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. 

Happy New Year!  If it's January, it must be budget time. Mayor Olivia Chow and city staff released the draft budget for 2026 on January 8.  Check the recording here. Read the budget documents here. Listen as city councillor and budget chief Shelley Carroll talks about this year's budget with CBC's Farrah Merali.

There are budget-focused telephone town halls happening this week - January 14 and 15. Between 7 and 8:30 pm each of these nights, you can call 1-833-380-0687 toll free to join the conversation.

This is a really important time for your councillor and the Mayor to hear from all of us. They judge voters' priorities based on what they hear in the town halls and deputations. Our voices matter!

If you're writing to the Budget Committee, please also cc your own councillor so they see your note, and cc mayor_chow@toronto.ca (find your councillor here). We welcome you to bcc climatefast@climatefast.ca  to help us be aware of what is important to our supporters.

Speak to the Budget Committee on January 20 and 21 in person or by video conference. To register as a public speaker at one of these meetings, please contact the Budget Committee Administrator at 416-392-4666 or e-mail buc@toronto.ca. Or write to the Budget Committee following instructions here.

City Council is scheduled to consider the 2026 Budget at a special meeting on Tuesday, February 10.

To help you prepare for a written or oral deputation to the Budget Committee, the Toronto Climate Action Network (TCAN) is planning an afternoon of budget analysis and preparation on Saturday January 17 (1:30-4:30 pm). Register here to join in person (CSI on Spadina Ave) or by Zoom.

There's more help with figuring out what to say to the Committee from the Social Planning Council (though not necessarily climate related):

• City Budget Deputations 101 - January 14, 7- 9 pm This workshop will explore how you can make your voice heard at Budget Committee Public Presentation meetings. Register
• Housing Advocacy Workshop - January 16, 10 am-12 pm SPC's Housing Advocacy Workshop, in collaboration with community partners, will support you in understanding key municipal housing and tenant programs, policies, and advocacy initiatives. Register
• Budget Town Hall - January 19, 2-4 pm SPC's Senior Researcher and other experts will provide a community perspective on the City’s 2026 budget. Register

While 2025 ended with some wins on the Toronto climate front (resuscitating the Building Emissions Performance Standards (BEPS), ramping up local renewable energy toward closing the Portlands gas plant),we need to keep pushing to see these things through. We need to ensure that Council allocates sufficient funds to make its climate strategy - TransformTO - a success. Please write a letter or sign up to speak to the Committee about how important climate action is to you! And THANK YOU!!