“Barrie’s Day of Action” was staged last week in response to Canada’s catastrophic wildfires, which reached a record high of 492, with 258 raging out of control. Pat Smith, a climate activist and one of the organizers, called attention to the underlying cause: “This is climate change.”

Pat Smith debunked claims from political figures such as Danielle Smith, the premier of Alberta, attributing the fires to arsonists, and Ontario premier Doug Ford’s statements blaming careless campfires. “We’re officially in Canada’s worst fire season ever,” Smith declared, echoing the sentiments of Bill Blair, the emergency preparedness minister for Canada.

An open letter to the governments of Canada and Ontario was read by John Smith, another organizer. The letter detailed the escalating impacts of the fires on communities and the environment, the exposure of the majority of Canada’s population to toxic smoke, and the displacement of indigenous peoples.

“Every year the situation gets worse. This is costing lives and untold financial setbacks,” John Smith stated, also highlighting the discrepancy between the Canadian government’s acknowledgment of the climate emergency and their continued support of the oil and gas industries.

The organizers called for an end to fossil fuel subsidies, the imposition of hard caps on oil and gas emissions, the cessation of new projects, and a ‘just transition’ to 100% renewable energy. This, they proposed, would be done by generating millions of unionized jobs, following indigenous leadership, and rapidly decarbonizing in line with climate science.

Pat Smith concluded the rally with a call for collective action: “We know why fires are raging and the air is unbreathable. It’s time for our federal leaders to stop fueling the flames of climate change.”

The open letter was available for signatures at the protest, with plans to take it to the office of Doug Shipley, MP. Pat Smith noted Shipley’s conspicuous absence on this day of national protest, a move that she said “speaks volumes to me.”