Our Green Home - Fall 2010

FALL

2010

Mayoral Candidates:

Going once, going green, going gone

$25

For fresh, seasonal, home delivered organic produce. Look Inside!

Plus enter to win organic produce for a year.

Transit troubles Getting back on track

Climate control at home To save on energy

also inside:

Gift Certificate

Winter local fresh fare . Urban forest planning . Celebrate a green Halloween .

Highlights from the Green Grocery Guide: Including cheese and treats

House-warming party SWITCH to natural gas before it gets any colder.

With colder weather just around the corner, now is the perfect time to switch to natural gas. You can use natural gas for so many purposes,

Benefits of natural gas: • Safe and economical • Energy efficient • Consistent, reliable supply • Adds value to your home • Convenient and versatile

including: home and water heating, cooking, fireplaces, clothes drying, and more. Plus, you can significantly save on your energy costs over electricity, oil or propane.

Call 1-877-736-1502 or visit naturalswitch.com EAQ_352_OurGreenHome_Ad.indd 1

10-10-13 3:33 PM

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Fall 2010 Contributing Editor—editorial, layout design, photography: Cynthia McQueen Publisher: Paul Cassel Project Coordinator & Web Manager: Ariel Crawford Designer: Gord Naunton Green Grocery Guide Researcher: Celeste O’Neil Intern: Lushen Pather Mascot: “Susty”, the Sustainability Squirrel info@ourgreenhome.ca

Ad Sales: Donna-Lee Bolden-Kerr 647-438-9292 Advertising Information: 416.850.8787 1. 877.850.8787 sales@upmarketing.com www.up-marketing.com Follow us on Twitter: @Our_Green_Home Facebook us @ Our Green Home Magazine Printed on 100% recycled newsprint, milled in Ontario. www.ourgreenhome.ca

While green issues seemed all but absent from the mayoral campaign up until the Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA) debate, at the debate itself, the issues were present but some candidates were not. Smitherman showed up 30 minutes late, Ford left 15 minutes later, and Rossi made his environmental stance clear by not showing up at all..

Despite these hold ups, Gord Miller, the Environmental Commisioner of Ontario, masterfully shepherded the candidates through their opening remarks on time. We heard about underground transit and complete streets from Sarah Thomson. Joe Pantalone cited his many years on council and his aspiration to turn Toronto into the greenest city in the world, creating green jobs along the way. Then we heard about Rob Ford’s customer service mantra, his family company’s success, his plan to cut waste and cut the number of councilors in half. However, not once did Ford discuss the environment.

Smitherman arrived for the first question on energy conservation and vaunted the need for leadership to establish a culture of conservation and its goals.

Ford committed to turn the lights off in city buildings at night. Pantalone spoke of a 500 megawatt renewable energy target and “connecting the city

management silos.” On the city’s sustainable energy plan, Ford maintained that we could not afford many of our current initiatives, but his estimate of our debt exceeded Pantalone’s number by $1 billion.

No wonder, Ford’s budget and spending numbers have been a constant point of contention along the campaign trail.

Smitherman found Pantalone “frothing” about the province’s insufficient financial support. Ford and Smitherman were at odds—Ford insisting that green energy was “too expensive” and would cost us jobs, while Smitherman asserted the need to aggressively court early entrants into the green energy marketplace to create jobs here.

However, before we had a chance to really hear, let alone question, Ford’s green plan, he left.

Long-serving councilor Pantalone faced off with former energy infrastructure minister Smitherman and entrepreneur Thomson on cost sharing and tax accounting and bike lanes, waste, transit, road tolls, and accounting for gas tax revenues. As the three debaters “mixed it up,” Pantalone found Thomson “patronizing,” while she employed some parenting techniques in an attempt to rein in the two rowdy boys.

Sarah Thomson rightly noted that, in the campaign, environmental issues were getting pushed off the stage.

In closing remarks, Smitherman said his number one agenda was to stop Rob Ford. Pantalone questioned Smitherman’s ability to carry through with his plan while freezing taxes, and asserted that “gardens need gardeners,” not a “mini-Harris to cut, cut, cut!”

But these three voices were all bickering over the way to move the city’s green agenda forward, how to fund it, and prioritize its issues. In fact, the most important argument that night was perhaps the one we didn’t hear: What would Rob Ford do for Toronto’s environmental file? On the record, Ford is committed to reducing spending. So where are the savings coming from? Ford didn’t tell us at the TEA debate and wouldn’t tell our contributing editor when he refused to be interviewed for our cover story.

My advice to anyone contemplating taking advantage of a City of Toronto LiveGreen incentive: act now. My advice to those who support the city’s sustainability initiatives: vote.

We may soon be confronted by the most sweeping green plan of all—the one we haven’t heard.

For more information on Rebates and Incentives and an article on making your Fireplace more fuel efficient, visit the website at www.ourgreenhome.ca.

Please feel free to send all responses, comments or suggestions to editor@ourgreenhome.ca.

o Nursery • Installation • Maintenance Serving Your Community Since 1984

416.815.8080 www.rosedalelandscaping.com OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2010 . 3

Short Turning on Transit Connecting the dots on the Transit City line a tough task

By Jon-Erik Lappano

Over the last year, posters and STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION FOR GOOD CAUSES

pamphlets for Transit City have promised a new era of transportation in Toronto. Today, the slogan remains the same, but it’s clear

we’re changing course.

Government Relations

Experience & Technical Knowledge

Sustainability & Green Marketing

Media/Public Relations

We can help you create a greener future

Environmental Communication Options an environmental relations firm

www.ecostrategy.ca 416-972-7401 huffd@ecostrategy.ca

Transit City is an integral part of the overall plan to link the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (GTHA) through an interconnected web of smart transportation. Light Rapid Transit (LRT) vehicles will link to TTC buses and subways, GO, and VIVA transit systems to provide better access to the metropolitan Photo by Cynthia McQueen area. According to Adam Giambrone, TTC Chair and city Commuters waiting for a westbound subway. councillor, it’s currently “the largest LRT project underway in North America, Europe, and possibly the world.” But will Bruce McCuaig, CEO of Metrolinx doesn’t like the term Transit these bragging rights last?

City. Instead he calls it “The Big Five”—four LRT lines in Toronto, and a Rapid VIVA bus project north of the city. The Big Five The snakes-and-ladders game of Transit City reached a is part of Metrolinx’s broader vision for the region: a plan they multi-billion dollar snake in March 2010. The McGuinty refer to as “The Big Move.” “Our goal is to expand the Toronto government told Metrolinx to find $4 billion in savings from transit plan so it is regional in nature,” McCuaig says. “We need the initial $8.15 billion plan. Metrolinx responded with a to create better integration, add more bikeways and pathways, toned-down version of the first phase, shortening the total and provide commuters with more transit options so they can LRT track by 20 kilometres, and pushing back rollout and leave their cars at home.” completion timelines.

With daily gridlock and a growing Funding delays and re-envisioning population, without efficient transit, the overall project were seen as “Transit City is the largest Toronto’s transportation problem is major setbacks to many Transit City simply too big to avoid. proponents, including Mayor David LRT project Miller and Giambrone. “Losing In the face of budget cuts, and the the money will have an obvious underway in North America, upcoming election with candidates impact on the size and scope of whose transit plans differ hugely—inthe project, but we are still moving cluding Rob Ford’s call to shut it down Europe, and possibly the forward,” says Giambrone. “The big once and for all—Transit City could worry is that we will continue to emerge in 2011 with a different face, world.” see delays that will postpone projor none at all. With subways vs. streetects even further into the 2020s or cars and bikes vs. cars leading the -Adam Giambrone the 2030s.” bill, the idea of an integrated transit system is at risk of disappearing.

At the moment, only the Sheppard and Eglinton LRTs are underway—scheduled for completion around 2015 and Perhaps we need to encourage transit with a straightforward, 2020, respectively. easy to remember Orwellian slogan—“Two tracks good! Four wheels bad!” Maybe then we could stay the course.

Jon-Erik Lappano is Assistant Editor and Multimedia Director at Corporate Knights Magazine.

@ecostrategy 4 . OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2010

Looking up to urban canopy

By Christine Bruce

presented by

Trees are natural air filters— they create oxygen, filter carbon dioxide, and reduce heating and air-conditioning costs. In Toronto our trees need replacement, maintenance, and we need more of them.

Ontario Sustainable Energy Association

2nd Annual Community Power Conference

In 2007, the city of Toronto set itself a goal to double its tree canopy from 17 per cent to 34 per cent, but we’re less than half way there.

The canopy is an essential but often overlooked part of our city. And, our green infrastructure is only as strong and vital as its mature trees. A single mature tree releases enough oxygen for ten people.

Photo provided by Amanda Gomm, LEAF

Getting a tree is easy. The city plants Mulching a Newly-Planted Tree at Tailor Massey Creek. trees on your front yard for free. For a backyard tree, the not-for-profit group LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests) In many neighbourhoods, civic-minded groups have also plants trees at a subsidized rate. been looking up. In Roncesvalles, Harbord Village and Leslieville, tree inventories and surveys have raised awareness about the local canopy, what we have, what we’re lacking and how to care for our older trees.

Contact LEAF and take advantage of their subsidized backyard tree planting program where professional arborists will help you select and plant the best native trees and shrubs for your yard. 416-413-9244 (www.mybackyardtree.ca)

Obviously, young trees cannot offer the same benefits as mature trees, and due to stresses common in the urban environment, even mature trees need help to reach full potential.

The city’s Community Stewardship Program is committed to the health of Toronto’s naturalization sites. Relying almost entirely on volunteers, this program maintained 10 ravines, trails and wetlands this year.

Since over 80 per cent of the city’s land is privately owned, at least half of our trees are on private property. The challenge with replacing and cultivating Toronto’s tree canopy is community involvement. To get people enthused about trees, LEAF offers Tree Tenders courses, Tree Tours, various workshops and volunteer opportunities, like mulching existing plantings.

Currently, The Roncesvalles-Macdonnell Residents’ Association is focused on tree planting as part of the Roncesvalles road reconstruction.

Over the last three years, the Harbord Village Residents Association has planted 163 trees in back yards, at Central Tech High School and in key public locations, and they have continued as a watchdog protecting their trees.

During the last four years, Beautification Of the Leslieville District has confirmed planting over 165 trees. Now they are getting businesses involved in the beautification process.

Finally, with help from their local community animators, these associations offer NeighbourWoods workshops. This inspiring program trains people to monitor the health of their community’s canopy with tree audits and tree inventories.

It starts with you. Look up and get involved.

Christine Bruce is a technical writer and a tree enthusiast.

Power to the People »Find us on Facebook and Twitter!

November 15-16, 2010 Metro Toronto Convention Centre For conference details visit www.cpconference.ca or call 1-866-573-6732 Power Networking Centre trade show presented in co-operation with the Association of Power Producers of Ontario November 15-17, 2010 OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2010 . 5

Winter local food range can be strange

By Katie Sandwell How long can you live off potatoes? This was once a serious question for locavores in fall, but now options have expanded tremendously. For some—especially vegetarians and vegans—eating locally this winter can look like a long haul of potato-themed meals. In reality, with some creativity a mostly-local winter diet can be flavourful and healthful.

While we groan about the winter staples, root vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, rutabagas, squash and apples keep miraculously well through winter and can actually provide delicious and colourful meals. The only colour you might miss is green.

Long-season crops like kale harvest late into November, and delicacies like fiddleheads and wild leeks are ready as early as April.

These crops can be vital in making your winter a little shorter.

also lining their pantries with jars of summer, making jams, chutneys, pickles, salsas, and relishes.

Photo by Nathan Payne

Tomatoes and potatoes at the Sorauren Market.

But if green-withdrawal hits in January you can rely on Ontario greenhouse growers who bring you tomatoes and cucumbers year-round. The most exciting crop for the potato-weary locavore is hydroponic greens. If you’re unhappy with the energy consumed by greenhouses, sprouts are an excellent option. A well-insulated greenhouse barely needs heat and sprouts don’t need grow lights. Because they don’t need much, they can be super local. FoodCycles and Toronto Sprouts grow right in the city.

Finally, preserved summer tomatoes and corn can help reassure you that winter will end. Freezing is an option, but people are

So where can you get your goodies in winter? Check out all-winter markets like Wychwood or Sorauren—visit tfmn.ca for the nearest market—and grocery stores like Fiesta Farms. If you’re busy, a box of vegetables delivered to your doorstep weekly can ease the strain.

Box schemes evolved out of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)—an arrangement where customers pay to receive a weekly box of vegetables. For years, only summer CSAs were available, but winter is not a deal-breaker anymore. Across Ontario groups of farmers are teaming up to bring people fresh food through winter.

For the Toronto area, Alvaro Venturelli of Plan B Organic Farms works with some 15 farms sourcing delicious local crops from hydroponic and organic growers to deliver all-organic boxes to depots and front doors.

=eeZ o^eXVgh o^eXVgh =eeZ a^kZ ^c ndjg Wj^aY^c\ a^kZ ^c ndjg Wj^aY^c\

9b[Wd 9b[Wd <kd <kd

joinjoin at zipcar.com at zipcar.com CarsCars by the or day, by hour the hour or day, justjust around the corner. around the corner.

(Gas and insurance included.)

(Gas and insurance included.)

JoinJoin nownow at zipcar.com and get get at zipcar.com join and at zipcar.com

Join now zipcar.com and getand get Joinatnow at zipcar.com

join at zipcar.com

$50 in FREE $50 in FREE driving $50 indriving FREE driving $50 in FREE driving Cars by the hour or day,

Cars by the hour or day, Enter GREEN50 as the codecode on your application.

Enter GREEN50 aspromo the promo your application. just on around the corner.

Enter GREEN50 as the promo on code your application.

Enter GREEN50 as thecode promo on your application.

Credit is good for 30 days after joining. You need to be 21+ and meet safe driver Credit is good for 30 days after joining. You need to be 21+ and meet safe driver standards to join. 1) Prices vary depending on plan and vehicle. 2) Not valid with other offers standards to join. 1) Prices vary depending on plan and vehicle. 2) Not valid with other offers or promotions. See zipcar.com/restrictions. Expires November, 30 2010. or promotions. See zipcar.com/restrictions. Expires November, 30 2010.

just around the corner.

(Gas insurance included.)

Credit is good for 30for days after after joining.

You need beand 21+ and meet safe driver (Gas and insurance included.)

Credit is good 30 days joining.

You to need to be 21+ and meet safe driver standards to join.

1) Prices vary depending on plan 2) Not 2) valid standards to join.

1) Prices vary depending onand planvehicle. and vehicle.

Notwith valid with other offers or promotions.

See zipcar.com/restrictions.

Expires November, 30 2010. other offers or promotions. See zipcar.com/restrictions. Expires November, 30 2010.

6 . OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2010

Not all box programs are run by farmers.

The non-profit Good Food Box program, run through FoodShare Toronto, buys directly from local farmers as well as from the Ontario Food Terminal—the publiclyowned wholesaler that distributes fresh produce to Toronto’s small grocers. MarkJan Daalderop, a Good Food Program Manager, says over half the produce in the last year was local with over a third purchased directly from local growers. The local content falls in winter, but Ontario farmers are never left out in the cold. Even January boxes are more than a quarter local and it’s a very committed locavore who will turn down a banana in February.

For the ultimate local diet outside the box though, Venturelli says, “Grow your own.

That’s the most resilient system. That’s who we want to support.”

Katie Sandwell studies food at York University and farms when she can.

REDUCED ENERGY= INCREASED PROFITS! The BOMA Toronto Conservation and Demand Management (CDM) Program is offering easily accessible cash incentives to commercial, warehouse, retail, hospitality owners and tenants to reduce electricity in the City of Toronto. Qualified electricity conservation retrofits include: lighting, sub-metering, motors, air conditioning, windows, insulation, control systems and many others for buildings over 25,000 square feet.

Up to $5,500 is initially available to assess the energy conservation opportunities within your properties. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll assist you in the submission of your incentive funding application.

Contact BOMA Toronto CDM today

December 31st deadline

CONTACT US TO APPLY TODAY! 416.440.0101 info@bomacdm.com www.bomacdm.com

An official mark of the Ontario Power Authority

OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2010 . 7

Hallowgreeny Staving off a scary carbon footprint

By Alixandra Gould

From purchasing a brand new costume, and stocking up on candy handouts, to decorating your home, your carbon footprint can get, well, a bit scary. “Halloween is one of the holidays where people go overboard,” says President of Earth Day Canada Jed Goldberg.

If you want to reduce your impact this October 31st, the best option is to “do it yourself.”

h How mucme o c in solar U could YO ? g in n r a e be Visit

a eSolaro.c ut! to find

A rooftop Solar Power System installed by EfstonScience can earn you $2,000 to $12,000+ annually Selling your solar power through the OPA’s MicroFIT program helps Ontario achieve a greener future while generating an income stream that’s guaranteed for 20 years.

Now is the time to invest in solar energy.

To learn more: • Drop by the EfstonScience SuperStore and see our hands-on eSolar Resource Centre • Call one of our Renewable Energy Specialists and discuss your needs • Visit www.eSolar.ca for informative guides, case studies and to request a FREE solar assessment SEE • ASK • LEARN

Attend a FREE

Solar Info Session Oct. 28, 6 pm

at the EfstonScience SuperStore Call, or visit eSolar.ca/learn for more details

The Solar & Wind Power SuperStore

“A lot of people take their kids to the store and buy them a costume, but that’s not necessary,” continues Goldberg.

Colwell-Lipson adds it’s not just about the health of the planet, but the health of families too.

Laboratory tests commissioned by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found low levels of lead in 100 percent of 10 popular children’s face paints. Even with the “nontoxic” label, many face paints still have an array of dangerous chemicals including BHA, formaldehyde, kohl (from lead), phthalates, and parabens, according to the Environmental Working Group.

To assemble a low-impact costume start with “Our skin absorbs everything,” says Colwellstuff lying around your house, and fill in the Lipson. “Anything we put on our skin we gaps by rummaging at your should also be comfortable local second hand store. with putting in our mouths.”

Another option is to try a cosDIY face paint recipes on tume swap like the one orgaGreen Halloween’s blog recnized by SwapSity. The next ommend diaper cream and swap is this afternoon (Oct. organic food colouring.

23)—visit SwapSity.ca for And, what else are they putdetails. You might just find that perfect outfit, and get rid ting in their mouths—heaping bags of candy. “The bags of last year’s disguise without of junk are not appreciated burying it in a landfill.

Swappers get the goods at by the parents, not healthy Green Venture. for the kids, and certainly not Decorations can also have a good for the environment,” huge environmental impact.

Corey Colwell-Lipson, Founder and Director says Goldberg. This year, Goldberg suggests of the Seattle-based non-profit organization giving a smaller handful to trick-or-treaters then, if there are leftovers, take them out of Green Halloween, says it’s about thinking the wrappers and compost them. outside the box.

“You can choose more edible pumpkins, and [save the inside] for cooking later,” she advises.

To keep sugar filled treats out of their bags all together, there’s a growing trend called “reverse trick-or-treating.” Promoted by globalexchange.org, an international orgaMillions of pumpkins end up releasing meth- nization dedicated to human, economic and environmental justice, reverse trick-or-treatane gases in landfills across North America every year, contributing to global warming, ing involves going door-to-door handing out so it’s best to use every last bit. fair trade chocolate and information on fair trade practices.

Curb your waste by putting your pumpkin on the curb so the City of Toronto can compost For a green Halloween, be creative, reuse as much as you can, and do it yourself. it for you.

www.eSolar.ca Member, Canadian Solar Industries Association

8 . OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2010

Member, Ontario Sustainable Industries Association

Alixandra Gould is a freelance writer living and working in Toronto.

Climate controlling your home Energy saving that conserves heat at home

By Nicholas Araya Ensuring the cold stays out, managing your heat, and making a few adjustments to your lifestyle can help keep you warm and your bills down. Winter’s coming and you can feel it in your bones, but that’s only because you haven’t climate controlled your home.

It’s as easy as using the power of the sun. If it’s a sunny day, open the drapes and blinds and then close them in the evening to keep the heat.

For the more avid climate controllers, solar barriers can both capture and deflect the sun’s heat depending on the season. Solar barriers, like Energy Star rated solar blinds reflect or retain up to 80 percent of the sun’s energy.

In the summer, they redirect energy back outside before it can heat up your home while filtering out 92 per cent of harmful UV rays. During the winter, the process is reversed, and solar barriers reflect the heat energy back into your home before it escapes at the same time preventing 71 per cent of cold air infiltration.

Your windows are a large part of how your home loses up to 40 percent of its heat from air leaks. Start draft proofing your home in the basement and work your way up sealing any drafts you find in the walls, ceilings, floors, doors, and around windows. Check all the weather-stripping around your doors, and replace any warn or damaged pieces. Consider weather shielding your windows with a plastic film.

You can reduce 5 to 15 percent of your home’s heat loss and save on heating with proper weather-stripping, caulking and insulation.

There are several ways to climate control your home and naturally it starts with your thermostat. Program your thermostat to a comfortable 20-21 degrees while you’re home, 17-18 degrees when you are sleeping, and 15-16 degrees when you’re out. Toronto Hydro says if you keep the thermostat down by 1 degree you can potentially save 3 per cent on the energy your furnace uses and reduce heating costs up to 10 per cent . When you’re looking to maximize the heat in a room, keep your air vents and radiators clear of any clutter. If some areas of your home seem too cool or warm place deflectors on your vents to help distribute the air.

Your ceiling fan doesn’t have to hibernate over the winter. In fact, you can save up to 10 per cent on heating costs by setting the fan clockwise which will help circulate the warm air around the room.

Keeping out the cold and saving energy this winter is as easy as sealing the cracks, catching the sun, and counting the savings.

Nicholas Araya works as a copywriter and freelances in Toronto.

Pro

mo

FAL

sO

L

nN

OW Having Trouble Controlling !

The Climate In Your Home?

Look a little closer and you’ll see Green.

EnWise offers a full line of: • The Most Efficient Heating &

Cooling products • Whole-Home Insulation solutions • Guaranteed Savings • Access to limited time For over 60 years, Pollard Windows has been manufacturing quality windows and doors. Our products are being used in some of the most state-of-the-art LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) homes in North America. Our windows conserve energy and are engineered to be ‘GREEN.’ With easily recycled, durable vinyl components and our responsible use of wood we are doing our part to protect the environment. Whether replacing windows and doors or building your dream home, choose Pollard Windows.

Call 1.800.585.5561 for more information.

Over

$5,000

in limited time rebates & local incentives available to homeowners!*

Government Rebates and Incentives!

Call or visit us online today to book your FREE no-obligation consultation.

939 Eglinton Ave. E., Toronto 2575 Dundas St. W., Mississauga 1217 King Rd., Burlington pollardwindows.com

1.866.484.1850 www.enwisepower.com

EST 1948

Pollard_OGH_ad.indd 1

*Some conditions apply. Call for details.

22/09/10 3:35 PM

EnWise - OGH - Oct quarter page Ad REV1.indd 1

. FALL12:29:52 12/10/2010 PM. 9 OUR GREEN HOME 2010

Lean, mean and gre

Is there one candidate who stands firm on the environm Article and Photos By Cynthia McQueen

E

ach candidate has been defined by a specific moment on the campaign trail and given a nickname. First there was Furious George, caused by Mr. Smitherman’s reaction to an enthusiastic Rossi campaign volunteer. Then there’s the long standing Joey Pants, who Our Green Home suggested be called Popem’ one Pantalone—in keeping with the boxing themed nicknames. Following his comments against green energy, Furious called the front-runner, Rob Ford, Rob King Coal. And Rocco Rossi provided himself with the nickname Bocce Balls to say he had the “bocce balls” to get the job done before he left the race. As for Sarah Thomson, before leaving the race herself, she asked the other candidates and this reporter for a nickname. Unfortunately, she left the race before she got one.

In retrospect, “The Peacemaker” seems appropriate for a woman who constantly asked for the boys to quiet down, and play nice.

It’s clear each candidate became known for something, but if any have stood out on their environmental stance, it’s Rob Ford.

Ford has expressed no interest in the environment and reiterated the same time and time again. In fact, he wouldn’t speak with this reporter for Our Green Home, ostensibly based on the fact that our questions focused on just that, our green home.

While Ford did make an appearance at the Greenhouse and the Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA) debates, he was booed at the first for saying green energy was “just too expensive,” and left after only 45 minutes at the second.

Of all the statements made about the environment, Ford’s are the loudest because he is so adamantly against any environmental initiative. He stated he is against streetcars—electronically operated vehicles—since to his mind they cause smog. Why, you might ask? Because they slow traffic. He wants to stop Transit City and change a provincially approved project alrady underway.

As the leader in a mayoral race in a city lauded internationally as green, what Rob Ford wants exactly for our city’s environmental file no one knows. But, one thing is clear—Ford has little interest in maintaining Toronto’s reputation as a green leader.

All the other candidates, including Sarah Thomson before she dropped out of the race, praised Mayor David Miller and current city council’s environmental accomplishments. Each remaining candidate did see room to grow, continue, and improve upon what came before.

Although they resisted prioritizing the many ways Toronto can improve its environmental file, the first order of business for all candidates is to enact some sort of plan for transit. And those plans are as varied as the candidate’s nicknames.

Clockwise L-R: Rob Ford, at the Greenhouse Debate, Rocco Rossi, at th MaRs Centre, Joe Pantalone, speaking at UofT, and George Smitherman, at the prosperity and economy debate. Center: Sarah Thomson at campaign headquarters.

Pantalone is the lone candidate who remains committed to the provincially approved Transit City plan already underway, saying, “[It’s] as green as you can get, because if you’re moving people by transit you’ve got less people in their cars. [Let’s] make sure that the European-style high speed trains get built because they’re already approved by the city and the province, by Metrolinx, and GO Transit—I’m the only one who supports those organizations.”

While Smitherman did say he would focus a lot of attention very early on transit because the “gridlock is crippling economically and it’s crippling from a quality of life standpoint and it’s crippling from an environmental standpoint,” his main focus is to complete the York line in time for the PanAm Games in 2015.

What came to mind when asked what he would do first if elected was getting “the City of Toronto and Toronto Hydro unified in the pursuit of green jobs. Because if we’re creating green jobs then we’re creating energy that’s green.”

Likewise on the energy front, Rossi focused on conserving energy with a view to transit, “New York: because of the density on a per capita basis uses less energy than an urban sprawl situation does [with a view to transit and more].”

According to Rossi, transit will have “by far the biggest impact on greenhouse gases.”

Though, he did have a vastly different plan for transit, including changing the senior ad-

10 . OUR GREEN HOME FALL 2010

een:

ment?

L-R: Rob Ford, Joe Pantalone, Rocco Rossi, George Smitherman, and Sarah Thomson.

ministration executive of the TTC “in the same way that the government did with Metrolinx.”

This involved removing everyone and replacing them with a “skills-based board.”

While transit was the number one concern cited by TEA’s environmental report card issued early in the mayoral race, no one candidate stood out as a green leader with top marks.

Waste diversion, buying local, transportation infrastructure, sustainable energy and pollution prevention were the other five indicators on TEA’s report card—the joint effort of 11 other local, provincial and national groups. Again, no one secured that coveted “A” plus (in TEA’s case a happy face) across the board in all categories.

Candidates’ Progress Report Candidate going in right direction

Environmental Election Priorites

Unclear – needs improvement Unsatisfactory performance Has not commented on this issue

For Pantalone, the happy convergence of some of these issues is part of the city’s current plan to spend $25 billion and create 350 jobs over the next ten years—the major components of which are Transit City, water infrastructure, and investing in Build Toronto and Toronto Hydro. “We [need to] coalesce and use all the various assets to create green jobs.”

To summarize his environmental platform, Smitherman put it this way: “if you’re going to be the mayor of Toronto you have to be able to do more than one thing at once,” and as a former provincial member of parliament handling various portfolios, he has done just that.

Rossi feels it’s really all about checks and balances. “I’m a very successful business person who knows how to set priorities and then build plans to enact those priorities. You want to have a leader that is prioritizing and measuring those plans.”

Any way you look at the remaining candidates, making a choice for a greener Toronto comes down to who has experience and success working on environmental initiatives.

Since TEA’s early assessment, some candidates have improved and others fallen.

Build Transit City & Fund It

70% Waste Diversion

Buy Local Green Products

Complete Streets

Sustainable Energy Strategy

Provide Tools to Prevent Pollution

ROB FORD Shows Little Interest

JOE PANTALONE Progressing Steadily; Needs to Speak Up

Ford did not give Our Green Home the opportunity to interview him and so Our Green Home can’t speak to his past accomplishments or current environmental work. However, after a search of his campaign website, and attending a number of debates, the focus of his campaign is clear: tax cuts and spending. The plans for where the money can be cut without sacrificing essential services, however, are not clear.

As a voter, you might ask yourself who is the best choice for a greener city? Here’s how the candidates have desctribed themselves: Ford: A career city councillor, family businessman, with seemingly little interest in the promotion of any green initiative. No comment provided.

ROCCO ROSSI Shows Lack of Understanding

GEORGE SMITHERMAN Shows Potential but Needs to Apply Himself

SARAH THOMSON

Pantalone: A present career city councillor with “his fingerprints on every environmental project in the city” who uses his green and blue bins at home and shades so much of his neighbours’ property with trees that his home is a small forest.

Smitherman: A former provincial politician who created the Green Energy Act, walks everywhere, and helped his family reduce their footprint by downsizing their vehicle and moving to a condo.

The choice for mayor of Toronto could be a question of priorities. So what are yours?

Eager Participant; Misses Key Lessons

Cynthia McQueen is a freelance journalist and the copy editor of Corporate Knights Magazine.

Mid-campaign Mayoral Candidate Report Card prepared by the Toronto Environmental Alliance.

Photos by Cynthia McQueen

OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2010 . 11

www.greengroceryguide.ca

By Melissa Shin, Managing Editor & Celeste O’Neil, Lead Researcher

Cheese

Here are two featured categories from our online green guide to shopping for environmentally-friendly and socially responsible products. We present various labels and certifications to look for and an evaluation of the ingredients, production Cheese is a guilty pleasure for many, but choosing organic, artisanal, and local varieties can help lighten the method, packaging, distance traveled, availability and disposability concerns.

The complete range of surveyed products for these and many other categories is available at www.greengroceryguide.ca.

We invite you to suggest other green, sustainable and socially responsible products to help us grow our guide. ideas@greengroceryguide.ca.

Evaluation Criteria:

Production Method Fair Trade

Fair Trade

AACC

USDA Organic

HACCP

KSA Kosher

Distance Traveled Availability Disposability

Evaluations:

ISNA Halal

Pass

Artisian Bakers Alliance

Kosher

Recommended Learn more about our methodology and different grocery certifications at ourgreenhome.ca

Canada permits the sale of raw milk cheeses that are aged over 60 days—after 60 days, the acids and salts in raw milk cheese naturally protect against listeria, salmonella, and E. coli. And, you’ll notice none of the goat cheeses in our selection are organic. That’s because there are no organic certified sheep or goat farms in Ontario. This is likely because current organic standards are more for cows’ milk, says Petra Cooper at Fifth Town Cheese. Soy cheese is an option for those looking to eat vegan, but purveyors of these delicious varieties will tell the taste and texture just ain’t the same.

Organic Meadow, Old Cheddar

Warning Caution

Organic cheeses are made without the use of pesticides, antibiotics, or growth hormones. They are also free from genetically modified organisms, artificial flavours, and colours. As with organic milk, organic cheese has been shown to have more Omega-3, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and antioxidants than conventional cheese, and fewer chemical residues.

There are many dairies in Ontario and Quebec that produce superior organic and artisanal cheeses. Some of the cheeses in our selection are certified as Authentic Artisanal Canadian Cheese. This means the cheese is made from 100 per cent Canadian milk and contains no modified milk ingredients, additives, or artificial colouring. The cheese is made in small batches and the farmers practices “sustainable farming.”

Ingredients Packaging

load.

Quebec Vrai

OCPP

Local Food Plus

This organic cheese is produced by a cooperative of Ontario farmers that practices organic farming. It’s widely available in most major stores. Unfortunately, its packaging cannot be recycled and must be disposed of in the garbage. Organic Meadow also offers a wide variety of other organic dairy products. Certifications: OCPP Tasting Notes: A smooth, creamy texture with a gentle, crowd-pleasing taste and texture. A good, versatile everyday cheddar for sandwiches, cheese plates, burgers or melts.

A spectacular selection of organic, biodynamic and sustainably produced wines.

12 . OUR GREEN HOME FALL 2010

1 877-714-WINE (9463)

Woolwich Dairy, Fresh Goat Cheese While this goat cheese is not organic, no Ontario goat farms are organic certified. The cheese contains no artificial flavours or colours. Woolwich says it supports community programs and environmental sustainability, but does not detail any specific initiatives it is undertaking. This cheese is made in Orangeville and is available at Loblaws, Sobeys, and many independent stores. It comes in a recyclable cup, but the plastic film surrounding it is not recyclable.

Tasting Notes: Rich yet mild, more sour than a typical goat cheese with a soft, delicate consistency, almost like an artisanal cream cheese. A surprise favourite from our tasting. Exceptional.

Fifth Town Artisan Black River, Mild Goat Cheddar While this goat cheese is not organic, no Ontario goat farms are organic certified. The cheese contains no artificial flavours or colours and is made in Prince Edward County. The company uses a bio-wetland to dispose of its whey, and uses geothermal, wind and solar energy to power its operations, supplemented with Bullfrog Power when needed. Its manufacturing facilities are also LEED Platinum certified. This cheese is Local Food Plus certified and available in specialty cheese shops, at their onsite store in the St. Lawrence Market, and in some Loblaws locations.

Tasting Notes: Classic cheddar meets goat cheese.

Soft, white and silky with a sharper, stronger taste than a typical goat cheese, but without the typical cheddar bite, this intriguing hybrid impressed our panel.

Fromagerie FX Pichet, Le Baluchon This Authentic Artisanal Canadian Cheese is also organic and made of raw milk. It is available in Loblaws, several independent shops, and in the St. Lawrence Market. While the Quebec-based company says it is committed to sustainable development, it does not mention any specific environmental initiatives.

Tasting Notes: Sweet, nutty, mildly bitter, and pungent, this gently balanced alternative to Oka makes for a good cheese plate staple.

• Pesto Sauces Pâtés • Gourmet Dips • Cheese • Oils • Vinegars • Truffles

Smoked Cured Meats

•

Roasted Vegetables

•

Antipasto

at the LCBO?

Fromagerie de Presbytere, Bleu d’Elizabeth This organic cheese is made by a family business that says it is committed to environmentally-friendly practices, but does not mention any specific initiatives. The cheese is made in Sainte-Elizabeth de Warwick, Quebec and is only available at specialty shops in the GTA. Tasting Notes: A strong earthy finish, ultrablue, and smokey, this cheese makes a terrific addition to any salad

Fromagerie de la Table Ronde, Le Fleuron Blue Cheese Made in Sainte-Sophie, Quebec, this family business, claims environmentally-friendly practices are a large part of the production of this organic cheese, but does not mention any specific practices. The cheese is only available at a few specialty shops in Toronto.

Tasting Notes: Creamy, odourous, strong but delicate, the result of an unusual “bluing” method makes this a must try for true blue cheese lovers.

St Lawrence Market 93 Front St. East 416.364.2806

Specializing In

Why is Fuzion Organico the#1 selling organic wine

Tues.-Fri. 8am-6pm Sat. 9am-5pm www.StLawrenceMarket.com

Taste it and find out.

$12.95

LCBO # 127456

www.fuZionwines.com OUR GREEN HOME FALL 2010 . 13

Treats

Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate

The scariest part of Halloween isn’t always the ghosts and goblins—sometimes, it’s the candy.

While unarguably tasty, mainstream candy contains loads of refined sugar, preservatives, artificial flavours and colours, and empty calories. Plus, the ingredients are rarely certified organic or Fair Trade. Because of the vast amount of candy given out at Halloween, it makes sense to do your part in keeping our children and planet healthy.

Organic candy is free of preservatives and artificial ingredients, and the ingredients have not been exposed to pesticides. Some candies may simply include organic ingredients rather than being fully organic (i.e., 95 per cent or higher organic content) so check the label.

Candy is relatively “healthier” if it’s made of unrefined raw sugar rather than refined sugar. Unrefined raw sugar is made from sugar cane juice and has trace minerals and nutrients present.

Refined sugar does not have any nutrients and passes directly into the bloodstream—hence, empty calories.

You can also ensure that your candy is producer-friendly by buying candy that includes Fair Trade certified ingredients. Fair Trade seeks to ensure that farmers and artisans behind various products get a better deal than they would through conventional trade, which often marginalizes the poorest people in the world. Choosing Fair Trade certified products means that you ensure better prices for producers, as well as longer-term and more meaningful trading relationships.

Major confectioner Cadbury brought Fair Trade into the mainstream by getting the cocoa and sugar for this bar from Fair Trade certified sources. The company made a big splash with a nationwide marketing campaign that includes a website with details on Fair Trade. This bar launched as Fair Trade in Canada this past summer. However, the bar includes artificial flavours and none of the ingredients are organic. It’s widely available and is made in Toronto.

Burnt Sugar Chewy Caramels (dipped in dark chocolate) This candy contains unrefined, Fair Trade-certified sugar and no artificial ingredients. The packaging is recyclable, and is made of paper and cardboard. Only currently available online at naturalcandystore.com, these candies are made in the UK. Burnt Sugar also makes nougats, fudges, toffees, and other caramels that contain unrefined, Fair Trade-certified sugar. Given that they are not individually packaged, these candies aren’t recommended for general trick-or-treaters, but are certainly a good snack alternative.

Don’t forget to give your kids a reusable bag for trick-or-treating!

GreenHomesFall:BigCarrot_GreenHomes

9/30/10

7:27 AM

Page 1

Surf Sweets Organic Jelly Beans (snack pack) These USDA organic and vegetarian jelly beans are also gluten-, casein-, and nut-free. They are available at naturalcandystore. com as well as in select specialty stores in Toronto. The company makes an effort to reduce its carbon footprint by consolidating its manufacturing in the U.S. and using recyclable materials in its non-plastic packaging. The company also offers various other organic and “all-natural” gummy candies.

ShaSha Cocoa Snaps (snack pack)

CANADIAN WORKER CO-OP • SPECIALIZING IN ORGANICALLY GROWN, NON-GMO AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE PRODUCTS

Natural Food Market 416.466.2129

Organic Produce • Bulk & Grocery • Locally Raised Meat Organic Dairy & Eggs • Fridge & Freezer • Vegetarian Café Appliances • Body Care Department • Books

While not organic or Fair Trade, these cocoa snaps are made with unbleached wheat flour and brown sugar. ShaSha has a strong commitment to reducing its environmental footprint, and makes their products right here in Toronto. Their products are widely available and ShaSha also makes a wide variety of baked goods.

The cocoa snaps are certified as halal, kosher, and nut-free.

Wholistic Dispensary 416.466.8432

Vitamins & Minerals • Vibrational Remedies Homeopathic & Herbal Remedies • Professional Staff Professional Product Lines • dispensary@thebigcarrot.ca

Melissa Shin is Managing Editor at Corporate Knights Magazine.

Organic Juice Bar • Free Nutritional Store Tours

348 Danforth Ave.

(1 block w. of Chester subway)

thebigcarrot.ca • info@thebigcarrot.ca Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00-9:00 • Sat 9:00-8:00 • Sun 11:00-6:00

14 . OUR GREEN HOME FALL 2010

Celeste O’Neil is an MBA Candidate at Schulich School of Business, with a BSc in Food Science from University of Guelph.

100% CERTIFIED ORGANIC PRODUCE DELIVERED Fresher, less expensive and more convenient than buying retail

ENTER NOW FOR A CHANCE TO

WIN

GRAND PRIZE - ORGANIC PRODUCE FOR

ONE FULL YEAR VALUED AT OVER $950

CLAIM YOUR

$25 GIFT

COMPLIMENTS OF “OUR GREEN HOME” (One gift code per customer. Can be applied toward a two box trial order from Organics Delivered Ltd.)

Claim your gift at www.ODL.to/oghgift

(*24 small box deliveries.) 2nd Prize is a “Two Box Trial”

Enter online www.ODL.to/oghcontest No purchase necessary. See details online.

Farm fresh produce to your door. *

TASTE US TWICE

WITH OUR TWO BOX TRIAL OFFER & SAVE $25

We deliver 100% certified organic, farm fresh, produce to your door. Your assortment of our seasonal offerings can be tailored to your taste.

Claim your $25 gift code at www.ODL.to/oghgift then place your order to receive two deliveries of our delicious organic produce.

BE GREEN : CALL 1 877 316 0626 or order online at www.OrganicsDelivered.com

OUR GREEN HOME FALL 2010 . 15

SAVE MORE THAN MONEY

Show your Live Green Toronto membership card when you shop for environmentally friendly products and services. By making green choices, you'll help the environment and receive special offers and discounts. Get your free card at livegreentoronto.ca