Just wanted to acknowledge that today is February 29th, 2020 which means it is Leap Day and what better day than Leap Day to learn more about and/ or reach out in support of The Leap's efforts to bring a Green New Deal to Canada.
In a blog post last spring I reviewed Leap Manifesto's author's Neomi Klein's fantastic book No is Not Enough. In it I give some background to both The Leap organization as well as what the Green New Deal could look like for Canada. Imagine if we all were bold, visionary and most importantly, caring enough to help midwife's its birth here!
And from The Leap today, this email:
"It has been four years and one day since we became The Leap! Back in 2016 — our first year as an organization — communities around the world rallied for Leap Day, with scores of events and actions to support a just transition away from fossil fuels. This Leap Day, we're bringing the spirit of the Leap Manifesto into the fight for a Green New Deal.
And what an incredible ride it's been. In just the past year alone, we have:
Helped rally North America behind a Green New Deal, including with a sold-out, 7-city tour across Canada;
Created a podcast, released a flurry of viral videos, and pushed our agenda on the airwaves, op-ed pages, and the public stage;
Launched innovative organizing efforts with transit workers, farmers, housing leaders, and other movements around the Green New Deal
Today is another Leap Day — one of those rare moments we cherish, when it feels like we're being gifted an extra piece of time. And it’s clear that with the scale and pace of change we're fighting for — and all the entrenched power and money we're up against — even one extra day is a blessing.
Together, we've already laid the groundwork for a Green New Deal. Now it's time to flesh out the policies, build mass power behind them, and turn this framework into reality.
For example: you've been hearing a lot from us about a Green New Deal for Housing, and how it could slash carbon pollution and inequality at the same time. Now, we’re working with partners to bring together community leaders, experts on housing and climate, and allies in office — to turbocharge this first piece of the Green New Deal that is coming to life on the ground.Can you chip in to support us in convening new coalitions to push a Green New Deal for Housing? There's much more to come: a global Green New Deal framework is on the horizon, and we'll be announcing our work on that soon. With your help, we can keep this beautiful momentum going.
With hope and gratitude, Maya Menezes, The Leap"
I personally admire and am sustained by the generosity of spirit which the workers at the Leap engender. They bear witness to both the brutalities and the beauty of existence and welcome us to be part of something larger than the smallness our individual and collective brokenness wishes to maintain. The Leap cuts through those walls erected by mindsets of divisiveness and reminds us beautifully that We Are One. In short, The Leap welcomes us to be agents of change for a larger community filled with potential and possibility. Why not take the Leap this Leap Day 2020?
Also with hope and gratitude,
Jill MacCormack
Thanks for reading!