On Tuesday, 70 Seniors for Climate groups met across Canada as part of Seniors Day for Climate Action.
The Niagara group met in Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Simcoe Park for a flash mob and chance for attendees to sign petitions and take a stand.
Coinciding with National Seniors Day, the message was that seniors care for the climate, too, and recognizing the contributions aging people bring to society.
Although it is a nationwide cause, organizer Frances Stocker said climate awareness is especially relevant in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
There was a petition addressed to the provincial government regarding climate action, along with a message to political parties in Ontario telling them what the group would like to see on their platforms for the next election.
Organizers also included a petition to NOTL town council, demanding storm water management to be sorted out and to be more proactive about climate change by implementing the climate change policy, Stocker said.
The message of the day was “later is too late,” Stocker said.
“Do it now. Stop subsidizing fossil fuels, take that money and put it into something like transit and industries that help solve the problem,” she said.
In NOTL specifically, these include stormwater management, tree cover and public transportation, Stocker said.
Stocker supports the concept of adjusting Niagara-on-the-Lake to a community that cares about sustainable transport and active transport such as walking and cycling.
“Get the shuttle bus put in at Glendale, make it undesirable to bring your car here,” she said.
Coun. Gary Burroughs dropped in to show his support and Coun. Sandra O’Connor was also supportive, although she was not at the presentation, Stocker said.
“I’m here because the town is trying to do the climate change adaptation plan and we haven’t met in months — so I’m frustrated,” Burroughs said.
He added that he and O’Connor have been excited about the idea of Seniors for Climate.
“It’s terrific to see a group of seniors so keen,” Burroughs said.
He added that he hopes the action will bring attention to issues regarding climate in town.
“In our little community, storm water is absolutely critical. It’s flooding every time it thinks of raining and we don’t have the infrastructure in place that we need,” Burroughs said.
The next step is getting the environmental committee to meet again. It is not clear why they haven’t been able to, Burroughs said.
“It’s the same with the urban design committee, it can’t meet. The short-term rental committee can’t meet,” he said.
He isn’t sure if the committee has met since the new council was elected at the end of 2022, Burroughs said.
The climate change adaptation plan is a great report, approved by the last council and committee, he said.
“It’s important and while it’s not what today is about — it is,” Burroughs said.
Anyone who wishes to get involved with Seniors for Climate and their future regional efforts can contact organizer Lidija Biro at lbiro@mac.com.