Thousands of people attended the Climate Strike in , joining millions worldwide, in September 2019

THE COUNCIL OF CANADIANS’ 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Since 1985, the Council of Canadians lic health care, and demand climate many more cities and communities has been a home for people who be- justice. We stood up to the power of turned “blue” in 2019, including lieve a better is not only possi- corporations. We worked in solidari- Montreal, Los Angeles, Brussels and K&$ ty for Indigenous rights and pushed numerous cities and towns across has always been built on a strong our governments to bridge the gaps Canada. They did so by supporting foundation of timely and strategic  K campaigns for the values, social pro- their commitment to provide public grams and progressive policies we all There are many people who helped water and wastewater services, and believe in – and it has been built with   K banning the sale of bottled water in the grassroots support and action of ($ municipal facilities. Your support people like you. Maude Barlow, our national Board got materials into the hands of peo- }K  *K ple in communities across Canada & $ Halifax, Montreal, , Edmon- and around the world who raised entirely by your generous donations. ton and , our chapter ac- awareness about the need for water Our independence as an organization tivists who put our campaigns and to stay in public hands. It also got is maintained by not accepting any progressive issues into action, and youth involved – students in Que- money from corporations or govern- of course, you, our committed mem- bec and Ottawa began their journeys ments. This independence allows us bers, donors and supporters, who to become “Blue Schools” through to speak out clearly and freely with a make it all possible. this initiative. All of this incredible powerful, collective voice. work was then put in the spotlight as Here are just some of the positive Maude Barlow launched her book, TAKING ACTION changes you made possible in 2019: Whose Water is it, Anyway?, in com- FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE munities across the country. With a network of more than 50 YOU TURNED volunteer chapters across Canada, COMMUNITIES “BLUE” YOU PROTECTED WATER in 2019 the Council of Canadians & $ $ % $- AND SAID “NO” TO NESTLÉ brought people together in communi- munities Project gives people the tools You challenged the privatization of ties across the country to protect wa- they need to protect water at the local the Commons – resources like water ter, build democracy, strengthen pub- level. Thanks to your generous support,

8 CANADIAN PERSPECTIVES AUTUMN 2020 Z%$*- tario, Nestlé has water-taking permits   Nestlé continues to draw from com- munity drinking water sources for their outrageous bottled water busi- ness. You petitioned both provincial a water grab that drains community water sources and leaves a terrible legacy of plastic waste. You joined with more than 90,000 people who have taken the Boycott Nestlé pledge and pressured governments to stop giving away our water to this multi- national water corporation. YOU OPPOSED THE YOU BUILT GRASSROOTS GOVERNMENT’S “BILLION SUPPORT FOR A GREEN YOU MADE CUSMA – THE DOLLAR BUYOUT” NEW DEAL IN CANADA NEW NAFTA – BETTER FOR On June 18, 2019, less than 24 hours We are living in a global climate cri- PEOPLE AND THE PLANET K sis. Scientists have given us under a When U.S. President Donald Trump the Canadian government approved decade to cut our emissions in half tried to strongarm Canada into re- the climate-killing Trans Mountain in order to avoid catastrophic im- vising the North American Free ~ > < - pacts and the crisis moving beyond & ‰Q - vered on building it, the Trudeau our control. To do that, we must vour, you made sure people across government used taxpayer dollars to see “rapid, far-reaching and un- the country had crucial and up-to- buy it. Through all of this, Council of precedented changes in all aspects date information about the deal Canadians supporters have been on of society.” You are part of a global and its impacts. Tens of thousands movement for a Green New Deal of Council of Canadians support- pipeline. You organized rallies and that provides a just transition, led ers lobbied their MP for significant <[K by the federal government, to slash changes in the agreement through delivered copies of the Council of emissions, meet the demands of the petitions, phone calls and letters. $a- multiple crises we face, respect the As a result, dangerous provisions port Billion Dollar Buyout: How Cana- rights of Indigenous Peoples, and that allowed corporations to sue dian taxpayers bought a climate-kill- create over 1 million jobs in the our government for policies and process. It is a proposal that is gain- regulations that infringed on their supports it, and you kept a spotlight ing in popularity among people and investments – even if they were en- on the urgent need to transition to a groups from all walks of life, espe- low carbon future. cially young people who know their the environment – were dropped. futures are at stake. You took part ’“& YOU SAID OFFSHORE DRILLING in cross-country townhalls, wrote energy proportionality rules that IS NOT WITH THE RISK letters of support, and helped build required Canada to send a fixed Despite the well-documented need momentum for a Green New Deal amount of energy south of our bor- to rapidly move toward a renewable from the grassroots up. Now, more der to the U.S. You raised import- energy future, provincial and federal than ever, it is essential to build a ant questions about new market governments are continuing to sup- new economy that places power in rules that will allow U.S. milk from  the hands of people, not corpora- cattle injected with genetically en- gas in Nova Scotian waters. Council tions, and protects the environment gineered bovine growth hormone $ so we all have a livable future. into Canada even though the sub-  stance has been banned for use in waters and stop this risky extraction YOU MADE THE CASE Canada. Your generous support also process. Council chapters held ral- FOR PHARMACARE allowed us to work with trade and lies, information meetings, and Before COVID-19 hit, one in four health coalitions and Canadian MPs helped increase the political pressure Canadians could not afford their to challenge rules that would extend for a full public inquiry on the risks of medications. With the high num- patent provisions on biologic drugs, ’ ber of job losses, this number is ex- keeping their prices higher for lon-  pected grow. Throughout the Coun- ger. This coalition work helped U.S. that has garnered more than 60,000 K Democrats remove these harmful K  the ongoing efforts to make a na- provisions from the agreement. drilling is not worth the risk. tional pharmacare program part of

AUTUMN 2020 CANADIAN PERSPECTIVES 9 Summary Statement of $ K Your donations allowed us to support Revenue and Expenses everyone access to the medications a legal challenge against Saskatche- for the fiscal year ended they need without the barrier of $ $ - pricing plan, arguing that it must December 31, 2019 ters across the country are fight- be upheld as constitutional. While ing for strengthened public health &K REVENUES care in their communities. With wider climate plan, fall well below Memberships and your support, we enhanced their what is needed, we intervened be- Contributions 3,634,001 efforts by delivering hard-hitting cause we believe governments at all reports, lobbying MPs and educat- levels need to coordinate to pursue Program Funding ing the public on how pharmacare ambitious and equitable climate pol- Contributions 171,238 would not only give people access icy. A ruling that allows a provincial to needed prescription drugs, it government to opt out of a federal Interest and Other 21,549 would save all of us a lot of money climate plan would set a legal prece- through the bulk purchase of med- ’ Total Revenue 3,826,788 ications. Together, we will make say “Reject Teck” and your support pharmacare a reality. allowed us to speak as an intervenor in hearings on what would have been EXPENSES YOU STOOD IN SOLIDARITY the largest tar sands mine to date. WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLES ’  b Chapter Funding $450,036 The Council of Canadians works in Teck Resources abandoned its plans solidarity with Indigenous Peoples. for the mine in early 2020. National and International ’ Z- Campaigns $852,039 digenous rights under the United THANK YOU Nations Declaration on the Rights With your support, the Council of Fundraising $1,004,863 of Indigenous Peoples. You attend- Canadians garnered hundreds of ed rallies against the Coastal Gas- media hits, organized major events Communications and Link pipeline project and the Trans in communities across Canada and Outreach $425,387 Mountain pipeline which threaten around the world, held conferences Z [ K and speaking tours, produced edu- Annual Conference and prior and informed consent. You cational materials and reports, pro- Board meetings $248,854  vided daily updates on our website at Mi'kmaq water protectors to stop the canadians.org and on social media, Finance and Admin $807,869 Alton Gas natural gas storage project and delivered informative articles in in Nova Scotia which threatens the Canadian Perspectives. Total Expense 3,789,048 Shubenacadie River. You supported the calls of Grassy Narrows First Na- These remarkable achievements Net Revenue (Expense) for the period 37,740 and funding for the health challeng- contributions. More than $3.6 mil- es in their community caused by lion was received from supporter mercury poisoning. You joined with K- EACH DOLLAR YOU GIVE Indigenous Peoples in their call for resents 95 per cent of total revenue. TO THE COUNCIL IS SPENT true reconcilliation. Please see the Summary Statement of ON THE FOLLOWING Revenue and Expenses which shows YOU FOUGHT TO STOP our sources of revenue and how we Political work 34% CLIMATE CHANGE spent this funding. National and international Our world is warming too fast and campaigns 22% scientists are clear that we need to We extend a most heartfelt thank you Local/regional campaigns 12% change direction to stop irrevers- to all of you, our donors, for support- ible damage to our planet by climate ing this work! Conferences/other political work 7% change. Thanks to you, we took many actions throughout the year to edu- THE CITIZEN’S AGENDA FUND Fundraising and Services 27% cate, raise awareness, and put pres- The Council of Canadians would like sure on politicians to act. Our chap- to extend a special thank you to ev- Communications 11% ters and activists joined with youth to $+ take to the streets for Fridays for Fu- “ $“ & - Administration/support 21% K ership-level contributions made it to governments for urgent action in possible to achieve many campaign the growing face of climate change. victories in 2019.

10 CANADIAN PERSPECTIVES AUTUMN 2020