.) are already increasing local taxes while B.C. residents are struggling with high inflation and excessive housing costs.
Courageous leadership is needed now more than ever. The petition asks local governments to put aside one dollar per resident to help fund the lawsuit. Momentum is growing. At the time of writing, seven B.C. governments have committed to join the lawsuit, including Gibsons and, most recently, Burnaby and Port Moody.
On June 12 at a Committee of the Whole, we will be proposing that the District of Sechelt join this class action suit. Concerned citizens can review information on our website www.scsbo.ca and are encouraged to reach out to the District of Sechelt Council ([email protected]) in support of the campaign.
Maryann Kamphuis (Sechelt) and Monique Roy-Michaeli (Sechelt)
