We’ve got them on the run

Asarial,

RBC is running scared.

For the last few years, we’ve joined forces with Wet’suwet’en Land Defenders and an ever-growing network of allied organizations to take on RBC, Canada’s single biggest funder of fossil fuels and a massive investor in Coastal Gas Link — a pipeline project that’s tearing through Wet’suwet’en land, without consent. [1]

Here’s what’s next. On Saturday, April 1st, ahead of RBC’s AGM, people are rising up at RBC branches across the country to talk to their customers and the media to ensure the bank’s greenwashing efforts fail and the breadth of its destructive investments are widely known. It’s a proven tactic for putting big pressure on RBC’s leadership and shareholders. And this year, we want to make it bigger than ever.

Here’s why it works: RBC is all too aware that its customers expect climate action. That’s why they spend millions on greenwashing ad campaigns —and those campaigns, if left unchallenged, can be effective. [2] Many RBC customers are surprised to learn that RBC is part of so many toxic investments. And when they become aware of it, they get angry, leading to direct damage to RBC’s brand — and as a result, to their bottom line.

A big day of action can pull back the curtains on RBC’s toxic investments and put them on the defensive again. And with the media spotlight on RBC as they get ready for their April 5th AGM — a major meeting where they brag about all the wealth they’ve looted by destroying the planet’s future — there’s no better time to make it happen. [3]

That’s why our network is pulling out all the stops, with big digital actions, ad campaigns, a media blitz, and dozens of in-person actions to make sure RBC is feeling the heat. But to really pull this off, we need every single one of us reading this email to join an action in their community on Saturday, April 1.

Asarial, we’re counting on you. Will you attend an action near you? Find one on our event map and RSVP today:

Asarial, RBC is Canada’s biggest bankroller of fossil fuels. [4] But they’re not the only ones watching this campaign. We’ve said from the start that if we go hard at the worst offender, we’ll create space and pressure for other banks to move away from fossil investments. And I’m grateful to report that we were right. Since last year’s day of action, we’ve seen the first major, international banks commit to stopping new investments in fossil fuels, including huge names like HSBC, ING, and Lloyds. [5-7]

Momentum is on our side. If we keep up the pressure, our victory is inevitable.

The RBC AGM is a major event in their calendar — where the company’s top brass and shareholders gather to brag about their achievements and how well they’re supposedly doing. You can bet they’ll be wary of any negative attention that might come their way. So it’s prime time to spotlight RBC’s toxic investments and demand they stop investing in colonial violence and join the growing ranks of financial institutions who are quitting fossil fuels for good.

RSVP to an action near you today:

https://act.leadnow.ca/FossilFoolsDay/

In solidarity,
Tim and Maggie, on behalf of Leadnow

P.S. Don’t see a protest near you? We’ve made it easy to host your own, and we’ve got a team of volunteers standing by to support you every step of the way. Just click “host your own” on the event map and our system will walk you through it.

Sources:
[1] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/rbc-coastal-gaslink-defends-1.6412189
[2] https://www.thestar.com/business/2022/10/12/competition-bureau-probes-rbc-over-greenwashing-allegations.html
[3] https://www.nationalobserver.com/2023/03/21/opinion/rbc-should-expect-shareholder-showdown-wherever-it-goes-even-saskatoon
[4] https://rbcrevealed.com/factsheet/
[5] https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-63975173
[6] https://www.ing.com/Newsroom/News/ING-takes-next-step-in-aligning-oil-gas-portfolio-with-climate-goals.htm
[7]https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/uks-lloyds-ditches-project-finance-new-oil-gas-fields-2022-10-20/