For immediate release
October 5, 2022
TORONTO - Today, local advocacy organization the Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA) released a list of over 60 Toronto City Council candidates who have pledged to support TEA’s top four climate and environmental actions if elected on October 24th. The pledge asks candidates to commit to supporting priority actions on climate resilience, climate action and a circular zero-waste economy.
“The next four years are a critical window for action. Our City Council has made some big commitments but needs to back them up with deeper investments in climate solutions that build a better Toronto. We need to make sure people are protected during heatwaves and storms, and take bold and creative action to solve our waste issues,” said Sarah Buchanan, Campaigns Director for the Toronto Environmental Alliance.
“The commitments we’ve chosen for our pledge ask candidates to go beyond paying lip service to climate action and commit to real tools. Voters need to know where their candidates stand on important issues that will be in front of Council next term.”
Key actions in the pledge include creating new dedicated funding and revenue tools for Toronto’s climate plan, passing a fair stormwater charge, overhauling heating and cooling bylaws to protect tenants from extreme weather, and passing regulations that reduce single-use foodware and require a shift to reusable alternatives.
The pledge signatories include 57 City Councillor candidates in 24 wards and 4 Mayoral candidates. Absent from the list is current Mayor John Tory. “We encourage candidates who haven’t yet signed to join their peers and respond to the urgent public demand for these critical environmental actions. Instead of arguing about how to fund their climate plan every year, Toronto City Council needs to agree on fair funding tools and move ahead with important actions like building more green, affordable housing, improving transit, and building a zero-waste city,” said Buchanan.
Over the next four years, TEA will be tracking key votes related to these commitments and regularly updating the public on City Council’s progress.
The candidate pledge results are available on TEA’s Vote for a Greener City for All campaign website: torontoenvironment.org/PledgeResults
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To arrange an interview, please contact:
Jolene Cushman, Communications Manager, Toronto Environmental Alliance
Email: [email protected]
About the Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA): For over 30 years, the Toronto Environmental Alliance has campaigned locally to find solutions to Toronto's environmental problems. As a not-for-profit organization, we work with communities to advocate for a green, healthy and equitable city.