First, they crossed the Burnaby Mountain injunction line. Now, two 11-year-old girls have lobbied Burnaby city council to sign a grassroots initiative to protect Canada’s environment.
Kate Fink-Jensen and Naomi Cech, along with Kate’s mom Kim, appeared before council on Monday, urging the city to support the Blue Dot initiative. Founded by the David Suzuki Foundation in partnership with Ecojustice, Blue Dot – in reference to planet Earth – has over 67,000 supporters across the country.
“The Blue Dot was born from the belief that a healthy environment is a right,” said Kim. “Currently, over 110 countries around the world recognize the right of their citizens to live in a healthy environment.
“Unfortunately, Canada is not one of these countries, and our recent environmental record is not one to be proud of.”
Kim noted that cities such as Vancouver, Richmond, Victoria, Montreal and Yellowknife have already pledged their support for Blue Dot.
“In short, a municipal declaration of environmental rights is a commitment to decision-making principles that will protect, fulfill and promote the right to a healthy environment for its citizens.”
Kate spoke of her experience at the Burnaby Mountain protests, and the significance of her actions in crossing the injunction line in November.
“I think it’s important to have a voice when it comes to decisions being made about the environment,” she told council. “I used my voice when I crossed that injunction line in Burnaby Mountain Park.
“Look how many paid attention to the point I was trying to get across, and agreed with me. Imagine if more people were properly informed and protested in noticeable, peaceful ways.”
Following the delegation, Mayor Derek Corrigan brought forward a resolution to declare Burnaby’s support of the Blue Dot initiative.
Coun. Nick Volkow chimed in, saying that while he previously had concerns with the perceived apathy of younger generations toward municipal issues, he was more optimistic about the engagement of youth after seeing Kate and Naomi at the protests.
“Looking at the demonstration this delegation has done, I don’t think we have a lot to worry about with the upcoming generation,” he said.
Corrigan also made what he considered a “bold prophecy” about the delegation.
“I’d be willing to wager that someday in the future, at least one of these young ladies (will be) sitting in one of these chairs around the council table,” he said. “I hope you are going to be the next leaders of this city.”
