The Ontario Court of Appeal is set to make a significant decision in a groundbreaking case led by youth activists regarding climate change. The ruling, which will be released on Thursday, January 14, 2021, has the potential to shape the future of environmental policy in the province.
The case, known as Mathur et al. v. Her Majesty the Queen, was filed by seven young Ontarians in 2019. The plaintiffs, aged 12 to 24, argued that the Ontario government’s failure to adequately address climate change violated their Charter rights to life, liberty, and security of the person.
The lawsuit specifically targeted the province’s greenhouse gas reduction targets, which the plaintiffs argued were inadequate and did not align with the scientific consensus on the urgency of the climate crisis. They also argued that the government’s inaction on climate change disproportionately affects young people, who will bear the brunt of the consequences of a warming planet.
The case was initially dismissed by a lower court in 2020, but the youth activists appealed the decision. The Court of Appeal heard arguments from both sides in November 2020 and has been deliberating on the case since then.
The decision, which will be released virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions, has been highly anticipated by both environmental advocates and government officials. If the Court of Appeal rules in favor of the plaintiffs, it could set a precedent for future climate change litigation and put pressure on the Ontario government to take more aggressive action on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The case has also garnered international attention, with youth-led climate movements around the world showing support for the plaintiffs and their cause. The outcome of this case could have implications beyond Ontario, as it could inspire similar lawsuits in other jurisdictions.
The release of the Court of Appeal’s decision comes at a critical time, as the world continues to grapple with the devastating effects of climate change. It serves as a reminder that young people are not only aware of the urgency of the issue but are also taking action to hold their governments accountable for their actions.
The ruling will be available to the public on the Ontario Court of Appeal’s website on Thursday morning. It is expected to be a significant moment in the fight against climate change and will undoubtedly spark further discussions and debates on the role of the government in addressing this global crisis.
