History is happening this October
La Rose v. His Majesty the King youth plaintiffs at a climate rally in Canada. Photo by Robin Loznak
August 3, 2026
For the first time, a youth-led federal climate case will go to trial in Canada.
Fifteen youth will walk into a courtroom to hold their federal government accountable for contributing to the climate crisis and violating their rights in La Rose v. His Majesty the King.
Just last month, Canadian Federal Justice Fothergill said, “This case is a matter of considerable public importance, not only because of the factual context but also because of its constitutional implications.” That’s true.
The climate crisis is urgent and rapidly shifting, and it is now for the courts to decide how young people’s constitutional rights will drive the solutions. When the case was first filed, seven years ago, the plaintiffs in the eastern part of the country had never experienced wildfire smoke. Years later, they were breathing some of the most polluted air in the world as wildfires swept the region.
And yet, since the case was filed, Canada has not made any changes to avoid these crises.
Instead, they have been going in the opposite direction. A few weeks ago, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Canada would not be meeting emission reduction targets as planned. As Canadian communities are being destroyed by wildfires, the government has told its citizens it is giving up. That’s not the kind of leadership Canadian youth deserve.
Canada has made promises to address the climate crisis, yet it continues to approve fossil fuel projects and push back emission reduction targets. Despite natural disasters. Despite public health crises. Despite the futures of youth being at risk. The solutions to the climate crisis are within reach, but the government needs to lead, not stand in the way.
La Rose isn’t about a promise: it’s about accountability.
A win for La Rose would require Canada to prepare and implement a climate recovery plan to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions in line with what scientists say is necessary to stabilize the climate system. Federal Justice Fothergill stated “...the impact of this case may be profound” if the youth prevail.
This wouldn’t be just another promise Canada can go back on, or another target it can push back when it’s convenient. The climate recovery plan would be court-ordered, legally binding, and designed to protect the fundamental rights of Canadian youth.
There will be a level of accountability that has never existed before: the kind of accountability we need all domestic courts to impose. The kind of accountability that ensures Canada becomes a leader towards climate recovery. The kind of accountability that changes the world.
I've had the honor of working alongside these plaintiffs for years, watching them grow up with this case, and I'll be with them in that Vancouver courtroom this October. This trial is the moment we've been building toward. Thank you for standing with them, too.
Stay tuned for ways to amplify trial, and how you can get involved in the coming months. Want to be first to know? Sign up for our Canada trial updates list.
Thank you for helping to make history.