High-profile actors, musicians, authors launch manifesto outlining bold climate and economic vision for Canada

Donald Sutherland, Naomi Klein, Leonard Cohen, Rachel McAdams, David Suzuki and many more issue Leap Manifesto calling on next government to transition Canada off fossil fuels

September 11, 2015 (TORONTO) – Several musicians, directors, actors, authors, national and community leaders and dozens of organizations are launching the Leap Manifesto: A Call for a Canada Based on Caring for the Earth and One Another on Tuesday September 15. Translated into 8 languages, including Cree and Inuktitut, the manifesto aims to gather tens of thousands of signatures and build pressure on the next federal government to transition Canada off fossil fuels while also making it a more livable, fair and just society.

In addition to featuring several of the Manifesto’s high-profile signatories, the launch event will include experts outlining why this vision is feasible and achievable.

WHAT: Launch of Leap Manifesto. To read the Manifesto visit www.leapmanifesto.org (the website will go live the morning of September 15).

WHO: David Suzuki, Naomi Klein, Stephen Lewis, Tantoo Cardinal, Joseph Boyden, Patricia Rozema, George Elliott Clarke, Mrs. Universe Ashley Callingbull, Maude Barlow, and others.

WHEN: 10:30am, Tuesday, September 15, 2015

WHERE: 2nd Floor Events, 461 King Street West, Toronto, ON M5V 1K4 (Just west of Spadina on King, entrance on the side by the laneway)

Initiating signatories to the Leap Manifesto include Donald Sutherland, Rachel McAdams, Leonard Cohen, Neil Young, Ellen Page, Gord Downie, David Suzuki, Naomi Klein, Stephen Lewis, Sarah Polley, Bruce Cockburn, Guujaaw, Tegan and Sara, Leslie Feist, Joseph Boyden, Dionne Brand, Thomas King, Maude Barlow, Paul Moist, Robyn Benson, Former Ontario Chief Justice Ron McMurtry, Michael Ondaatje and more.

Plus more than 50 organizations, including Oxfam, Idle No More, CUPE, CLC, PSAC, Council of Canadians, Greenpeace, 350.org, and over 100 individual signatories like scientists, economists, artists, activists, journalists and others.

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To arrange interviews or to read an embargoed copy of the Leap Manifesto:

Bianca Mugyenyi, This Changes Everything, Canada Outreach Coordinator bianca@thischangeseverything.org : 514-436-7629