Mervyn Russell honoured with Climate Action Award

“Mervyn takes a thoughtful and positive approach to activism, but never lets our elected representatives get away with inaction on important issues.” -- Hart Jansson

“A bold new, socially inclusive, persuasive, educational and positivity-focused initiative is urgently needed to inform Canadian society of the needs and benefits of transitioning our economy and way of life from a carbon-energised one to a renewable-energised one.” – Mervyn Russell, Climate Action Award winner

Last night Oakville celebrated its best during the Community Spirit Awards held at the Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre.

Mervyn Russell won the Climate Action Award for his tireless efforts to save the environment and reverse climate crisis.

Aki Tanaka nominated Russell for the prestigious award. The two met at a climate rally in 2019 when Tanaka was given the daunting task of leading the activists in song.

“Mervyn stepped up to help. He has a wonderful voice,” Tanaka told Small Change.

She went on to say, “Working with Mervyn is a privilege because he has so much experience as an activist in many areas. There is nothing like listening to Mervyn address Town or Regional Council. He is so eloquent and articulate.”

According to Tanaka, Russell has been undaunted in his efforts to make the community aware of the dangerous consequences of the climate crisis as well as the best preventative actions to undertake.

He regularly seeks support from all levels of government, resident’s associations, communities of faith, professional associations, and labour unions.

Russell is always up to doing a presentation to council on the climate crisis, Halton Region’s official plan, or the environmental and climate impacts of Bill 23 – More Homes Built Faster Act.

Likewise, he’s always available to speak with local members of Parliament encouraging them to take action to stop the climate crisis.

An environmental advocate since the 1960’s, Russell has collected signatures on a variety of climate petitions including one requesting a full panel review of the proposed Highway 413 project. MP Pam Damoff presented that petition in the House of Commons.

Hart Jansson co-founded Halton Action for Climate Emergency Now (HACEN) with Russell in 2019 when the pair decided that emissions reduction needed to be a priority for every level of government.

“Mervyn takes a thoughtful and positive approach to activism, but never lets our elected representatives get away with inaction on important issues,” said Jansson.

HACEN pushes local, provincial, and federal governments to take immediate action. To that end, Russell met with, and lobbied, Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister Anita Anand, and Oakville Mayor Rob Burton.

He addressed Oakville Council and Halton Regional Council regarding the importance of implementing a comprehensive education and information campaign on the climate crisis so that all citizens better understand the depth of the problem and effective responses to it.

“Mervyn is a pleasure to work with. He combines good humour and idealism with a pragmatic approach and expectations,” Jansson shared.

“He is a natural leader, but never looks for the spotlight. He inspires others to action by example and always works on a consensus basis. Our community is better for Mervyn Russell and we need many more like him,” added Jansson.

Russell constantly urges close cooperation and joint advocacy with other environmental groups and is more than willing to share ideas with a wider audience.

Russell was a member of the board for Oakville Community Centre for Peace, Ecology and Human Rights, serving as chair from 2007 until 2011.

He has been a member of Oakville-Mississauga KAIROS from 2006 and chaired the group for five years.

Russell was also a board member for Halton Environmental Network (HEN) and chaired HENs Halton Green Screens committee which hosts environmental film screenings and discussions to inspire individual and collective environmental action.

An active participant in the Stop Sprawl Halton campaign, Russell could regularly be found at meetings and rallies.

Tanaka says that Russell advocates for people who are often unheard like seniors, children, youth, immigrants, and refugees.

His work with a wide variety of human rights groups is legendary and includes seniors in long term care (LTC), United Network for Justice and Peace in Palestine, Daughters for Life Foundation, Oakville Palestinian Rights Association, and R4R a support group for youth.

Russell was also the founder and first chair of Halton Health Coalition (HHC).

“I am delighted that Mervyn has bee recognized with the Oakville Community Spirit Award. When I first met Mervyn, he was trying to establish a Halton chapter of the Ontario Health Coalition,” shared Helen Lee, current HHC chair.

“He was tenacious and unwavering in his efforts and now we have a Halton Health Coalition which advocates for the protection and advancement of public health care.”

Russell has also organized many charity concerts for such varied groups as the Stephen Lewis Foundation, Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services (SAVIS) of Halton, Women in Afghanistan, Al Ahmadi Hospital in Gaza, and Ukrainian refugees.

In the 1980’s Russell chaired The Hamilton Committee of Christians, Jews and Unitarians for Nuclear Disarmament when the group successfully urged the city to pass a resolution declaring Hamilton a nuclear weapons free zone.

“Mervyn has led an interesting life living in many different places. Wherever he is, he rolls up his sleeves and makes a positive contribution to his community,” stated Lee.