MEC to close stores Canada wide to support global climate strike
Posted September 22, 2019 4:16 pm.
Last Updated September 22, 2019 8:31 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — An outdoor retailer is shutting the doors of all 22 of its stores Friday to join the global climate strike.
Marches are set to take place in 150 countries on Sept. 27. On Sept. 20 about 4 million people worldwide hit the streets to demand action on climate change.
Mountain Equipment Co-op’s CEO says stores across Canada will be closed until 5 p.m. Sept. 27 so staff can join in marches, and as a way of showing the co-op’s commitment to taking a stand on sustainability.
“As Canada’s leading outdoor retail co-op, we are deeply concerned. We have known for a long time that operating our business and selling products has an impact on the planet. While our record of leadership in sustainability and advocacy makes us frontrunners in the outdoor industry, we recognize the need to take an even greater stand,” writes Phil Arata in a letter.
Arrata says he understands the closure might affect people with plans to visit the stores or who have planned appointments, but hopes members will support the action.
“We are members of this Co-op because we share a love of the outdoors. It’s time to act so we can protect it for generations to come,”
