ClimateFast Oct 2026 Newsletter

OCTOBER 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 the views 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.

OCTOBER 26, 2026 - IT"S MUNICIPAL ELECTION TIME IN ONTARIO!

Welcome to our special municipal election-themed newsletter! As you may know, Ontario's municipal elections are happening on October 26, 2026. That's when you'll vote for a mayor, a councillor in your ward, and a school board trustee. Most provinces and territories have municipal elections every four years and most happen in the fall, but not all are scheduled for 2026.

Below you'll find lots of information about events happening in the run-up to this election. This is your chance to support a climate champion for council! So volunteer to canvass, help on election day, or donate to a candidate - could be a candidate in your ward, or in a ward where some extra support might make a difference.

Find out about Toronto candidates' climate commitments by browsing interview notes by members of the Wards Project, and check your incumbent's record at the Climate Voting Records site, both of which were created by ClimateFast members and are linked just below.

Most importantly, get out and VOTE!! And bring a friend or neighbour. If you can't make it on October 26, there are advance polls open from October 6 - 11. Voting makes democracy work, and every vote counts!

CLIMATEFAST ACTIVITIES & PROJECTS

ClimateFast and Toronto350 invite you to an evening of climate trivia. It's a heated rivalry of a different type. The planet vs. politics. Join us and test your knowledge of climate solutions, climate celebrities, and general climate knowledge. Learn more about how you can cast your vote for climate champions in Toronto's upcoming municipal election. It's a free evening of fun with the potential for coming home with a prize.

Are you goal driven? Want to score a prize? Bring your power play to our Heated Rivalry: Planet vs Politics Climate Trivia Night. You can register now on Eventbrite. Space is limited, so don't wait for the puck to drop. We hope to see you there!

The Wards Project

On October 26, voters will go to the polls to elect our next city council. It is critical that Toronto elects a strong, engaged and informed council if we are to meet the demands facing our city.

This summer, 11 of the Wards Project teams met with registered candidates to talk about where they stand on issues that matter most to their ward.

Discussion topics were chosen by teams to help candidates connect dots between climate and other issues impacting the ward, e.g., affordability, housing, transportation, access to programs, safety/security, overreach of provincial government.

No analysis, rankings nor endorsements of candidates were made.

To find out how candidates responded to questions on issues impacting your ward and the City, click below.

Wards Project election site

Climate Voting Records Toronto

After launching the Toronto Climate Voting Records website in 2025, [you might be interested to know that this website template is being used by several cities in Ontario - and beyond!], the team decided to develop report cards for each of the councillors. The report cards are focused on climate-related items that have come before Toronto city council since 2022. Each councillor is graded based on (i) the number of times they voted 'yes' to climate-positive items, and (ii) how they voted on a handful of items the team considered priorities. Report cards are on the website if you hover over a councillor's headshot.

So, if you're not sure, check your councillor's climate performance. Many are 'green' but a few scored in the yellow and red zones. Room for improvement!

Climate Voting Records Toronto site

CALLS TO ACTION

THE CLIMATE PLEDGE TO ACT AND PROTECT

The Individual Climate Pledge encourages every individual to sign on to participate in empowering change.

We need to urgently and massively transform our way of life in order to sustain our way of life.

Demand the governmental policies we need to get there together.

SIGN ONTARIO CLIMATE EMERGENCY CAMPAIGN PLEDGE HERE!

CANADA'S ELECTRICITY STRATEGY NEEDS TO LEAD WITH RENEWABLES, NOT FOSSIL FUELS

Ottawa just released a draft of its long-anticipated national electricity strategy and needs to hear from you — not just Big Oil.

This is Canada’s time to commit to 100 per cent affordable, reliable, renewable power for all. Instead of weakening or cancelling hard-won climate policies, we need the federal government to lead with a strategy that puts communities first with affordable renewable power, an upgraded grid, retrofitted homes, Indigenous-led projects and hundreds of thousands of good union jobs.

Right now, the government is hearing comments from the public on its proposed plan. If thousands of us flood the consultation with calls to ditch fossil fuels and invest in a 100 per cent renewable electricity grid, we could force Ottawa back to the drawing board.

HAVE YOUR SAY: SUBMIT A COMMENT NOW!

HOLD THE ONTARIO GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE FOR A LIVEABLE FUTURE

We call on the Government of Ontario to urgently implement the evidence-based solutions laid out in the Climate Action Plan of the Ontario Climate Emergency Campaign (https://www.ontarioclimateemergency.ca/group-sign-on), endorsed by over 250 Signatory Groups representing over 850,000 Ontarians, and growing:

meet our binding climate targets and protect natural biodiversity with oversight by an empowered independent Environmental Commissioner
rapidly phase out fossil fuels to slash carbon emissions in sectors including energy, transportation, built infrastructure and agriculture to achieve a thriving sustainable zero emissions economy
prioritize public health and educate the public on the issues, while respecting Indigenous sovereignty and equity for all

SIGN THIS IMPORTANT PETITION!

The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) has no public climate strategy, no investment policy aligned with Indigenous rights, and is currently facing a lawsuit alleging that it has failed to adequately manage climate-related financial risks.

The CPPIB is hosting public meetings across the country throughout the month of October - a rare biennial chance to hold the CPPIB accountable for how it's managing our Canada Pension Plan contributions, as climate change accelerates.

Sign the petition to demand that CPPIB develop a climate plan, stop investing in fossil fuel expansion, and respect Indigenous rights.

THIS AFFECTS ALL OF US - PLEASE SIGN

COMING EVENTS

Defending Democracy: Panel Discussion

When: Thursday, October 1; 6-7:30 pm

Where: Toronto Public Library, Malvern Branch

Who: Social Planning Toronto

What else: RSVP here

Spill the Tea - A Municipal Election Panel

When: Thursday, October 1; 6:30-8:30 pm

Where: Centre for Social Innovation, 192 Spadina Ave.

Who: Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA)

What else: RSVP here

Toronto Together: Our City Our Future - Mayoral Debate

When: Tuesday October 6; 6:30-8:30 pm

Where: TMU's Student Learning Centre, 361 Yonge St.

Who: Sponsored by Toronto Star, Toronto Metropolitan University, United Way Greater Toronto

What else: To attend in person, register for the lottery here. Those who don't get a ticket can livestream the event at TheStar.com. More info here ...

Let's Talk about Voting: How to Make an Informed Choice on Election Day

When: Tuesday, October 6; 6-8 pm

Where: virtual

Who: Social Planning Toronto

What else: RSVP here

Climate 4 Palestine Toronto March

When: Saturday, October 10; 2 pm

Where: Berczy Park, 35 Wellington E.

Who: Climate for Palestine Toronto

What else: More info here...

Planet vs. Politics - An Evening of Climate Trivia

When: Tuesday, October 13; 6:30 pm

Where: The Wych Bar & Bistro, 1150 Davenport Rd.

Who: Toronto350 and ClimateFast

What else: Space is limited! RSVP here

Earth's Changing Climate: Confronting the Challenge

When: Tuesday, October 13; 1-2:30 pm (every Tues through Dec 1)

Where: virtual

Who: Sponsored by Seniors for Climate Action Now! (SCAN) and Climate Action for Lifelong Learners (CALL)

What else: 8-week course w/ Dr. Martin Bush; more info and RSVP here

27th Annual Planet in Focus Environmental Film Festival

When: October 20-25, 2026

Where: Paradise Theatre, 1006c Bloor St W.

Who: Planet in Focus International Film Festival

What else: Full line-up and tickets here

MUNICIPAL ELECTION DAY!!

When: Monday, October 26; 10 am - 8 pm (or advance polls Tuesday Oct 6 - Sunday Oct 11; 10 am - 7 pm)

Where: your local polling station

Who: YOU! (and your spouse, adult children, and your neighbours...)

What else: Find City of Toronto's MyVote online; type in your address to find where you go to vote, and what ID you can bring, as well as a sample ballot including all your candidates.

CANADA CLIMATE WEEK XCHANGE - NOV 23-29, 2026

RESOURCES & INFORMATION

From Vote for a Greener City for All. Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA)

"The 2026 municipal election comes at a tipping point for climate and environmental action. As the province bulldozes environmental protections and leaves us vulnerable to flooding and heat, Toronto can be a stronghold of local action.

There are many solid policies either in effect or in development that candidates can vocally support and implement, which will cut waste and litter, speed up transit, protect hundreds of thousands more trees, and save lives during heat waves.

We need our Mayor and Councillors to commit to moving forward with the opportunities we have on the table to keep our city green."

Check TEA's mayoral survey and candidate's pledge at the linked title above.

From Seeking Local Champions for Nature. Ontario Nature

"On October 26, 2026, Ontarians will head to the polls to elect municipal leaders, including a mayor and councillors. This is a vital opportunity to elect local decision-makers who are committed to making nature a priority.

Municipalities have significant influence over decisions affecting beloved local natural areas and the broader environment. For example, municipal governments guide local development patterns, manage parkland and trail networks, and are responsible for providing communities with climate-resilient public services like flood prevention and stormwater management.

Ontario Nature encourages you to use your voice and your vote to make nature an election priority in your community."

From FOCA's Municipal Election Priorities for Waterfront Communities. Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Associations

"Municipal governments play a critical role in protecting the health of our lakes, shorelines, and rural communities.

As voters prepare to elect municipal councils for the 2026-2030 term, FOCA encourages candidates and voters to focus on the issues that will ensure waterfront Ontario remains environmentally healthy, economically vibrant, and resilient for generations to come."

FINAL THOUGHTS

Excerpted from We Don't Have Time newsletter (Sept 27, 2026)

"First France, then the Netherlands. Now Germany has become the third country to present a national roadmap for transitioning away from fossil fuels.

The roadmap, presented at the UN headquarters during Climate Week NYC, sets out how Europe's largest economy intends to move away from coal, oil and gas across electricity, transport, heating and industry, with the aim of ending its reliance on fossil fuels by 2045.

Germany currently gets around 65% of its energy from fossil fuels, making the roadmap a significant step in translating the global commitment to transition away from fossil fuels into national policy."

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