“He told me once that trees teach humans what it is to be beautiful. In countries where there are more trees, people don’t fight against nature. They are more sensitive. Their language is softer. They treat women, they treat everybody more gently.”
These words from Vanya, Simon Stephens’ adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya, may resonate with visitors as they pass the “Entering the Greenbelt” sign that greets them when arriving in Niagara region—a promise of towering trees and a uniquely untouched feeling within the world’s largest protected greenspace, right here in Ontario, reflecting not only the beauty of nature but the kindness of the local community.
Beneath the gentleness, a fight is brewing in the city of St. Catharines, where a group of seniors is deeply ‘sensitive’ to the environmental, social, humanitarian and justice issues that impact both the community and the province. Their language may be ‘softer’ but it carries a roar, complemented by humour, creating an effective juxtaposition in the advocacy space these residents have taken up.
They call themselves the ‘Raging Grannies’.
In October 2024, Jeanette Liberty-Duns, who moved to St. Catharines from Saskatoon five years ago, where she was part of the Raging Grannies chapter there, decided to introduce local seniors to the movement by organizing a workshop at a seniors' conference at Silver Spire United Church.
She recalls her time in Saskatchewan, where she saw powerful social activists in the home of Thomas "Tommy" Douglas–who framed our universal system of healthcare out of sweat, empathy and dogged persuasion–including one who helped establish Medicare in the prairie province and another who provided healthcare to northern Indigenous communities. “These activists were the original Raging Grannies. But then it sort of fell off for a while, and then they got me involved, and then we sort of started up again."
“In Victoria, a group of women became deeply concerned when they learned that American submarines carrying nuclear weapons were coming into Nanaimo,” Liberty-Duns told The Pointer, describing the first Raging Grannies, whose effective organizing against aggressive American interests decades ago might be needed now, as U.S. President Donald Trump galvanizes Canadian resolve to once again fight for our sovereignty.
“Realizing that traditional methods like writing letters to the editor wouldn't be enough, they decided to take action. To draw attention to the issue, they dressed in eccentric hats, aprons, and shawls, and began demonstrating.”
The Raging Grannies originated in Victoria in 1986–87 under the name NERT (Nuclear Emergency Response Team), and was formed to protest the environmental risks posed by US Navy nuclear-powered ships in Victoria Harbour.
During a protest against uranium mining at the BC legislature in 1987, the Raging Grannies brought a laundry basket filled with women’s underwear, symbolizing women’s work while poking fun at the pompous tone of the formal hearings.
Over time, their activism expanded across Canada, the U.S. and beyond, with the Grannies taking on a wide range of social justice issues, including military peace, homelessness, environmental causes and rights for women, LGBTQ+ and marginalized communities.
The Raging Grannies originated in Victoria in 1986–87 under the name NERT
Known for their playful and creative protests, the Grannies dress in exaggerated "grandma" outfits, and sing satirical songs at events, promoting a sustainable world for the future generations.
In 2017, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg, Manitoba, honored the Raging Grannies' 30 years of activism with a dedicated exhibit.
After attending Liberty-Duns' workshop, two local women, RoseMarie Cipryk and Evelyn Janke, were inspired to bring the Raging Grannies to St. Catharines, and asked “why don’t we start one here?”
They put out the word, and by January, their first meeting saw twelve seniors eager to get involved.
But the question was: “what are we going to protest about? So, the first thing that we chose was this ridiculous election that we just had that we did not need,” Liberty-Duns said.
On February 22, just one week before the recent provincial elections, the Raging Grannies showed up at the St. Catharines Farmers Market, singing their own version of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" to encourage people to "vote for justice":
We’re the Raging Grannies
And we’ve come out here to say
This election is not needed
And we do not want to pay.
Now Ford wants to distract us
For his mandate to be strong
But we think he is wrong!
Let’s get out and vote for justice
Let’s get out and vote for justice
Let’s get out and vote for justice
Together we are strong.
The money could be spent on
Health care, doctors, nurses, meds
Private health is not our way
You are screwed if you can’t pay
Hallway health care is Ford’s way
And nurses wage caps too
And we say NO to that.
Let’s get out and vote for justice
Let’s get out and vote for justice
Let’s get out and vote for justice
Together we are strong.
We’re angry with the boondoggles
And Ford’s friends getting rich
Trying to sell the Greenbelt,
We all know would long be felt.
Construction of a luxury spa
So wealthy can unwind.
And we say NO to that
Let’s get out and vote for justice
Let’s get out vote for justice
Let’s get out and vote for justice
Together we are strong
“We're saying strong things, but in a humorous way,” Raging Grannies member Jan Steven told The Pointer.
The audience and vendors “loved” the performance and the grannies, but after two songs, a city representative ordered them to stop, threatening to call the police.
For Evelyn Janke, making such a bold public statement felt “intimidating” at first, but she found a sense of “empowerment” after their first performance.
“It felt like maybe we can make a difference. Maybe one person will change or something can happen,” Janke reflected—before laughing about her eldest daughter’s reaction: “Oh, I wish you got arrested. That would have been hilarious,” she said.
For some, the day brought out laughter, while for others, it served as a chance to pay tribute to the pioneering women who came before them.
“I have a precedent. My maternal grandmother marched for the suffragette movement,” Barb Gray proudly shared.
Janke remembers Steven sharing at their first meeting how she had felt "so alone in dealing with all these issues," and how coming together with like-minded people—especially women, though they do have one grandpa—brought a powerful sense of empowerment.
And as it turned out, being evicted was "a blessing in disguise."
After their eviction, Liberty-Duns took action, reaching out to the City and meeting with Councillor Robin McPherson and security services coordinator Tre Sanderson. The result? The Raging Grannies secured the City’s “blessing” to continue their rallies—turning a setback into an opportunity.
At their third meeting on March 13, the group tackled a wide range of pressing issues, from Highway 413 and the privatization of healthcare to homelessness, Ontario Place, the Ontario Science Centre, and international crises in Palestine and Sudan. With so many causes to champion, they debated the focus of their next performance.
One member, Ineke Medcalf, has firsthand experience with global humanitarian efforts. She has volunteered in the West Bank, serving as an Ecumenical Accompanier (EA) in the South Hebron Hills of Palestine, and now channels that same passion into local activism. “We could do a song on human rights—for Palestinians,” she suggested.
“Peace is absolutely huge for us—whether it’s Palestine, Sudan, or other conflicts. An area I’d like to explore is what is it that our country is doing to continue wars that shouldn't be happening?,” Steven added.
Another key discussion point was Ontario Place. In late February, advocacy group Ontario Place for All called for a police investigation into the Ontario Place Call for Development, citing concerns that it was “not fair, accountable or transparent” after the Auditor General’s report found the Ford government failed to comply with Ontario’s Realty Directive.
“For me, anytime public land, public healthcare, or anything meant for the common good is turned into a corporate venture—especially when politicians stand to gain—it’s deeply wrong,” Steven said. “We need these shared spaces. We need public healthcare. Without them, we’re only creating deeper divisions.”
We need these shared spaces. We need public healthcare. Without them, we’re only creating deeper divisions
With the federal government refusing to conduct an environmental impact assessment on Highway 413, the grannies chose the environment as a key theme for their next performance, using music to amplify their concerns as they await updates on the contentious project.
One of the grannies proposed lying down in front of the construction shovels when early works on the highway begins, while another suggested chaining themselves to the trees set to be felled along the route.
Another issue that emerged was homelessness, which has become a growing crisis in the region. In October 2024, the Niagara Region identified at least 701 people experiencing homelessness, a slight increase from 665 in 2021.
Jadzia Robison, who volunteers at the Silver Spire United Church kitchen alongside many of the grannies, expressed her fear that she could soon join the ranks of the homeless.
“It scares me. The way the government has opened up the rental market. There’s no rent control, and with the AGI going up, my rent just increased by $89. Pretty soon, I’ll be one of those people showing up at the church with an ID because I won’t be able to afford anything else. I see elderly and younger people moving into apartments, and they’re thinking, ‘What happens next month?’ They don’t know if they’re going to end up homeless. And that’s just wrong,” she said.
As recently reported by The Pointer, under the Ford government, housing has become increasingly unaffordable, with ongoing cuts to red tape and a continued decline in housing starts.
But homelessness isn’t her only concern. Robison, who has been transitioning, expressed her strong feelings about a possible federal Conservative government, and Pierre Poilievre. “He’s so close to my heart—though not for the reasons he’d like. If he gets elected, he wants to push the same agenda as Trump, like saying there are only two genders. Sorry, but that doesn’t work for me,” she said.
“I fought tooth and nail for my identity. After my surgery, I legally changed my name. It took years, and I got help from Legal Aid with the paperwork. My family doctor had to confirm I was transitioning from male to female. Without that, I’d have an ‘X’ on my ID for non-binary, and that doesn’t work for me.”
As the conversation unfolded, it became evident that the group was a supportive space where everyone’s thoughts and opinions could be freely expressed.
“I'm finding that people are actually expressing their thoughts less than they used to. People are holding back. There's just been such a division. I think this creates a safer environment for us to make statements, and hopefully for our listeners to feel comfortable having conversations about what they hear,” Liina Jeev, who used to be a part of Raging Grannies Toronto, shared.
Liberty-Duns explained that within their collective, not everyone would agree on every issue they protest, and some might choose not to participate in certain actions. She cited the example of the grannies in Saskatchewan, where the oil sands issue was particularly divisive, especially for those with family members working in the industry.
“Not everybody has to be on the same page, all the time,” Liberty-Duns added.
The oldest member of the group, Janice Berg considers herself a “news hound.” Attending the meetings has given her the opportunity to make new friends, wear a quirky apron that once belonged to her late husband, who had Parkinson's, and add a new experience to her resume.
“I love watching the news and getting interested in various issues. But I’ve always been a clown, never someone who protested. So, I thought this would be a great addition to my resume,” Berg shared as the group ended the day with some tea, coffee and cookies.
The Raging Grannies may dress the part of sweet, elderly women, but they are anything but passive. With humour, creativity, and unwavering determination, they continue to challenge policies that threaten the well-being of their community and future generations.
“These are not women who are going to sit back,” Liberty-Duns said. And with their voices growing louder, neither is St. Catharines.
Anushka Yadav is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter based at The Pointer.