The next few days are crucial for expressing our support for climate action in Toronto.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see line ups out the door to speak to the Parks and Environment Committee and a bulging folder of letters with our support and comments on the TransformTO plan!
So please think about what you can do to make Toronto a climate leader. Together, we surely can do this!
To give a deputation (speak for up to 5 minutes) email the Parks and Environment Clerk at pec@toronto.ca and ask to speak to item number 19.4 at the meeting on Thursday May 4th 9:30 am. This is also the place to send written deputations for the committee. Letters can be addressed to Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon, Chair of Parks and Environment Committee, and can be from your group or from you as an individual. The Clerk will distribute to all committee members. You should also copy your own councillor.
You can find your councillor contact info here: http://bit.ly/1CwEd8X
READ THE TRANSFORMTO REPORT: http://bit.ly/2oNSM2m
LISTEN TO THE WEBINAR (taped April 27th): https://youtu.be/yI_efFAPJvU
SPECIAL EVENTS THIS WEEK:
1) TRAINING Monday night, 7 pm, at Friends House, 60 Lowther Ave - In letter writing, deputations, and meeting with your councillors. If you like we will link you up with others from the same ward to be in touch you’re your councillor. https://www.facebook.com/events/251163478685915/ All welcome.
2) Tuesday May 2nd - daytime:Call in hosted by Toronto 350 and Greenpeace, 11 – 3 https://www.facebook.com/events/1697356337224275/
3) MAY 2ND TransformTO 2050 webinar 12 - 1:30 you'll be able to ask questions live! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/transformto-long-term-strategy-webinar-tickets-33317842564 )
4) May 2nd evening TCAN and TEA are hosting an in-person presentation on the report, 6 - 8 pm at Bahen Centre (register in advance) http://www.torontoenvironment.org/transformto_climate_plan_update We'll be offering a deputation training after the presentation and q and a.
5) May 3rd Allliance for a Just Toronto are hosting a deputation writing party https://www.facebook.com/events/631701847035461/
GO TO CLIMATEFAST WEBPAGE FOR MORE INFO AND LINKS: www.climatefast.ca/carbonfreeTO
Tips on making a deputation:
http://www.torontoenvironment.org/make_a_deputation
KEY POINTS TO CONSIDER FOR YOUR DEPUTATION:
- This is an extremely important plan and should be adopted
- We need ambitious targets, and having the interim 2030 target of 65% reduction is a good move
- Community co-benefits should be strengthened, including job creation – link with anti-poverty strategy
- Community engagement needs greater funding and support – these positions are essential to building public support and engagement quickly
- Waste diversion goals should be strengthened
- Transit needs a massive expansion to get our transportation emissions down, beyond what is currently planned
- We must ensure that funding is available to make it possible to implement the plan
- We need annual reports
We really want Toronto to be a climate leader; our future depends on our actions now!
To learn more about Toronto’s Climate Challenge, and why it is so important to act now, watch our April 4th forum with Dianne Saxe, Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, here: www.climatefast.ca/torontos-climate-challenge-april-4th-report
Live in Scarborough? Film: Rob Stewart’s 'Revolution' screens Friday night, May 5th Scarborough civic centre, 6:30 pm: http://www.climatefast.ca/revolution-film-screenings
LET’S BE CLIMATE HEROES TOGETHER!