Several seniors were arrested on Parliament Hill and charged with trespassing as they called for stronger government action to address climate change this week.
On Wednesday, six seniors were charged with trespassing after peacefully blocking a main entrance to Parliament Hill for three hours, Michael Polanyi, co-founder of Seniors’ Climate Witness told The Energy Mix.
“Police warned us that we could face criminal charges if we did not move,” Polanyi said in an emailed statement. “We stayed—and ultimately they issued tickets rather than criminal charges. Seventeen seniors have now been arrested over two days of nonviolent action.”
On Tuesday, members of a self-described “climate caravan” tried to deliver hundreds of photos and stories about the effects of wildfires and flooding to MPs’ desks in the House of Commons, the Canadian Press reported. Several of them were arrested that day as well.
Caravan members wearing bright yellow shirts with anti-pipeline slogans sang in protest outside Parliament’s West Block, where the House is temporarily located during renovations. They were denied entry to the building.
A Parliamentary Protective Service officer asked the protesters to move away from the doors. They refused.
Protective Service officers and the Ottawa police then arrested 11 members, the service told the Canadian Press, escorted them away from West Block and charged them with trespassing.
“They remained co-operative throughout and no injuries were reported,” the Protective Service said in an email.
The activists are urging Ottawa to invest in renewable energy sources rather than fossil-fuel infrastructure like pipelines—before it’s too late.
“I have solar panels on my roof. I’ve got an electric car. I ride my bike. We’ve all got to do this,” protester Eric Schiller said Tuesday shortly before being arrested.
“We can do something, but it’s got to be massive change. And the government—some government in the world—has got to take hold of this and say, ‘Hey guys, we can’t go as usual.’
“We’ve got to take the bull by the horns and say, this has got to change.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 22, 2026.
Muriel Jarvis 
Judi 
Janet Gourlay-Vallance 
Rebecca Allen 
John O'Brien 
JoAnne Jarvis 
Sheila Robinson 
Sheila Tousignant 
Mary Anne Pare 
Bravo Seniors for shining a light on the climate crisis! Your bravery will be acknowledged by future generations while the apathy and inactivity of leaders will be regarded with contempt.
I’m so heartened to see seniors stepping up. We made the mess and youth cannot fix it alone. Seniors supporting youth will get us further. So happy to see this!
I am so proud of Canadians standing up for our grandchildren’s future. Projects for our ‘common good’ are those toward a clean, renewable energy future not those projects that continue to pour fuel on our warming planet. That is madness!
We are ALL connected. What are YOU waiting for? ….. Irreversible, complete collapse??
Wow, so proud that you delivered a message that needs to be heard.
Yes, yes, yes!! These seniors showed the rest of our lazy people that we ALL have to take to the streets and fight for a new way of doing things, or our Grandchildren will be left with the horrible bill.
Thank you for being the voices of many of us.
Politicians don’t seem to care but most Canadians do.
Why are we so silent while a small group courageous elders speak up.?
Join them!!
Kudos to these Seniors who crossed the country from Victoria in their EVs, and brought those messages and stories to Ottawa. You speak for thousands of us across the country, who are HUGELY concerned about the future for our children and grandchildren., and astounded that the climate crisis is no longer being addressed by our Government. Shame on them. The Eco-Elders for Climate Action in Calgary are with you…..
These brave seniors are putting their money where their mouth is. They are putting it all on the line – something that more of us need to do if we want a planet that is livable for our children and grandchildren in the future. We must wean ourselves off fossil fuels and turn our investments to renewable energy sources. As Seniors for Climate warns us, “Later is too late.”
deep appreciation forthe ones who are standing up for all of us… i have an 81 year old body so i have an inkling of how challenging the physical and emotional stresses, must be, eith you in spirit, you Elders are heroes!