For Immediate Release
October 9, 2014

Toronto: A new report card released today by the Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA) shows where mayoral and council candidates stand on five environmental priorities.

“TEA’s Report Card gives Torontonians a tool to directly compare candidates on the top environmental issues facing the city,” said Dr. Franz Hartmann, Executive Director of TEA. “The good news is that Ms. Chow and Mr. Tory have committed to at least 11 concrete actions over the next 4 years that will improve our environment.”

The report card is based on answers to 18 ‘yes’ and ‘no’ questions that ask whether candidates will support initiatives designed to improve the TTC, improve air quality, prepare for severe weather that climate change will bring, reduce waste and reduce toxics.

“Olivia Chow has promised to support the most priority actions to build a greener city for all,” said Hartmann. “John Tory came in second and Doug Ford failed to answer any questions.”

Survey results show Ms. Chow and Mr. Tory agree on 11 of the 18 priority actions, including all actions that will help get the city ready for severe weather that climate change will bring. However, Ms. Chow committed to an additional 4 actions that Mr. Tory did not commit to.

“Mr. Tory submitted extensive comments with his answers that make it clear he gave considerable thought to these priority environmental issues,” said Hartmann. “We urge Torontonians who care about the environment to review our report card, the comments by candidates and then read candidates’ platforms to get a complete picture of where they stand.”

TEA also released the results from candidates running for Council seats. All the report cards and comments are available online at www.torontoenvironment.org/vote2014.

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For more information, contact: Franz Hartmann, 416-606-8881