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A group of youth stand together with serious expressions. They are sitting on grass and rocks brought into a studio.

Photographer Tilly Nelson, set design Kendra Martyn & Kira Evenson

#GenClimateAction

Seven climate change activists are leading the first lawsuit of its kind in Canada.
  

Meet the young climate activists behind Mathur et. al. v. His Majesty in Right of Ontario

Sophia Mathur (she/her)

Sophia Mathur (she/her) 

Home to me is: “The forest behind my house in Sudbury.”

Why I’m taking Ontario to court: “It’s important for me to be part of this lawsuit because my generation deserves a future.

I also have lots of other hopes and dreams and I want the chance to make them come true.

That’s why it was important for me to start striking for the climate in November 2018, and why I’m working with other young people to take the government to court today.”

Sophia Mathur was the first student in Canada to join the Fridays for Future movement. Sophia started striking for the climate in her home city of Sudbury, Ont. in November 2018 — months before Swedish activist Greta Thunberg became a household name. In September 2019, Sophia joined Greta in New York, where the two participated in a panel on climate activism and marched in the Global Climate Strike. 

Sophia attended the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow and the following year’s COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh.

In November, Sophia and Zoe appeared on The Social CTV to talk about the upcoming appeal in January 2024.


Zoe Keary-Matzner (she/her)

Home to me is: “Downtown Toronto, with my dog Rosie.”

Why I’m taking Ontario to court:

I’m taking the Ford government to court to fight for the Earth, for nature, and for animals.

This is the only planet we have and it’s home to the only known life in the universe. There used to be so much diversity but now climate change is making it disappear.

The government needs to take action now.”

Zoe Keary-Matzner (she/her)

Zoe Keary-Matzner was named one of the 50 Most Influential Torontonians of 2022. She may be growing up in Canada’s biggest city, but she says she’s always felt a connection to nature — and she’s concerned about how climate change will impact the places and activities she loves.

Zoe loves hiking, but fears a rise in Lyme-disease-carrying ticks. She loves playing in the snow, but is worried about changing winters. Zoe has witnessed the devastating impact of climate change on friends and family across North America and Australia.


Shaelyn Wabegijig (she/her)

Shaelyn Wabegijig (she/her)

Home to me is: “Peterborough, with the people I love.”

Why I’m taking Ontario to court:

“I’m part of this lawsuit for everyone, for future generations and for our non-human relatives.

If I ever bring children into this world, I want to be able to share healthy air, land and water, a safe climate, and my culture.

As a member of the Caribou Clan, my cultural identity is interconnected with Ontario’s boreal caribou, and it risks disappearing if this species is wiped out.” 

Shaelyn Wabegijig grew up in Rama First Nation, and her people are Algonquin from Timiskaming First Nation. She is Caribou Clan and resides in Nogojiwanong (Peterborough) where she is learning to speak Anishinaabemowin. Shaelyn is working on a project that will assert Indigenous-led conservation in Ontario. She works to empower youth and Indigenous Peoples to steward the lands and waters for future generations. 

Shaelyn was named one of Corporate Knight’s 30 Under 30 in 2022.


Shelby Gagnon (she/her/they/them) 

Home to me is: “Home is Thunder Bay and up north. It is the land my family has walked and lived on for centuries, the land I walk on now.

It is the sound of the animals the trees and water. Home is community and the expression of people that make it humble, kind and humorous.” 

Why I’m taking Ontario to court:

“I care for my future generations and the livelihood of all the animals and plants that call the bush their home.

We need a future to look forward to. We need clean air, water, and food that comes from the only planet we have.

I’m worried about how climate change will impact food sovereignty for Indigenous peoples across Canada.

This makes me sad for myself and for future generations, who may one day be unable to harvest traditional medicines.” 

Shelby Gagnon (she/her/they/them) 

Shelby Gagnon is Anishinaabe. She is an artist and community support worker focusing on Indigenous food sovereignty in northern Ontario communities. She spent her early childhood in Aroland First Nation, and now lives in Thunder Bay. 


Alex Neufeldt (she/her) 

Alex Neufeldt (she/her) 

Home to me is: “Ottawa, Ont. – in particular, on my bed with a good book.” 

Why I’m taking Ontario to court:

“‘Open for business’ is Doug Ford’s favourite catchphrase. But if he really cared about protecting the economy for young people and future generations, he wouldn’t have rolled back the province’s climate target.

We can help stop climate change and create jobs. But we need the political will to do it.”

When record-breaking flooding slammed Ottawa in the spring of 2019, Alex saw firsthand the havoc that climate change can wreak on infrastructure and businesses. Alex is concerned extreme weather events could impact young people, especially those at the start of their careers and planning a future.


Madison Dyck (she/her) 

Home to me is: “The waters of Lake Superior.” 

Why I’m taking Ontario to court:

“I’ve always felt a connection to the land and water around Thunder Bay, and I’m scared about the changes I’m witnessing.

When I see how climate change is impacting the places I love, I feel a deep sense of loss. I’m angered and confused by the government’s failure to act — so I’m going to court to make sure Doug Ford can’t continue to turn a blind eye on the climate crisis.” 

Madison Dyck (she/her) 

Madison Dyck is a climate change activist and student from Thunder Bay. An avid sailor, Madison spent May 2019 sailing to communities around Lake Superior and giving presentations on climate change. Madison is concerned about the changes she’s already seeing in her environment, including rising lake temperatures, more forest fires, and impacts on fish stocks, moose, and blueberries. She’s also worried about how climate change impacts her mental health.

Madison and her fellow applicants received the 2022 Doris Anderson Awards for standing up against the Ontario government.


Beze Gray (they/them) 

Beze Gray (they/them) 

Home to me is: “Home is my territories which is all around the Great Lakes (Treaty 29) and being with the people I care about.” 

Why I’m taking Ontario to court:

“I grew up beside petrochemical refineries in Ontario’s Chemical Valley. I know the impacts of big corporation on the land and people, what happens to the land, happens to the people.

When I think about the future, I feel scared about how climate change will impact my community’s way of practising our culture, teachings and our health.

We need to hold the Ford government accountable for upholding treaties and higher standards for the land and future.”  

Beze Gray is an Anishnaabe land/water protector and student from Aamjiwnaang First Nation in Ontario. Growing up in an area near Sarnia that is also known as Chemical Valley, Beze has witnessed the impacts of the fossil fuel industry firsthand.  Beze Gray was featured in Teen Vogue in the article, Indigenous Youth Are at the Center of Major Climate Lawsuits.