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Win or lose, Ontario youth know their climate lawsuit will have an impact

Sophia Mathur, Sudbury's 13-year-old climate activist, says a lawsuit launched by seven young people isn't just a PR move
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Sophia Mathur, 13, is part of a group of seven Ontario youth, ranging in age from 13 to 25, who are suing the province over what the group says are Ontario's weak climate change targets. (Arron Pickard/Sudbury.com)

 

Regardless what happens with the lawsuit she's part of, a teenaged climate activist from Greater Sudbury says the legal fight will amplify the message of fighting climate change.

In the lawsuit launched in November 2019, Sophia Mathur, 13, and six other young Ontario residents argue Ontario’s current 2030 target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 30 per cent below 2005 levels "is inadequate, unconstitutional, and must be struck down," the group said in a statement through its lawyers today.

And this week, the Government of Ontario has filed a motion to strike against the lawsuit, arguing it shouldn't go to a full hearing. The province's argument, as detailed in an email to Sudbury.com from the Ministry of the Attorney General, is pretty simple.

"Ontario's position is that it is plain and obvious that the application will fail, as the issues raised are not matters that should be dealt with in court," said the statement supplied by Brian Gray, a spokesperson for the AG.

The youth characterize the Ford government's climate change targets as a "weakening" and said in a news release that "Ontario’s 2030 target will allow significantly more greenhouse gas emissions to be emitted. This will worsen the climate emergency and contribute to dangerous climate change."

Sophia said it was "not much of a surprise" that Ontario filed a motion to strike, adding if she were the premier, she would be scared.

"If was Ford, I'd be scared ... scared of the kids, scared of the youth" because they understand how serious the situation is and won't rest until something is done about it.

If the move to strike is unsuccessful and the lawsuit goes forward, Sophia said the group aims to win. But even if they don't, the exercise will pay dividends for all those who know humanity faces "a common emergency."

"Chances of winning? I don't know, but I know the public is behind us ... (and) if we win we can force action," the 13-year-old said.

Asked if the effort was merely a publicity stunt or PR move designed to draw attention to their cause, she said that wasn't the case.

"This is a serious lawsuit and we do want the Ford government to take action, but the lawsuit will also raise a lot of awareness," Sophia said.

The seven youth applicants, who range in age from 13 to 25 and hail from communities across Ontario, are represented by lawyers from Ecojustice and Stockwoods LLP in this public interest litigation.

“We’re in a climate emergency. That’s a fact that’s acknowledged by the federal government and hundreds of municipalities across this country," said Nader Hasan, a partner with Stockwoods LLP. 

“This government is aware of the existential threat the climate emergency poses.  Because the Ford government won’t act on its own, our clients are asking the courts to order this government to wake up and take action. The government’s motion will delay things, but we’re confident it won’t ultimately deny us our day in court.”