On April 26th, Toronto's Public Works & Infrastructure Committee voted 4-2 to seek bids for private waste collection in the western half of the City. They also approved staff recommendations to bypass a final Council decision on the issue, contrary to the City's own purchasing laws.
On April 26, the Public Works Committee again discussed the Highland Creek Incinerator. Unfortunately, the Committee voted 4 to 2 to continue incinerating sewage sludge in Scarborough. The issue now goes to Council for a final vote later in May.
Public Works and Infrastructure Committee -- April 26, 2011
Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA) Deputation on Agenda Item:
PW 3.1 Solid Waste Management Services Waste Collection Request for Quotations (RFQs)
City service review poised to exclude real community input
Councillor Moeser is attempting to re-open the debate over incineration at Scarborough’s sewage treatment plant after City Council voted to shut the incinerator down in 2010!
Maps show suburbs lose out on "Backroom" transit deal
Yesterday, we released maps comparing how much light rail transit could be built with the $8.7 Billion committed by the Province. The maps compare the current Metrolinx plan with a proposed compromise plan developed behind the closed doors of Mayor Ford and Premier McGuinty’s offices.
Transit Campaign: If you haven't already done so, please send an email to City Councillors and Mayor Ford to let them know you support the Transit City light rail plan.
Thank you to the thousands of you that have emailed and called your Councillors, the Mayor and your MPPs about transit in Toronto. We're having an impact!
It has been a busy week for us at TEA. On Monday, the Toronto 2011 budget was released and with it came a few surprises.
Join us in celebrating our 20th Year of Awarding Advertising Excellence in Confusing the Public and Compromising the Environment! Hosted by Jane Farrow and David Meslin
We have a new message for you to send to Mayor Ford and Councillors. We need to make sure City Council has the opportunity to vote on Transit City and we need Councillors to support the Transit City light rail network serving all of Toronto - not only one line.
TEA delivers 2000 letters to Councillors asking for a green Toronto
Throughout the election campaign, Mayor Ford made it clear he was not interested in the environment (see our Campaign Mid-Term and Final Report Cards and his Council Voting Record for 2007-08 and 2009-10). However, the good news is Torontonians elected a majority of Councillors who have committed to key environmental priorities - 24 Councillors received an A grade on our candidate report card, and one received a B-.
On November 15th, TEA and TTCriders released a report on the environmental benefits of the TTC, with key recommendations for the TTC and the new Council.
Help Keep Toronto Green Ask your Councillor to make the environment a priority over the next 4 years! We're collecting letters from people across Toronto to send a strong message to the new Council in December. We've got over 500 letters so far, but we need more!
Today, Torontonians woke up to a newly elected mayor, Rob Ford, and to a newly elected Council. Throughout his election campaign, Mayor Ford made it clear that he was not interested in the environment.
TEA has evaluated and graded almost 30 mayoral and over 200 council candidates in all wards of the city based on a survey of 20 'yes' or 'no' questions about the 6 Environmental Priorities identified by TEA and endorsed by organizations and individuals across the City.
On Monday, it's time to vote for the Toronto you want.