Toronto city staff have been tasked with exploring legal action in the fight against climate change in the same week that another Greater Toronto Area municipality has raised the alarm of a climate emergency.
“While it can seem like an abstract problem, the effects of climate change are best felt by residents of the city every time we experience a massive storm,” Councillor Mike Layton told reporters before committee. “Cities are the ones that are on the front lines when it comes to dealing with the costs of climate change.”For every dollar in insurance claims for home and businesses, the Insurance Bureau of Canada estimates governments pay $3 to repair public infrastructure damage.
“These events are becoming more frequent and more severe and climate change is a major factor – ignoring this problem won’t make it go away," Mr. Layton said.A statement from spokesperson Don Peat said that while Mayor John Tory supports “understanding the long-term cost implications of climate change to the City," he is not in favour of “becoming involved in lawsuits against oil companies.
Meanwhile in Burlington, Councillor Rory Nisan said that while the climate emergency declaration was “symbolic,” the motion also calls for the development of a Climate Action Plan for delivery in December.“If you do climate emergency declarations and don’t follow up with actions, then you don’t have much to show for yourself," he said.
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