JANUARY 2024

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. Please note: we need a new editor for the newsletter! Email us if you can help.

SPEAK UP ON THE BUDGET! Talk budget with the mayor tonight, tomorrow and Thursday, 7 - 8:30 pm!

TALK BUDGET WITH THE MAYOR! JAN 16, 17, 18

OLIVIA CHOW OPENS PHONE LINES JAN 16, 17, 18 - 7 PM - TO TALK BUDGET!

Join Mayor Olivia Chow for a telephone town hall from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on January 16, 17 or 18. To participate, call 1-833-490-0778 toll-free at the time of the telephone town hall.

Learn more about the city’s budget process at toronto.ca/budget.

On February 1, the Mayor will introduce her budget - the Mayor’s budget - to reflect what she has heard. And it will come to the City Council for a final decision on February 14.

Let’s work together and get Toronto back on track so we can build a more caring, affordable and safe city. Olivia was elected as a climate champion. Let's make sure Olivia hears our climate concerns.

CLIMATE BUDGET TRAINING WED JAN 17 - 7 PM

THE 2024 BUDGET is a really big deal for Toronto - and we need to make sure that climate action gets fully funded in the budget. Find out from Councillor Alejandra Bravo and Toronto Environmental Alliance what kind of input is needed. Especially important to attend if you live in a suburban ward! We’ll go through the kinds of actions that are essential for proper funding of transit, building retrofits and more. You’ll learn how to submit a letter (‘written deputation’) or speak to the committee (deputation in person OR online on Jan 22nd or 23rd) and how to lobby your councillor by setting up a meeting or calling/emailing the councillor to express your climate concerns. It’s also important to lobby your federal MP as we need their matching contribution toward transit.The budget will be finalized on Feb 14 so now is the time to speak up. Come out and learn!

ATTEND A COUNCILLOR TOWN HALL ON THE BUDGET

Your councillor may also be hosting a town hall discussion on the budget for your ward residents. Inquire with your councillor for more info. Some are listed here or contact your councillor's office to find out when there is one. Or give your councillor a call or send an email expressing your support for the budget increase, and for climate action in the budget.

When you attend a budget town hall if you speak up to say the climate budget is really important to you, you help strengthen our impact at City Hall - and help to educate others in your community. We want to ensure that Net Zero by 2040 climate action plan has enough funding in its operating and capital budgets. This includes needed funding for transit - such as e-buses and rapid transit bus routes - as well at the Environment and Climate division. The city will need the full proposed tax rate increase of 10.5% (9% property tax plus 1.5% city building fund) in order to be sure climate programs will be fully funded.

INFO & ACTION LINKS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Read TEA'S budget blog

We will not be able to meet our municipal budget without financial support from the federal government - please sign and share the TEA action letter! Tell your MP Toronto needs climate action funding!

Go to www.ttcriders.ca for more info and to send action letters on transit to your MP and MPP

Learn more about the budget in this CBC article, why we need the increase

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR GREAT WORK IN 2023 -

VIDEO THANK YOU by ClimateFast member Susan Bakshi

HERE’S TO ANOTHER GOOD YEAR AHEAD!

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