Archive for Actions

Once a year, at Christmas, it’s nice to settle down to watch Charlie Brown’s special.  So, perhaps for International Buy Nothing Day, you would enjoy The Story of Stuff:

In the middle of the upcoming climate change negotiations in Copenhagen, there will be a synchronized demonstrations throughout the world.  In Toronto, we’re going to have a live feed from the Copenhagen negotiations, speakers, and an EcoFair — all indoors.

Planet First – People First: Seal the Deal in Copenhagen
Saturday, 2009 December 12, 3 pm
Earth Sciences Auditorium, University of Toronto
33 Willcocks St, (east off Spadina,  north of College)
1 King’s College Circle, University of Toronto
(north of College St, west of Queen’s Park)     Read more »

An international day of climate action organized by 350.org and TorontoClimateCampaign.org.  Take a stand for a fair Copenhagen climate treaty that meets the science.  Here’s what happened in Ottawa:

And here’s what happened in Toronto:     Read more »

Elizabeth May will be the keynote speaker at a Queen’s Park rally organized by Cottagers against Uranium Mining and Exploration.

Anti-uranium-mining rally
Sunday, 2009 September 27, 2 pm – 4 pm
Queen’s Park     Read more »

I encourage everyone to sign the Kyotoplus petition.  Then go and get your friends all over Canada to sign it, too.

As I’ve become a candidate, I was worried that I couldn’t do more to help the Kyotoplus coalition, which is an extremely vital component in the battle against climate change.  I’ve now started campaigning door-to-door with my new postcard, which I’ll introduce online soon, and I’m carrying the Kyotoplus petition with me and urging every Toronto-Danforth resident to sign on, no matter what party they support.  It’s the least I can do.     Read more »

Thanks to Andrew James for alerting me to a Bike to Work Day event this Monday, May 25, sponsored by the Toronto Bicyclists Union.  All participants get a t-shirt.

Bike to Work Day
Monday, 2009 May 25, 7am
meet at Woodbine and Danforth
free

Update: There is better information available on the City of Toronto site.  Ride begins at 7am at Woodbine and Danforth and should arrive at Broadview and Danforth about 7:15am.

The Dalai Lama has signed a strong statement supporting a target below 350 ppm of atmospheric carbon.  This target is supported by a number of eminent climate scientists and is rapidly becoming the new consensus target.  It is, however, a very difficult target to meet because the current concentration of atmospheric carbon stands today at 390 ppm or possibly more.  It is good to see religious leaders recognizing and embracing the science of climate change.

Here‘s a Buddhist website devoted to climate change.  It includes a statement to sign.

Amnesty International Group 164 annual auction
Wednesday 2009 May 6, 5:30 pm
Granite Brewery
245 Eglinton Ave East at Mount Pleasant
416 322-0723
$10, free beer, all proceeds to Amnesty International’s human rights work

My Amnesty International group, which meets on the first Tuesday evening of every month right on the Danforth in St. Barnabas’s Church, is holding its annual auction.  I invite everyone to come.     Read more »

Yesterday I was nominated as the Green Party of Canada candidate for Toronto-Danforth for the next election.  I’m honoured and humbled by the supporters in this riding and their enthusiasm for starting the campaign.  Our success in the next election will depend on what the Green Party does best — building a community of people dedicated to building a better world and working respectfully together to achieve their goals.

In the next few months, I hope to be getting out and introducing myself to the neighbourhood.  I’m asking everyone who is interested in learning more about the Green Party to do one or both of two things.     Read more »

Fair Vote Canada is flyering both pro- and anti-coalition rallies to let people know that only proportional representation can solve this paliamentary crisis in the long run. “It’s the voting system, stupid!” Below is their message:     Read more »

The Green Party of Canada supports the coalition of opposition parties currently in Parliament. Please visit this Green Party sponsored website for more information.  Please see Elizabeth May’s statement below.     Read more »

Global Rally to Stop Global Warming
Sunday, 2008 December 7, 1pm
Yonge-Dundas Square
presented by the Toronto Climate Campaign
free

The Global Day of Action for Climate Change is recognized across Canada this year on December 7. The Toronto Climate Campaign has organized this rally. We need a strong presence to promote a strong response to the climate crisis. Please come out.

Here is your chance to help determine the policy direction of the Green Party of Ontario leading up to the 2011 election. The conference is focused in engaging members in the policy development process through dialogue. It’s a great way to get involved beyond voting!     Read more »

Toronto Hydro is exploring the possibility of putting windmills in Lake Ontario, about 2 km off the shores of the east end of our city.  The first step is to install a wind measuring device in the Lake. Moving forward on this proposal marks the first real step in turning around our energy future. But Hydro will need permission to proceed, and a small but vocal group is fighting even the current effort to measure the wind speeds.

Come to the community meeting to learn more about the proposal and voice your opinions:

Monday, 2008 November 24, 6:30pm
Sir Wilfred Laurier Collegiate Institute
145 Guildwood Parkway, Scarborough (Bus 116 from Kennedy station)
More information about the proposal

If you can’t come to the meeting, write a letter to the Ministry of Natural Resources, more information and a sample letter can be viewed on the website above.

This is the first step towards generating clean, renewable and local energy, so take the time to educate yourself about the proposal and help make sure that the measuring does not get blocked. This is the kind of action we need in order to cut our dependancy on oil and deal with the threat of climate change.

Franz Hartmann of the Toronto Environmental Alliance

The 5 ½ month hearing at the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) for the “Big Box” application for Eastern Ave has now concluded. A decision is expected in December.     Read more »

As opposed to NIMBY (Not In My Backyard), YIMBY is a movement that encourages Torontonians to actively participate in the city building process. This event is a non partisan political event that brings together politicians, business associations, neighbourhood groups and citizens to share ideas on how to make Toronto a better city by promoting healthy community development through open discussion.      Read more »

Canadian Federal Election
Tuesday, 2008 October 14

For more info check out the Elections Canada Website, especially to see what identification you need.

Elizabeth May is traveling across the country by train. Come see her when she stops in Toronto:

Elizabeth May’s whistle-stop
Wednesday, 2008 September 24, 8:30 pm
Hockey Hall of Fame, Yonge & Front

Cash bar, hor d’eoeuvres, music. Update: Elizabeth’s train will be arriving closer to 9:40 pm. I’m sure reception will still start on time.

edit: Less than an hour after I posted this, the Conservatives backed down and said they will allow Elizabeth to participate. Now they’re just trying some funny stuff about bringing McKay in.. anyway. Read below for an outline of the drama for democracy.     Read more »

Wednesday, 2008 August 27, 7-8:30 pm
Ralph Thornton Centre
To register: liza@leaftoronto.org, or 416-413-9244
Free

LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests) in partnership with City of Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation present an orientation session for anyone interested in getting involved in Toronto’s urban forest scene.

Local NDP groups are organizing forums on poverty reduction. The one in Toronto-Danforth is happening this weekend.

From Poverty to Power
Saturday, June 14, 2008, 10am-2:30pm
City Adult Learning Centre (1 Danforth Avenue)
Free

Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) is undertaking an update to the Don Watershed Plan and are hosting the first in a series of public meetings through to the end of 2008 to seek public input on the Plan.     Read more »

How many times have you heard that one person’s trash is another person’s treasure? It’s a familiar saying, and for good reason: it’s true! Bring your unwanted and unused “stuff” to your local Community Environment Day and transform your trash into treasure.     Read more »

On Saturday, the last day of May, neighborhoods across Canada will be holding garage sales to raise money for breast cancer research.

Greater Riverdale Street Sale
part of the Yard Sale for the Cure
Saturday, 2008 May 31, 9 am – 2 pm
Simpson, Victor, Langley, Riverdale, Withrow, Bain