Achievements and Awards

AWARDS

2007 Environmental Award of Excellence, Green Toronto Awards, Category Community Projects
2006 East York Blooming Award – for starting up Woodbine Station garden
2005 Clean & Beautiful City Award – for our environmental initiatives

ETCAG has been consulted for and published in numerous articles for newspapers such as The Toronto Star, Beach Metro News, Beach Mirror, East Toronto Observer, SNAP, and online news sites. Issues have ranged from our group’s specific activities, and how to get involved locally and which everyday changes anyone can make, to climate issues.
Participation in follow-up consultations with community groups on the “Live Green Toronto” program as part of the City’s approved Climate Change, Clean Air and Sustainable Energy Action Plan (formerly Comprehensive Air Quality Strategy), Feb 2008
Newspaper article on ‘phantom-power’ sources in homes, “Electricity costs even when you’re not using the appliance”, published in Beach Metro News, 12 Feb 2008
TV interview with Janette Luu, Sun TV, on “Canoe Live”, on grassroots environmental action. Aired on 19 Feb 2007
TV panel interview with Arlene Bynon of iNews on climate change issues and what can be done at the grassroots level. Aired on 14 Nov 2006
External expert consultation interview by City of Toronto project managers for solutions to be included in Toronto's Comprehensive Air Quality Strategy, Nov 2005

Solar Workshops: we sponsored a public workshop in which a solar energy expert discussed panels for home heating, water heating and the generation of electricity
Residential Solar Initiatives: ETCAG worked with the Riverdale Initiative for Solar Energy (RISE), a well publicized citizens’ group, which signed up approximately 70 home owners to engage in the bulk purchase and installation of solar panels for their homes
Residential Energy Audits: we sponsor public meetings on home energy audits to encourage homeowners to look at the energy efficiency of their furnaces and appliances
Environmental Community Fair: ETCAG hosted a fair covering topics such as solar water heaters, geothermal, car sharing and buying local.

We have held several pubic screenings of environmental films followed by discussions with panellists consisting of environmental experts, City Councillors, MPs and MPPs. Films so far have included “The End of Suburbia” and "Contested Streets". We look forward to hosting more of these popular and informative events

Organizer and host of Beaches Community Conservation Fair, March 2008: Over 15 local and provincial small businesses presented their wares and services that help reduce our environmental impact, and provided tips and solutions to visitors.
We participate in a wide variety of public events, supporting many causes and providing additional information handouts. Events have included Toronto’s annual Environment Day and Car Free Days; Climate Change rally at University of Toronto during Al Gore’s visit; Kyoto Rally at City Hall
Co-organizer of the 2006 Pledge TO Green event at Toronto City Hall
No Idling Blitzes: we hold “no-idling” blitzes at plazas and subways stations. Part of the strategy is to hand out mock parking tickets to raise awareness around the effects of idling

We participate in developing environmental education programs for elementary schools. These project include composting in every classroom; waste management information; waste free lunches; Eco-Eagles and Eco-Tiger clubs. Thanks in part to our outreach, Earl Haig P.S and Gledhill P.S. were designated by the Toronto and District School Board as GOLD ECO schools
No Idling Banners: we encourage elementary schools to design no idling banners to hang in sight of cars and buses dropping off students. ETCAG funds the material costs of the banners; the artwork and design are done by the students. The school board is encouraging us to expand this program [you can download a brochure (PDF) to hand to idlers!]
No Idling Bumper Stickers: Starting in May 2008, the transportation company Stock, who operates around 900 school buses in the Greater Toronto Area, will start displaying our own no-idling bumper sticker. The stickers that we printed and donated are based on the design of the very first school banner created by Gledhill School’s SK class of 2005.
[You can download the sticker if you want to print it.]

2006 Toronto municipal election: ETCAG co-organized the Pledge TO Green event at City Hall to encourage candidates to move forward on the City’s neglected Environmental Plan. The event attracted hundreds of citizens and candidates who “took the pledge” to work towards implementing the plan. An accountability session is to follow.
2006 Toronto municipal election: we distributed questionnaires regarding public transit, waste management, incineration, road tolls, car free zones etc. Pamphlets were distributed at mayoralty and councillor debates and at all-candidate meetings.
2006 federal election: we canvassed candidates in local ridings. All responded and their responses were published in the local media
2003 provincial election: we sent questionnaires to the leaders of the Liberal, Conservative, New Democratic and Green parties. Questions all related to environmental issues and all parties responded.

Woodbine Subway Station Garden: in 2006, we approached the TTC to ask if they would be interested in partnering in a community garden on a neglected strip by the subway station. Now several trees along with a flower garden are flourishing on the site
In the past we have partnered with the Toronto Region Conservation Authority and held public tree planting events. Currently, the TRCA has no plantings planned.

Participation in consultation meetings with the City of Toronto on their draft Clean Air Quality Strategy, and Live Green Toronto program as part of the City’s approved Climate Change, Clean Air and Sustainable Energy Action Plan. ETCAG was invited to contribute suggestions on how to reduce air contamination, improve transportation and reduce air pollution from traffic, and building community involvement
Lobbying/Letter Writing: we participate in anti-pesticide programs, waterfront revitalization meetings and lobbying on a variety of green initiatives, such as public transit, waste management, green building bylaws and closing coal fired plants