Advocacy Groups for Elections – Groups with campaigns for climate action for municipal, provincial and federal elections (pdf)
Legal and Policy Groups
CELA (Canadian Environmental Law Foundation) CELA is a specialty legal clinic within the Ontario-wide network of clinics funded by Legal Aid Ontario. We provide free legal services to people and groups across Ontario that qualify for legal aid.
Environmental Defence Canada Our mission as a leading Canadian environmental advocacy organization is to work with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities. Federal, Provincial and Municipal campaigns. Ontario 2022 Provincial Elections webpages. Green Prosperity political party questions and answers
Yours to Protect is a coalition of concerned individuals and organizations both big and small who have come together to say that we live here, we love this province and we are not going to let it be dug up, paved over, and polluted. Events, Hot spot map, MZOs, Resources, Toolkits, Election information
Ecojustice Canada was created to fight — and win — for our planet in court. Powered by a dedicated community of supporters, we’re leading the legal fight for a brighter environmental future. The law is a powerful tool for change. Our legal victories have protected at-risk species, halted fossil fuel projects that came with unacceptable climate risks and kept toxic chemicals out of our air and water. Seven young people from across Ontario are suing Premier Ford and his government for tearing up the province’s climate laws and violating their Charter rights to life, liberty, and security of the person.
Climate Caucus We are a non-partisan network of 460+ local elected climate leaders driving system change to transform our communities in ten years. Collectively, we create and implement 21st century socially-just policy which aligns the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ( IPCC), Intergovernmental Science Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services ( IPBES), and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
Naomi Klein is a journalist, author, filmmaker, activist and University of British Columbia Professor of Climate Justice. Her newest book is How To Change Everything: The Young Human’s Guide To Protecting The Planet And Each Other. The Leap (2016 to 2021) was dedicated to advancing systemic change in the face of our intersecting crises of climate change, inequality, and racism. Six years of creative and collaborative projects at the intersection of climate and social justice are available to inspire.
Greenpac (see Provincial) has a new report ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP IN CANADA’S PARLIAMENT:
Realities, Opportunities & Constraints (pdf) discusses the main barriers to environmental progress in the Federal government and what changes are needed to increase support and pass necessary legislation.
Organizations that support petition/campaign creation
LeadNow organizes campaigns that build and defend a just, sustainable, and equitable Canada. Leadnow is an independent, multi-issue campaigning community driven by people-power.
Change.org Canada On Change.org, people everywhere are starting campaigns, mobilizing supporters, and working with decision makers to drive solutions. More than 200 million people in 196 countries are creating change in their communities.
Wilderness Committee Our grassroots campaigns are dedicated to preserving wilderness, protecting wildlife, defending parks, safeguarding public resources and fighting for a healthy climate. Our grassroots campaigns are dedicated to preserving wilderness, protecting wildlife, defending parks, safeguarding public resources and fighting for a healthy climate. There is a separate Ontario list of actions.
Parliamentary Petitions – House of Commons Canada Reference documents, such as practical guides for the public, which include the different terms of use and other conditions for both e-petitions and paper petitions. Should you require additional information, please contact the Clerk of Petitions at PMB-AED@parl.gc.ca.
Municipal Elections
Find all candidates by Ward with contact information and website/social media links. (Mayor, Councillors, Trustees, 3rd Party advisors for Toronto’s 2022 election)
Know Your Vote T.O. is a municipal election candidate civic learning website developed by the Toronto Public Library. Learn what the candidates running in your ward think about Toronto’s biggest issues.
Vote Compass – Find out how your views align with each of the candidates (Toronto Star) Use our tool to see which candidate is right for you. Take the Vote Compass survey to compare your views and find your political match.
TEA (Toronto Environmental Alliance) Campaigns include TransformTO Climate Action Net Zero Strategy and Zero Waste High-Rise Project. TEA Greener City for All Platform. The Pledge Results are here. After the election, TEA will be tracking City Council’s votes and progress on these commitments and working with communities across Toronto to hold Council members accountable.
GNN Green Neighbours Network of Toronto is a grassroots community network of people and groups helping to make Toronto neighbourhoods across the City of Toronto and the GTA greener, healthier, and more sustainable.
Bird Friendly City: A Certification Program from Nature Canada
Green 13 is a group of Ward 13 residents concerned about the impact humans are having on our climate and environment. Projects include protecting the urban forest, Junction Geo (geoexchange energy), preparing for extreme weather events. And advocating for policy and behavioural change.
ProtectNatureTO is an umbrella group advocating for the protection of wildlife and natural areas across the City of Toronto. There is a very useful series of maps by riding/ward that highlights the natural heritage areas to protect that can be sent to candidates.
Youth Climate Lab Pushing For Ambitious Climate Action At The Municipal Level
The Infiltration Manual aims to demystify municipal governance structures and provide youth with practical knowledge and tools on how to take climate action at the local level. Topics include an overview of municipal government, roadmap on how to gather community support, tips on how to represent an initiative to Council and a variety of email, meeting and petition templates.
Climate Caucus is a non-partisan network of 400 local elected climate leaders driving system change to transform our communities in ten years. Our members include rural, urban and indigenous, local and elected councillors, mayors and regional directors. We represent millions of constituents who recognize the magnitude of the crises we face and are demanding socially-just climate action that aligns with science. We are supported by a coalition of volunteers representing environmental and NGOs, non-profits, academia and grassroots climate organizers. 1•10•Zero – A City Councillor’s Climate Action Handbook A toolkit for local elected leaders (and their allies) to take action on global heating, biodiversity, and social equity
Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) – FCM’s programs and advocacy help secure new tools that empower municipalities to build stronger communities of all sizes. Explore below to find out what’s new with us. Case study: Edmonton develops a sustainable, carbon neutral live-work community.
Green Municipal Fund (GMF) The Green Municipal Fund helps local governments switch to sustainable practices faster. Our unique mix of funding, resources and training gives municipalities the tools they need to build resiliency — and create better lives for Canadians. GMF is a $1.6 billion program funded by the Government of Canada.
ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability is a global network of more than 2500 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development. Active in 125+ countries, we influence sustainability policy and drive local action for low emission, nature-based, equitable, resilient and circular development. Our Members and team of experts work together through peer exchange, partnerships and capacity building to create systemic change for urban sustainability. Toronto is a member.
Toronto Field Naturalists have a Take Action page that highlights municipal issues that affect nature. Members of our Action Committee circulate important environmental news, create petitions, collaborate with other organizations to address issue of concern, and sit on numerous advisory councils, community associations, and stakeholder groups, helping to advocate for nature, raise environmental awareness, and inform decision-making.
Provincial Elections
GreenPac is Canada’s only non-partisan, non-profit working to build environmental leadership and government action on the environment. Programs include Parliamentary internship for the environment, 100 Debates on the Environment and candidate endorsements. (not a charity). They also have a Portal that contains templates and media and other resources to help you organize debates in your riding.
CELA (Canadian Environmental Law Foundation) (see Legal and Policy Groups)
Yours to Protect (see Legal and Policy Groups)
David Suzuki Foundation Always grounded in sound evidence, the David Suzuki Foundation empowers people to take action in their communities on the environmental challenges we collectively face. We’re One Nature. Ontario Municipal Elections Here is a list of what you can do (and think about) from now until E-day. We will be updating this page with new information and opportunities to be involved, so don’t forget to check back for new info!
Ontario Nature is a charity that has been protecting wild species and wild spaces through education, conservation and public engagement since 1931.Campaigns include Conservation Authority mandate changes, Ministry Zoning Orders (MZO) Protected Places, Migratory birds, Pollinators, Wetlands, Natural heritage systems, Bill 66. Vote for Nature petition. Questions for Candidates. Raise your voice for biodiversity protection and climate action.
NCC Ontario The Nature Conservancy of Ontario NCC has helped to protect more than 83,000 hectares (205,000 acres) in Ontario. From the north shore of Lake Superior to Pelee Island in Lake Erie, NCC works to protect the province’s most significant natural landscapes. We focus our conservation work in priority areas, identified through science-based planning initiatives. These are areas where species and ecosystems face the greatest threats.
ONN Ontario Nonprofit Network Election 2022 Resources We will be advocating alongside the sector for the Ontario election. Stay tuned for party platform analysis, what party leaders are saying, insights on our election advocacy strategy, toolkits and more!
On June 2, a vote for nature is a vote for our quality of life
Article in the Toronto Star by Deborah Martin-Downs, May 24,2022
Federal Elections
GreenPac (see Provincial) 100 Debates on the Environment and candidate endorsements. (not a charity)
Nature Canada Nature Canada has a network that includes more than 100,000 supporters and more than 800 nature groups across the country. Our mission is to protect and conserve wildlife and habitats in Canada by engaging people and advocating on behalf of nature. There are many Defend Nature Campaigns at a federal, provincial and municipal level.
Wildlands League is one of Canada’s pre-eminent conservation organizations. We protect wilderness. We collaborate with communities, governments, First Nations, scientists and progressive industry to protect nature and find solutions that work for the planet and for all. We are a not-for-profit charity that has been working in the public interest since 1968, beginning with a campaign to protect Algonquin Park from development.
Nature Protection groups with campaigns
OUFC (Ontario Urban Forest Council) The Ontario Urban Forest Council (OUFC) is a not-for-profit volunteer organization dedicated to the health of the urban forests in the province of Ontario. Advocate for urban forest conservation at the provincial and municipal level and Develop cross-sectoral partnerships to advance the principles of urban forest planning, stewardship and conservation.
WWF Take Action and Regenerate Canada campaigns. World Wildlife Fund Canada draws on scientific analysis and Indigenous guidance to expand and protect habitats, decrease the amount of carbon in the atmosphere, reduce industrial impacts and, as a result, reverse wildlife loss.
NCC The Nature Conservancy of Canada works to protect our country’s most precious natural places. Proudly Canadian, we empower people to safeguard the lands and waters that sustain life.
Planetary Climate Alliance Mission: To promote, mobilize, and lead an inclusive, transdisciplinary field of planetary health and its diverse science, stories, solutions, and communities to achieve the Great Transition, a comprehensive shift in how human beings interact with each other and Nature. Now a highly effective coalition of 250+ member institutions from 40+ countries, the PHA is supported by a Secretariat based at Harvard University and a Steering Committee of international experts.
Planetary Health Alliance
Planetary health is a solutions-oriented, transdisciplinary field and social movement focused on analyzing and addressing the impacts of human disruptions to Earth’s natural systems on human health and all life on Earth.
City of Toronto Climate Action Community (Live Green Toronto)
There are hundreds of organizations in climate action and environmental engagements in Toronto. The map and list below include various organizations across Toronto that support climate action, waste reduction, active transportation, social justice and more. Join the Community, add your group to the map.
Advocacy Groups for Elections
Groups with campaigns for climate action for municipal, provincial and federal elections (pdf)