Statement by Emilia Belliveau, Energy Transition Program Manager

Montréal/Tiohtià:ke | Traditional, unceded lands of the Kanien’kehá:ka/Mohawk Nation, a gathering place for many First Nations, including the Anishinaabeg – Congratulations to Toronto for leading the fight against fossil fuel advertising and greenwashing. This week, Toronto City Council passed two important motions by Councillor Dianne Saxe that will limit the oil and gas industry’s pervasive and misleading advertising.  Toronto has recognized how damaging fossil fuel advertising is in the face of the climate crisis and has taken action into its own hands.

This sets an important precedent for other Canadian cities and municipalities.

The first motion, adopted on Tuesday, will eliminate misleading advertising and greenwashing by oil and gas companies on public transit operated by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). In recent years, oil and gas groups like the Pathways Alliance and Canada Action Network have advertised on the TTC. The second motion, adopted on Friday, directs the City Manager to develop a policy to decline fossil fuel advocacy advertising on city property. These are both important steps in limiting fossil fuel advertising.

Oil and gas companies have been engaged in a decades-long campaign to mislead the public about the realities of climate change and their role in fueling the crisis. Limiting their ability to spread misinformation is critical for achieving climate progress.

Environmental Defence spoke in favour of the motion and would like to congratulate the City Council for their excellent work.

Background Information

• Letter to the Toronto City Council from Environmental Defence in support of the motion.

ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental Defence is a leading Canadian environmental advocacy organization that works with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities.

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For more information or to request an interview, please contact:

Midhat Moini, Environmental Defence, media@environmentaldefence.ca

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