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Each candidate’s public commitments have been reviewed against TEA’s top platform priorities in our 3 key areas: climate action, climate resilience, and reducing waste. TEA’s 2023 mayoral election priorities can be found in full here.
CLIMATE ACTION COMMITMENTS |
Have they committed to dedicated climate plan funding, to back up their climate action promises at budget time?
- Committed to ‘fully fund TransformTO’
- Has committed in TTCRiders survey to "vote to implement an effective, equitable commercial parking levy as a dedicated new funding source for TTC operations"
- Has not promised to hold property taxes at/below inflation, therefore increased funding to fully implement TransformTO could also come from property taxes
Have they committed to green building programs that also create affordable housing?
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Promises to ensure new City-built affordable housing is climate safe and ready for a net-zero future.
- Commits to energy audits for public housing, prioritizing older multi-unit buildings for financing and electric heat pumps
- Promises to build 25,000 new rent-controlled units, expand and protect affordable housing
- Will bring back zero interest HELP loan program and other building retrofit programs
- Promises to maintain the Toronto Green Standard for new buildings, improve building waste reduction standards in future versions, and push for it to apply to all buildings and major additions
- Expand Toronto’s building retrofit programs, including the Hi-RIS and HELP programs to help homeowners and building owners reduce their emissions.
- Promises to work to ensure renters are protected from renovictions or rent increases related to green retrofits
Have they committed to a transition away from fossil gas?
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Promises to work with Toronto Hydro to expand and build local renewable energy projects, electric battery storage, and building retrofits
What commitments have they made to improving TTC service?
- Commits to reversing TTC service cuts
- Promises to provide rapid transit busway to replace Scarborough RT
- Promises to complete the loop in Scarborough with Eglinton East LRT
How will they improve pedestrian and cycling infrastructure?
- Promises to continue improvements to keep cyclists safe
- Promises to expand access to cycling infrastructure and safer streets so it's easier to choose not to drive
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CLIMATE RESILIENCE COMMITMENTS |
Have they proposed plans to keep Torontonians safe through floods, heatwaves, and other climate change impacts?
- Promises increased funding for 24/7 warming and cooling spaces
- Commits to invest in stronger resiliency plans to make it safe for tenants during heatwaves, including notifications of cooling spaces through RentSafe, a “multi-phase plan” for maximum temperature limits in buildings
- Promises to promote and increase uptake of Eco-Roof Incentive program for green roofs where communities face heat and flooding risks
- Promises funding for rent supplements, and stabilizing housing
How will they improve and maintain Toronto’s green spaces?
- Promises to build more splash pads and open them earlier in the summer
Will they make polluters pay for stormwater reduction and flood-proofing projects?
- Committed to infrastructure improvements needed to better manage stormwater and prevent flooding
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Does not mention making polluters pay, stormwater charge, or changes to water billing
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WASTE AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY COMMITMENTS |
How will they support waste reduction and eliminating unnecessary single-use items?
- Promises to ensure all Torontonians can access to waste diversion programs, such as recycling and organic waste collection, no matter what kind of home or building they live in
- Promises to introduce waste reduction programs as part of climate action
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OTHER |
- Won’t build Gardiner as an elevated expressway: committed to rebuilding this small section of the Gardiner as a ground-level boulevard instead that will still connect to the DVP
- Commits to keeping Ontario Place ‘public’
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Sources:
Candidate website: https://www.oliviachow.ca/plan
Toronto Star Survey
CBC News Analysis
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2023/06/06/mayoral-candidates-face-off-in-cbc-debate.html
Olivia Chow
Olivia Chow
Toronto needs a City Council of Climate and Environmental Champions