The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed how vulnerable our economy really is[1] — workers have been laid off en masse[2], many are struggling to support families without sick pay or Employment Insurance. The oil and gas industry helped build this inequitable system[3] that puts profits before people. And now, it’s pushing the government for a bail out[4].
Polluters should not profit from the COVID-19 pandemic in a sneaky attempt to take a big, disproportionate piece of the cake. Oil lobbyists want billions of our dollars to keep poisoning the planet and Indigenous lands for their own profit.
Bailing out the shareholders of dirty industries to continue business-as-usual, rather than protecting workers and their families, means we would have learnt nothing from the bank bailout during the financial crisis of 2008.
All available funds should go directly to people, to save lives, help everyone pay their bills, ensure Indigenous communities finally get clean water and access to decent housing, and transform our economy for the people through a just transition.
We should be funding secure and sustainable jobs. A low-carbon economic recovery plan[5] would retrain workers, put folks to work on renewable energy projects and protect the most vulnerable people in our society.
Nobody should be left behind — not the essential and invisible workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, not Indigenous communities, not families lacking social safety nets, and not oil industry workers.
This is a moment when we can implement measures to help vulnerable people, boost the economy, create jobs, and build climate resilience.
Add your nameWe need to work together and pool our resources for the public good. What do you think federal and provincial governments should be investing in?
CommentYour donation contributes to our work to bail-out workers not oil, not oil and gas millionaires.
DonateThis is a moment when we can implement measures to help vulnerable people, boost the economy, create jobs, and build climate resilience.
We need to work together and pool our resources for the public good. What do you think federal and provincial governments should be investing in?
Your donation contributes to our work to bail-out workers not oil, not oil and gas millionaires.