Cross-Canada unicycle trip will promote Unity for the Climate

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Cross-Canada unicycle trip will promote Unity for the Climate

March 24, 2014

Local Campaign Calls For Political Action in Lead Up to 2015 Canadian Federal Election

This spring, Victoria BC resident Joseph Boutilier will call on citizens and politicians alike to unite for action on climate change by cycling for five months and over 5,000 kilometres to the nation’s capital...on one wheel. The self-supported unicycle journey will kick off at 7am on April 5 at Mile 0; the first leg of the journey will pass through an 11am launch event at the Beacon Park Pavilion in Sidney BC, where Boutilier will be joined by local politicians and musicians for live music and speeches.

Dubbed ‘Unity for Climate Action’, the peaceful, non-partisan campaign will culminate on Parliament Hill before the House of Commons opens for its fall session in September. Boutilier plans to challenge sitting and prospective Members of Parliament to work across party lines to commit to more ambitious carbon reduction targets and stronger environmental policies.

Boutilier, 23, recently resigned from a senior game design position at a local software company and is busy training in anticipation of the journey. “This is something I should have done years ago,” says Boutilier. “The demand for serious action is absolutely dire.” Between Neil Young’s bold condemnation of the Alberta tar sands, the uprising against projects like the Northern Gateway Pipeline, backlash from First Nations against energy projects that neglect inherent treaty rights and widespread anger about the muzzling of publicly-funded scientists, Canada’s environmental policies have never been under closer public scrutiny.

There’s also speculation that the government will soon announce weaker C02 emissions targets in light of its failure to stay on track for 17% reductions below 2005 levels by 2020.

Boutilier hopes to engage advocates and 'everyday Canadians' as well as politicians during the campaign, and he's urging people to join him on the route. “That’s part of the reason I chose to unicycle,” he notes. “At an average of 35 kilometres a day, both cyclists and runners will have no problem keeping up.” Boutilier has already received support from a range of local politicians, NGOs and businesses. “I’m focused on solutions,” Boutilier notes, “and people respond to that.” He adds, “It’s not just about the environment, but about unity and cooperation for a common cause that effects us all.”

For more information contact:
Joseph Boutilier
Organizer
Unity for the Climate
Phone: 1-778-922-2531
Email: unityfortheclimate@gmail.com
Website: unityfortheclimate.ca

Que Banh
Organizer
Unity for the Climate
Phone: 1-250-588-0328
Email: photographyelf@shaw.ca
Website: unityfortheclimate.ca

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