'They are very, very powerful': Edmonton rally against RBC part of nationwide climate action plea
A handful of Edmontonians participated in a nationwide demonstration against Canada's biggest bank's continued support of fossil fuel projects.
The group gathered outside the Royal Bank of Canada's branch at Unity Square Saturday afternoon, sharing messages about the need to divest from non-renewable energy sources as climate change affects more communities across the world.
Similar protests were held at 39 other locations across the country in Toronto, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Halifax and Vancouver on April's Fool Day ahead of the bank's annual general meeting for shareholders. Many of the events used 'fossil fool's day' messaging.
"They are very, very powerful," said Josefine Singh, an organizer in Edmonton. "If they do a good thing, every other bank will do a good thing too. It's an influencing thing."
Singh said she hopes shareholders accelerate the pace of divestment from energy sources that negatively impact the environment and greenhouse gas emissions.
"We want to influence them," she added. "So that they can vote; please don't invest more in oil and gas."
"We want to hold them accountable."
Protesters gathered outside the Unity Square RBC branch in central Edmonton on Saturday, April 1, 2023 (CTV News Edmonton/John Hanson).
Some protesters held signs saying, "Fossil fool me once, shame on you," and "Solidarity with Wet'suwet'en." Others chanted or sang, "No more investing in pollution."
RBC has outlined a plan to reduce its financed emissions by 2030, with an end goal of achieving net-zero status by 2050.
"We have committed to providing $500 billion in sustainable finance by 2025, and we have provided $198 billion towards this goal as of the end of 2021," the bank says on its climate commitment website.
With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.