Toronto rally at noon Wednesday to oppose Bill C-39, as Indigenous, labour and environmental groups unite

Indigenous, labour and environmental groups have announced a Unite the Fights! rally against the federal Building Canada Strong Act (Bill C-39) at Asquith Green Park, 14 Park Road, just north of Bloor Street East near Church Street in Toronto, on Wednesday, October 28, from noon to 1 p.m. The organisers said the Toronto rally is part of a National Week of Action for Indigenous Sovereignty, with rallies also planned in Ottawa, Winnipeg and Aamjiwnaang First Nation near Sarnia.

What the organisers are objecting to

In their advisory, the organisers said Indigenous leaders have called for an Idle No More 2.0 in response to what they describe as attacks on Indigenous communities, including the Building Canada Strong Act. The groups said they are alarmed that the bill removes the requirement for consultation and consent from impacted Indigenous communities as well as environmental assessments for industrial projects, removes worker protections and infringes on the right to strike. Those are the organisers' claims, reported here as such.

Who is taking part

The advisory lists Crystal Sinclair of Idle No More Toronto and Krista Maracle of the OPSEU Indigenous Circle as emcees, with an opening ceremony by Suzanne Smoke, president of AIM Ontario. Speakers listed include Tori Cress of Idle No More Ontario, Ahmed Gaied, secretary-treasurer of the Ontario Federation of Labour, Andrea Babbington, president of the Toronto and York Region Labour Council, Carolyn Egan, president of the Steelworkers Toronto Area Council, and Keith Stewart, senior energy strategist at Greenpeace Canada. The organisers also promise Indigenous drumming and a Round Dance at the destination.