Environmental manifesto unveiled by Naomi Klein, backed by celebrities

Author Naomi Klein announced the release of an environmental manifesto today, backed by celebrities, activists, artists and religious leaders.

The Leap Manifesto: A Call for a Canada Based on Caring for the Earth and One Another calls on government to honour indigenous rights and move toward a clean economy fuelled by renewable energy.

According to the manifesto, this can be achieved in around three decades by moving away from industries like mining and oil extraction and instead focusing on environmentally-friendly technology.

• Canada Votes: election coverage
• An indigenous guide to the 2015 federal election

"This is a document that was written collectively," Klein said, flanked by national indigenous Anglican bishop Mark MacDonald and environmentalist and broadcaster David Suzuki.  Actor Tantoo Cardinal, author Joseph Boyden and newly crowned Mrs.Universe Ashley Callingbull were also at the press conference.

"This is an invitation to be part of something that really makes sense," says actor Tantoo Cardinal, who says the manifesto is rooted in indigenous values of caring for the earth.

The manifesto also calls for universal child-care and a "universal basic annual income" as well as an end to trade deals, which are blamed for hurting local economies.

The manifesto has been translated into eight languages, including Cree and Inuktitut.

Klein says the manifesto is addressed to Canadians and the current government, while not supporting any one political party — though she hopes a new government will use the manifesto as a guide.

While the press conference included around a dozen people, a long list of celebrities have signed the manifesto, including actors Donald Sutherland, Ellen Page and Rachel MacAdams as well as musicians Leonard Cohen, Bruce Cockburn and Neil Young.

It also has the support of authors, politicians and indigenous leaders like Haida carver Guujaaw.