Mississauga City Council unanimously endorses Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty

MISSISSAUGA | TERRITORY OF THE MISSISSAUGAS OF THE CREDIT FIRST NATION, THE HAUDENOSAUNEE CONFEDERACY, AND THE HURON-WENDAT AND WYANDOT NATIONS – The Mississauga City Council today voted to endorse the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, joining a growing global movement of 197 cities and subnational governments — including Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Vancouver, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Kolkata, and Sydney — in calling for a just transition away from fossil fuels.

Seven residents spoke in favour of the Treaty motion during the council meeting today, stating that their neighbourhoods have been impacted by extreme flooding and that young people want good, green jobs. Eleven council members voted in favour of it, and none voted against it.

Acclaimed guitarist Donna Grantis — a native of Mississauga who has shared the stage with artists including Prince, Stevie Wonder, Pearl Jam, and Kendrick Lamar — was a key advocate in bringing the Fossil Fuel Treaty to Mississauga City Hall for consideration.

The artist worked with Councillor Chris Fonseca and the Environmental Action Committee to bring the motion to City Council.  On the endorsement, Grantis said:

“This vote is a reminder that meaningful change happens when people come together – artists, advocates, youth groups, health professionals, city officials, and residents – to imagine and build a more resilient future.”

Endorsing the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty reinforces Mississauga’s 2019 Climate Emergency declaration and its evolving Climate Change Action Plan.

Fonseca, Ward 3 Councillor of Mississauga and sponsor of the motion, said:

“I was honoured to bring forward a motion at Mississauga City Council to endorse the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty – another proactive step in reaffirming our city’s commitment to real climate action and a more sustainable future. While we have made significant strides, our responsibility continues. We must keep working together to educate, collaborate, and take action to mitigate and adapt to climate change – safeguarding the neighbourhoods and quality of life we value today and for future generations.”

Mississaugans have been experiencing extreme heat, immense floods, and dangerous wildfire smoke, all of which strain local budgets, infrastructure, and public health. This has galvanized climate leadership by the city. However, that progress is under threat by provincial policies, including the cancellation of local Green Development Standards for new homes in Bill 98, which will pass this week.

Lana Goldberg, SAFE cities Climate Campaigner with Stand.earth, said:

“This is a fantastic commitment from Mississauga to stay on the right track, while sending a powerful message to the provincial government that municipalities want and need Ontario to row in the same direction. Along with Toronto’s and Ottawa’s, this endorsement sets a good precedent for other municipalities to follow, creating bottom-up pressure for higher levels of government to do their part.”

Click here for images from the decision.

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Media contacts:

Lana Goldberg, SAFE Cities Climate Campaigner, lana.goldberg@stand.earth

Arin de Hoog, Stand.earth Communications Coordinator, arin.dehoog@stand.earth

About Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty:

The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative is a global effort to foster international cooperation to accelerate a transition to clean energy, end the expansion of oil, gas, and coal, and wind down existing production in keeping with what science shows is needed to address the climate crisis.

About Donna Grantis:

Donna Grantis is an advocate of music as a force for change. She was recently inducted into the Mississauga Music Walk of Fame, in recognition of her acclaimed journey as a musician which began in the community of Applewood Heights. 

From 2012 to 2016, Grantis performed and recorded with Prince as the co-lead guitarist in his funk-rock trio 3RDEYEGIRL and supergroup New Power Generation. Notable performances include a history-making eight-minute segment on “Saturday Night Live;” three nights headlining the Montreux Jazz Festival; and a historic performance at The White House for President Barack Obama and family. Grantis has shared the stage with artists including Stevie Wonder, Pearl Jam, and Kendrick Lamar. 

Grantis’ connection to the global Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation movement includes her song, “A Drop In The Bucket,” which features the voice of Tzeporah Berman, founder of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. Watch it here.