Young Canadians who lived through climate disruption take Ottawa to court

La Rose v. His Majesty the King

15 young plaintiffs

Fifteen plaintiffs, aged 10 to 19 when they sued in 2019, argue in Federal Court in Vancouver that Canada's emissions plan and net-zero law breach their Charter rights to life, liberty and security.

It is the first time young Canadians challenge the government's overall climate response as a breach of fundamental rights. The five-week trial's closing arguments come in 2027.

Plaintiffs

Targets too weak for 1.5 °C

Ottawa

Court can't direct Parliament

Plaintiffs say targets are too weak to keep warming under 1.5 °C. Federal lawyers have argued the court cannot tell Parliament what to do and that harms cannot be tied to Canada's laws alone.

Canada · 8 d ago

Young Canadians who lived through climate disruption take Ottawa to court

Fifteen plaintiffs, aged 10 to 19 when they sued in 2019, argue in Federal Court in Vancouver that Canada's emissions plan and net-zero law breach their Charter rights to life, liberty and security.

It is the first time young Canadians challenge the government's overall climate response as a breach of fundamental rights. The five-week trial's closing arguments come in 2027.

Plaintiffs say targets are too weak to keep warming under 1.5 °C. Federal lawyers have argued the court cannot tell Parliament what to do and that harms cannot be tied to Canada's laws alone.

Young Canadians who lived through climate disruption take Ottawa to court

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