In April, thousands of people around the world participated in the March for Science, marching and rallying in support of science and scientific community. We estimate over 7500 people marched in Canada, with rallies and events taking place in 17 cities across the country. The turnout was excellent, the media coverage was extensive, but ultimately grassroots initiatives are driven by the people themselves – and we are grateful that Canada has so many willing to organize for science. This is a small selection of photos and quotes from speakers, organizers, and participants from across the country.
Victoria
“Some say that scientists should stick to what they know best, which is doing research, and that they shouldn’t care how or where the chips fall. I say we cannot stand by when our work is misrepresented, when data is cherry-picked, when outright lies and abuse are heaped on our profession.”
– Patrick von Aderkas, as quoted in the Times Colonist
Vancouver
Coverage in the Vancouver Sun and the Georgia Straight.
Edmonton
Calgary
“It’s frankly quite scary when we’re putting aside fact for opinion or ideology or people’s gut feelings. So I think that’s why it resonated with a lot of people here today . . . not just to remind our politicians that they need to take these things into account, but also to show that we’re here to support our brothers and sisters and folks to the south as well.”
– Chelsa Dornian, as quoted in the Calgary Herald.
Lethbridge
Coverage in Lethbridge News Now.
Saskatoon
“Writer Candace Savage – who was among those to address the crowd – also took aim at the Wall government’s cutbacks in library funding. ‘If that isn’t an attack on knowledge I don’t know what is,’ she declared.”
Winnipeg
“Ruby Pommer and her daughter Sage, 13, sat at the foot of the legislature steps and handed out their homemade “Periodic Table” cookies. Pommer said the anti-scientific/anti-elite message of Trump “will affect us in the long-term. Just his (Trump’s) whole public statement that climate change is a hoax perpetrated by the Chinese,” Pommer added. “I find that very irritating. I wish everybody would get out and yell about that. It’s such a crock.”
Sudbury
Coverage in the Sudbury Star and Left Lens Media.
Windsor
Coverage in the Windsor Star.
London
Kitchener-Waterloo
Coverage in The Record.
Hamilton
“There’s so much to protest, I brought a reusable sign,” one man’s whiteboard sign read.”
– The Spectator
Toronto
Coverage in the Toronto Star, Now Magazine, and Motherboard.
Ottawa
Coverage in the iPolitics and the CBC.
Montreal
Coverage in the Montreal Gazette, The Link, and Radio-Canada.
Halifax
“We have this huge consensus of scientists telling us that the way things are going cannot continue. For example, reliance on fossil fuels, emissions-heavy transportation, and (unhealthy) food production. But governments at every level, including international, are not acting properly on it.”
– Tim Allenby, as quoted in the Chronicle Herald.
St. Johns
A big thank you et un gros merci to everyone who joined us across the country!
