FEDERAL ELECTION DAY IS APRIL 28

This ClimateFast Action Alert shares activist opportunities related to the Climate Crisis that may interest our readers, but that do not necessarily reflect the views of ClimateFast as an organization, nor the views of its members.

FEDERAL ELECTION DAY: APRIL 28

Election Day in Canada is around the corner - and your vote is SO IMPORTANT! Many races will be very close, so even a few more votes at each poll can determine the outcome.

Polls are open 9:30 am - 9:30 pm April 28 (Eastern time). If you didn't get a voter card and don't know where to vote, check the Elections Canada website - just bring along your ID - no voter card needed.

Advance polls are open now (9 am - 9 pm), through end of day Monday, April 21. You can also vote at an Elections Canada office until April 22 at 6pm.

In addition to voting yourself, encourage family and friends to vote - the Climate Action Network Canada (CAN-Rac) suggests we each find five others who we encourage to vote. Maybe make it a group event and go out for dinner afterward!

CARBON PRICING

In 2012, ClimateFast began advocating for a price on carbon, which economists consider the most effective - even essential - measure to support the shift from fossil fuel reliance to a renewable energy, low-carbon future. We need to lower emissions to reduce the overheating of the planet. Yet the fossil fuel companies have fought this change, and continue to fight it, every way they can. Here's what CBC had to say about it: https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/carbon-tax-ending-1.7498279

Scroll down, below the reduction in gas prices, to find the impact on family budgets. Here's an excerpt: "He (Ragan) also points to research from the University of Calgary that suggested that the consumer carbon tax had a minimal impact on inflation. The minimal impact on the overall price of consumer goods like food means that removing it will also have a relatively small impact, Ragan said."

Low-income families will feel the loss of the rebate most

Eligible Canadians (that is, almost all Canadian residents who are at least 19 years old and live in the provinces where the federal tax applied) received the rebate quarterly — that amounted to some 12 million people when the rebate was issued in January 2025.

Depending on the province, the average annual rebate for a household for 2024-25 ranged from $719 to $1,779.

It's a big loss. After this month's rebate (April 15), the consumer carbon price rebate program is closed. However the industrial carbon price, which is quite significant, may continue, dependent on the results of the election.

WARDS PROJECT - UPDATE

Attention interested Wards Project groups!! Check here for information about Local Leadership Grants from the City of Toronto. Resident-led community groups could get up to $5000 to help them inspire their neighbourhoods with events and activities that support the Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy. But hurry! Deadline for applications is April 28 (12 noon).

ClimateFast is run solely by volunteers - We are grateful for your support!