National Day of Action: No New Fighter Jets

On Friday, July 24, we need your help. The Canadian Government is planning on spending $19 billion on 88 new fighter jets. These jets are harmful to civilians and the environment. In a time where millions of Canadians are relying on aid due to the ongoing pandemic, our government should be investing in a sustainable future for all Canadians.

Join our Day of Action on July 24 to demand that the government stops the $19 billion procurement

The Canadian Voice of Women for Peace (VOW) is calling for a National Day of Action on Friday, July 24 to demand the federal government cancel the $19 billion competition for 88 new fighter jets and instead invest in a just recovery and a green new deal. This fighter jet procurement is the second most expensive government program in Canadian history. At the end of this month, the bids are due from the fighter jet manufacturers: Boeing’s Super Hornet, SAAB’s Gripen and Lockheed Martin’s F-35 fifth-generation stealth fighter, so it is critical that we raise opposition now. The federal government will select the winning bid in 2022 and the first combat aircraft will be delivered by 2025. We have to stop this plan.

Canada does not need fighter jets; we need to stop fighting and make permanent the UN global ceasefire. Former Deputy Minister of National Defence Charles Nixon also argues that Canada does not face any credible threat that requires fighter jets. Moreover, fighter jets harm people and the climate. Over the past twenty years, Canadian fighter jets were used to illegally bomb Serbia (1999), bomb Libya (2011), bomb Syria and Iraq (2014-2016) and threaten Russia (2014-2019). These operations have killed innocent people and destroyed civilian infrastructure. As well, fighter jets emit excessive carbon emissions and cause carbon lock-in that will prevent Canada from decarbonizing and meeting the Paris Agreement targets to prevent catastrophic climate change. Canada should spend $19 billion on things that will bring genuine security to Canadians: affordable housing, public transit, renewable energy, education and health care.

If we mobilize, we can stop this costly, carbon-intensive procurement. We are urging groups and concerned citizens to hold a short rally “Strike for Climate Peace” outside their Member of Parliament’s office and take a picture and share it with us. We will compile the pictures from across the country. We are also asking that you deliver or drop in the mailbox a letter to your MP. We will send you more details, the letters, and a press release that you can use for the media in the coming days.

What you can do for our National Day of Action:

1. Plan a short “Strike for Climate Peace” outside your MPs for Friday, July 24
2. Let people and the media know about your rally (VOW will send a press release you can modify and help with promotion)
3. On July 24, stand outside your Member of Parliament’s Office with a sign (be sure to wear a mask & respect physical distancing)
4. Take a picture and send it to VOW (we will compile the pictures from across the country)
5. Protest Virtually by posting a photo of you holding a #NoNewFighterJets sign. Make sure to tag @VOWpeace on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter
6. Deliver a letter to your MP (to their office or in the mailbox. VOW will send a letter you can modify.)

For more resources and information, see our campaign web page “No Fighter Jets”: https://vowpeace.org/nofighterjets/

Pivot to Peace and World Beyond War are also supporting this action! Please let us know if you will support this action by email: info@vowpeace.org