NEWS RELEASE
ECOJUSTICE
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The seven youth at the heart of a landmark climate case have a message for the Ontario government: They are ready to keep fighting.
Yesterday, the Ontario government filed an application for leave to appeal the Mathur et. al case to the Supreme Court of Canada, setting the stage for a monumental hearing at Canada’s highest court — which could have far-reaching implications for how governments respond to one of the most urgent crises of the 21st century: climate change.
Ontario’s filing comes in response to a landmark victory handed down by the province’s top court in October, which overturned a lower court ruling and confirmed that Ontario’s weak target must be carefully reviewed for compliance with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, using traditional principles of constitutional law.
Alex, Beze, Madi, Shaelyn, Shelby, Sophia, and Zoe, backed by lawyers from Ecojustice and Stockwoods LLP, say this is a crucial moment in the fight against the climate emergency, and they are prepared to take this case as far as necessary to protect their generation and future generations from government-caused climate harms.
The case began as a legal challenge to the Ontario government’s decision to significantly weaken the province’s 2030 climate target. It has since made history in Canada, setting legal precedents along the way — including becoming the first climate Charter case to ever be heard and ruled on its merits.
If granted leave, this would mark the first time a climate case based on Charter rights is being decided at the Supreme Court of Canada. The decision would have precedent-setting implications, not only for Ontario, but for all of Canada.
Shaelyn Wabegijig, youth applicant, who grew up in Rama, shared: “As in so many places around the world, it is falling on young people and Indigenous peoples to lead the fight against the climate emergency in Canada. Not only do I have the right to address the impacts of climate change in court; I have the responsibility to protect the sacred land, water, and air that nourishes us. Our governments must listen to the land, Indigenous knowledge, climate science, and the lived experiences and realities of young people who have the most at stake in the fight for a safe, livable planet. I will support this court case until we achieve life-affirming, scientifically informed governance.”
Sophia Mathur, youth applicant, shared: “I have been part of the fight for climate justice for so much of my life. I was only 12 years old when we took the Ontario government to court for the first time. Now, five years later, I am more determined than ever to see this case through. The climate crisis is here, and it is going to impact us all. I’m fighting for my future, and for the future of the generations that come after me. My fellow applicants and I know what’s at stake, and we are not backing down.”
Alex Neufeldt, youth applicant, shared: “I joined this case because the climate crisis is impacting the way young people like me can dream about our futures — about building homes, businesses, and communities. This fight has never been more important. Our case has beaten the odds at every turn and I believe it will continue to do so. My hope is that our fight helps reshape Canadian law and holds the Ontario government, and all governments, accountable for fuelling the climate crisis.”
Fraser Thomson, climate director at Ecojustice, said: “When the Ontario government’s climate plan put us on the path to climate catastrophe, seven young people courageously stepped forward to protect our rights to a livable future. They made history when the province’s top court agreed that the government’s actions threatened the lives and safety of all Ontarians. Now, they are ready to make history again. Today’s filing opens the door to a generation-defining hearing before Canada’s highest court — one that could lead to recognizing that governments have constitutional obligations to address one of the most pressing emergencies we have ever faced. The climate crisis isn’t going away, and neither are we.”
Nader Hasan, partner at Stockwoods and lead counsel to the applicants, said: “Our clients have already made history, and we believe they will continue to do so. Their fight has brought the urgency of the climate crisis to the forefront of the national debate. And their courage in calling on our elected leaders to protect Ontarians has demonstrated how crucial the voice of youth can be in pushing forward the fight against climate change. If the Supreme Court grants leave to appeal to Ontario, this case will mark the first time that our high court will consider whether a government’s conduct on climate change violates Charter rights. The stakes have never been higher, and the seven youth at the helm of this case are committed to safeguarding our rights to a safe, healthy, livable future.”
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