Survey David Suzuki Foundation: How would you like to engage in the next federal election?

The next federal election is scheduled for October 2025, but with the dissolution of the NDP-Liberal agreement, it could happen sooner. We want to be ready, so we’re already planning how we’ll engage.

As we develop our plan, we want to hear from you so we can focus on delivering content and engagement opportunities that are of value to our community.

Fill out the survey now

Electing representatives who care about the climate and environmental justice is crucial to our mission to protect nature's diversity and the wellbeing of all life, now and for the future.

The results of the next election will pay a big role in determining how ambitious Canada will be on the environmental issues that matter most to us.

We appreciate you taking five minutes to fill out this survey about the next federal election.

Thank you!

Jodi Stark,

Public Engagement Specialist for Climate Solutions

David Suzuki Foundation

How to Stay Heat Safe

Hands Off Our Humber

https://act.environmentaldefence.ca/page/153616/petition/1

Ride (or walk) to Protect the Humber River!

Details:

When: Sunday, August 18th, morning, exact time TBA

Where: Starting at Étienne Brûlé Park, 10 Catherine St.

On August 18th, join Environmental Defence for a bike and chalk along the Humber River Recreational Trail to raise awareness about Highway 413's impacts on the Humber River.

Let's enjoy the stunning beauty of the Humber River by walking or cycling along the Humber River Recreational Trail with occassional stops to chalk messages about protecting the river and stopping Highway 413. It's a protest and leisure activity 'rolled' into one.

We'll meet in Étienne Brûlé Park a few minutes from Old Mill Station and split into two groups. Cyclists will go south towards the Martin Goodman Trail and walkers will go a short distance north before returning to the park.

Exact details and start time to follow.

Cultivating Hope: St. Joseph's Community Garden

TOWN HALL ON GAS PLANT EXPANSION IN ONTARIO Tuesday, October 17, 2023, 6 pm

TOWN HALL ON GAS PLANT EXPANSION IN ONTARIO

Swansea Town Hall, 95 Lavinia Ave.

Tuesday, October 17, 2023, 6 pm
To RSVP and Submit Questions: 

BhutilaKarpoche.ca/gas-plant-town-hall 

Let’s remembe rwhat kind of summer we’ve had - including right here in our neighbourhoods, breathing in the smoke of distant forest fires; extending the hours for cooling centres and pool openings to deal with the heat; listening to the news of extreme weather events…  On September 21 ’23 António Guterres did not mince his words at the United Nations as he urged world leaders on an acceleration agenda to safeguard the 1.5ºC temperature goal, and to deliver climate justice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RXZ5BiOjpE

Yet, the Province is "pushing ahead with contracts to increase natural gas use and climate pollution in cities.“ Read more: https://www.theenergymix.com/2023/05/23/ontario-overrules-cities-to-push-gas-plant-expansions/   

Methane-fired electricity generates lethal air pollution. According to the Government of Canada, in 2016 air pollution was responsible for the premature death of 6600 Ontarians with a monetary impact of over $49 billion to the Province of Ontario. Air pollutions causes disease of multiple human systems including asthma and other lung diseases, heart diseases, dementia, diabetes; harms to pregnant women include premature and low birth weight babies, multiple forms of cancer, and others.

Recent studies, including one by The Atmospheric Fund focused on Ontario, indicate that these invisible methane emissions mean that using gas for electricity is nearly as carbon intensive as coal when the full life cycle is considered. See also… https://www.theenergymix.com/2023/07/18/gas-carries-the-same-climate-clout-as-coal-study-shows-as-ontario-plans-new-gas-plants/

The Global Net-Zero scenario shows Canadian oil and gas production peaking in 2026, and gas production already peaking this year. The recent IPCC AR6 report and IEA’s Net Zero Roadmap have highlighted that no new investment in or expansion of oil, gas, and coal are compatible with limiting warming to 1.5º C. Canada must urgently cap oil and gas emissions to align the sector’s trajectory with climate safety.

This is not the time for Ontario to plan to meet its energy needs through gas-fired plants. Come find out about the dangers of gas-fired electricity generation. Come find out about better, cheaper, safer ways for Ontario to meet its energy needs. 

Residents invited to provide feedback on the implementation of the Noise Bylaw at public consultations starting September 12

Residents invited to provide feedback on the implementation of the Noise Bylaw at public consultations starting September 12

The City of Toronto is reviewing the successes and challenges of implementing the Noise Bylaw, which was amended in 2019. Residents are invited to provide feedback at public consultations, starting Tuesday, September 12.

In Toronto, certain levels of noise are reasonable and reflect life in the densely populated city. The City’s Noise Bylaw balances the city’s vibrancy with the needs of residents and provides time restrictions and sound level limits for various types of noise.

Registration for the following in-person and virtual consultations is available online: www.eventbrite.com/cc/implementation-review-of-noise-bylaw-2516039.

• General noise (for example, unreasonable and persistent noise, power device noise and noise from waste collection):

  • In-person: Tuesday, September 12, Metro Hall, 55 John St., Room 308/309, 7 to 9 p.m.

  • Virtual: Tuesday, September 19, 7 to 9 p.m.

• Amplified sound (for example, music from bars):

  • Virtual: Wednesday, September 13, 7 to 9 p.m.

  • In-person: Thursday, September 21, Metro Hall, 55 John St., Room 308/309, 7 to 9 p.m.

• Motor vehicle noise:

  • Virtual: Monday, September 18, 7 to 9 p.m.

• Construction noise (for example, condo developments and residential infill):

In-person: Wednesday, September 20, North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge St., Meeting Room 101, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Amendment of the bylaw in 2019 resulted in the introduction of sound level limits for amplified sound and motorcycles, enhancements to the noise exemption permit process and the introduction of a dedicated noise enforcement team with late night coverage. 

This review aims to assess the bylaw amendments and consider potential refinements. Key focus areas for the review include:

• Assessing the effectiveness of the current decibel limits and enforcement approach for amplified sound.

• Enhancing the City's response to excessive vehicle noise.

• Strengthening noise enforcement and strategies for the proactive mitigation of noise issues.

The City also intends to respond to additional issues as part of the implementation review, including potential decibel limits for power devices (for example, leaf blowers and lawn mowers), regulations for waste collection noise and strengthening the noise exemption permit process.

The City has hired an independent acoustical engineering firm to provide a technical review of the bylaw and a firm to conduct broad public opinion research. This research and the public consultation feedback will be used to recommend refinements to the Noise Bylaw in a staff report expected at the Economic Community and Development Committee this fall. 

More information is available on the City’s website: www.toronto.ca/NoiseReview.

The Harvest Walk will be BACK on October 14th, 2023.

The Harvest Walk will be BACK on October 14th, 2023.

Harvest Ontario Walk - Environmental Defence

The first Harvest Ontario Walk in October of 2022 was a beautiful and inspiring event with great music, great people and great local food -- now grassroots activists are planning for an even bigger and better event on Saturday, October 14th, 2023.

Open Letter to the Ford Government: RELEASE THE SECRET CLIMATE CHANGE REPORTS!

Open Letter to the Ford Government: RELEASE THE SECRET CLIMATE CHANGE REPORTS!

Take the Jump: Six shifts to protect the earth and live with joy.

TAKE THE JUMP BY TRYING SIX SHIFTS TO PROTECT OUR EARTH AND LIVE WITH JOY

Clear, constructive, impactful, doable.

TAKE THE JUMP BY SIGNING UP TO THESE SIX SHIFTS FOR AT LEAST ONE MONTH

1. You’ll make an impact: Government and business do have most responsibility, but science shows that in wealthy countries everyone needs to make these 6 Shifts within 10 years.

2. You’ll enjoy it: Less consuming but more creativity, care, comedy, camaraderie, contentment, craft, connection, celebration, culture and community.

3. You’ll get support: This grassroots movement offers the community and the tools to help along the way.

Apply for a Neighbourhood Climate Action Grant

Information Sessions: Neighbourhood Climate Action Grants

Please join us for an information session to learn more about the Neighbourhood Climate Action Grants and to have your questions answered! Two virtual sessions will be offered (same content for both).

1. July 12, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. – Register here.

2. August 9, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. – Register here.

Applications for the Neighbourhood Climate Action Grants are open until September 15, 2023.