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Clean Air Partnership

Clean Air Partnership

Fostering Sustainable Cities

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About

Clean Air Partnership (CAP) is a charitable environmental organization launched in June, 2000. We enable communities to improve air quality, advance active transportation, and take bold climate action. We convene networks, lead research and knowledge transfer, and catalyze transformative action.

Our vision is that Canadian communities are sustainable, healthy and resilient.

Approach

CAP responds to emerging needs through provision of services across three key areas

Research & knowledge transfer

We deliver timely research and distill emerging knowledge into accessible formats for decision-makers

Convening networks

We bring together experts to share their experiences, minimize redundancy and maximize use of resources

Catalyzing action

We advance the scale-up and implementation of climate action

Clean Air Partnership acknowledges that we are on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

Team

David Simor

David Simor

Director of The Centre for Active Transportation (TCAT)

David Simor is the Director of The Centre for Active Transportation (TCAT). An accomplished network builder, he has a wealth of experience bringing communities, researchers, and city staff together to co-create active transportation initiatives that support healthier, more equitable and more sustainable places. David has a decade of project management experience specific to sustainable mobility, workshop design and facilitation, community engagement, and inclusive public spaces. An experienced public speaker, David has spoken at numerous conferences around the world on equitable engagement practices, evaluation strategies for active transportation initiatives, and tactical urbanism. As a founding member of Open Streets TO, David played a key role in the creation of Canada’s largest free outdoor recreational program that temporarily opens streets to people by closing them to cars. David is excited to continue listening to communities on how we best build equitable active transportation infrastructure and initiatives.
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Desislava Stefanova

Desislava Stefanova

Desislava Stefanova

Desislava Stefanova

Outreach Manager

Desislava Stefanova is the Outreach Manager at Clean Air Partnership. Previously, she worked with Toronto Public Health on the King Street Pilot Project to assess public perception of the environment (air pollution, safety, and user experience) and behavior changes. She also contributed to the development of Noise Mitigation Strategies that Toronto Public Health released as part of a report on health impacts from noise. Desislava holds a Master of Applied Science and Management Diploma from Toronto Metropolitan University. Desislava is a passionate public speaker and ambassador of ideas, acting as a bridge between science/policy/business and broader audiences. In her free time, she likes walking, biking and hiking.
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Devanshi Kukadia

Devanshi Kukadia

Devanshi Kukadia

Devanshi Kukadia

Climate Communications Lead

Devanshi is the Climate Communications Lead at Clean Air Partnership. Before joining CAP, she worked as a Development Manager at the Canadian Environmental Network and contributed to strategic planning, communications and operations. She is passionate about building climate resilience in the community and bringing positive changes in policies related to climate change and pollution at all levels of government. Devanshi holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Science from the University of Toronto and is a certified Climate Reality Leader. In her free time, she volunteers with the United Nations Association in Canada and the Canadian Youth Biodiversity Network to advance youth-led environmental initiatives.
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Emiko Newman

Emiko Newman

Climate Accountability Intern

Emiko (she/her) is the Climate Accountability Intern at Clean Air Partnership. She is responsible for tracking municipal climate actions, and ensuring that municipalities apply an equity lens while enacting their climate plans. She recently completed a master’s degree in Social Justice Education and Environmental Studies at the University of Toronto, focusing on the power of eco-pedagogies for fostering a praxis of hope within environmental education. She is most passionate about exploring environmental racism, the intersections of social justice and climate justice, and narratives of hope. In her free time, you can find her playing field hockey, teaching piano, or trying to finish reading challenges.
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Ethan Sansom

Ethan Sansom

Data Analyst

Ethan is a Data Analyst at CAP, working on the creation of transportation inventories and examining the uptake of electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in Ontario. He advocates for sustainable and equitable urban infrastructure development and is passionate about improving the well-being of residents with informed city design. Ethan recently graduated from the University of Toronto, where he studied Statistics and Economics. Before joining CAP, Ethan was a research assistant at the university, working on economic development and education research.

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Gabriella Kalapos

Gabriella Kalapos

Gabriella Kalapos

Gabriella Kalapos

Executive Director

Gaby is the Executive Director at Clean Air Partnership and has been working to motivate and support local government action on clean air and climate change for over 20 years. Her passion has been on encouraging the uptake, transfer and implementation of clean air and climate change actions and the building of partnerships that enable collaboration and support between the community and all levels of government.
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Heather Prest

Heather Prest

Planning Intern

Heather Prest (she/her) is the Planning Intern at Clean Air Partnership. Heather previously worked as a Community Organizer with Hamilton ACORN, where she developed and empowered community leaders to organize for social justice campaigns. Before ACORN, Heather worked as a Climate Change Assistant for the City of Brantford to deliver comprehensive climate reports for the City’s climate change community engagement initiative. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Justice and Community Engagement and an HBA in Society, Culture and Environment from Wilfrid Laurier University. She is passionate about mitigating climate change, adapting communities to be environmentally sustainable and resilient, and working toward a just and equitable world. In her free time, you can find her cycling and rollerblading the trails in the GTHA, painting, or reading a good book.
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Jennie Geleff

Jennie Geleff

Project Manager at The Centre for Active Transportation (TCAT)

Jennie Geleff (she/her) is currently the Project Manager at TCAT. Prior to joining TCAT, Jennie worked as a writer and strategist at Architizer in NYC, where she empowered architects with the knowledge and tools to build better cities. Before Architizer, she worked at Jane’s Walk in Toronto – a grassroots organization that champions walking as a platform for community-led change. Jennie holds a B.A. in Urban Studies from McGill University. Born and raised in Scarborough, Jennie is passionate about building equitable and environmentally just cities, and using her imagination to create new possibilities. She is most excited when harnessing her skills in community engagement, project management, and communications to catalyze impact-driven projects with sharp creative edges. In her free time, you can find her teaching barre classes, throwing pottery, or biking with her friends.
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Keenan Mosdell

Keenan Mosdell

Project Coordinator

Keenan is a Project Coordinator for The Centre for Active Transportation’s Markham Cycles project. An avid advocate for cycling in the suburbs, Keenan is passionate about building cycling culture through community involvement and education. He has volunteered at other bike hubs, such as Scarborough Cycles and Charlie’s Freewheels. Keenan also founded Centennial College’s cycling club during his studies.
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Kevin Behan

Kevin Behan

Kevin Behan

Kevin Behan

Operations Director

Kevin Behan is Operations Director with Clean Air Partnership. Kevin has an Honours Bachelor of Science from University College Dublin and post-graduate qualifications in Business Studies and Information Technology (Dublin Business School) and Spatial Analysis and GIS (McMaster University). Kevin’s research interests include climate change mitigation and adaptation, active transportation, and the importance of effective communication in these areas.
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Mathew Varela

Mathew Varela

Project Coordinator

Mathew is the Bike Hub Coordinator for TCAT’s Newmarket Cycles project. He has been riding and working on bicycles since he was a child and has many years of experience in the cycling industry. He has volunteered at schools, hospices, cycling events, taught apprentices, and has spent years working specifically with electric bicycles. He enjoys spending his free time with his family; going for family bike rides, walks at the zoo, and playing games with his kids. Mathew is excited to spread the love of cycling and active transportation because he believes it will help enrich our lives in the present, and lead us to a more sustainable future.
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Mike Hager

Mike Hager

Researcher

Mike Hager is a Researcher with Clean Air Partnership. He is passionate about public policy and programs that are shaping more vibrant, resilient, and sustainable communities. He has an Honours Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Environment and Business from the University of Waterloo. Prior to joining CAP, Mike managed research, programs, and events to support climate action, active transportation, and the circular economy.
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Nancy Smith Lea

Nancy Smith Lea

Senior Advisor to The Centre for Active Transportation (TCAT)

Nancy Smith Lea is a Senior Advisor to The Centre for Active Transportation (TCAT). Formerly the TCAT Director between 2008-2021, she has a wealth of professional experience as a project lead and specialized knowledge in applied research and policy analysis specific to Complete Streets and active transportation. Skilled in strategic thinking and partnership development, she is a frequently invited speaker at conferences, workshops and a university guest lecturer. She is a six-time award-winner recognized for active transportation, transportation equity, and city-building leadership.
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Sébastien Gagner

Sébastien Gagner

Technical Translator

Sébastien Gagner is CAP’s technical translator. Sebastien has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering from U of Sherbrooke (1995). His technical background, together with over 25 years’ experience as an engineer, and excellent daily bilingual communication skills, positions him well to manage the technical details of building science in both languages. In addition to fluency in English and French, Sébastien possesses a strong proficiency in both Spanish and Japanese.

Aidan Grove-White

Aidan Grove-White

Board Member

Aidan Grove-White is a Vice President in StrategyCorp’s Land Use and Infrastructure Development Practice. Aidan brings significant experience in stakeholder relations, Indigenous community engagement, public education, planning, and policy development. Aidan works with clients across all sectors to find creative solutions to their projects and help them set the strategic direction for their organization. Clients and colleagues quickly come to rely on Aidan’s candour, empathy, foresight, and ability to identify opportunities when charting new strategies, developing trust among their audiences, and overcoming stubborn challenges. Before joining StrategyCorp, Aidan was a manager at the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs. During this time, he worked on public education and stakeholder outreach, building trusting and meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities, numerous stakeholders, inter-ministerial partners, public agencies, ministries, and members of the public. Prior to that, Aidan was the water programs manager and a planning advisor for Environmental Defence. He has also held a variety of policy positions in the Ontario and British Columbia governments, including drinking water protection, services for victims of crime and employment for persons with disabilities.
Bala Gnanam

Bala Gnanam

Bala Gnanam

Bala Gnanam

VP – Energy, Environment & Strategic Partnerships with the Building Owners and Managers Association of Greater Toronto Area (BOMA Toronto)

Bala is responsible for managing and facilitating the development and delivery of educational contents, programs, and initiatives that promote energy efficiency, sustainability, and regulatory compliance. Bala is also actively involved with BOMA’s advocacy initiatives, working closely with all three levels of governments and industry stakeholders contributing to policies and programs impacting the commercial real estate industry. Bala is an industrial engineer and a Certified Energy Manager with over eighteen years of experience in the energy and manufacturing sectors.

Dan Mathieson

Dan Mathieson

Board Member

Dan Mathieson served 27+ years on Stratford City Council, including five terms as Mayor of the City of Stratford and during his tenure, he was a member of numerous boards and committees. He is the Past Chair of the Ontario Crown Corporation the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC), and currently serves as a Board Member of Hampton Financial Corporation, a publicly traded corporation on the TSX Venture Exchange. Dan is the Managing Director of Kari Management, a strategic advisory firm providing clients with invaluable insight into the intersection of government and business.  Dan is also CEO of Coriano Capital, a diversified portfolio of operating companies where he provides strategic leadership and business advice to the individual executive teams in the various operating companies of the portfolio. Dan is presently serving as an Executive in Residence for the Ivey School of Business, Western University, a Senior Advisor to the President of Toronto Metropolitan University, and a Fellow at the Catalyst Institute for Cyber Security at Toronto Metropolitan University. Dan was awarded the Alumni Award of Excellence from the Master of Public Administration at Western University and he was the 2016 Western University, Public Administration Distinguished Lecturer in Residence.  He has received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal. Dan holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Guelph and a Master of Public Administration Degree from the University of Western Ontario.  He is a graduate of the ICD.D Certification Program from the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto.    
Daniel Carr

Daniel Carr, Chair

Daniel Carr

Daniel Carr, Chair

Alectra Utilities as Manager, Emerging Domains – Smart Cities

Daniel Carr is an experienced program manager with expertise in the management of innovative, customer-facing energy programs, policy development and regulatory strategy. In his current role at Alectra Utilities as Manager, Emerging Domains – Smart Cities, he develops and leads projects that bring new distributed energy technologies and concepts into practice, with a focus on electric vehicles, demand response and dynamic electricity pricing. Daniel has a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration from Carleton University, with an undergraduate degree in Government from Cornell University. He holds the Certified Energy Manager and Certified Measurement and Verification Professional designations.

Eric McGoey

Eric McGoey

Board Member

Born and raised in Thunder Bay, Eric and his wife have lived car-free in downtown Toronto since 2002. He loves public policy, basketball, election campaigns, cooking, mentoring, reading, cycling, and his kids (not in that order). Eric worked in the Ontario government for over a decade, as both a civil servant and a senior political advisor, and in the resource sector since 2012, focusing on sustainable resource and community economic development, energy, and Indigenous partnerships. As a volunteer, Eric serves on the board of Cycle Toronto as well as the Clean Air Partnership, and is the founder and president of the 24V basketball club.  
Lisa Prime

Lisa Prime

Lisa Prime

Lisa Prime

Founder and Principal, Prime Strategy & Planning

Lisa values her ability to bring stakeholders together, identify opportunities, and integrate environmental, business and social considerations into major infrastructure revitalization projects, development plans and policy.Previously a municipal planner, a conservation authority planner, and Waterfront Toronto Director Environment and Innovation, for over 10 years, Lisa has worked to meet government and stakeholder needs. Lisa holds undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Waterloo and York University in Environmental Planning. She also has Executive Business Administration training from McGill.
Parag Datta

Parag Datta

Parag Datta

Parag Datta

Senior Manager, Corporate Business Development and Strategy, Ontario Power Generation

Parag has over 14 years of consulting and corporate experience in the energy, utilities and infrastructure sector in alternative energy business development, strategy and mergers and acquisitions. In his current role at OPG, Parag leads the development, acquisition and deployment of transit and fleet electrification infrastructure programs in Ontario. In his previous role at Aecon Group, Parag led the mergers and acquisitions group as well as the development of corporate strategy. Previously, Parag has led strategic business development for Enbridge Gas in non-traditional markets and fuels (Hydrogen, Geothermal).
Sarah Heynen

Sarah Heynen

Sarah Heynen

Sarah Heynen

Chief Development Officer for Peace + Freedom

Sarah Heynen is the Chief Development Officer for Peace + Freedom, an enterprise devoted to unleashing the power of entrepreneurs in remote areas to solve problems by providing them access to energy, internet, transport and financing. Previously, Sarah spent ten years with Evergreen, the visionary charity behind the internationally celebrated social enterprise, Evergreen Brick Works. Serving in various senior roles, including COO and CDO, Sarah brought her passion for people together with systems thinking, fostering the conditions for teams to thrive and revenues to triple. Prior to Evergreen, Sarah worked for WWF-Canada and the Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation.

Sheila Ritson-Bennett

Sheila Ritson-Bennett

Board Member

Sheila Ritson-Bennett is a collaborative leader and industry-recognized expert in the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) space, including climate-related financial risk management and disclosures.  In 2021, Sheila became the first Head of Environment and Sustainability Governance at one of Canada’s largest media and entertainment companies. Previously, she worked within the Canadian banking sector as sustainability and climate counsel and helped build out environmental and climate-related risk frameworks, policies and measurement programs and worked closely with the international member-based Equator Principles.  She has also worked as legal counsel in regulatory, environmental, trade and Indigenous legal matters with the Government of Ontario and holds an M.A from Mount Allison University, an LL.B from the University of Ottawa and an LL.M in Global Environment and Climate Change Law from the University of Edinburgh.
Stuart Galloway

Stuart Galloway, Treasurer

Stuart Galloway

Stuart Galloway, Treasurer

CEO for Energy Services Association Canada

Stuart is the current CEO for Energy Services Association Canada and also manages his own advisory practice, championing performance based solutions for energy and infrastructure renewal initiatives, resulting in fiscally and environmentally responsible outcomes. His advisory roles include expertise across the UK, European and Canadian infrastructure markets, across both the public and private sector and has over $10 billion capital worth of projects to his acclaim, delivering a number of cutting-edge pathfinders in Canada, leading the way for similar successful projects. Stuart is both technically qualified and financially experienced with specialist expertise for delivering alternative project delivery models, financing structures, partnering arrangements and framework agreements across the energy sector in health, municipalities, transportation, education and housing. He has a passion for improving the impact we are having on our planet.

History

  1. 1996

    CAP founding legislation passed by Ontario government

    Global Average Atmospheric CO2 (PPM) 363
  2. 2000

    Clean Air Council (CAC) established- a peer-to-peer climate action network of municipalities working collaboratively on clean air and climate change actions

    Global Average Atmospheric CO2 (PPM) 370
  3. 2001

    Third IPCC report states that unprecedented global warming is “very likely” with highly damaging future impacts

    Global Average Atmospheric CO2 (PPM) 371
  4. 2005

    CAP initiates Adapting to Climate Change in Toronto, setting the City on a pathway to creating its first climate adaptation plan

    Global Average Atmospheric CO2 (PPM) 380
  5. 2006

    TCAT is formed to advance knowledge and evidence to build support for safe and inclusive streets for walking and cycling

    Global Average Atmospheric CO2 (PPM) 381
  6. 2007

    Fourth IPCC report notes that cost of reducing emissions would be far less than the damage they will cause

    Global Average Atmospheric CO2 (PPM) 384
  7. 2009

    CAP creates Canada’s first climate adaptation training program

    Global Average Atmospheric CO2 (PPM) 388
  8. 2010

    TCAT hosts first Complete Street Forum

    Global Average Atmospheric CO2 (PPM) 390
  9. 2011

    World population grows to 7 billion

    Global Average Atmospheric CO2 (PPM) 392
  10. 2014

    Toronto Public Health releases Path to Healthier Air: Toronto Air Pollution Burden of Illness

    Global Average Atmospheric CO2 (PPM) 399
  11. 2015

    Together with federal, provincial and municipal partners, CAP leads the creation of Ontario’s Heat Warning and Information System

    Global Average Atmospheric CO2 (PPM) 401
  12. 2016

    City of Toronto adopts a Vision Zero Road Safety Plan

    Global Average Atmospheric CO2 (PPM) 405
  13. 2018

    CAP selected by FCM to be Ontario facilitator for the Partners for Climate Protection, Canada’s largest GHG reduction program

    Global Average Atmospheric CO2 (PPM) 409
  14. 2019

    TCAT creates Markham Cycles, Markham’s community bicycle hub, and the first of its kind in York Region

    Global Average Atmospheric CO2 (PPM) 412
  15. 2020

    Clean Air Council grows to 33 municipalities and Public Health Units representing over 10 million Ontarians. CAP launches a project on used EV rebates

    Global Average Atmospheric CO2 (PPM) 413
  16. 2021

    IPCC releases sixth assessment report noting that unless there are immediate, rapid and large-scale reductions in GHG emissions, limiting warming to close to 1.5°C or even 2°C will be beyond reach

    Global Average Atmospheric CO2 (PPM) 418

Funders

Non-Government Funders

  • Access Alliance
  • Alta Planning and Design
  • CanadaHelps
  • Chargepoint Inc.
  • Charitable Impact Foundation
  • Climate Caucus
  • Credit Valley Conservation
  • CultureLink Settlement Services
  • Dunsky Energy Consulting
  • ECHO Foundation
  • ECO Canada
  • Federation of Canadian Municipalities
  • Green Communities Canada
  • IESO
  • M.H. Brigham Foundation
  • Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment
  • Metcalf foundation
  • Montreal Urban Ecology Centre
  • Peterborough GreenUP
  • MunichRE
  • Ontario Trillium Foundation
  • Peel Multicultural Council
  • QUEST
  • Simon Fraser University
  • The Atmospheric Fund
  • TD Friends of the Environment Foundation
  • Toronto Metropolitan University
  • TREC
  • University of Toronto
  • WSP Canada
  • York Region District School Board

Municipal Funders

  • City of Brampton
  • City of Burlington
  • City of Cornwall
  • City of Guelph
  • City of Hamilton
  • City of Kingston
  • City of Kitchener
  • City of London
  • City of Markham
  • City of Mississauga
  • City of Newmarket
  • City of Oshawa
  • City of Peterborough
  • City of Pickering
  • City of St. Catharines
  • City of Toronto
  • City of Vaughan
  • City of Windsor
  • County of Grey
  • Dufferin County
  • Durham Region
  • Halton Region
  • Municipality of Chatham-Kent
  • Municipality of Clarington
  • Northumberland County
  • Peel Region
  • Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit
  • Town of Ajax
  • Town of Aurora
  • Town of Caledon
  • Town of Halton Hills
  • Town of Oakville
  • Town of Richmond Hill
  • Town of Whitby
  • Township of King
  • Waterloo Region
  • York Region

Provincial and Federal Funders

  • Canada Summer Jobs
  • Environment and Climate Change Canada
  • Health Canada
  • Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs & Housing
  • Ontario Ministry of Economic Development

Financial statements

2021
2020
2019

Annual reports

2021
2020
2019
Clean Air Partnership

75 Elizabeth Street
Toronto, Ontario M5G 1P4


416-460-6320
cap@cleanairpartnership.org

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