APRIL 2025

This ClimateFast newsletter shares information about the Climate Crisis that may interest our readers, but does not necessarily reflect the views of ClimateFast as an organization, nor those of its members. If you have an event or resource you would like to share, please send it to newsletter@climatefast.ca.

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It used to be we had Earth Day - well, we still do; it's April 22. But we now also have an earth month and hopefully, before long, we'll all think about honouring and protecting the earth and all of its inhabitants - human and non-human - every month and every day.

In the meantime, let's take this opportunity to draw special attention this April to all environmental concerns. The theme for 2025 is Our Power, Our Planet. There are many places to find Earth Month activities - not the least of which is this newsletter!  ClimateFast's focus is Toronto but if you're elsewhere in Canada, there are lots of other sources including Earth Day Canada – April 22 & Every Day ! 

Coincidentally, we're also in federal election mode - April 28 is election day! Let's be sure to ask every politician who wants our vote what they and their party are going to do for climate and the environment. We know that time is running out to shut down fossil fuels and wholeheartedly embrace renewables. So who's going to help us do that? Let's not lose sight of this in all the tariff madness.

And don't forget to vote: advance voting is open April 18-21, 9 am to 9 pm, or vote at the returning office in your riding anytime till April 22. For more information: https://www.elections.ca/home.aspx; 1-800-463-6868.

CLIMATE VOTING RECORDS TORONTO WEBSITE

​​The Climate Voting Records Toronto website is up and running! The site, brought to you by ClimateFast and friends, tracks climate-related voting records of Toronto City Council. It provides transparency to members of the public, enabling voters to track and hold the mayor and councillors accountable for their votes on policies supporting climate action and the environment. Check it out and share it with others who might be interested!

WARDS PROJECT  ... UPDATE

FEDERAL ELECTION PLANNING

​​Members across the Toronto Climate Action Network (TCAN) met to discuss how to strategize climate action during this 2025 Federal election. There were lots of ideas raised and new opportunities to collaborate - it was a full house!

If you're interested in supporting Toronto-area ridings, contact lyn.adamson9@gmail.com. You can volunteer some time and/or make a donation to the campaign of your choice.

DEMAND CLEANER CHEAPER ENERGY FOR TORONTO!

From Environmental Defence Canada:

The City of Toronto plans to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2040.

However, this will be impossible without the phase out of the city’s highly polluting gas plant (Portlands Energy Centre) and an increase in local renewable energy sources.

Currently, a group of Toronto’s major electricity agencies are developing a new plan - the Integrated Regional Resource Plan - outlining the sources of electricity generation for Toronto for the next 20 years. In order for Toronto to reduce local emissions and lower electricity bills for residents, this plan must prioritize reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and ramping up renewable energy, battery storage, and energy conservation.

Send a message to decision makers demanding cleaner and cheaper energy generation for Toronto!!

Excerpted from Two-Wheeled Politics, a Toronto bike blog by Robert Zaichkowski, and from CBC News

On Tuesday, March 11, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice heard Cycle Toronto’s injunction request to demand that the Ford government not remove bike lanes on Bloor, University, and Yonge until after their court challenge is heard. On Friday, March 14, the injunction was denied.

However, a few critical reports emerged from that injunction request process. Some documents from the Ontario government confirmed they knew bike lane removals would not lead to improved commute times, while collisions could increase by 54%. They also mentioned the earliest the bike lane removals could happen is April 2026 (and could continue into 2027), though it’s possible that timeline could be accelerated. Should the April 2026 timeframe be true, it would have made the injunction request moot. 

Michael Longfield, executive director of Cycle Toronto, said the injunction decision was disappointing but he remains hopeful.

"Ultimately the judge did say that there's a strong case here, and we still feel really optimistic for April 16 and our Charter challenge," Longfield said. 

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