'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
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.