This has been one of the warmest winters on record in the National Capital Region – for the first time ever, the Rideau Canal Skateway won’t open, and ice sculptures melted in the streets during Ottawa’s beloved Winterlude festival. Winter sports keep us healthy and happy, but fossil-fuelled climate change is melting the snow and ice they depend on. That's why fossil fuel company Enbridge Gas’ sponsorship of the Winterlude festival is wrong.
The promotion and sponsorship of fossil fuels is not aligned with Ottawa’s 2019 Climate Emergency Declaration, Gatineau’s Plan Climat, and the Government of Canada’s commitments to move away from fossil fuels.
In 1984, Canada's health and sport minister dropped tobacco as a sponsor of sport events over health concerns. We call on Heritage Canada, the organizers of Winterlude, to do the same with fossil fuel sponsors which are similarly threatening public health, the planet, and the future of sports we love. Fossil fuel sponsorships allow polluters to purchase social licenses and distract from the negative impacts of their activities. It's time to kick the habit.
Winterlude is an example of all the wonderful things that Canadian winters and culture offer, and we want to protect North America’s largest snow playground for future generations.
Tell Winterlude sponsors and elected officials that they need to drop Enbridge as a sponsor - use this one-click link.
For more information on banning fossil fuel advertising in Canada, visit StopFossilFuelAds.ca.
Author: The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment.
Images from: Tony Caldwell; Derrick Simpson; Ben Andrews/CBC News
Latest posts
Ecology Ottawa urges protection of Ottawans from Idling Pollution
Ottawa City Council's Environment and Climate Change and Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services Committees met today to discuss staff recommendations for amendments to the City's Idling Control By-law. Ecology Ottawa made a delegation, supporting the recommendations and adding a few of our own to better reduce our GHG emissions and Ottawans' health—especially that of our most vulnerable.
Stop Harmful Idling Emissions!
As part of their review of the Idling By-law, Ottawa City staff have issued new recommendations for the By-law. These recommendations come to a joint meeting of the Environment and Climate Change and the Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services Committees this Thursday. Here’s what you need to know!
Ecology Ottawa delegates on Budget 2025 Directions: Where are the Strategic Priorities?
Ottawa Council's Finance and Corporate Services Committee considered the Directions for the City's 2025 budget this morning. Ecology Ottawa was there, calling out the Directions' failure to respond to the crises—climate, biodiversity, housing affordability, addictions—facing Ottawans, as well as their failure to incorporate any of the City's Strategic Priorities. You can watch our delegation or read it below.