City Smog Plan

Toronto must be a leader in the fight against smog and climate change.

To reduce air pollution and do our part towards meeting Canada's international commitment under the Kyoto Protocol on climate change, we need a new Toronto Smog Plan that include:

• Lower fares and faster, more frequent service on the TTC.
• Streets that are safe for cyclists and pedestrians.
• The toughest energy efficiency rules in North America for new buildings and incentives for innovative 'green building' techniques.
• Making city-owned Toronto Hydro a leader in renewable energy and conservation.
• Planting more trees - and protecting existing ones - to provide shade and help filter the air.
• Fixing up low-income housing so that it is more energy efficient and providing other support as necessary so that no one has to choose between eating and heating or paying the rent.

Our local government - at TEA's urging and with the support of Toronto citizens - has already made some ambitious clean air commitments (see TEA's annual Smog Report Card in the publications section for details on progress towards meeting these commitments). But more is needed.

Fortunately, cities are uniquely placed to influence corporate and individual behaviour by providing better public transitand through rules governing land use planning, street design, building codes, vehicle idling and parking.

Municipal governments are also responsible for the direct emission of smog-causing and greenhouse gases as owners and operators of vehicle fleets, buildings, and water and sewage treatment facilities. They can reduce their own contribution to air pollution by greening their fleets (cleaner fuels and vehicles), making their buildings and operations more energy efficient, and investing in green power for their own use.

Tell TEA [1] what you want to see in the next City Smog Plan.

Let your councillor [2] know that you support action on clean air.