Climate change has been a crisis for decades. From the minute that oil companies discovered the impact their industry was having on the climate - and chose to bury the evidence and hide the results - the planet has been facing a major threat. Now, after decades of lies, pollution, and despair, we know that the clock is ticking and the point of no return is looming large. Recent reports from the UN tell us that we have just twelve years to make massive changes to our entire economy or we face critical climate chaos. What we are facing is not in the distant future. Climate change is here - and it is an urgent emergency. It's time we treat it as such. Cities across Canada have declared a climate emergency, factoring climate change into city planning at every level and in some cases unlocking funding for climate mitigation efforts. In just the last week, Ottawa and London joined cities like Vancouver, Kingston, and Halifax that had already declared. It's time that Canada's largest city, the cornerstone of our economy, join those efforts. Toronto is home to millions of people and almost a fifth of Canada's entire economy. If Toronto declares a climate emergency, it mobilizes an incredible base of support for climate action in Canada and takes its in global climate leadership. The clock is ticking. Tell the Mayor and Toronto City Council to declare a climate emergency today.

Doug Ford just announced plans to cut $1 billion from public healthcare -- cuts that risk devastating child nutrition programs and increasing child hunger. If the cuts go through, 600 school breakfast programs will be on the chopping block -- which means that thousands of low income children who rely on these programs for food will go hungry. Recent studies have found that these breakfast programs really help kids: - 82% of students surveyed said the program kept them from feeling hungry - 74% said it improved their well being - Many kids saw improved grade averages Canada ranks one of the worst countries for ending hunger. Instead of increasing funding for more programs to combat child hunger, Ford’s government is slashing away at them with deep, drastic cuts that could devastate progress and put kids at risk. But we still have time to stop this. And if enough people sign the petition -- we could. If you think every kid deserves a nutritious breakfast, and that it’s just plain cruel to cut funding that goes towards curbing child hunger sign now and tell Ford: reverse the cuts. Sources https://pressprogress.ca/doug-fords-cuts-threaten-600-school-breakfast-programs-that-unicef-says-low-income-children-need/

North Vancouver became the first municipality to mandate that all gas pumps must display stickers to warn consumers that burning fossil fuels causes climate change. Now that Premier Ford is mandating anti-carbon tax stickers across Ontario without including information about the costly effects of climate change, municipalities must step up to ensure consumers are aware of the negative environment effects and economic consequences of climate change. For more on North Vancouver's campaign, see: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/north-vancouver-climate-change-stickers-gas-pumps-1.3323621?fbclid=IwAR2MS_mGrfz2SYtB60OLZZrkKXSOqZ-CxF0FpHiXbBndMWufyO0z_4y4yOk

The newly proposed anti-carbon tax stickers that Premier Ford is requiring all gas stations to display at the pump is a waste of tax payers' money. Ford campaigned on a clear mandate to save Ontarians money and this demonstrates he is not keeping his promises. Furthermore, the stickers are clearly being used as a marketing ploy for conservatives as they fail to mention the Federal government's rebate, which is expected to exceed the amount that a majority of households will spend on the carbon tax. It also fails to mention the environmental and economic consequences of climate change. In forcing businesses to display partisan information, this is a clear overreach of government power.

The proposal to limit availability of OHIP covered psychotherapy to 24 sessions per year will profoundly harm the most vulnerable among us. Psychotherapy is the most effective treatment for many disorders [see reference below] and the withdrawal of this service will endanger those who suffer from such debilitating mental health problems as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Major Depression, crippling Anxiety Disorders, Borderline Personality difficulties, Eating disorders and those who suffer Addiction. Those who battle suicide will be especially affected and all of these afflictions can affect children and senior citizens. To turn our backs on the suffering of our fellow citizens, neighbours and family members is beyond unconscionable. The science is clear, psychotherapy is a first line treatment. Drugs certainly don't solve everyone's problems. This proposal is cruel, wrong headed and must be stopped in it's tracks! https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-in-ontario-a-battle-for-the-soul-of-psychiatry/

In the 1960s an upstream paper mill dumped 9 tonnes of mercury into the Wabigoon River, poisoning the fish and the people of Grassy Narrows. Three generations later the people continue to suffer from intense health impacts and a loss of their way of life and economy. Shockingly, the government of PM Trudeau has done almost nothing to improve the lives of Grassy Narrows people. In November of 2017, then Minister Philpott committed to build a home and treatment center for mercury survivors in Grassy Narrows so that sick loved ones can be cared for with dignity. Almost 500 days later, not one brick has been laid and only 1% of the cost has been provided. The Federal government is clearly stalling. With the federal elections on the horizon, this could become yet another broken promise on reconciliation. The people of Grassy Narrows are an inspiration throughout the world for their perseverance, their resilience, and their strength. The survivors of this ongoing disaster deserve Canada’s respect and the best possible care. See FreeGrassy.net for more ways to support the community.

Our disappearing peatlands (less than 3% of the earth is covered with them) and Burns Bog is part of that 3%. Like other peatlands it is home to many rare and endangered species. These include red and blue-listed butterflies, dragonflies, Sandhill cranes, Trowbridge's Shrew, Barn Owls and Green herons. When they are gone they are gone forever. The Federal Government used S.A.R.A. to save the Chorus frog in Quebec. The Federal government needs to do the same for the plants, insects, birds and animals on MK Delta's and Pineland Peat's land in Delta, BC

Just from my own experience I felt like I was going to die from my brain being so used to taking 2 pills every 4 hours along with 1 diazepam every 6 hours for panic attacks and sleeping medication at night so the pain would not wake me up every four hours from the back pain that I suffer from.Then he had his prescribing privilege taken away and I was forced by Him to quit taking all my pain and nerve medications cold turkey and I speak from experience Your brain does get used to taking these medications and if and when your suddenly forced to stop taking these prescriptions all of a sudden people will get deathly sick some having strokes and heart attacks through no fault of their own but from the Ford Conservative Provincial Party closing or limiting the amount of times that Pain Patients can access this Strictly Monitored Pain Care Clinic in St.Catharines ,Ontario. So if these Pain Care Clinics. are closed there will be some patients forced to buy these drugs or stronger ones (morphine) ( heroine) (fenthenayl) on the Street which will lead to many more people overdosing on illegal street drugs and not from their own fault but from the closing of the Pain Care Clinics where the Physicians closely monitor Their Patients all the time .This will ultimately cost the Ford Government more money to treat the overdoses that do not perish. So for the treatment of Patients Pain these clinic have become a last resort for the safe treatment of their Pain. I know it has been for me!!!

The government of Ontario oversees many social justice agencies in Ontario including the Human Rights Tribunal and the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. If the government seeks to distance and shield itself from legal liability where it's actions are concerned, what recourse will residents of Ontario have in response to damages caused by the government? How might changes to the Act influence the efficacy of other social justice agencies operated by the province?

Tillicum is a unique designated inner city school; part of a support network families depend on. Closure would disproportionately impact families in need. NEED: The school population reflects our diverse surrounding community with approximately 34% English Language Learners, 23% Special Needs Students and 21% Indigenous Students. Many families do not have cars and travelling up to 5km more to school each day would be a real challenge. FN students receive culturally appropriate support in a welcoming environment where they are well-represented. Tillicum offers Reading Recovery – Early Literacy (Reading) Intervention and we are a model of SEL (Social Emotional Learning) with Mind Up and Jump Start, and Ready Bodies Learning Minds (K/1). A higher % of families than usual are involved with Social Services - our Youth and Family Worker has years-long relationships with these children and families. The school's size allows the worker to work with all classes weekly to teach self-regulation and inclusion skills. SHARED USE: A well-attended Strong Start program in a Tillicum classroom prepares local children for school and supports parents in parenting and service referrals. Tillicum shares a city block with Kiwassa Neighbourhood House, a lifeline for many vulnerable families for whom cost and convenience are major factors: A large percentage of children at Tillicum are food-insecure or "at risk”. Kiwassa services include: free student/family breakfasts school days, low cost after-school and school break child care, drop-in Family Place, food banks and food programs, immigrant and translation services, and supportive housing. Kiwassa programs use the Tillicum gym for after-school programs regularly. DEMAND: In June 2018 though enough students had registered to have 2 kindergarten classes (20% expansion) VSB denied a 2nd class and these students were shifted to other farther schools.

Parce qu'à l'instar de plusieurs métropoles et villes de taille moyenne du monde, il est plus que temps pour une ville aussi "active" que Montréal d'emboîter le pas en ramenant une partie de la ville à l'échelle humaine. Il est grand temps de redonner le Vieux-Montréal aux résident·e·s et visiteur·euse·s en y privilégiant le transport actif.

Although we understand that the previous model of OSAP may have been unsustainable in terms of funding, we ask that you consider some changes to the new model released, specifically Under the calculator currently on your website, low income students are receiving almost half of what they would have received in the previous model. These are families who need this funding in order to make post-secondary education a reality for them. Making even the smallest increases to these values can make their lives easier. Education is a fundamental human right, and individuals should not be denied it based on their income. For new graduates, any grace period means the opportunity to break into the workforce and gain experience without loans looming over their heads. In today's society, work experience is essential, and any grace period would make those opportunities feasible.