York University
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy

1. As a 'commuter campus,' in Toronto, York University has long acknowledged the importance of varied and reliable transportation options for our community. As such, the University has played an active role in improving public transit to both the Keele and Glendon campuses. Many of our discussions with three different levels of government have led to transit improvements, such as the extension of the TTC Subway line onto the Keele campus. We advocate for our commuter community by sharing figures with respect to public transit use with decision makers, in-part to make the argument for more supports for sustainable commuting. In February 2024, Ontario's One Fare Program allows transit riders to only pay once when connecting to and from the TTC and GO Transit, Brampton Transit, Durham Region Transit, MiWay and York Region Transit.

2. York University is participating in the City of Toronto's Green Will Initiative to accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In 2021, York University announced its commitment to achieve net-zero by 2040 or sooner as part of its Sustainability Action Commitment. This will help York University reduce emissions, receive support to achieve targets and create a plan for reductions.
3. Osgoode students were instrumental in establishing the community-based legal clinic called the Parkdale Community Legal Services Clinic. PCLS embraces a model of community lawyers that integrates strategies designed to redress individual legal problems with those designed to facilitate broader systemic reform. The systemic work of the Clinic takes many forms including public legal education, community development, coalition building, community organizing, media strategizing, and law reform. Students learn how to critically evaluate law’s role in reproducing poverty and as a resource to help eradicate poverty.

1. Fare integration (lowering the per individual cost of regional public transportation services) remains an advocacy priority that we advance with the Ontario provincial government. On February 15 2023, The City Institute at York University engaged with key stakeholders to discuss "An integrated, region-wide transit system" to York's commuting network. In February 2024, Ontario's One Fare Program took effect which allows transit riders to only pay once when connecting to and from the TTC and GO Transit, Brampton Transit, Durham Region Transit, MiWay and York Region Transit.

2. We regularly advocate for green and accessible infrastructure investments for the University sector in Ontario when meeting with MPPs and Minister's offices.

1. In 2021, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) has established the Toronto Centre of Excellence on Youth Homelessness Prevention at York University. The Toronto Centre of Excellence will build on the work of the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, which is based at York University. It assesses the state of youth homelessness and prevention in the 56 member states of UNECE to help get youth homelessness and prevention onto public policy agendas on the municipal, provincial and federal governments. The COH has published a number of policy briefs, such as Towards an Ontario Strategy to End Youth Homelessness and Leading the Way: Reimagining Federal Leadership on Preventing Homelessness and Mental Health Care for Homeless Youth: A Proposal for Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Leadership, Coordination. Within these briefs, the COH makes policy recommendations based on the latest research on homelessness.

2. We regularly advocate for green and accessible infrastructure investments for the University sector when meeting with MPs and Minister's offices.

3. We advocate for sustainability-focused projects (ex: SARIT electric vehicles) and support their advocacy activities to better demonstrate the value of sustainable technologies, and the potential for societal benefit based on their usage.

CIFAL York is part of UNITAR's global network of training centers for knowledge-sharing, training, and capacity-building for leaders, local authorities, and civil society. In October 2021, CIFAL York launched a knowledge-exchange dialogue workshop to strengthen multilevel action for climate, nature and people. This event provided the knowledge base for Professor Idil Boran to convene an official side event to the UN Climate Change Conference, COP26, to a larger audience in Glasgow, Scotland. As per Professor Boran, the "event hosted Canadian and international participants, both researchers and practitioners, to share knowledge and experiences and identify priorities for accelerating and strengthening multilevel joint action for nature and the climate by multiplicity of actors, while delivering the sustainable development goals.