Happy Earth Month, Centennial!
I hope everyone is enjoying the spring weather.
In February, my office participated in the Coldest Night of the Year Fundraiser to raise money for Fernie Youth Services in Scarborough. In operation since 1964, Fernie provides residential assistance, employment readiness, and community reintegration programming to youth across the Greater Toronto Area. Thank you to everyone who came out to walk or donate.
Earth Day Event
To celebrate Earth Month, we’ll be at the Community Earth Day at the Port Union Community Centre on April 26, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be native plants available, herb boxes, and rain barrels on display along with kid-friendly activities and on-site paper shredding. Our office will be providing free compost while supplies last. Bring a shovel and pail to bring some home!
Community Environment Days
We will also be hosting two Community Environment Days this spring! You can drop off electronic and household hazardous waste, donate items for reuse, and pick up free bagged compost while supplies last.
Every year, the City of Toronto manages close to 900,000 tonnes of waste. Last year, community events diverted over 75,000 kilograms of electronics, 265,000 kilograms of household hazardous waste, and almost 75,000 kilograms of reusable household goods from landfills.
The full list of what you can and cannot bring can be found online at toronto.ca/community-environment-days.
Community Environment Day #1
Date: Sunday, April 6
Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: Malvern Community Recreation Centre (30 Sewells Road)
Community Environment Day #2
Date: Sunday, May 11
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: Rouge Hill GO Station (6251 Lawrence Ave. E)
Climate Action
As we celebrate Earth Month, the city has several initiatives to help us reach our goal of net zero emissions by 2040. This year’s plan will reduce over 160,000 tonnes of CO2 and improve our city’s resilience to climate change.
Buildings account for 55% of emissions in the city. Through the Green Will Initiative, we are bringing together commercial, institutional, industrial and multi-unit residential building owners to accelerate the reduction of emissions from our largest buildings. We’ve created a new speaker’s series to share best practices for emissions reduction.
We are also helping more homeowners by making the Home Energy Loan Program more widely available. You can learn more about greening your home at betterhomesto.ca.
Morrish Parkette Expanding
Improvements are coming to Morrish Parkette, which will be expanded by over 1,000 metres! Construction is set to begin this spring and conclude this fall. While construction is underway, the parkette will be closed to the public.
The expansion will include a new entrance from Military Trail, a new playground, and new seating, pathways and lighting. The park will also feature a water filling station, lawn/flex space, leisure pathways, a pollinator garden and a gazebo.
You can follow project updates online at toronto.ca/morrish-parkette.
Stay in Touch
If you’d like to get in touch or sign up for my e-newsletter, please email me at councillor_mckelvie@toronto.ca or call 416-338-3771.