Toronto’s high rise rental housing stock is crumbling with no fix in the horizon. Former Toronto mayor, David Millar was ready to launch the “Tower Renewal Project,” but current mayor Rob Ford, cancelled the project, calling it a waste of money. The future of entire communities built around these towers appears at stake. Read article in the Globe and Mail here.
Centre for Civic Governance
The Centre for Civic Governance works to support community leadership meeting today’s social and environmental challenges: climate change, Canada’s increasing equity gap, and shifting social trends. At the Centre for Civic Governance, our goal is to strengthen Canadian communities through sharing best practices, providing tools for locally elected leaders, and progressive policy analysis. We strive to provide knowledge and information to make real and positive social change.
Cowichan Valley, BC Issues Report Card on the Environment
The Cowichan Valley Regional District, BC, has issued a report card to measure the following areas of environmental concern: Overall Environmental Footprint, Population Growth, Biodiversity, Agriculture, Water, Climate Change, Air Quality and Waste Management. The report card is but one piece of a larger plan for building a “strong, resilient community.”
Find report card here.
Building Green on a Budget
A new article in the Tyee illustrates how building green can be done on a budget by spending more on the construction components that matter e.g.: building envelope, foundation and windows and less on “short term fixtures, “e.g.: countertops and flooring. Read article here.
This story is part of a larger Tyee series titled Green From the Ground Up.
Saskatoon Still Mulling the Merits of Curbside Recycling
Saskatoon is mulling over the pros and cons of introducing a curbside recycling program. Although such a program would divert tonnes of waste from the local landfill it will cost residents an additional $7-11 per month in property taxes. Read more in the Globe and Mail.
Welfare Rules Create Poverty Trap
A report by the National Council of Welfare reveals that tough welfare rules are forcing families and individuals into utter destitution. Rules that require people to sell their homes and spend all of their savings before receiving assistance have created a poverty trap. Read more in the Toronto Star.
Electoral Map to Favour Rural Communities
Parliament is in the process of drawing up a new electoral map, but a bill that would have awarded more seats to Ontario, Alberta and BC is being shelved. The original decision to give these provinces more seats was based on recent census numbers that showed large population increases in urban and suburban areas. Pressure from Quebec and the Atlantic provinces seems to be behind the decision to shelve the bill. Read the article in the Globe and Mail.
Will Offering Choice Save Our Schools?
Vancouver Sun journalist Peter McMartin suggests that following the Edmonton model of diversifying schools and offering more choice may help save Vancouver’s public schools. Read the article in the Vancouver Sun.
Surrey and New Westminster Propose Child Friendly Initiatives
Two BC municipalities are leading the way when it comes to children and families. Both New Westminster and the City of Surrey are developing strategies to promote the well-being of children in their communities.
To read about Surrey’s initiatives, click here.
To read about New Westminster’s Children’s Charter click here.
Surrey Mayor Voted World’s Fourth Best Mayor
Mayor, Dianne Watts of Surrey BC, has just won fourth place in the World Mayor Project. The project honours mayors from across the globe who’ve made their cities better places to live.
Vancouver Endorses the Vienna Declaration
Following on the heels of Toronto, Vancouver has officially endorsed the Vienna Declaration. The Vienna Declaration encourages governments to use scientific, evidence-based research when developing drug policy, rather than dealing with drug addiction from an ideological perspective. The city’s safe injection site is a key example of an evidence-based policy. Read more in the Metro.
Toronto’s Mayor Tries to Crush Tower Retrofit Project
In 2008, the City of Toronto released a study titled The Mayor’s Tower Renewal Opportunities Book. The study looked at ways that Toronto’s outdated and inefficient apartment housing stock could be retrofitted for energy efficiency and liveability. The current Mayor’s office however, has deemed the program a waste of taxpayers money, despite the energy and financial savings that would be incurred from the project. It looks as though the province of Ontario may proceed with the plan anyways. Read the full article in the Toronto Star.
Montreal to Introduce New Car Tax to Fund Public Transit
In an effort to reduce traffic congestion, the city of Montreal plans to introduce a tax on vehicles. The money generated will be redirected towards improving public transit. Read CBC article here.