Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin

Academic institutions play an important role in climate research and it is crucial for students from around the world to be part the academic research environment in Toronto. International students also help bring a global perspective and new solutions to addressing the climate crisis. For context, “Toronto’s post-secondary institutions are leading contributors to the City’s economy and important sources of job creation, skills training, and research and innovation, [including research on climate]...In Toronto, it is estimated that over 350,000 students are enrolled in public academic institutions. In recent years, an increasing number of post-secondary students have been struggling to meet their basic needs for housing, food, and other life necessities…As a result, more post-secondary students are relying on food banks and homelessness services; they are more likely to experience precarious housing situations and live in over-crowded homes; and are increasingly more vulnerable to housing scams and fraud.” In addition, one of the guiding principles of Academic Housing Strategy released is to that “Housing should be sustainable, financially, environmentally, and socially”.

Young people will inherit the planet and will bear the brunt of climate change impacts for the longest time. They are the generation that will live with the escalating effects of extreme weather, resource scarcity, and environmental degradation. Young people have a moral right to be informed and consulted on issues that will profoundly affect their future. As stated by Vote16 Canada, research from Elections Canada found that “16-17s are just as interested, if not more, in participating in various forms of political activity, including both voting and non-electoral civic activities. [Moreover], Canadian scholars have found that 16-17s are not less politically developed than adults, and, depending on the aspect being looked at, they are more knowledgeable or as knowledgeable as adults. Compared to 18-20s, they know as much about political institutions, the campaign promises, and the candidates…As of today, 17 countries have a minimum voting age of 16 for at least one level of government, including Germany, Scotland, Wales, Austria, Belgium, Finland, and several cities in the US.”

Toronto’s climate plan TransformTO aims for net-zero by 2040 but overlooks the city’s powerful financial sector. A U of T study found that Bay Street ranks as the 5th largest global climate polluter (behind China, the United States, Russia, and Japan) due to its fossil fuel financing—emitting nearly 100 times more than the City itself. Recently, five major Canadian banks withdrew from the Net-Zero Banking Alliance, raising concerns about accountability. Despite new voluntary climate disclosure standards, stronger action is needed. A proposed Sustainable Finance Hub would help Toronto address climate risks, promote credible climate transition plans, and boost investment in clean energy—similar to initiatives in the UK and Australia.

“Queens Quay East is a rapidly growing corridor and is the major thoroughfare of the East Bayfront neighbourhood. Several key destinations and institutions are located here. The corridor has experienced major development growth over the past 15 years. The Queens Quay East Interim Priority Bus Lanes project is intended to only address the immediate and urgent challenges faced by current transit customers and is not a replacement for future higher-order transit to be provided by WELRT (Waterfront East Light Rail Transit).”

“A more protectionist posture by the new US administration and a series of economic policy announcements, including tariffs and rising to the threat of the annexation of Canada, have shattered the confidence of Canadians in this economic union, upon which the Canadian economy has long relied. While the application of tariffs presents the immediate threat, the deep uncertainty and the risk of a new US political consensus in favour of economic nationalism, pose long-term threats to Toronto’s economy.”

Ensuring that all types of housing along the housing spectrum are available, especially affordable and supportive housing, is crucial as the impacts of the climate crisis worsen. People experiencing homelessness are at a higher risk of getting heat stroke in the summer and worsening air quality from forest fires coming in from the north. These climate events can negatively impact the physical and mental health impacts of Torontonians, particularly people experiencing homelessness. For this reason, we need affordable and supportive housing now. In recent years “the City of Toronto has taken an increased role in the creation of new supportive and rent-geared-to-income (RGI) homes for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, particularly since the adoption of the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan (HousingTO Plan) and as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite increased action and investments, Toronto’s housing and homelessness crises have worsened. Deeply affordable rental housing is at risk of being lost, and difficult and volatile economic conditions have made the construction of new housing, particularly RGI, supportive, rental homes, more challenging. The shortage of supportive homes, inadequacy of social assistance rates, and need for greater mental health and social supports is illustrated most starkly by the rising number of encampments in Toronto.”

Buying local generally has environmental benefits. For instance, buying locally sourced and produced food can reduce "food miles" (the distance food travels from farm to plate), leading to lower transportation emissions and supporting more sustainable farming practices. Moreover, on February 5, 2025, City Council adopted several measures in response to potential 25% tariffs from the Trump Administration. The City Manager and relevant Divisions were instructed to create a "Buy Local, Buy Canadian" campaign to encourage residents, businesses, and city agencies to support locally made Canadian goods and services, helping protect jobs in Toronto and Ontario. Additionally, efforts to strengthen local procurement processes, as outlined in the "Sidewalks to Skylines" economic plan, were to be accelerated. The Federal Government was also urged to develop a standardized label for Canadian goods that clearly indicates the percentage of Canadian and foreign content. Finally, the motion was forwarded to all Ontario municipalities, encouraging them to join Toronto's campaign.

“Toronto needs a new arrangement with senior levels of government that ensures we have the independence necessary for 21st century cities to thrive and achieve results for residents… It's time for Canada's largest city to have the tools it needs to effectively chart its own course to decide how we grow, get around, support each other, and improve our quality of life. A City Charter will also assist in making the division of roles and responsibilities between senior levels of government and City Hall more transparent and therefore more accountable to the public.”

“City Council has committed to a phased-in approach to a universal school food program, including a universal mid-morning meal by the 2026 to 2027 school year and a universal school lunch program no later than 2030. This matter is urgent as action is needed from all orders of government, particularly as the 2025 to 2026 budgets are prepared at the Federal and Provincial levels.”

“Research from various sources based in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Netherlands indicate that side guards could reduce cyclist fatalities by approximately 62%, pedestrian fatalities by 20%, and serious injuries for cyclists by 6%. However, there are currently no federal or provincial requirements for vehicles to be fitted with side guards. As the federal government sets national vehicle safety standards, the City of Toronto does not have the jurisdiction or authority to mandate all commercial vehicles operating within the City of Toronto be equipped with side guards. However, City Council, through Vision Zero 2.0, authorized the implementation of side guards and a comprehensive fleet safety and accountability program for all Solid Waste Management Services (SWMS) vehicles, both in-house and contracted. Currently, thirty (30) units in the City’s fleet are equipped with side guards.”

Densification is an important part of becoming more energy efficient and systemically reducing emissions from buildings in Toronto. Smaller homes require less energy for heating and cooling rooms. The recommended "As-of-right Zoning for Mid-rise Buildings on Avenues" is part of the Housing Action Plan to enable more housing along major streets and avenues. It includes updated "Rear Transition Performance Standards" and aims to allow "as-of-right heights and densities" for mid-rise buildings, potentially adding nearly 61,000 new dwelling units. These changes support the goal of meeting or exceeding the provincial housing target of 285,000 new homes over the next decade.