As a resident of Abbotsford, I deeply feel the financial strain of climate change effects. We pay through our municipal taxes for dikes and other adaptations, through our provincial taxes for the increased strain on highways and healthcare infrastructure, and through our federal taxes for disaster relief. We're in the midst of an affordability crisis, and it's time we demanded that the Oil and Gas industry pays their fair share of climate costs.

Climate change is here and its costs are tangible, especially for cities like Abbotsford. It's only fair that those who knowingly contributed to the issue on a large scale, and profited off of it, should bear some of the costs. Big Oil & Gas knew their products would cause climate change, yet they lied to the public, convincing us to purchase polluting products that exacerbated the problem.

According to a 2020 study by the International Monetary Fund, the fossil fuel industry received more than $5 trillion in subsidies in 2017 from governments around the world. This is the equivalent of 6.5% of global GDP [source: IMF Working Paper, "Global Fossil Fuel Subsidies and Their Impact," 2020].

It's time to insist on accountability. Join me in urging the City of Abbotsford to join the class action lawsuit to make Big Oil & Gas pay their fair share of climate costs. Let's ensure the financial burden of climate change adaptation is shared fairly. Please sign this petition today.

For Local updates on the campaign, visit https://abbyfairshare.org