City Action

The TCAN City Strategy Subcommittee

 The TCAN City strategy subcommittee advocates for municipal climate action and the implementation of the City of Toronto’s Net-Zero Strategy. We support climate action that engages local communities, respects Indigenous rights, and advances the rapid and equitable transition away from polluting fossil fuels. Together, we are committed to building an affordable, green and resilient Toronto with excellent transit; safe biking and pedestrian infrastructure; green affordable housing; local renewable energy; accessible greenspace and thriving biodiverse ecosystems. We want a Toronto that supports the health and well-being of all our communities – and all future generations.

 The TCAN City strategy subcommittee is comprised of members of TCAN member groups. All members of TCAN are welcome to join. Email steeringcommittee@tcan.ca if you are interested.

 

Opportunities to advance climate action in Toronto

TransformTO Net Zero Strategy Action Plan 2026-2030 Consultation

The City of Toronto is currently seeking input on its 2026 – 2030 action plan for its TransformTO Net Zero Strategy. This action plan will inform City efforts to meet our interim 2030 sectoral targets and our 2040 target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions, community-wide. 

 

Surveys on the Net Zero Strategy Action Plan 2026-2030

TCAN encourages everyone to complete

  • The City of Toronto Survey which focuses on actions you are taking to adapt to, or mitigate, climate change.

  • The TCAN Survey which focuses on actions the City can take. Your responses will inform a TCAN report to the City.

Deadline: January 31st.

Consultation Events

  • Jan 15, Wed 7 pm – 9 pm:  Have Your Say: Toronto’s Climate Plan (online)

    • Online consultation on Toronto's Climate Strategy for 2026 – 2030, with additional session on the Budget, hosted by TCAN and Climatefast. Register here

  •  Jan 18, Sat 10 am – 1 pm:  Have Your Say: Toronto’s Climate Plan, CSI 192 Spadina

    • In-person consultation on Toronto’s Climate Strategy for 2026 – 2030, with additional session on the Budget, hosted by TCAN. Register here.

  •  Jan 25  Sat 2 pm – 4 pm: Transform Etobicoke: Residents Meet to Plan Climate Actions for 2025-2030, 327 Bering Avenue.

    • In-person consultation on climate action in Etobicoke and Toronto’s Climate Strategy for 2026 – 2030. Register here.

  • City Pop-up Consultations: For City pop-up consultations in January see here.

For more information and inspiration watch: TCAN’s Toronto Climate Futures Webinar with David Miller, (Former Mayor of Toronto, now with C40 Cities); How-Sen Chong (Toronto Environmental Alliance); Gaby Kakapos (Clean Air Partnership) and Maggie Chang (City of Toronto Climate Advisory Group)

City Budget and Climate Action

The City Budget will be launched on January 13th and there will be opportunities to have your say. TCAN encourages everyone to speak up for climate justice. We need to accelerate our climate action plan across all sectors and support initiatives that will improve resilience, increase affordability, and protect the most vulnerable.

For more information on the Budget process and opportunities to get involved go to the City’s website.

Timeline:

  • Jan 13: 2025 Budget Launch

  • Jan 15 & 23: Public Consultation: Telephone Town Halls
    Jan 21 & 22: Depute to the Budget Committee or at a local Civic Centre

  • Jan 24: Final Budget Committee meeting for the 2025 Budget.

  • Feb 2: Mayor Olivia Chow releases her proposed 2025 Budget 

  • Feb 11: Special City Council Meeting to discuss the 2025 Budget

Deputation opportunities:

Speak to Budget Committee on January 21 or 22, in person or by video conference. 

  • Jan 21 City Hall and Scarborough Civic Centre; 

  • Jan 22 Etobicoke Civic Centre and North York Civic Centre

To register as a public speaker, please contact the Budget Committee Administrator at 416-392-4666 or e-mail buc@toronto.ca. You can also send in written submissions - cc your councillor! Learn more here.

For tips on deputing see this guide from Toronto Environmental Alliance.

 

Budget Townhalls hosted by Councillors

In addition to deputing at a City hearing, many councillors hold budget townhalls. These present another opportunity to speak up for climate action.

Wards Project

Want to get more involved in advocating for City climate action in your ward? Together, TCAN and Climatefast are building teams of motivated climate advocates at the community level in as many wards as possible. The initial goal is to set up a meeting with your local councillor to let them know you support TransformTO and that you are concerned about the Climate Crisis. You can sign up here.

More information: City of Toronto Climate Action Reports 

For more information about the City of Toronto’s Net-Zero Strategy see here.

Reports of Note

 

To note: Interim 2030 targets:

Transport: 75% of trips under 5k to be walked, biked or by transit.  30% of registered vehicles in Toronto will be electric.

Buildings: 100% of new buildings to be near-zero emissions. 100,000 existing buildings retrofitted to achieve a 50% reduction in emissions 

Local Renewable Energy: (solar, wind, geothermal, batteries, waste heat recovery):  50% of community-wide energy to come from renewable sources

Waste Reduction - Circular Economy Initiatives: Repair, repurpose, re-use & recycle, reduce waste & create jobs: Divert 70% of residential waste from landfill

Green space and tree canopy: Increase canopy cover and biodiversity and enhance greenspaces. [Tree canopy target is 40% coverage by 2050; there is no 2030 target.]