Weekly list of Toronto environmental and social justice events and issues.
Updated every Monday.
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Who’s afraid of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez?
In Ocasio-Cortez we see what it might look like for left to retake control – to begin talking about what we want to talk about rather than whatever Trump is spewing. ONDP take note!
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Immediate fossil fuel phaseout could arrest climate change – study
Scientists say it may still technically be possible to limit warming to 1.5C if drastic action is taken now
Fossil fuel industry must ‘implode’ to avoid climate disaster, says top scientist
‘The age of carbon is over’ and a transition to a greener economy is inevitable, says Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, adviser to the German government and Pope Francis. “If you own fossil fuel assets, and the impact of any global agreement on climate change is going to push their value down, you are going to resist, using whatever tactics. But the interests of global society have to overcome these narrow special interests.”
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Young and Rising: PowerShift
Join us from Thursday, February 14 through Monday, February 18, 2019 for PowerShift: Young and Rising, a four day climate justice convergence being held in Ottawa, on the land of the Algonquin Anishinabe.
https://powershiftcan.nationbuilder.com/register
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We Need a Peoples’ Climate Plan for Ontario
There’s a comment period open until Jan 28th on Doug Ford’s ‘Made in Ontario’ climate plan – or anti-climate plan, as we are in a climate emergency and his plan will fail to take action to change that. You can tell him what a REAL climate plan ought to look like! Send a letter here.
https://act.leadnow.ca/MPP-peoples-climate-plan-ontario/
There’s more info on our webpage: www.climatefast.ca/peoples-climate-plan and a place for individuals or organizations to sign on to support.
CAPE (Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment) have also prepared useful background information and action links here: https://mailchi.mp/1fa3d77c72fa/spring-cape-e-news-update-climate-change-coal-active-travel-and-more-3146545?e=c9d522d9e1
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Vancouver councillors unanimously approve motion declaring climate emergency
Vancouver city councillors have voted to join cities such as Los Angeles and London in declaring a climate emergency. Come on Toronto – time to step up.
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Cancel the Saudi Weapons Deal, End ALL Weapons Exports, Provide Green Jobs for Affected Workers.
Send a quick message to Chrystia Freeland: 613-992-5234 or email her at chrystia.freeland@parl.gc.ca
For more info: http://homesnotbombs.blogspot.com/2019/01/saudi-weapons-deal-opponents-to-present.html
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Ontario Place for All
Our waterfront is under threat with a possible casino at Ontario Place. Doug Ford’s Government is looking to raze the entire Ontario Place. His Finance Minister said in response to a question on casinos that “everything is on the table”. Ontario Place for All is an emerging grassroots community group with a goal of keeping Ontario Place a vibrant, publicly accessible space. Stay tuned for future events, information on our work and ways you can help make Ontario Place a great public place. Please sign up for updates and to get involved in our work.
https://ontarioplaceforall.com/
Petition to Doug Ford: Hands off our waterfront!
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Tell the Ontario government to Stop Bill 66, save the Greenbelt and protect our water.
https://act.environmentaldefence.ca/page/35250/-/1
Take Action To Stop Bill 66 – Doug Ford’s Disastrous “Open For Business” Bill
Tell Attorney General Caroline Mulroney that the North Gwillimbury Forest and the Greenbelt must be preserved and protected – forever
http://savengforest.org/stop66.html
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Funding the Future: How can Ontario’s Carbon Trust drive investment in climate solutions?
Mon. Jan. 21, 2:30 p.m.
Webinar
Ontario’s new Environment Plan includes a $350 million emissions reduction fund called the Ontario Carbon Trust. The fund will use public funds to leverage private investment in climate solutions in Ontario. In this webinar we’ll explore how Ontario’s fund can be structured for maximum climate impact, and lessons learned from other jurisdictions like Australia.
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/5bcca501de9eeccb7c24e00bf0acd2b8
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Defend Toronto is taking action and we need you to be involved
Wed. Jan. 23, 9:30 a.m.
City Hall
We are going to the City Executive Committee to ask the city to retain lawyers to devise a legal strategy to stop the subway takeover. We need as many as possible to be at this meeting since they may not allow us to speak. We will meet just outside of Committee Room One – on the second floor, at the top of the curving stairs – at 9:25 am on Wednesday.
We will also attend the TTC Board meeting on:
Thur. Jan. 24, 1 pm, also in Committee Room One in City Hall.
We will ask for three things:
1) That they hold a weekly press conference telling everyone what is happening about discussions
2) That they instruct lawyers to start a legal strategy to stop the takeover
3) That they post signs in the subway telling people to call Premier Ford to stop the takeover
We will meet at 12:55 pm on Thursday just outside of Committee Room One.
A full report on the Defend Toronto January 17 meeting can be found on the web site, as well as a possible legal strategy to stop the takeover that the city and the TTC could follow. That update also includes information on the fightback to control Ontario Place.
https://defendtoronto.org/notes-from-our-jan-17-meeting/
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2062: Beyond a Cartoon Future for Millennials
Wed. Jan. 23, 6:30 pm
Isabel Bader Theatre, Victoria College, U of T, 93 Charles Street West
Join U.S. comedian and podcaster Hari Kondabolu in a seriously funny conversation about the future of work with the Atkinson Foundation’s Ausma Malik, and the Canadian Roots Exchange’s Max FineDay. They’ll be talking about how to get a future that’s fair and work that’s decent. The cast of The Jetsons, the first colour cartoon series aired in 1962 and set 100 years in the future, will make a cameo appearance. Hari, Max and Ausma will riff about bosses and workers, tech for lifestyles and livelihoods, and how race, money and gender colours everything for millennials.
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Call for Affordable and Equitable Public Transit
Deadline: January 23, 11 am
The TTC Board is setting its budget. Fair Fare Coalition is calling for measures that will support a more affordable and equitable public transit system that ensures people living on low income can access critical social supports and that organizations can continue to provide TTC fares for people are coming to our programs and services. Please add your name to the letter here:
http://www.ttcriders.ca/the-transition-to-presto-must-be-fair/ .
Also, please consider deputing during the City budget process. Come to a training and ‘practice’ session: January 30th deputation training:
FFC will follow up with you about meeting with Metrolinx and TTC about a bulk buying process for community organizations who buy tokens to provide to community members who need them.
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Housing Now
Wed. Jan. 23, 9 am (Meeting start: 9:30)
City Hall, 2nd floor (Queen and Bay)
The mayor’s Housing Now initiative will be discussed at the Executive committee. This will give Shelter and Housing Justice Network (SHJN) members and other groups the opportunity to depute and speak to SHJN’s demands in relation to social/RGI housing and the current shelter and housing crisis in the City. We need to have a strong presence at City Hall, so if you can make it out to depute and/or support SHJN, please do so. You can review the Housing Now report here:
http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2019.EX1.1
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Lee Maracle: On Indigenous Women & the Environment
Wed. Jan 23, 4 – 6 p.m.
Goldring Student Center, 150 Charles St W (across from the ROM)
VUSAC Equity and Sustainability’s Environmental Equity Week programming is hosting Lee Maracle, Indigenous writer and professor at UofT’s Centre for Indigenous Studies, for a talk on Indigenous women and the environment. Lee will be speaking on the impacts of colonialism on Indigenous women and how this is related to the environment, as well as bringing some of her poetry, fiction and non-fiction books to sell. We will have a reception featuring Indigenous catering from NishDish Toronto.
https://www.facebook.com/events/2052866361469740/
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The People’s Climate Plan: Information & Action
Thur. Jan. 24, 7 – 9 p.m.
Noor Cultural Centre, 123 Wynford Drive, Lower Social Room
ClimateFast and Drawdown Toronto – environmental action groups in Ontario – have released an environmental plan for presentation to the Government of Ontario. They are collecting signatures for a petition calling on the government to implement the measures proposed in the plan – a timely initiative, as the government is required to record and listen to all comments on the matter received by January 28. Please join us for a session to educate on the environmental threats posed by climate change and the solutions proposed in this plan. You will also have the opportunity, if interested, to sign the petition; and learn of other opportunities for becoming involved in local climate justice efforts.
To read and sign the petition: http://www.climatefast.ca/peoples-climate-plan .
To send the petition to your Member of Provincial Parliament, also sign here: https://act.leadnow.ca/MPP-peoples-climate-plan-ontario/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1147856925384163/
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What is Democracy?
Thur. Jan. 24, 7 p.m.
The Redwood (formally Centre of Gravity), 1300 Gerrard East
Recently screened to enthusiastic audiences at Toronto International Film Festival and Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema. Documentary followed by a discussion led by the film’s director Astra Taylor, as well as Lea Marin, National Film Board’s Producer of the film, and Craig Scott, Professor of Law at Osgoode Hall Law School of York University and our former NDP MP here in Toronto-Danforth. Presented by Cinema Politica Danforth.
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How to Criticize Israel w/o Being Antisemitic
Thur. Jan. 24, 6:30 – 9 p.m.
UJPO / Winchevsky Centre, 585 Cranbrooke Ave.
White nationalism and antisemitic rhetoric and actions are on the rise in Canada and throughout the world. For Jews who support justice for Palestinians, how do we also recognize and address antisemitism? What is and what is not antisemitism in the context of working in solidarity with Palestinians?
https://www.facebook.com/events/372389916915301/
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Transit Fare Hikes Just Announced
Thursday, January 24, 1 pm
Toronto City Hall, Queen and Bay
The 2019 TTC Budget was released this morning and confirmed what we expected: the TTC is planning to hike fares starting April 1, 2019. We need to say NO to these fare hikes loud and clear. We already pay our fair share — and our fares have been rising faster than the rate of inflation for too long. The TTC is chronically underfunded, and hiking up our fares is not the solution. It’s not too late to put the pressure on City Council and demand a properly funded TTC. The TTC Board will meet to vote on the budget. We plan to be there to make the case for boosting TTC operations funding, not increasing our fares. Besides attending the Council meeting, there’s so much you can do to make your voice heard on this.
http://www.ttcriders.ca/how-you-can-win-better-ttc-this-year/
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What happened at COP24?
Fri. Jan. 25, 2 – 3 p.m.
Webinar
Canadian climate experts and activists will share the outcomes of the UNFCCC COP24 in Katowice, Poland and what it means for climate action moving forward.
https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2895065089514934795
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Electronic Waste Collection
Sat. Jan. 26, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Annette Street Public Library, 145 Annette St.
Calling residents in the Junction & Bloor West Village community, help the environment by getting rid of your old electronics.
https://www.facebook.com/events/584266378700372/
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Dairy is Scary – January Day of Action
Sat. Jan. 26, 2 – 4 p.m.
Join us as we take action for animals this month, and speak out against an industry that profits off of exploitation and killing.
Canadian Dairy Farmers have received lots of attention recently in the news, for their worry about the new Food Guide and how it might affect their profits. Let’s make sure the press, the dairy farmers, and the public know that animals are involved in this debate as well, and we will not rest until their voices are heard. Join us as we take action this month, and speak out against the dairy industry.
https://www.facebook.com/events/312292239402200/
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Ripples of Kindness Community Meal
Saturdays at noon
Sacre-Coeur Church, 381 Sherbourne Street, Lower Level (NE corner of Sherbourne & Carlton)
Join us for lunch in an atmosphere of friendship and camaraderie.
Contact: Danny Beaton: beatondanny@yahoo.ca or www.dannybeaton.ca
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Getting it Built: A Cohousing Development Workshop
Sat.-Sun. Jan. 26-27
Toronto
This full weekend workshop (9am – 5pm Saturday and 10am – 4pm Sunday) shares best practices and lessons learned throughout 30 years of experience, while also recognizing that each community is unique and each group needs to decide what approach makes the most sense for its specific location and situation. The Getting it Built workshop is an efficient and necessary step providing participants a clear overview of the Cohousing development process and the tools necessary to effectively plan your community’s next steps.
https://www.facebook.com/events/311368166128711/
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Renewable Energy 100 Q&A
by David Suzuki Foundation
Sun. Jan. 27, 2 – 3 p.m.
Webinar
Join renewable energy experts for an informal Q&A session to follow up on the first three topics of Solar Energy International’s Renewable Energy 100 course. We’ll do our best to answer your questions and have a discussion about: Energy efficiency for your home; Various types of renewable energy technologies; How to determine which technology best fits your need.
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For the best Canadian climate and energy news, subscribe to the Energy Mix newsletter
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Centre for Social Innovation Events
https://socialinnovation.org/community/events/
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Hot Docs
Bloor Cinema (Bloor and Bathurst)
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NOW magazine hosts a very comprehensive online events listing
https://nowtoronto.com/search/event/community-events/
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