Answering Questions from Seniors for Climate Action Now!
See the full SCAN! Toronto Ask Your Candidates questionnaire here.
I first learned of SCAN!, or Seniors for Climate Action Now! through my building’s NORC designation. A NORC is a Naturally Occurring Retirement Community, and I happen to live in one entirely by accident. I’ll be sharing more about that journey in a separate blog post soon – subscribe to my newsletter to read it first! – so for now I’ll say I met my neighbour, Shelly, via our building’s weekly Coffee Social program.
Shelly is the chair of Toronto’s SCAN! chapter, and she kindly agreed to come over to chat with me about my platform’s priorities when it comes to climate action.
As you know, the “E” in my FRESH platform is Environmental Action & Future-proofing the City, and I was happy to have the opportunity to hash out my ideas with Shelly as per her knowledge on this subject.
She provided me with a SCAN! candidate questionnaire that they are encouraging all their members and interested individuals to ask during canvassing and by email. I wanted to make it easy for everyone to find so I’ve posted my responses below.
What are your climate priorities for this upcoming Council?
My priorities include the following:
Assessment and action around how the City is performing re: its TransformTO Net Zero strategy
Actions around Toronto’s consumption-based footprint so we are producing more here via the Building Brand Toronto initiative
Immediate review and revamp of City measures for extreme weather including introduction of more community-managed services such as neighbourhood environmentally-sound and pet-safe ice melt bins for communal use as they use in Scandinavian countries
More robust enforcement of our environmental by-laws
What will you do to support introducing a maximum heat bylaw for rented residential units?
I will vote in favour of the universal maximum temperature by-law for all rental units by June 2027.
Will you support strengthening building standards to require lower emissions from buildings?
Yes.
What initiatives such as balcony solar panels will you support to increase renewable electricity generation?
I support the installation of rooftop and balcony solar panels; offshore wind initiatives; an emphasis on district energy heating; and other recommendations as per Environmental Defence.
Will you support a moratorium on new Al data centres? Will you support regulations to restrict the use of city water and public electricity by Al data centres?
Yes. I also want to ensure the City is not relying on AI in its actions and operations.
What measures would you propose to increase the use of public transportation?
I will reallocate City funds, negotiate partnerships, and request funding from the Federal government to execute ideas I have including the below:
Free fares for seniors, students and youth
Construction of parking lots in unused spaces to take cars off the streets for less congestion on the roads
Platform-edge door installation to save lives and reduce costly delays
Quiet cars
“TTC with Me” – a program pairing neighbours to assist one another using the TTC to run errands, go to a medical appointment, etc.
Better service including aligned bus/subway departures and protecting door-to-door Wheel-Trans
What would you do to make Toronto greener?
Plant more Oak, Maple, Basswood, Horse Chestnut and Buckeye (because they’re pollinators) to expand our tree canopy
Reallocate the current Percent for Public Art funds from developers to go towards creating more shade, pollinator and community food gardens in the neighbourhoods they’re in
Implement an Eyesore By-law holding companies accountable for leaving detritus out (pylons and other construction materials; damaged/ripped signage; garbage on their private property)
Provide funding for Alvéole to install more bee habitats around the city
What are your strategies for Council to effectively stand up against Ford's government for local democracy and for carbon-reduction measures?
Council needs to gather strong businesses cases around enforcing and implementing environmental action to compel Ford. And I advocate for the creation of a City Charter for Toronto so we can maintain some element of autonomy!
