On Monday June 7, a coalition of 41 organizations launched a campaign urging municipal distribution utility, Toronto Hydro, to support greening the city through solar (PV) panel installation on the city’s public rooftops. The Good Jobs for All Campaign supports the creation of solar jobs in an effort to erect a more sustainable economy and greener future for the greater Toronto area.

Almost as impressive as the wide array of participants, from the Canadian Auto Workers to the Toronto Environmental Alliance, is the group’s potential ability to pressure Toronto Hydro to take action in areas like solar panel installation. In light of the upcoming Toronto elections, the launch could not have been better timed. As a public utility, Toronto Hydro is partially subject to the political whims of representatives eager to accommodate the needs of tax-paying constituents.

Solar PV Training a Crucial Step in Greening Toronto

National and local coalition members are varied in their individual focus but share a common desire to create new solar jobs. Each group supports the campaign in its on way, such as promoting solar PV training programs for the unemployed - an initiative that could receive much support from Rexdale teacher and coalition member, Nigel Barriffe. Solar PV training helps create new job opportunities for immigrants, young professionals, and recent graduates - three of the hardest hit groups during this most recent economic recession.

Support for Solar Panel Installation

With a mayoral race looming in Toronto, coalition members are keeping their message at the forefront of all campaign activities. The Toronto Environmental Alliance, one of the more vocal groups, is calling on every candidate to endorse several priority actions as part of the Sustainable Energy Plan that the city adopted in 2009. One of the six key components of the strategy is to design and deliver energy retrofits and solar panel installations for both public and commercial buildings throughout Toronto. Not only could such efforts help the city reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and other costly energy sources, but it also has the potential to create countless new jobs throughout the greater metropolitan area.