MAY 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.

PLEASE NOTE: this newsletter may be truncated when you receive it; click on 'view entire message' at bottom to see the full document.

CLIMATE VOTING RECORDS TORONTO WEBSITE

Find the VR site at votingrecords.climatefast.ca  |     Follow us on Instagram @climatefastaction

After a whirlwind of provincial and federal elections, Wards Teams across the City are focusing their attention on municipal matters and TransformTO.  Many Teams have had, or are looking forward to, meetings with their councillor to discuss climate action in their ward, and to start developing the foundations of engagement and support at City Hall and in the community.  

If you would like to participate in the Wards Project and advocate for full support, funding and implementation of the City's climate action plan by developing positive and sustainable relationships with your councillor, fill out this form or contact us at wardsproject@climatefast.ca

Upcoming TABLING ACTIVITIES 

Recent ACTIVITIES 

i) CF at Allan Gardens April 26  ii and iii)  Federal election day April 28: CF getting out the vote!

"BUBBLE ZONES" PLANNED FOR TORONTO

Excerpted from a letter  to Toronto City Council initiated by Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA) and signed by ClimateFast and many others:

"We are deeply concerned that adding a new bylaw on top of existing laws would create a chill effect on peaceful protests. We believe that additional determinations on what is a "peaceful" protest and what is defined as "nuisance" or "intimidating" leaves far too much room for discrimination and bias, and will disproportionately impact equity-owed and marginalized communities who experience more acts of discrimination. This would serve to stifle democratic expression and create a fear of civic engagement among many groups, including youth, who may have less access to other democratic processes. We believe that the current moment is one where democratic engagement is more important than ever, and we firmly oppose attempts to undermine this engagement.

Similar bylaws limiting protest in other municipalities are already facing Charter challenges, and legal organizations like the CCLA have now opposed this approach. The CCLA has pointed out that existing laws already prohibit physical violence, uttering threats, damaging property, and other behaviour the City may be seeking to prevent. The police also already have broad powers to allow for appropriate access to buildings and private property. 

We join the many voices calling for our City to protect our basic Charter rights to peaceful assembly and the basic tools of a healthy and free democracy. We ask you to vote against any proposal that undermines these rights.."

STOP BILL 5!

From Ecojustice:

Premier Doug Ford’s Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act (Bill 5) is about to unleash a suite of laws that are dangerous, and threaten Ontario’s environment, endangered species, and Indigenous rights. Here are the main threats in this omnibus bill:

1. “Special Economic Zones Act, 2025” could let hand-picked corporations ignore ANY law — including environmental rules, safety standards, and local planning bylaws.
2. Endangered Species Act repealed and replaced with Species Conservation Act, 2025; a shell law, giving developers an easy path to harm vulnerable wildlife without strong oversight or science-based decision-making.
3. Eagle’s Nest Mine could move forward in the fragile Ring of Fire without a full environmental assessment — violating promises made to First Nations and threatening vital peatlands that help fight climate change.

Ford is giving himself unchecked power, rolling back hard-won protections, and pushing Ontario in the wrong direction.

Until May 17, Ontario will hear public comments pertaining to the bill. We have less than a week to push back against this bill through public consultation.

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!!

HELP SECURE ONTARIO'S ENERGY INDEPENDENCE

From Ontario Clean Air Alliance:

We need to increase Ontario’s energy independence by investing in made-in-Ontario renewable energy instead of American fracked gas or risky American reactors and enriched uranium fuel.

Instead of increasing our dependence on American gas imports, we need to shift to zero-emission renewables and make our homes gas-free.

And the last thing our province needs is to become dependent on imports of enriched uranium from the United States, the fuel that is needed for the U.S. GE-Hitachi reactors that Ontario Power Generation wants to build east of Toronto.

Please ask our provincial leaders to bolster Ontario’s energy independence to protect our security and our economy.

As part of Toronto’s waste management strategy, councillors across the city will be hosting Community Environment Days for constituents. Drop off household items for donation, electronics for reuse or recycling, and household hazardous waste for proper disposal. You can find a listing of all the planned Environment Days on the  City of Toronto's website.

Excerpted from Talking Climate with Katharine Hayhoe, May 7, 2025:

"Are you a university or college student nearing the end of the school year, or do you know one? If so, think about how to sustainably move out of your dorm or campus apartment.

The average student throws away some 640 pounds of items yearly, with a “significant spike” coming at the end of the year, according to an estimate from Planet Aid. It’s estimated we consume 100 billion tons of raw materials every year, and all that extraction and consumption increases our heat-trapping gas emissions as well as contributing to land degradation and water shortages. What we do with our stuff matters!...

Temple University has a new partnership with Habitat for Humanity while at Marquette University, the Move Out for Hunger program allows students to donate unopened, nonperishable food items as well as personal care items at the end of the semester.

At Georgetown, donation pods are set up around campus during the university’s Move Out Drive and students who live off campus can schedule pick-up of their items. Each year, students donate some $300,000 worth of items, which are given to local charities. And at Boston University, the Goodwill, Not Landfill program began in 2009 and has diverted several hundred tons from landfills during that time....

And if one doesn’t exist for your school or the one your kids or family attend, why not help start one? Reach out to the campus sustainability office for ideas on how to do this."

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