The ClimateFast newsletter shares information, resources, news, and activist opportunities about the climate crisis that may interest our readers, and does not necessarily reflect the views of ClimateFast members. If you have an event or resource you would like to share, please send it to newsletter@climatefast.ca.

ClimateFast members have been very active in pushing back against Bill 23, the developer-friendly ‘More Homes Built Faster’ act that would see suburban sprawl over lands currently protected by the Greenbelt. We’ve submitted petitions and attended rallies. Jay and Lyn organized a rally at MPP Michael Ford’s office in York South-Weston; it took place on the same day as the vote and received some media coverage. (Photos below: Left, Lee Adamson's signs at Mike Ford's office. Right, Brian Maclean speaks with a CBC reporter.) 

It is extremely important that we keep pushing back against Bill 23.  We are members of active coalitions working on this including the Ontario Climate Emergency Campaign (OCEC). We are working together with other initiatives, including the ‘Big Tent’ initiative Alliance for a Livable Ontario started by Franz Hartmann. Other organizations, including Wellington Water Watchers (through their Greenbelt Promise campaign)  and Environmental Defence are also doing excellent work on this issue. Order a lawn sign, organize a rally, join the fight! (Photo below: Val Endicott with her sign at the December 3rd rally)

Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act, passed in the Ontario Legislative Assembly on November 28th. The law continues to face stiff opposition from environmental groups, who decry its damaging effects on biodiversity and the climate, and from housing advocates, who argue that it will not effectively increase housing supply and will in fact make housing less affordable for many Ontarians. Movements have sprung up throughout the province to channel public opposition to the new law, and to push back against it and prevent its worst harms.

Learn more about the Greenbelt Promise Campaign
Learn more about the Alliance for a Liveable Ontario

The Government of Canada currently provides subsidies and rebates to help homeowners make their homes more energy efficient. However, these programs remain inaccessible to many Canadians; they are not open to many renters, and they may require up-front payments of thousands of dollars. Efficiency Canada is leading a campaign calling on federal leaders to make these essential programs more accessible to all Canadians.

Send a letter
Learn more about existing programs

Despite the proven damage to the environment caused by gas-powered vehicles, the Canadian government still has no comprehensive regulatory strategy for car advertisements, and manufacturers are free to sell their gas-guzzling vehicles as practical, glamorous, and even green. A coalition of environmental organizations has prepared a petition calling for a ban on advertising gas-powered vehicles as well as tighter regulation for all vehicle advertisements.

Amid their other attacks on the Greenbelt surrounding the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and his allies are continuing to push for the construction of Highway 413, a road which would directly damage large tracts of Greenbelt land as well as facilitating more sprawling, car-centric development in the region. There are several active campaigns against this plan, including a recent letter-writing campaign by the David Suzuki foundation, calling on the federal government to intervene.

The deadline to apply for the Toronto District School Board’s Youth Climate Action Grants has been extended to January 31st. The grants are intended to support student-led projects to educate about climate change, advocate for action, or directly reduce emissions in schools and communities. Applications are open to all TDSB students, with support from a teacher or other staff member.

Key dates:

Jan 10: Budget is released for comments
Jan 16: Deadline to register to make a deputation (by 4:30pm)
Jan 17 and 18: Budget deputation days
Jan 24: Budget returns to committee for review
Feb 14th: Full council vote

The timeline for this year’s budget process is very tight, and involvement from Torontonians in support of strong climate action is essential. Deputing in person or in writing sends a clear message that constituents support funding for the TransformTO climate plan. The Toronto Climate Action Committee is planning a deputation training tentatively scheduled for Sunday Jan 15th. Stay tuned for more details on this training.

Learn more about the city budget process and how to be involved

On December 8th, the federal government announced new rules to limit public funding for fossil fuel projects outside Canada. Historically, the Canadian government has provided significant support for fossil fuel development overseas, largely through the crown corporation Export Development Canada. The new rules will ban funding and certain other forms of support for most oil and gas projects, though they feature some concerning exemptions, including for projects that include carbon capture and storage, natural gas developments in certain circumstances, and any project determined to be important for national security. For the moment, federal subsidies will continue to support Canada’s domestic fossil fuel industry, as detailed in a running list maintained by Environmental Defence. 

Read the National Observer’s article
Read Greenpeace’s article

Representatives from more than 60 developing nations walked out of COP15, the United Nations’ summit on nature and biodiversity, in the early hours of Wednesday, December 14th. Delegates cited concerns that their countries, including many African and South American nations, could be forced to take on a disproportionate role in conserving land and water, without commitments of material support from the wealthier nations that have contributed the most to global biodiversity loss. The walkout comes as the two-week conference, taking place in Montreal, enters its final stretch.

Read the Energy Mix’ article

The Ontario NDP have called on the province’s auditor general to look into Premier Doug Ford’s decision to open formerly protected land in the Greenbelt to development. Several properties within the Greenbelt were purchased by prominent developers prior to the official announcement of the government’s planned changes. A recent joint investigation by The Narwhal and the Toronto Star detailed the ownership of the land affected by the changes, and found that much of the land is owned by developers who stand to make substantial profits if protections are removed; many of these developers and their associates have donated generously to the provincial Conservative Party over the past decade.

Read the Narwhal’s article

The Ivey Foundation, a private Canadian foundation with a 75 year history of funding charitable causes, has announced that it will wind up its fund and disburse the entirety of its $100 million endowment over the next 5 years. According to foundation leaders, the money will be dedicated to projects and organizations that move Canada forward in its transition away from fossil fuels. Climate change is such a pressing issue, and the timeline to address the problem is so tight, that the foundation’s leadership believe a rapid, one-time infusion of cash is the best way for them to contribute. Details about funding allocation will be released in the coming months.

Read the CBC’s article
Read the Ivey Foundation’s statement