Toronto takes step to banning misleading fossil fuel ads [Video]

Toronto city council has taken a step toward banning misleading fossil-fuel advertising on city property, building on federal anti-greenwashing rules and a similar proposal approved by the city’s transit agency.

It’s the latest in a series of city-level moves across Canada, including in Ottawa and Montreal, that seek to target greenwashing — a term for ads that make misleading or false environmental claims. 

• Download our app to get alerts on your device

Councilors passed a motion Thursday that directed city staff to postpone back next year on a possible draft ban.

Though it stopped short of asking for a full prohibition on ads that advocate for fossil fuels, environmental groups that have been lobbying for a crackdown say it was a welcome first step.

“This is an incredibly important mechanism, essentially, to stop deceptive advertising practices that really mislead the public and have contributed to delaying and derailing our urgent need to transition off fossil fuels,” said Dr. Mili …