My deepest condolences to Matt’s wife and family. Sending a hug to you, and another to the whole big community of people who were touched by Matt’s energy, passion, candour, generosity, and commitment to the greater good.

I got the chance to meet Matt while working for Community Climate Hubs (2022-23) – and was lucky enough to have several amazing conversations with him that I think will always really stick with me and give me inspiration (and practical advice!) to draw from through the inevitable ups and downs of climate organizing. Matt’s commitment to grassroots, local-level climate work – and others pouring their energy into it – was energizing and contagious. He was very generous in sharing from his own boots-on-the-ground experience and it helped me a lot in finding a new perspective on some tricky situations that year.

It was very sad to get the news of Matt’s passing.  I’m really glad to have met him and really grateful for everything he’d done for grassroots community-level climate work and everything he's done to support others in finding the leadership within themselves to do the same. Thank you, Matt – wishing you peace, friend.

I met Matt in undergrad where we sang Zap Mama charts, played squash, and climbed anything with a halfway decent finger-hold. I visited Matt when he moved to Tanzania to teach kindergarten music. Even more impressive than his ease at picking up Swahili was his ability to make friends; I was amazed to see him exchanging high fives and lively banter with seemingly every man, woman and child on every Zanzibar street corner. He drew people in with his warm smile and open heart. Matt was up for any adventure. When I staged my first musical, Matt accepted one of the leading roles and he lived with my family for the summer. I could always count on Matt to take part in whatever scheme I was hatching. When my wife and I got married, it was Matt who led the charges for the surprise flash mob musical number - hiding his trumpet on his lap for the entire meal.

Though we've lived one province apart for many years, we kept in touch and visited as often as possible. He'd send me photos from the eco-conscious geodesic dome he was building. I remember the excitement in his voice when he told me he was going to be a father. I remember just as clearly, sharing the news with him, when I learned that I was going to be a Dad.

Matt was an entrepreneur, an educator, a musician, an ecologist, a free spirit, a philosopher, a trampolinist, a dreamer, a father, son, husband, and a friend. He had enough interests and ambitions to fill ten lifetimes. My heart breaks for Vero, Adeline, Flora, and his family.

Matt, you were a beloved friend, and the world was a richer place with you in it. I'll miss you dearly, Rafiki.

Quelle tristesse!

Mes condoléances à la famille, aux amis et aux personnes qui ont milité à ses côtés pour améliorer le monde.

Matthew, tu nous laisses ton humanisme, ton intelligence organisationnelle, ta gentillesse et ton immense générosité, un héritage tellement précieux. À nous de le sauvegarder.

Avec amitié,

Christiane Dumont

I posted the following to the Calgary Climate Hub network and then spoke these words to conclude this month's podcast:

It's with great sadness I announce the passing of Matthew Chapman of Climate Reality Project Canada. Beyond becoming a great friend & brother-in-arms, Matt was instrumental in the creation of Hubs across Canada including this Calgary Climate Hub which I call home. Matt was also a husband and young father of two with just barely a grey hair on his head yet. On behalf of the Hub and climate activists everywhere I extend my deep condolences to his family. It's for things like this the word 'tragedy' exists. Mathew Chapman has a legacy & will be honoured, cherished & deeply missed. Rest in Power, habibi