On behalf of over 60,000 people who have asked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for a new federal nature law, and on behalf of the 2000+ wild species in Canada which are facing a high risk of being wiped out, this giant inflatable owl delivered an important message to Trudeau’s doorstep on the crisp morning of January 31:
As we set up our unconventional display, curious onlookers gather, snapping photos and raising eyebrows at the sight of our oversized avian friend. You might be wondering, what’s the deal with the owl? The short of it is that we inflated a giant owl on the Rideau Hall grounds near Justin Trudeau’s residence to demand movement on a promised nature protection law. The long of it is that this owl represents a lot more than you may realize. Allow us to introduce you to the spotted owl—a once-proud symbol of Canada’s rich biodiversity, now teetering on the brink of extinction.
The Wild Spotted Owl as a Symbol of an Extinction Crisis
In the 1990s, there were an estimated forty breeding pairs in BC. Today, in the vast temperate rainforest, a single spotted owl remains—a stark symbol of imminent extinction. Logging and industrial development has fractured the landscape and gutted their habitat, pushing the spotted owl to the brink of extinction. But the spotted owl is not an isolated case. In Canada, more than 2,000 wild species face a high risk of being wiped out.
“The owl is a symbol of the government’s inaction and the urgent need for legislation to protect Canadian wildlife,” explained Dina, Greenpeace Canada’s Communications Officer. “We wanted to remind the Prime Minister that time is running out for nature in a way he couldn’t ignore—and that’s how we came up with the idea of an inflatable owl!”
The plight of species like the spotted owl highlights the urgent need for comprehensive federal policies. The lack of effective federal policies and laws to protect and restore nature has enabled industries like the logging industry to devastate wildlife for decades. As a result, the federal government failed to achieve any of the previous decade’s targets under the Convention on Biological Diversity (Nature COP).
With nature so clearly in crisis, we should not be prioritizing profit over nature and people. And the case of the spotted owl is the perfect reminder of this. This is why we helped this owl deliver her message. The issue is not that we at Greenpeace Canada are tired of waiting, it’s that nature can’t wait. Not only are over 2,000 wild species at risk in Canada, but over 1,000,000 species are at risk globally. Due to industrial activity, deforestation, unsustainable logging and the use of chemical pesticides and herbicides by big agribusiness, nature and wildlife are facing immense pressure from all sides.
A new nature law would help protect at-risk species and also require the government to practice accountability and transparency, respect the rights of Indigenous Peoples, and restore access to nature for all.
Countdown to Nature COP
Timing really is everything, as this action marks the countdown to the next UN biodiversity negotiations in October 2024. “We need the government to actually pass the new nature law it’s promised before the next round of UN negotiations in the fall,” explained Dina.
Over a year ago, during the 2022 UN Convention on Biological Diversity summit in Montreal (Nature COP), Trudeau’s government actually signed a global biodiversity agreement called the Kunming-Montréal framework, which sets binding international targets to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. Steven Guilbeault, the minister of Environment, then committed to passing nature protection legislation to make it a reality here in Canada. The federal government recently reaffirmed that commitment at the end of 2023. These announcements, driven by the mobilization of our supporters and thousands of regular people, show the power of collective efforts.
But words upon words and “formal announcements” amount to blah blah blah as the clock keeps ticking. It’s now time for Trudeau to walk the walk. We need a nature protection law that:
- Ensures government accountability
- Prioritizes Indigenous knowledge
- Prioritizes access to nature
- Ensures the fulfillment of biodiversity targets (especially given previous failures)
This year’s Nature COP, in October, is the time for countries to share their efforts and show just how much, or little, they have done to meet global biodiversity goals. Canada, with its rich biodiversity, should be prepared to showcase its progress at this year’s Nature COP. Instead of announcement after announcement, let’s urge Trudeau to take real steps and pass the law, so that we have something to show for on the global stage. Trudeau needs to keep his government’s promise and pass a strong Biodiversity Act before this year’s Convention on Biological Diversity negotiations in October.
Remaining Days until Nature COPEchoing the Lone Owl’s Message through People Power
The thing about the rallies, actions, or activities we do here at Greenpeace Canada, is that not only do we have great teams of volunteers and supporters who help us on-the-ground, but we also have collective efforts supporting us far and wide across Canada.
“Learning that there is only one northern spotted owl left in Canada has really resonated with the public on a personal level,” shared Dina. “People are realizing that our kids will not be able to witness nature in all its diversity if species continue to decline at this rate.
While our on-the-ground team was focused on delivering the wild spotted owl’s message right to Trudeau’s doorstep at Rideau Hall, online supporters echoed her message in other ways. Notably, over 63,000 people across Canada have now asked the federal government to deliver a new nature protection law through our digital petition. Additionally, hundreds of folks shared the lone owl’s message on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, tagging Justin Trudeau to ensure that she is heard loud and clear.
In terms of how the owl was received both by the public and the media, Dina remarked: “Some of our supporters in Ottawa came to join us on the day, and lots of passers-by cheered and said our owl was beautiful. The story got lots of local and national media coverage, so we definitely achieved our goal of bringing more attention to the nature crisis in Canada.”
Take Action
The inflatable owl may no longer be outside Trudeau’s window, but we need to continue to echo her message. If you’d like to help ensure Justin Trudeau hears us, you can do so easily below!
Step 1: Echo the owl’s message online!
Download graphics here for your Instagram story and here for Facebook. Don’t forget to tag Justin Trudeau and Greenpeace Canada! You can copy/paste the following text into your post:
The plight of the last wild spotted owl in Canada is a stark reminder of our nature crisis. Over 2000 species are at risk in Canada—the clock is ticking. Justin Trudeau, pass a nature law before #NatureCOP this year. #ProtectNature
Step 2: Add your name to the petition!
People power across the country can make passing a strong Biodiversity Act a reality! Over 60,000 people in Canada have signed our petition calling for the swift passage of new nature legislation.
As we pack up our inflatable owl for now and bid adieu to Trudeau’s doorstep, we’re filled with a sense of purpose and determination. Greenpeace Canada isn’t just about making noise; we’re about making a difference. So the next time you see a giant inflatable owl making waves in the headlines, remember this: it’s not just a quirky protest—it’s a call to action for a better future. And we’re not backing down until we get it.