Last Wednesday, a severe storm hit Toronto, causing heavy rain and strong winds that uprooted trees and forced pedestrians to seek shelter. City officials labeled it a “100-year storm,” with meteorologists confirming that the city received a month’s worth of rain in just a few hours, making it the wettest September 2 on record.
According to How-Sen Chong from the Toronto Environmental Alliance, the storm’s intensity was exacerbated by climate change, leading to more frequent extreme weather events. Jason Thistlethwaite, a climate resilience expert at the University of Waterloo, echoed this sentiment, warning that Toronto can expect more powerful storms like the recent one. He questioned whether current measures and investments are sufficient to address the escalating climate risks.
Despite Toronto’s approval of a long-term climate plan called TransformTO, Thistlethwaite highlighted the absence of a stormwater tax in the city’s initiatives. This proposed tax could target property owners, particularly those with large non-porous surfaces that contribute to flooding, providing the city with necessary funds to manage stormwater effectively.
While there have been discussions around stormwater charges, they have faced opposition, with critics labeling them as a “roof tax” or “rain tax.” Surprisingly, none of the mayoral candidates in the upcoming election have committed to implementing such a charge if elected.
During recent campaign activities, candidate Brad Bradford expressed support for Toronto’s existing climate plans but criticized Mayor Olivia Chow for not elevating their ambition. Bradford emphasized the need to secure funding from other levels of government for significant environmental projects, citing the successful completion of the Don River revitalization project under previous administrations.
As the election approaches, it remains unclear whether Chow’s campaign will release a climate plan or outline budget allocations for environmental initiatives. Meanwhile, Chris Alexander’s campaign has expressed a strong commitment to addressing climate issues, positioning him as a contender in the upcoming election.