You will likely be as shocked as we are to know that the City’s Climate Action Plan, TransformTO, was not included in the City’s 2018 draft budget.
This is despite the fact that thousands of people - including you - have already signed petitions to your Councillor and the Mayor. Even though City Council voted unanimously in support of the TransformTO 2050 plan action on July 5th, 2017 the TransformTO budget request for 2018 is on a ‘wish list’ attached to the budget – and not funded, along with promises made for TTC funding and anti-poverty actions. Is it OK with you that the city pledges action, and then does not fund it? If not, then it’s time for the budget committee to hear from you!
TransformTO needs $2.5 million in this year’s budget. That is a tiny amount of the city’s budget of more than $10 Billion and amounts to less than $1 for each Toronto resident.
You can send a letter, or you can speak directly with the budget committee at hearings held January 8th, 9th, and 10th. These are opportunities for advocates and members of the public to speak directly to elected officials.
At these hearings we’ll have an opportunity to get directly in front of our decision-makers and make our voices heard. Would you like to work on your presentation with others? We invite you to join Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA) and ClimateFast on Wednesday, January 3rd for a TransformTO advocacy training, which will include tips for making a public deputation and sending a written letter to the Budget Committee.
TransformTO Advocacy Training Session
WHEN: Wednesday, January 3rd from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
WHERE: Friend’s House (60 Lowther Ave.)
BUDGET HEARING SCHEDULE
Monday Jan 8th, 3 – 5 pm or 6 – 8 pm Etobicoke Civic Centre
Monday Jan 8th, 3 – 5 pm or 6 – 8 pm Scarborough Civic Centre
Tuesday Jan 9th - 3 – 5 pm or 6 – 8 pm North York Civic Centre
Tuesday Jan 9th 3 – 5 pm or 6 – 8 pm York Civic Centre
Wednesday Jan 10th 3 – 5 pm or 6 – 8 pm East York Civic Centre
Wednesday Jan 10th, 9:30 am Toronto City Hall or 6 pm, Toronto City Hall
To register for a deputation sent a note to buc@toronto.ca. You can alternatively send a written submission (letter) to the Budget Chief Gary Crawford c/o buc@toronto.ca. Please cc your councillor (councillor_lastname@toronto.ca) and the Mayor (mayor_tory@toronto.ca) and bcc carbonfreeTO@climatefast.ca. You can find a sample letter on our website at: www.climatefast.ca/carbonfreeTO. You will also find your councillor’s contact info.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE & RSVP.
THANK YOU FOR TAKING ACTION! TOGETHER OUR VOICES WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO THE FUTURE OF OUR CITY!