Where there's smoke there's fire
September 11, 2025
Linda Smart
Last week I was choking on smoke, as the air quality index in Squamish reached hazardous levels of 878 AQI, and Vancouver was the most polluted city in the world.
Most of British Columbia is still covered in smoke (see the Firesmoke forecast) as 143 wildfires burn across BC (see the BC Wildfire Dashboard).
This year is Canada's second-worst wildfire season on record. Over 8.7 million hectares have burned. That's bigger than the entire province of New Brunswick.
I grew up in Alberta, and back then, no one questioned oil and gas. It's just what we did. But things are different now.
We know that burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, making the planet warmer. Higher temperatures dries out the forests and grasslands, making them more flammable. Heatwaves and droughts become more frequent and severe. All it takes is a spark from a lightning strike or humans to ignite a wildfire.
It's all connected!
Carney is fast-tracking fossil fuels with your money
We know we need to stop burning fossil fuels. Yet today Mark Carney announced that LNG Canada Phase 2 will be fast-tracked through the new Major Projects Office.
LNG is a fossil fuel. There is nothing "clean" or "green" about it. It's ridiculous to think that burning more fossil fuels will somehow solve climate change.
Everyday people are struggling to pay rent and buy groceries, while our government gave away nearly $30 billion of our taxpayer dollars in 2024 to oil and gas companies.
Meanwhile, Carney plans to cut back on public services so we can prop up fossil fuels?
I've had enough!
Draw the Line in Vancouver!
On Saturday, September 20, people across Canada and around the world are uniting to "Draw the Line." For People. For Peace. For the Planet.
RSVP now to pick up a free fire emoji sign and march with My Sea to Sky!
WHEN: 2pm to 4:30pm, Saturday September 20, 2025
WHERE: Vancouver Public Library (Central)
300 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6B 6B1
SIGN PICKUP: find us at 2pm on the corner of Georgia and Homer Street to pick up your sign.
RSVP FOR A FIRE EMOJI SIGNWhy we're "Drawing the Line"
We refuse to stand by while our government and Canada’s richest corporations hoard wealth, gut our public services, fuel climate collapse, attack migrants, exploit Indigenous lands, and prop up a genocide in Palestine.
We are uniting in a global show of support for climate justice, migrant justice, economic justice, Indigenous rights, and anti-war movements.
From rallies to strikes, marches to gatherings, communities are taking a stand to demand that our government pick a side: injustice, violence, and climate destruction—or a just and safe future for all of us.
Our demands:
- Put people over corporate profit. Fund our families and communities.
- Refuse ongoing colonialism. Uphold Indigenous sovereignty.
- Stop blaming migrants. Demand full immigration status for all.
- End the war machine. Stand for justice and peace.
- End the era of fossil fuels. Protect Mother Earth.
This is more than just one day of action. This is an invitation to community groups and social movements across the country to unite, to learn from each other, and grow alliances so that we can organize together for a better future.
Other events are planned in Courtenay, Denman Island, Kamloops, Kelowna, Kimberley, Nanaimo, Penticton, Powell River, Prince George, Saltspring Island, Sechelt, Smithers, Vancouver, Vernon, Victoria and more!
RSVP to an event near you*******
I hope to see you on Saturday, September 20 in Vancouver.
In solidarity,
Linda Smart
Volunteer
My Sea to Sky
My Sea to Sky is incredibly proud and grateful to say that we rely on the My Sea to Sky community for small donations that provide the majority of our funding. Since our launch in 2014, we have been funded through personal savings, family and friends; and powered by the passion of our volunteers. Your generous contribution will help us to run our critical campaigns to defend, protect, and restore Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound. Can you chip in?