Halifax Joins “Draw The Line” Day of Action
Historic multi-issue carnival for change in Halifax targets Carney’s attacks on climate, Indigenous people, migrants and workers combined with massive militarization ahead of fall budget
Halifax, September 18, 2025: As Parliament resumes and Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to introduce his fall budget, tens of thousands will take to the streets from coast to coast on Saturday, September 20, demanding the government pick a side: injustice, violence, and climate destruction—or a just and safe future for all of us.
In Halifax, local organizations will host a tabling fair with skills sharing, as well as a rally. The event will include the following speakers: Melissa Marsman (Nova Scotia Federation of Labour), Stacey Gomez (Centre for Migrant Worker Rights Nova Scotia), Badia Nehme (Ecology Action Centre), Dr. El Jones (poet, journalist, professor and activist) and more!
City: Halifax
Location: Grand Parade, 1770 Barrington St.
Date: Saturday, September 20
Time: 1PM for tabling fair, 2:30PM for rally
The Halifax event is in coordination with groups in over 50 cities across Canada who are drawing the line. In Nova Scotia, events will also take place in Bridgewater, Truro, Antigonish and Sydney. These mobilizations will be an unprecedented and historic coming together of climate justice, migrant justice, Indigenous justice, labour rights, anti-war, and Palestine solidarity groups, to reject the Carney agenda and to demand that the Canadian government prioritize our communities over billionaires.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES
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Photo and video opportunities: Visuals will include large puppets, banners and signs; there will be music, and chanting. Photos and videos for media use will be uploaded to this folder.
WHY NOW
Nova Scotia is experiencing unprecedented drought conditions this year and the Long Lake wildfire, following 2023’s extraordinary wildfires and flooding and recent severe hurricanes. This is significantly impacting many Nova Scotians as well as migrant workers who come year after year to fill labour shortages in sectors like agriculture. We need action to reduce climate change, instead of retreat. Health care and housing are an ongoing crisis making life hard and unaffordable in the province. Nova Scotia also has one of the highest levels of energy poverty in the country as NS Power seeks 4% rate increases. Federal investments in health care, social housing and energy efficiency are required to make these essentials affordable.
These local and national mobilizations come days after Parliament returned to session, and ahead of the promised fall “austerity” budget. While people are struggling to put food on the table and pay rent, and communities are facing heatwaves and climate collapse, Carney has:
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Rammed through Bill C-5 to fast-track destructive projects on Indigenous land without consent and appointed former Trans Mountain CEO to lead Major Projects Office
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Promised 15% spending cuts over three years, affecting up to 57,000 public sector workers while announcing massive increases in military spending to 5% of GDP or $150 billion per year over the coming years.
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Proposed Bill C-2 to cancel immigration permits en masse, restrict asylum claims, and expand warrantless surveillance on all Canadians
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Slashed taxes for the wealthy while continuing subsidies for large corporations
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Declared Air Canada strike illegal within 24 hours
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Capitulated to Trump by shelving Digital Services Tax and reportedly considering joining his “Golden Dome” missile defense program
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Promised Continued to support Israel’s genocide in Gaza by selling weapons to the IDF
The mobilizations are part of a global week of action, with people taking to the streets, while world leaders convene at the United Nations General Assembly. Details of all the actions across Canada and beyond can be found here.
KEY DEMANDS
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Put people over corporate profit and militarization. Fund our families and communities.
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Refuse ongoing colonialism. Uphold Indigenous Sovereignty.
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Stop blaming migrants. Demand full immigration status for all now!
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End the war machine. Stand for justice and peace.
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End the era of fossil fuels. Protect Mother Earth.
