Numerous climate change actions have been brought against
governmental entities globally within the past decade with
increasing frequency. In Canada, three actions have been brought
against the Canadian government within the past three years for
insufficient action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).
The first, ENvironnement JEUnesse v Procureur General du
Canada, was a Quebec case filed in 2018. The environmental
non-profit ENVironment JEUnesse sought authorization to certify a
class action on behalf of people in Quebec aged 35 and under
against the Canadian government. ENvironnement JEUnesse alleged
violations of the class members' rights to a healthy
environment and Charter violations of both the Canadian Charter and
Quebec Charter that provide the right to life, liberty, and
security. On July 15, 2019 Siskinds previously blogged on this
decision and whether a healthy environment is a
fundamental right of citizens.
