SCAN! TORONTO
Who We Are …
SCAN! Toronto formed in October 2023. A group of Toronto SCAN! members had already worked together on the 2023 municipal election, handing out flyers at candidates’ debates, farmers’ markets, and public events. We called on voters to ask candidates specific questions about the climate emergency, linking them to housing, health and the economy. More recently, we promoted asking climate questions during the provincial and federal elections.
SCAN! members in Toronto have participated in many events, including Seniors for Climate days, rallies, marches, educational opportunities, and neighbourhood gatherings. As a chapter, we can work more effectively together on broader as well as local issues.
SCAN! Toronto has a steering committee, holds monthly meetings of SCAN! Toronto members, and distributes a monthly newsletter with opportunities to take climate action and learn more about climate issues.
Chapter working groups include:
- City strategy: Transform TO, City budget, and other policies
- Neighbourhood organizing
- The Portlands gas plant.
SCAN! Toronto works with other groups organizing on these issues and is part of the Toronto Climate Action Network.
For current updates on SCAN! Toronto’s work, join our FB group and go to our Instagram page. To read our latest bulletin, click HERE.
If you live in or near Toronto and are interested in SCAN!’s organizing against climate breakdown, please don’t hesitate to get in touch:
Delivering another message to the office of MP Leslie Church
On October 2, nine members in the riding of Toronto St. Paul’s delivered the seven demands and then sang on Eglinton while members handed out 100 leaflets in less than an hour!
Ontario’s Assessment of New Data Centres/A Response
To read SCAN! Toronto’s evaluation of the Province’s economic and assessment framework, click here.
SCAN! rallies in support of the people of Grassy Narrows First Nation
SCAN! members joined thousands of supporters of the people of Grassy Narrows whose water was poisoned by mercury dumped upstream in the 1960s.
SCAN! Toronto members join a climate caravan and head for Ottawa
Seniors Climate Witness gathered photos and stories from across the country to deliver to MPs to remind them what’s at stake in the climate crisis. Some SCAN! Toronto members showed their support by joining a caravan to Ottawa.
Rallying for Migrant Workers
SCAN! Toronto members held the banner high when they supported migrant workers by joining a march on September 20 and calling for justice for migrants and immigration reform.
Toronto City Council Candidates: What will you do to fight the climate crisis?
SCAN! Toronto has a new leaflet with background information about how City Council can fight the climate crisis with some questions people can ask Council candidates.
- If a candidate comes to the door, ask them the questions on the flyer.
- Go to your local all candidates’ meetings and ask them your favourite question from the flyer.
- Write candidates in your ward and tell them how important this issue is to you. And then ask them your favourite question.
- Contact the campaigns for mayor and ask them what their plans are to fight the climate crisis.
- Pass the flyer on to others so that they can ask their candidates too.
- Support the candidates who will fight the climate crisis.
To view/download/share these leaflets, click the images.
CRRC/Taiaiako'n—Parkdale—High Park keeps up the good fight
Taiaiako’n—Parkdale—High Park CRRC folks joined with three other seniors’ climate groups in front of their MP’s office. They had great conversations with concerned passersby about a deteriorating climate and the ways these changes were impacting their health.
A Very Satisfying Way to Spend a September Day
It was a very positive rally. From the singers’ standpoint, it was clear that more people than ever were taking flyers and stopping to chat. Several people gave us the thumbs up; and young people seemed especially interested and grateful.
CRRC/University - Rosedale continues to spread the word
These photos of the University – Rosedale CRRC group were taken after our street distribution of postcards and leaflets on Friday, August 28. Many constituents stopped to talk to us, hear the songs, sign the postcard, and take the leaflet. We noted concern and awareness of our rapidly changing climate. Many were alarmed by the smoke days here and the recent tragedy in Nepal. We’ll be back next month, on Friday, September 25, in front of our MP’s office.
Rallying in August at Toronto – St. Paul’s Riding Office
After speaking with staff, we went up to Eglinton to sing and hand out leaflets at the office of MP Leslie Church. We had many good encounters, some of which have already brought us speaking gigs and possible future involvement in communities where we had not yet made inroads.
University - Rosedale Continues to Fight for a Livable Planet
On July 24, the CRR Campaign in University – Rosedale, Toronto, gathered 63 postcards in an hour outside of their MP’s office. We presented them to MP Danielle Martin at a meeting with her on August 4.
To watch a video of our performance of “Canada is Burning” by Marie-Lynn Hammond
SCAN! Toronto Partners Up
SCAN! Toronto partnered with Artists for Real Climate Action and Toronto East Residents for Renewable Energy on a No Jets rally outside the office of the Minster of the Environment. There was an excellent turnout, with songs and chants–and lots of supportive honks. Those drivers know jets would ruin the Toronto Islands and the lakeshore from one end of the city to the other.
Taking it to the streets on a hot summer day
Toronto – St. Paul’s riding saw another rally with singing and leafleting on a steamy July day. One member handing out leaflets encountered members of a Filipino youth group who were on the way to at a protest at their consulate. They found common cause with our environmental concerns.
And, of course, we also sang …
SCAN! Toronto members presented the People’s MOU to MP Danielle Martin as part of the 350.org Day of Action with members of Artists for Real Climate Action (ARCA) and other ridings. We handed out SCAN! materials and No Jets TO brochures as well.
To read the powerful letter to the Editor of the Toronto Star written by SCAN! Toronto’s Alan Silverman
Taking It to the Streets–Again
In June, as part of the CRR Campaign in in the riding of Taiaiako’n – High Park – Parkdale, 2026, members of four different climate activist groups gathered for the eleventh time to demand urgent climate action. They delivered about 70 CRRC postcards to MP Karim Bardeesy. Some passersby joined in. There was a lot of honking and signs of support.
For the Beauty of the Earth …
The former minister at St. John’s United Church in Oakville, an environmental activist, chose SCAN! to be the recipient of the proceedings from his fundraiser, “For the Beauty of the Earth.” Nick De Carlo was invited to speak. It was a delightful, talented and entertaining afternoon of folk and classic voice and instrumental performances, including Mervyn Russell, raising $845.00 for SCAN!.
Singing for the Planet
Both the “climate curious” and the “climate active” put their lyrics to a song for the planet” …
On June 7, 2026, SFC Toronto (SCAN! Toronto and Climate Action for Lifelong Learners) held an event for Toronto Climate Week called The Power of Local Action. We invited people who were not yet engaged in climate action but who may want to be. The venue – a library in the inner suburbs. Panelists from five organizations explained their work and 10 tables welcomed participants. At the end, after some collective song writing, we raised our voices for the planet.
To Watch Us Sing
We Don't Need Jets at Our Island Airport
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, located on Toronto Island, is being taken over by the Province in order to expand it to accommodate jet planes.
To read more about this travesty
We Rally at MP Bardeesey’s Office and Meet the Man Himself
Taiaiako’n – Parkdale – High Park climate activists showed up on May 15, 2026, at the office of MP Kareem Bardeesey and chanted and handed out leaflets, with passerbys joining up. We made it clear that constituents expect our MPs to work for the community they represent and take action on the climate crisis now.
Welcoming May: A CRRC Rally at Toronto – St. Paul’s Riding Office
On May 1, ten people gathered outside the riding office to express their concerns about the climate crisis through song and then made their way up to a main street to make their voices heard again and to hand out leaflets. We had two especially excellent interactions: a woman looking for a good retirement activity and another looking for a presentation to her adult students.
Toronto Celebrates Earth Day 2026
About 30 individuals and organizations worked together to create a stunning spectacle: a walk across the city with a giant globe in honour of Earth Day. From the sunrise ceremony at Bluffer’s Park to the sunset ceremony on the Lakeshore, walkers and musicians stopped at “recharging stations” along the way. SCAN! partnered with Elementary Teachers of Toronto to plan and execute the event at Christie Pits, with music, children’s activities, Indigenous drumming, a round dance, and a flash mob.
SCAN! Toronto Visits Toronto - St. Paul's Riding Office
Toronto-St. Paul’s: on April 10, an intrepid gang of four sang in the rain, watched over by Toronto’s finest.
You'll Want to Read This Powerful Letter to the Editor
In a recent letter to the Toronto Star, SCAN! member Alan Silverman writes:
“To use the U.S./Israel war in Iran as an opportunity to promote more production of oil is obscene. As U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres put it, any new oil and gas production is ‘moral and economic madness.'”
To read the letter
A Reminder for the Mayor and the Councillors
SCAN!’s Ontario Project members, along with seven other environment organizations, signed on to a letter to Toronto’s mayor and councillors to remind them that Toronto retains meaningful influence over demand, distributed generation, and local resilience despite interference from the province. Read the letter HERE and read the excellent fact sheets HERE.
Here's what we did on International Women's Day!
On Sunday, March 8, SCAN! Toronto members rallied and marched on IWD 2026 with a bright, new banner. Click HERE to view the video, courtesy of Martha Davis.
And a March Visit to the Toronto - St. Paul's Office
A small crew handed our seven demands to MP Church’s staff – again – and spent some time outside the office singing and handing out flyers to a few passersby.
Click HERE to learn more about SCAN!’s Community Resilience and Resistance Campaign.
And Another Visit to the Taiaiako'n - Parkdale -High Park Office
Taiaiako’n – Parkdale – High Park SCAN! members are collaborating with Parkdale – High Park for Climate Action (PHP4CA), Green 13, and Climate Action for Lifelong Learners (CALL) on the CRR campaign. February 2026 was the fourth rally outside MP Bardeesy’s office. They plan to return in March for their monthly rally.
Click HERE to learn more about SCAN!’s Community Resilience and Resistance Campaign.
And Another Visit to the Toronto - St. Paul's Office
Outside MP Church’s office in Toronto – St. Paul’s, a small crew sang, handed out flyers, and strategized over coffee. March will likely have about 10 people. We’re growing. Waiting to hear if our seven demands were raised at the Liberal climate caucus.
Click HERE to learn more about SCAN!’s Community Resilience and Resistance Campaign.
Another Visit to the University - Rosedale Office
Chrystia Freeland’s gone–but we’re not.
Click HERE to learn more about SCAN!’s Community Resilience and Resistance Campaign.
SCAN! Toronto Members Visit MP Offices
SCAN! Toronto members got off to a fine start when the Community Resilience and Resistance campaign launched– and despite the cold, this very meaningful work continues.
To learn more about this timely campaign, click HERE.
City of Toronto Budget Committee
The 2026 budget deputations took place this week. Meetings were held across the city to hear all of them from residents. To read SCAN! Toronto’s submission
SCAN! Toronto Speaks at Toronto Council Meeting
SCAN! Toronto members attended Toronto Council’s Infrastructure and Environment Committee (IEC) meeting on December 4 to support the next five-year plan for Transform TO Net Zero, but asking to strengthen it. We asked Council to take bold environmental actions, to adopt a green building standard for existing buildings now, and to close the Portlands Energy Centre gas plant as soon as possible, replacing it with electricity from renewable sources.
At least nine SCAN! members made deputations to the committee, and five submitted written submissions. City Hall staff were heard to say they had never seen it that full of City residents participating on an issue.
The new green standard for emissions from existing buildings (Building Emissions Performance Standards or BEPS) was put back into the plan for Transform TO, for the first quarter of 2027. The results were more modest than we would have liked, but our showing was great!
And by the end of the day, Mayor Chow’s office was asking to meet with local environmentalists.
Click HERE to read the submission by David Robertson.
Click HERE to read the submission by Gail Fairley.
Click HERE to read SCAN! Toronto’s submission.
Click HERE to read the National Observer’s coverage of the meeting.
Street (Theatre) Smarts
On October 28, SCAN! members joined the Ontario Alliance for Clean Energy, TERRE, Climate Fast, and others for some street theatre at Nathan Phillips Square. The carnival barker invited passersby to vote for wind, solar and thermal sources or nuclear and gas.
Concerned about Toronto’s Energy Future?
The IESO is finalizing its proposals for Toronto’s energy future. It is ignoring the global energy transition, the city’s climate targets, and the jobs and community opportunities that accompany renewable energy. Instead, the city will be locked in to a future of imported fossil gas and foreign designed and costly nuclear power. SCAN! is working with other climate and environmental groups to argue for a different future.
To read SCAN!’s submission to the IESO
To read SCAN!’s report to the IESO
The joint statement that our coalition has developed has now been signed by 25 groups. It is being sent to the Mayor and councillors in an effort to get the city to reject the IESO report. To read the statement
Draw the Line National Day of Action
A broad coalition brought out about 8,000 people – according to organizers’ estimate – on the march to Queen’s Park on September 20. David Suzuki marched with us wearing his SCAN! T-shirt.
Five speakers represented the five themes: climate, Indigenous solidarity, migrant justice, economic justice, and anti-war. Allie Rougeot, who spoke on climate, was particularly admirable. The performers really galvanized the crowd.
For People — For Peace — For the Planet
SFC Toronto brought together a Draw the Line coalition that now numbers two dozen organizations. On September 20, we will gather in the street by Sankofa Square, rally there, and then march to Queen’s Park. There will be a total of five speakers – two at Yonge and Dundas, one at the US consulate and two at Queen’s Park. Organizations will have set up their information tables there, along with a children’s area. There will be music to galvanize the crowd.
SCAN! Toronto wanted to emphasize our own message, and created the second leaflet for use at local meetings. Click each image below to download and share the complete document.
Drawing Together …
Preparing for the September 20 Draw the Line event, SCAN! and Climate Action for Lifelong Learners (CALL) recently had a social, where they put together climate puzzles, drew on a DTL banner, and did a lot of hugging.
Ready to Protest Bill 5/May, 2025
SCAN! Toronto and City Council
In the past few years, SCAN! Toronto members have deputed on the budget as well as submitting an official letter from the chapter. SCAN! Toronto also made a submission on TransformTO. The chapter works closely on City issues with the Toronto Climate Action Network.
to read Jane Garthson’s deputation remarks on the 2025 budget
to read SCAN! Toronto’s input on TransformTO Strategy 2026–2030
to read SCAN! Toronto’s letter to Mayor Chow and city councillors on TransformTO consultations
The Climate Crisis and the Necessities of Life, April 26, 2025
The Seniors For Climate event in Toronto was both serious and joyful. All told, about 300 people came to make the links between the Necessities of Life and the climate crisis, illustrated through tabling by 15 organizations and speakers. The music was energizing, along with street theatre and a flash mob.
Ford’s heavy hand on Ontario Place – a repeat of the Greenbelt. Click the button below to read our position paper and find out what actions you can take.
Opposition to Portlands Gas Plant Expansion
SCAN! Toronto members are collaborating with TERRE regarding the expansion of the Portands gas plant. A nearby development would be impacted by emissions from the plant. Click HERE to read the letter sent to CreateTO and other principal people/politicians responsible.
Turning Up the Heat on Bill 165
Enbridge wanted to pass on the cost of new hook-ups to customers. The OEB said no and ordered Enbridge to charge the cost to developers. Bill 165 reverses the OEB decision.
Protesters showed up the day of the debate, which was also the day of the eclipse. Their signs and chants ‘reflected’ the date.
To view the joint submission on Bill 165
To view the video
International Women’s Day Rally
March 2, 2024
About 12 SCAN! Toronto members came to the rally and march. Members set up a space in the hallway of OISE with a set of colourful posters attracting passersby and politicians. We gave out dozens of promo cards and had stimulating discussions with people attending the rally. Some hardy SCAN! members marched from OISE to TMU carrying the signs and chanting, “Climate is a women’s issue”. One member notes as she carried home some signs on transit that they continued to attract attention and conversation.
Read SCAN!’s position paper HERE
Ontario Place for All – Act Now!
Ford’s actions at Ontario Place are another example of the approach his government has taken in the Greenbelt and on Highway 413. Ontario Place and the Ontario Science Centre are Ontario issues. Ford and his government need to hear that.
1. See the Ontario Place for All website under the Take Action’ tab.
Actions include letters and phone calls to MPPs and Premier Ford, petitions, etc.
One action on the Ontario Place for All website is: Write to a Newspaper. There is a list of local newspapers across Ontario under that tab.
2. Ford blocked debate and public hearings for a bill to redevelop Ontario Place. Let’s phone bomb Ford and Conservative MPPs. They saw these calls as indicative of broad public opinion during the Greenbelt mobilization.
Call Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, at 416 325 1941 or email him at premier@ontario.ca.
SCAN! Toronto Takes Action!
Interested in joining our movement? Become a SCAN! member today!