Canadian youths take government to court over climate policy

Fifteen young Canadians are taking the federal government to trial in Vancouver, arguing that failures in climate policy violate their constitutional rights; the government disputes that courts can impose the requested obligations.

• The case, brought by 15 plaintiffs aged 17 to 25, opened in a Vancouver court; it was first filed in 2019 and a federal appeals court ruled in 2023 that the youths were entitled to a trial.· 2 sources
• The plaintiffs say successive governments’ climate-policy failures violate their constitutional rights to life and security; the government argued that climate change requires a global solution.· 1 source
• Plaintiff Kira Young, 20, testified about evacuating from an August 2023 wildfire near her family’s home in Yellowknife.· 1 source