MARCH 2026

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.

              Toronto Climate Film Festival hosts and speakers | Happy moment for climate advocates

WARDS PROJECT UPDATE

On February 7, Wards Project Team members gathered for our first in-person meeting to start mapping a plan for 2026.  The general consensus was to build on our successes in 2025, and continue developing positive relationships with councillors as we advocate for climate action in Toronto. For those with more challenging wards, we discussed opportunities to reach out to community members rather than their elected councillor.  

As we enter a municipal election year, top issues and required resources were identified, as well as a potential strategy to continue to “fire-up” candidates to support climate action.  

There is a lot of good work to do this year. If you would like to find out more about the Wards Project - and get involved - please email wardsproject@climatefast.ca

CLIMATE VOTING RECORDS WEBSITE

STOP PLASTIC POLLUTION!!

Canada’s Federal Court of Appeal has confirmed that the federal government can act to stop plastic pollution. This is a major victory for all creatures. It means the federal bans on harmful and unnecessary plastic items, such as checkout bags and six-pack rings, stand. It also means there is no excuse for the government to hold back: now is the time for bold and ambitious federal action to protect people and the environment from plastic.

ADVOCATE FOR NATURE!

 attribution: Scott Smithson.

Visit the Ontario Nature website where there are options to send letters and petitions on various topics including: re-empowering conservation authorities, repealing Bill 5, expanding protected areas, restoring wetlands, stopping misuse of Minister's Zoning Orders, and more...

BUILD CANADA'S EAST-WEST GRID WITH RENEWABLES

Canada’s electricity demand will double, or even triple, by 2050. We need a power grid that is fit for the future that provides clean, reliable and affordable electricity for Canadians.

We’re calling on the government to invest $20 billion over five years in new electricity transmission connections between provinces, supports for Indigenous-led projects, and training for workers.

A stronger and more connected grid offers hundreds of thousands of jobs, reduced pollution, real energy security and lower energy bills. We can do this all while upholding Indigenous and workers’ rights and benefitting communities from coast to coast to coast.

TORONTO'S WASTE SHOULD NOT BE INCINERATED!

The Long-term Waste Management Strategy (Executive Summary, Full Report), approved by City Council in 2016, provides a roadmap on how to manage our waste for the next 30 to 50 years. The City of Toronto is updating its Long-term Waste Management Strategy: Reduction and Diversion Plan) for the next implementation period of 2026 to 2036. 

Updating the Waste Strategy includes seeking public feedback on a set of proposed actions for reducing waste, increasing waste diversion, and enhancing waste services. Have your say by March 8 - but before you do, please read this report by the Toronto Environmental Alliance .  Spoiler: Incineration could release 5-6 times more greenhouse gas emissions than an upgraded landfill!

Where: Santa Marta, Colombia

When: April 24-29, 2026

Who: Hosted by governments of Colombia and the Netherlands. The conference aims to bring together countries, subnational actors, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, NGOs, and other stakeholders. Click here to get to the conference website.

What else: Join the Group of 78 at noon ET Wednesday, March 11, as we hear from the Ambassadors to Canada from both Colombia and the Netherlands, on the background, goals and significance of the Santa Marta meeting, and from experts on the policy and technical issues and pathways forward to be advanced during the conference. We will also discuss the importance of Canada's representation at, and support of, this breakthrough event, and our own transition away from fossil fuels. Register for this discussion here.

When action is needed to confront an existential threat, what does it look, sound and feel like when leaders are in genuine emergency mode? This inspiring video – produced by the Climate Emergency Unit (a five-year project of the David Suzuki Institute, just ended) – answers that question.

It outlines the "six markers of climate emergency action," providing a compelling roadmap for how government and institutional leaders in Canada can and should confront the climate crisis. This short video shows how speed and scale can be achieved to undertake the fight of our lives, and how to mobilize the whole of society to rapidly drive down our carbon pollution and get off fossil fuels.

To learn more about the six markers of emergency framework and find additional resources, visit: https://www.davidsuzukiinstitute.ca/6...

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