Weekly list of Toronto environmental and social justice events and issues.
Updated every Monday.
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T.O. Greenspiration Friends,
This is my last Events newsletter for the summer. I’ll likely send the odd thing out, but for the most part, this is it. Have a fantastic summer, despite the depressing election news of last week. Still we persist, resist and transform!
There are some great events below to engage in the political process and create the change we need. And don’t miss Velcrow Ripper’s new doc film Metamorphosis playing this week (deets below). Absolutely stunning film about the changing climate and brilliant human responses.
On another note, some of you have been to the Tooker Gomberg library that has been hosted at the CSI (Centre for Social Innovation) on Spadina. The CSI is moving across the street and won’t have space for the library. The Tooker library is a treasure trove of classic enviro books, categorized by subject (cities, transportation, energy, fiction, history, women’s issues, health, nature, social change, and more). If you can think of an appropriate public space that might host this eco library, please let me know.
Peace and love,
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Ford win was a sure thing, thanks to the ‘literally thousands’ of targeted online ads, says campaign official
With the ability to target specific demographic and geographic groups through Facebook and Google, those internet spots proved vital
The Unpopularity of Female Politicians Has Everything to Do With Sexism
https://thewalrus.ca/the-unpopularity-of-female-politicians-has-everything-to-do-with-sexism/
Why electronic voting in the Ontario election is a mistake
http://rabble.ca/news/2018/06/why-electronic-voting-ontario-election-mistake
Unlock Democracy Canada
We’re a new national campaign focused on democratic renewal and proportional government, to strengthen Canada’s democracy.
http://www.unlockdemocracy.ca/
Ontario – Make Every Vote Count
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Elizabeth May sponsors a petition to halt the Trans Mountain expansion
https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Sign/e-1722
Justin Trudeau: The Speech He Never Gave
http://theenergymix.com/2018/06/05/justin-trudeau-the-speech-he-never-gave/
Pipeline Backlash Grows, Ignoring McKenna’s Advice That It’s ‘Time to Move On’
Trudeau Government Had Alternatives to Buying Kinder Morgan Pipeline
“Instead of dropping billions of dollars on the pipeline, “imagine a Crown corporation investing billions of dollars in renewable energy partnerships with provinces, First Nations, and communities across Canada, and billions in energy efficiency programs,” he adds. “Instead of hundreds of jobs building a pipeline we’d create thousands of jobs installing solar panels and wind farms; instead of pitting Canadians against each other we’d bring communities together; and instead of increasing emissions we’d drive them down. Instead of clinging to a fading past we’d embrace the future.”
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Bike Month
May 28 – June 30
Hundreds of interesting and fun things to do, including rides, guided bike tours, festivals, art shows, film screenings, and so much more.
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A basement bachelor apartment is available to rent in a natural, chemical/fragrance/smoke free Toronto mid-town home
The apartment is large, bright and dry and the air quality is great. The owners are looking for a tenant who is environment/health conscious and uses natural products. $1,000/mo.
For more information, contact yafitr@hotmail.com
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There is a mayoral candidate who wants to build a greener and more livable city – Sarah Climenhaga
Following the provincial election, it’s more important than ever to elect a strong progressive council at City Hall. Email: volunteer@sarahformayor.to
https://sarahformayor.to/environment/
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Idle Threat – Official Trailer 2 min.
Did you know Toronto has a 1 min. idling bylaw?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gboWMpuOWo
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Metamorphosis
Mon. Tues. Wed. & Thur. June 14, 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Carlton Cinema (on Carlton, just east of Yonge)
A poem for the planet, Nova Ami and Velcrow Ripper’s film Metamorphosis takes the pulse of our earth and bears witness to a moment of profound change: the loss of one world, and the birth of another. Metamorphosis captures the true scale of the global environmental crisis. Forest fires consume communities, species vanish, and entire ecosystems collapse. Economic growth, tied to increased speed of resource extraction, has created a machine with the capacity to destroy all life. But this crisis is also an opportunity for transformation. Through a tidal flow of stunning images, Metamorphosis carves a path from the present to the future, and offers a bold new vision for humanity and the world.
https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=metamorphosis
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Introduction to Project Drawdown: How we can reverse global warming
Mon. June 11, 6:30 – 9 p.m.
OCAD University, 100 McCaul Street, Room 230 (small auditorium)
Project Drawdown is a plan to reverse global warming – to pull carbon out of the atmosphere, as opposed to merely slowing down the rate of emissions. Free.
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Chasing Coral – Film Screening and Q & A w/ Zack Rago
Mon. June 11, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Love Child Social House, 69 Bathurst Street
During this specially designed evening, we will screen the film together and you will be invited to participate in a community conversation featuring Chasing Coral star Zack Rago. (Live via Skype)
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6fHA9R2cKI
https://www.facebook.com/events/1699633293445985/
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SolarShare AGM
Wed. June 13, 6 – 9 p.m.
CSI Spadina, 192 Spadina Ave.
SolarShare is Canada’s largest solar coop. Our AGM is a great opportunity to learn about the organization you have invested in, understand more about the solar energy industry and meet fellow investors.
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/solarshare-annual-general-meeting-2018-tickets-45776397437
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R.W.B. Jackson Lecture featuring Dr. Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director, First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada, in conversation with CBC’s Duncan McCue.
Wed. June 13, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
OISE Auditorium, 252 Bloor St. W. Reception to follow in OISE Library
Register to attend IN PERSON: tinyurl.com/OISEJacksonLecture
Register to watch LIVE ONLINE: tinyurl.com/OISEJacksonLecture-Webcast
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TTCriders AGM
Thur. June 14, 6 – 8:30 p.m.
College Street United Church, 452 College (at Bathurst)
Toronto’s Transit Advocacy organization. Get involved in the fight for affordable, world-class public transit. Our AGM will be addressed by keynote speaker Deena Ladd, coordinator of the Workers’ Action Centre and organizer with the Fight for $15 and Fairness.
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/ttcriders-agm-tickets-45148801280
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The Walrus Talks The Future
Thur. June 14, 6:30 p.m.
Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview
Join us as we explore how trends are defining the future of Canada through business, politics, arts, media, innovation and more.
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-walrus-talks-the-future-toronto-2018-tickets-43555585930
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Ghost Bike Ride for Jonas
Fri. June 15, 6 – 8 p.m.
Meet at Matt Cohen Park, 725 Spadina (at Bloor)
A Ghost Bike Memorial for Jonas, a cyclist struck on Tuesday, 15 May 2018 on Lake Shore Blvd West at Colbourne Lodge Road in the High Park area. He died from his injuries on Friday, June 8. Join us, rain or shine. The ten-kilometre route will be mostly on bike infrastructure and quiet streets and we expect it to take between 40 to 50 minutes to reach the crash site on the south side of Lake Shore Blvd West at Colbourne Lodge Road (next to the Martin Goodman Waterfront Trail).
https://www.facebook.com/events/448858452203459/
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Bells on Danforth
Sat. June 16, 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
A family-friendly pedal powered parade to celebrate cycling on the Danforth. Bells on Danforth returns for our 7th annual family-friendly group ride on the Danforth. This year the ride starts at Withrow Park (one block south of Danforth & Logan) and travels east to the “Oakridge CRC Fun Fair” hosted by Oakridge Community Recreation Centre (Oakridge CRC) at 63 Pharmacy Ave, Scarborough
https://www.facebook.com/events/181396555991516/
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Rally for Decent Work
Sat. June 16, 1 p.m.
Ministry Of Labour, 400 University Avenue
More than 60% of voters rejected Doug Ford and his plan to scrap the $15 minimum wage. 60% of voters chose candidates who support a $15 minimum wage on January 1, 2019, equal pay for equal work, better protection for workers on the job, fairer scheduling rules, and easier access to union membership. On June 16, let’s show Doug Ford that Ontario will not allow our new labour laws to be rolled back and that we will fight to improve what we’ve won. We will start at the Ministry of Labour (400 University Avenue) then march to Queen’s Park. Special guest speakers include:
- Naomi Klein, author of No Is Not Enough: Resisting the New Shock Politics and co-author of Canada’s Leap Manifesto
- Chris Buckley, Ontario Federation of Labour
- Sandy Hudson, Black Lives Matter Toronto
- Dr. Ritika Goel, Decent Work and Health Network & OHIP for All
- Gobinder Singh Randhawa, chair, Ontario Sikh and Gurudwara Council
https://www.facebook.com/events/1722881714446306/
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Feed It Forward – Pay What You Can Grocery Store, Bakery and Coffee Shop
Opening Sat. June 16, noon – 7 p.m.
3324 Dundas West, Junction
Feed It Forward will be opening the first pay what you can grocery not only in Canada but in the World! This one of a kind, pay what you can, grocery store will be a fully stocked grocery store. Produce for the store will come from Feed It Forward’s farm, Greenwood Farms, in Whitby. This year’s bounty from Greenwood Farms is estimated to yield 40,000 pounds of organically grown produce. In its aim to be a waste free, environmentally friendly facility, the grocery store is initiating a Bring Your Own Container (BYOC) program.
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DemocracyKit Workshops: Drive Political Change
Sat. June 16, 2 p.m.
Lillian H. Smith Library, 239 College
The best way to learn civic campaign skills is on the campaign trail. This session gets you started and provides a road map for participation in the 2018 municipal election.
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/democracykit-workshops-drive-political-change-tickets-45652752612
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What Next For The Left After The Ford Win?
Mon. June 18, 7 p.m.
Steelworkers Hall, 25 Cecil
International Socialists presents a public forum to discuss how we push back against the Tories and to bring about real change in Ontario.
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Introduction to Project Drawdown: How we can reverse global warming
Tues. June 19, 6:30 – 9 p.m.
OCAD University, 100 McCaul Street, Room 190 (main auditorium)
Project Drawdown is a plan to reverse global warming – to pull carbon out of the atmosphere, as opposed to merely slowing down the rate of emissions. Free.
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Carbon Markets and Climate Finance: Alternative-Financing Paths to a Low-Carbon Future – The U of T’s Path Forward
Tues. June 19, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
U of T, St. Michael’s College, 81 St Mary Street
Please join us in our inaugural University Climate Change Coalition or “UC3” climate change forum where we continue earlier conversations on rapidly evolving carbon markets and related opportunities and financing challenges. $60
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iMatter- Empowering Youth Action to Combat the Climate Crisis
Tues. June 19, 7 – 9 p.m.
Neighbourhood Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 79 Hiawatha Road
iMatter is an important, youth-led movement to end the climate crisis. It is thinking globally but acting locally. Our expansion into Canada is an exciting time for our movement, and we’d love for you to find out more about what our community has done right here in Toronto and the GTHA area and how it is part of a bigger movement putting students at the center of the fight to impact actions on climate issues.
https://www.facebook.com/events/401214220284413/
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June Green Drinks
Wed. June 20, 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Grace O’Malleys, 14 Duncan Street
The audience for this monthly networking event includes movers and shakers in the Toronto green industry – architects, designers, engineers, facility managers, developers, politicians, members of the energy sectors, academics and students.
http://greendrinks.org/toronto
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Policing Black Lives: State Violence in Canada from Slavery to the Present
Thursday, June 21, 6 – 8 p.m.
CRC, 40 Oak Street
Delving behind Canada’s veneer of multiculturalism and tolerance, this talk will trace the violent realities of anti-Black racism from the slave ships to prisons, classrooms and beyond, providing a comprehensive account of nearly four hundred years of state-sanctioned surveillance, criminalization and punishment off Black lives in Canada. OCAP Speakers Series: Free event with meal, childcare, wheelchair access and tokens.
https://www.facebook.com/events/881762118692861/
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Indigenous Peoples Day Sunrise Ceremony
Thur. Jun 21, 5:30 a.m.
Nathan Phillips Square, Queen and Bay
Toronto joins cities across Canada to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21. All are welcome to attend the City of Toronto’s annual Sunrise Ceremony recognizing the unique and important history, culture and contributions of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples.
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Na-Me-Res Traditional Pow Wow and Arts Festival
Sat. June 23 and Sun. June 24
250 Fort York Blvd
Join us on Saturday June 23 for a fun filled day at our Annual Traditional Pow Wow. Free event, open to public. There will be traditional dancing and drumming, craft vendors and information tables, food and drink sales, Red Pepper children’s activity area. This year APTN has partnered with us to present a LIVE televised Round Dance at 1:30. This is the fourth year Na-Me-Res has partnered with Fort York to present our traditional pow wow. Many thanks to Canada Heritage and Toronto Arts Council for your generous support towards the success of our Pow Wow
https://www.facebook.com/events/2101489690107838/
https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/festivals-events/indigenous-arts-festival/
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Ride4Real Food
Sunday, June 24
Etienne Brule Park, near Old Mill Station, Humber river
Enjoy a beautiful ride along the Humber River recreational trail to raise funds for better food access. 20 km and 35 km rides.
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Pedestrian Sundays
Sundays June 24, July 29, Aug. 26, noon – 7 p.m.
Kensington Market, Augusta south of College
The monthly celebration of community, culture and ecology offers car-free streets for people to enjoy and features music, street theatre, local vendors and more. Free. Last Sunday of the month, May to October.
http://kensingtonmarketbia.com/pedestrian-sundays-in-kensington-market.htm
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Unsettling the Word – Biblical Experiments in Decolonization – book launch
Monday, June 25, 7 – 9 p.m.
Church of St. Stephen in-the-Fields, 365 College St.
The event will feature a panel of contributors, readings, and copies will be on sale. For generations, the Bible has been employed by settler colonial societies as a weapon to dispossess Indigenous and racialized peoples of their lands, cultures, and spiritualities. But is it possible for the exploited and their allies to reclaim the Bible from the dominant powers? Can we make it an instrument for justice in the cause of the oppressed? Even a nonviolent weapon toward decolonization? In Unsettling the Word, over 60 Indigenous and Settler authors come together to wrestle with the Scriptures, re-reading and re-imagining the ancient text for the sake of reparative futures.
https://www.facebook.com/events/2130206463879646/
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People’s Rally on Queen’s Park
Sat. June 30, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Queens Park (University and College)
This is a march to support public services, communities, and marginalized groups of people across Ontario. People across Ontario—young people, old people, academics, activists, workers, artists, healthcare professionals, teachers, parents, and everyday people from all over the province will come together to call for robust public services and to call for equity in public policy decisions. This is a march to call for proportional representation—that it is unacceptable for a party who won 41% of the popular vote to win 61% of the seats, while a party who won 5% of the popular vote only won 0.8% of the seats.
https://www.facebook.com/events/2088820987998159/
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Gladue Analysis & Truth and Reconciliation
July 11-12
659 New Credit Road Community Centre, Hagersville
Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation will host a two-day conference. The purpose of this event is to promote education and awareness of the Gladue Principles / Analysis & the justice sector Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Final Report.
https://www.facebook.com/events/396793760730609/
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Bike City: How industry, advocacy & infrastructure shaped Toronto’s cycling culture
Market Gallery, 2nd Floor, St. Lawrence Market
June 30 – November 17
Showcasing vintage bicycles, artifacts, and archival photos, BIKE CITY tells the story of the bicycle and its impact on Toronto. Almost a million Torontonians ride today but sharing the road has been a challenge for city builders and citizens for 130+ years.
www.toronto.ca/marketgallery
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Drawdown Energy Summit: Empowering our response to global warming
Wed, July 25, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Friends House, 60 Lowther Avenue (meeting room)
Learn about electricity generation sector solutions to global warming that are already in place and in action in Toronto. Discover how you can help empower humanity’s response to global warming by accelerating what is already working.
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Conscious Minds Camp – Applications Open
Come out in August for an inspiring and fun week of visioning, learning, and exploration! This is a retreat for young activists and artists and a platform for all to share their wisdom, skills, strategies, and passions! At camp we explore how to positively adapt to climate change as individuals and as a global community. The overnight camp is rooted in four themes: Human Rights, Holistic Health, Decolonization, and Climate Change Resilience.
Who: We are accepting passionate youth ages 13 – 30’ish passionate about a better world
When: August 10-13th – Family Weekend, All Ages Welcome!
August 10 or 13-17th – Youth ages 13 – 30’ish
Where: Camping on 91 acres of private land + swimming, Newcastle ON
Cost: Offer what you can, no one turned away.
Apply at www.consciousmindscoop.ca ; email us at: consciousmindscamp@gmail.com
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Drawdown Buildings and Cities Summit: Building our response to global warming
Wed. Aug. 29, 6:30 – 9 p.m.
Friends House, 60 Lowther Ave. (meeting room)
Learn about building and city sector solutions to global warming that are already in place and in action in Toronto. Discover how you can help build humanity’s response to global warming by accelerating what is already working.
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No War 2018
Friday Sept. 21, 5:30 – 9 p.m., and Sat. Sept 22, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
OCAD, 100 McCaul St. (at Dundas)
You say you’re against war, but what’s the alternative? Let’s design and build an alternative system of global governance – one in which peace is pursued by peaceful means. Learn how at #NoWar2018!
http://worldbeyondwar.org/nowar2018/
A blue-scarf march through Toronto is planned for 2 p.m. on Sept 23.
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For the best Canadian climate and energy news, subscribe to the Energy Mix newsletter
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The Green Majority
Live Eco Radio Show every Friday from 11 am – Noon CIUT 89.5 FM
Democracy Now
Mon – Fri. 10 – 11 a.m. CIUT 89.5 FM
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Centre for Social Innovation Events
http://socialinnovation.ca/community/events/listing
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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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Subscribes, unsubscribes and submissions: angela at cleanairalliance.org