Our
Organizing Principles
We are building a movement led by young people that...
Confronts the climate crisis and builds a more just and equitable world in the process.
We are organizing to combat the worst effects of the climate emergency by making a Green New Deal for British Columbia politically possible. We unite to make transformational climate action an urgent political priority, to end the corrupting influence of fossil fuel executives on our politics, to uphold Indigenous rights, and to work alongside leaders who stand up for the dignity and well-being of all people.
Lifts up Indigenous resistance and sovereignty.
Colonialism is an ongoing, violent, and oppressive process. The colonial government of Canada has not met their obligations to Indigenous peoples. With this, we respect Indigenous leadership and stand in solidarity with Indigenous resistance. Especially in struggles for climate justice, we recognize that a victory is not a victory unless it centers Indigenous peoples who are at the forefront of this movement both locally and globally. We strive to decolonize the way we show up together in organizing spaces, recognizing that this requires ongoing action, work, and un/re/learning on the part of those of us who are settlers.
Recognizes that climate justice work is intersectional.
Addressing the climate crisis and its impacts is a huge job and we can’t do it alone. We see climate justice as inseparable from movements for racial, migrant, social, economic, and disability justice. We are committed to working with these movements to grow our collective power. We are accountable to each other as we build the world we need.
Is not looking to the right or left.
We look forward. We are not affiliated with any party but seek Green New Deal champions from all parties and people who have the courage to stand up to the political and corporate élites holding our futures hostage.
Centers care for ourselves, one another, our communities, and our shared home.
We know that this work is hard so we make space for ourselves and one another to step forward or back as needed. We also acknowledge that doing this work requires
community care and accountability. We are intentional about creating community spaces that promote our social, spiritual, mental and physical health.
Embraces differences and honours everyone’s offerings.
We come to this movement from all walks of life. We are of many genders, abilities, races, religions, backgrounds, and statuses — all living within a broken system. We find strength in our differences and are united in our commitment to build a world that works for all of us. We accept all those willing to abide by our principles, regardless of experience or capacity. We leave no one behind.
We all have something to lose to the climate crisis, and something to gain in coming together. We tell our individual stories to connect with each other, honour each other’s stories and understand the many different ways this crisis impacts us.
We each have something to offer this movement; we grow this movement by valuing everyone’s contributions and finding our role in this movement together. We share our skills, networks and resources. We take the time to reflect on exactly how we can best contribute and ask for help when we need it.
Is irresistible.
Building a new world and tearing down our broken systems isn’t easy work. We give ourselves permission to feel the joy that can come from organizing together. We laugh, play, sing and dance to make this movement irresistible.
Is non-violent in action and word.
We uphold nonviolence to restore community and resist systems of injustice. Remaining nonviolent allows us to win the hearts of the public and welcomes the most people to participate. We need mass participation in order to achieve our goals. The systems we fight are built on violence and the dispossession of people from their lands and power. We work vigorously in pursuit of our goals using non-violent means, but recognize that for many past and present struggles, the system does not afford this choice.
Is creative, experimental and adaptive.
We embrace experimentation and we learn together. We welcome imperfection, share innovations, and learn through honest mistakes followed by honest conversations that help us move forward together. We are committed to building trust and creating safer spaces where we welcome feedback and conflict, and strive to unlearn old ways of organizing that have caused harm.
Takes initiative.
Anyone is welcome to organize with Our Time Vancouver if they follow these principles. We ask for advice — not permission — from each other to make this happen. We prioritize skill-building and the training of new and young organizers, recognizing we are in this fight for the long-term. To make decisions, we ask ourselves, “does this bring us closer to our goal?” We consult and check in, with a focus on doing the work that is exciting and makes sense for our strategy.
*These Organizing Principles are adapted from Our Time’s 2019 national campaign.