As Tantramar residents take part in spring clean-ups today, one group is heading to Fredericton to demand action on climate change.
Seniors for Climate NB, a chapter of a national movement of older Canadians, is joining four other New Brunswick groups for an Earth Day rally at the New Brunswick Legislature today, Tuesday April 22nd. Meredith Fisher, one of the group’s members and leaders, says seniors feel a responsibility to speak up.
“Seniors… are concerned about the world that we’re leaving for our next generations, our kids and our grandkids,” said Fisher.
The rally runs from 12 to 2 p.m. and includes a proclamation at Fredericton City Hall, music from the Raging Grannies, and speakers from the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, Canadian Physicians for the Environment, and EOS Eco-Energy. A Sackville university student is also expected to speak.
Peter Higham, another group leader and organizer, said the rally is not about a single demand but about raising public awareness.
“I think it’s, this particular rally is to raise awareness – for as many people as we can, not just amongst seniors, across the board,” said Higham.
Fisher and others in the group have been active on local environmental issues for years. In 2024, they hosted a public session on green burials. Nearly a decade earlier, Fisher says members of t were involved in fighting to keep shale gas out of New Brunswick.
“New Brunswick fought hard to keep the shale gas industry from coming into our province,” said Fisher. “That was a very big fight and we went all the way to the Supreme Court… something all New Brunswick has, I think, to be really proud of.”
With Canadians over 60 making up roughly one-quarter of the population, and voter turnout highest among older adults, Seniors for Climate is hoping to use that influence to press for change. The group wants governments to end fossil fuel subsidies and invest in renewable energy, housing retrofits, and sustainable transit.
For more information or to connect with the group, email scan-tantramar@gmail.com or search Seniors for Climate NB on Facebook. More local news is available at chmafm.com.
