Toronto·UpdatedRallies were held in Toronto, Ottawa and other cities across Canada Saturday afternoon to call on the new Liberal government to prioritize the climate, Indigenous rights, migrants and workers ahead of the fall budget.Similar protests broadly concerning environment, inequality organized across Canada, around the world SaturdayEthan Lang · CBC News · Posted: Sep 20, 2025 5:36 PM EDT | Last Updated: 9 minutes agoClose to 2,000 marched through downtown Toronto Saturday as part of the ‘Draw the Line’ protest, one of dozens organized around Canada this weekend. They were rallying against elements of the new Liberal government’s agenda ahead of the fall budget. (CBC)A large crowd of close to 2,000 people marched through downtown Toronto Saturday afternoon as part of Canada-wide protests calling on the new Liberal government to prioritize the climate, Indigenous rights, migrants and workers ahead of the fall budget.Protesters’ concerns included Prime Minister Mark Carney’s support for new fossil fuel projects, potential public service cuts as well as other issues like Indigenous rights, anti-war activism and more.Organizers said in a release that the Liberal government’s agenda “pushes forward climate destructive pipelines, continues the arming of Israel and scapegoats migrants.””We are building a common front because at this point, when we see the climate catastrophe that we are all facing, the world is on the brink of war because of the huge armaments that are being built up in most countries,” said Syed Hussan, an organizer and spokesperson for the Migrants Rights Network, to a crowd in Sankofa Square ahead of the march.”So we need to take a stand here.”Syed Hussan, one of the organizers of Saturday’s rally in Toronto, said the protest was bringing together leaders behind several causes in Canada as a united front to demand the Liberal government prioritize the environment, income inequality and other issues. (CBC)The protest was organized by a coalition of 14 partner organizations that represent movements for migrant justice, economic justice, Indigenous rights, anti-war activism and climate justice. Similar protests were planned around Canada, including Ottawa, Montreal and Vancouver, as well as other places around the world.Among the issues raising alarm bells for protest organizers are the new Liberal government’s promise to make significant cuts to federal program spending at the same time as the government adds billions of dollars to its military budget.The Prime Minister’s Office did not return a request for comment from CBC News Saturday.Climate crisis should be top priority: protesters Organizers also criticized Carney’s plan to fast-track a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project and its decision to appoint a former Trans Mountain pipeline CEO to lead a newly-announced major projects office.Environmentalist David Suzuki, who said he was attending Saturday’s rally as a grandfather trying to protect future generations, said he believes Carney is caught in a political system that is putting the economy over the long-term survival of humanity.”We’re in a crisis,” he said. “We’ve got a Prime Minister who I know knows very well about climate change and the threat, but he’s still supporting pipelines and LNG.”David Suzuki said he was attending Saturday’s rally first and foremost as a grandfather to demand the Liberal government take action to protect future generations against the climate crisis. (CBC)Bill C-5, which was pitched as a way to speed up approvals for major projects and shore up the domestic economy in the face of U.S. tariffs, also drew criticism at Saturday’s rally.Indigenous and environmental groups have said they fear fast-tracked projects could undermine Indigenous rights and sidestep environmental protections.WATCH | Carney’s defence of major projects bill: Carney defends Bill C-5 amid court challenges by First NationsPrime Minister Mark Carney, speaking from Hamilton on Wednesday, says his government is now engaging with First Nations before any specific projects are being discussed. The coalition is opposing another piece of proposed legislation, one they say is “anti-immigrant.”.Bill C-2, introduced earlier this year after U.S. President Donald Trump tied the threat of tariffs to Canada’s border security, would give authorities new powers to search mail, facilitate police access to personal information and make it easier for officials to pause or cancel immigration applications.The federal public safety minister signalled Wednesday that the government is open to adjusting the bill in an upcoming committee process.WATCH | Some critics say Bill C-2 will cause more harm than good: Critics say new border legislation aligns Canada’s immigration system with the U.S.The Liberal government proposed new border legislation this week. But critics say they worry the law will do more harm than good. The CBC’s Pratyush Dayal reports. Hussan with the Migrants Rights Network said the bill attacks immigrants and refugees, calling it an attempt to distract and divide Canadians.”We will not be divided. It’s not immigrants versus Indigenous, not Indigenous people versus workers, it’s not climate versus jobs. It is one unified people, and we are all affected by the climate we’re in,” he said.Organizers demand arms embargo on IsraelPalestinian solidarity was another issue that figured prominently at Saturday’s rally.It comes days after a team of independent experts commissioned by the United Nations Human Rights Council concluded Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Israel has rejected the allegations and did not co-operate with the commission.WATCH | Canada intends to recognize Palestinian statehood: Canada’s plan to recognize Palestinian statehood is a ‘constructive step’: Rae | Power & PoliticsCanada is among several countries that intend to recognize Palestinian statehood at the United Nations General Assembly later this month. In an exclusive interview with Power & Politics, Canada’s permanent representative to the United Nations Bob Rae says the ‘creation of a Palestinian state, in the right circumstances, will actually do more for the security of the state of Israel than anything else one can possibly imagine.’Carney’s government has taken an increasingly sharp tone on Israel’s actions in Gaza and across the Middle East in recent months, saying it intends to recognize Palestinian statehood at the UN General Assembly this month.Omar Elkhatib, an organizer with the Palestinian Youth Movement, called on Canada to impose a full arms embargo on Israel, going beyond the current ban on arms that could be used in Gaza.”We believe that enforcing an arms embargo reflects the demand of all peoples seeking justice … for all oppressed peoples,” he told the crowd.Crowds gather for protest in Canada’s capitalIn Ottawa, large crowds gathered late Saturday morning along Wellington Street near Parliament Hill before loudly marching through the downtown.”They’re drawing the line on decisions made by elites that are ruining our country,” said Don Davies, the interim leader of the federal NDP who took part in Saturday’s protest in Ottawa. “[It’s about] recognizing that social justice, economic justice, climate justice, Indigenous justice, justice for migrants and justice for people around the world — like in Palestine — are interrelated. And they’re saying that enough is enough.” A demonstrator holds a sign reading ‘A Better World is Possible’ as a group of protesters march down Sussex Drive in Ottawa during the ‘Draw the Line’ protest on Sept. 20, 2025. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press)As part of the demonstration, protesters painted a large red-and-white mural on Wellington Street in front of Carney’s office. In a social media post, Ottawa police said that a stretch of Wellington Street would remain closed until late Saturday afternoon so the paint could be removed. Two people also ended up being arrested for mischief, they said.CorrectionsThe headline of this article previously stated hundreds attended Saturday’s rally in Toronto. Toronto police estimated the number was closer to 2,000.Sep 20, 2025 7:20 PM EDTWith files from Idil Mussa, Trevor Pritchard, Radio-Canada’s André Boisjoli and The Canadian Press
Protests held in Ottawa, across Canada to ‘draw the line’ against PM Carney agenda
