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 were among the key organizers of the Toronto March to End Fossil Fuels. The event was one of many similar events held around the world this past weekend, bringing together thousands of people, united in their care for the planet and concern about the climate. In addition to helping to organize the event, many of our volunteers marched, circulated petitions, and shared educational materials with participants.

On Sept. 26th, Ontarians from across the province will attend a lobbying breakfast at Queen’s Park, to urge their MPPs to oppose the expansion of gas-fired power generation in the province. The event is being organized by advocacy groups Citizens’ Climate Lobby, the Ontario Clean Air Alliance, and the Ontario Climate Emergency campaign, as well as ClimateFast. The deadline to register to participate in this event has passed; however, you can still support this cause by sending a letter to lawmakers via the OCAA’s website. You can also collect signatures on a paper petition to be presented in the Ontario Legislature; once you have collected 25 or more signatures, or if you have questions about the petitions, please contact Lyn Adamson at lyn@climatefast.ca.

The municipal council in Thorold ON recently voted unanimously to reject a new proposed gas-fired power plant in their area! Let's make sure the province follows through on its promise to uphold this municipality’s decision. Please send a letter via the Ontario Clean Air Association.

The federal NDP, who has an agreement to support the Liberal minority government until 2025, is currently looking to win additional concessions as part of this agreement. We can help make climate action one of their priorities - LeadNow has prepared a letter to send to NDP leadership, demanding that they make a strong cap on oil and gas emissions a condition of their support.

The annual Toronto International Film Festival currently counts the Royal Bank of Canada among its sponsors. This sponsorship allows RBC to maintain a positive public image, despite being one of the world’s largest funders of the fossil fuel industry. The sponsorship deal expires this year, and cultural industry leaders and movie fans are calling on TIFF’s organizers to refuse to renew the deal. Stand.Earth has prepared a letter template to send this message to TIFF.

Wednesday, September 27th, 12:00pm
Grange Park, Toronto ON 

Five First Nations from Northern Ontario will come to Toronto to lead a march calling on Premier Ford to end unwanted mining activity on their Territories. They have historically advocated for the protection of their land and water in the face of greater encroachment by the government.

Thursday, Nov. 9th, 2023, 8:30am-5:00pm ET
Online

The Canadian Climate Institute will host its third annual conference, with presentations on current climate issues from scholars and policymakers. Virtual attendance is free.

The City of Toronto is known for its sparse public transportation network, but it has recently taken steps to bolster this important tool to combat the climate crisis. City Council recently agreed to expand their funding of the TTC through several measures, including levying commercial parking lots which could bring in an additional $490 million. This new level of funding will allow one of the country’s most under-funded transit systems to better support its citizens. Increased access to public transport is critical to slowing the progression of climate change, as it helps take cars off the road and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Read the update from the Toronto Environmental Alliance

On Friday, September 16th, thousands of Canadians grabbed their placards and took to the streets to protest for a sustainable and liveable future. They had several issues to protest, with this year seeing record temperatures, storms, and inaction. In Toronto, the group of mainly youth protesters were most concerned with Doug Ford’s recent plan to cut into Ontario’s protected Greenbelt to build more homes, despite his earlier promises not to touch the Greenbelt. Just east, Ottawa’s citizens reminded us of the brutal wildfires that ravaged across Canada and contributed to some of the worst air quality the country had ever experienced. A prominent theme among all the protests was holding fossil fuel corporations and the institutions that prop them up accountable.

Read the National Observer article
Read the Narwhal article

Environmental activists have struggled over the years in enacting change because many citizens could not be brought to care about the issues activists were protesting. Understandably, citizens who did not feel the impacts of climate change did not feel compelled to advocate for a more sustainable future. However, new poll figures demonstrate that Canadians are starting to care. In a poll conducted by Leger that canvassed more than 1500 Canadians, 7/10 participants said they were worried about the climate crisis and believe it has contributed to the recent extreme weather events. Furthermore, the first ever Ontario Provincial Climate Change Impact Assessment revealed that floods and drought are among the biggest climate change concerns in Ontario. These new statistics are bittersweet because, while they mean that Canadians are starting to care about environmental issues, it also means they are beginning to feel the impacts of climate change. There is still hope that the movement will gain enough traction before it is too late.

Read the Toronto Star article