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.

Toronto's upcoming mayoral by-election on June 26th is an important opportunity to elect a mayor committed to climate action. Immediate and meaningful action by city leaders is needed to avoid the worst impacts of the climate crisis. Toronto’s next mayor must ensure that the City fully funds all actions in its TransformTO Net Zero Strategy, and must help communities prepare for and respond to the now-unavoidable impacts of climate disruption. That's why ClimateFast, supported by climate organizations from across the city, is campaigning for the next Mayor of Toronto to pledge to do everything in their power and use all means available to achieve these goals. We will spend the next month encouraging all mayoral candidates to commit to our pledge, and sharing candidates' ideas on how they would implement and fund the necessary actions.

ClimateFast has had an information table at two different events in the last few weeks.  We were at Trinity-St. Paul's church's Earth Day celebrations, tabling on Sunday. The crowd was enthusiastic, and we signed quite a few people up to talk to their municipal councillors and/or their MPPs about the Ford government's plan to fire up more gas in Ontario. This initiative is part of the Ontario Climate Emergency's "Beyond Gas Campaign". We also got a lot of signatures for our ongoing petition demanding that the Ford government act responsibly on the climate crisis.

The second tabling event was at the Danforth Nature and Climate Expo on May 6th, where we had similar success signing people on. We also had lots of children (and some adults) write postcards to Justin Trudeau, expressing their concerns about climate change and other environmental issues.  It was an opportunity to engage with families and connect them to the activities of ClimateFast.  It was also a time to connect with other activists – the Pocket Change Project, Stop Plastics, The East End Climate Collective and For Our Kids for example!

Despite the significant environmental harms and likely financial costs, the Ontario government is forging ahead with a plan to massively expand natural gas power generation in the province. Premier Doug Ford is proceeding with this plan even though research has shown that Ontario can meet all of its energy needs with a combination of new renewable generation, energy storage, inter-provincial collaboration, and energy efficiency. Provincial and federal leaders need to hear that Ontarians want clean energy for our province; the Ontario Clean Air Alliance has prepared a letter template to help send this message.

May 25, 2023, various times

Various locations
Local groups across Canada will host rallies in their own communities to support a strong cap on emissions from the oil and gas sector, in a Day of Action coordinated by Leadnow. The federal government is currently finalizing regulations that will govern the oil and gas industry’s emissions, and Canadians’ voices are needed to counter the fossil fuel lobby’s push for weaker regulations.

The Magpie River in Quebec’s Côte-Nord Region became the first river in Canada to gain legal personhood in February, 2021. The movement was spearheaded by the Innu First Nation who depend on the river for travel, food, and medicinal purposes. The Indigenous community was concerned by discussions to use the river for hydroelectric dams because these developments could significantly deteriorate the health of the river, and therefore, could impact the community’s use of its resources. The Innu Council of Ekuanitshit and the Minganie Regional County Municipality joined together to grant the river personhood. This new status allowed the river greater protection from developments. Furthermore, it demonstrated a shift in the way humans perceive their place on our planet. We are beginning to understand that we must share the Earth’s resources and are not superior to all others. The granting of personhood to one river more than two years ago is having significant impacts today. Recently, there have been discussions to grant personhood to the Gatineau River and more ecosystems in Canada. As well, in April, the same group that spearheaded the personhood campaign two years ago had the opportunity to speak at the United Nations about their work.            

 Read the National Geographic article

In March 2023, Greenpeace brought their concerns with Pathways Alliance’s advertising to the Competition Bureau. Pathways Alliance represents a group of Canada’s six biggest oil companies including Suncor and Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. In the fall of 2022, they released an ad campaign across Canada, displaying slogans such as “net-zero 2050” and “our net-zero plan is in motion” on electric TTC vehicles, large billboards, newspapers, and even on TV during the Super Bowl. Greenpeace took issue with their campaign, claiming that it is impossible for oil companies to reach net-zero because 80% of emissions in Canada are produced by burning fossil fuels. Furthermore, Pathways Alliance heavily advertised carbon capture technology which does not reduce emissions, but rather delays the transition to renewables. Since March, the Competition Bureau has decided to officially pursue Greenpeace’s complaint and will seek to determine whether Pathways Alliance went against the Competition Act by making misleading statements.

Read the Toronto Star article