By one count, Mount Dennis, one of Toronto’s priority neighbourhoods, has shed 10,000 jobs over the past 20 years. Today, the riding has the second lowest median income in all of Ontario and acres of vacant ex-industrial property.

Grassroots efforts to attract green jobs to Mount Dennis have been underway for some timeand it looks like these efforts are beginning to pay off. For example, the abandoned Kodak site has been chosen as the maintenance yard for the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, which will bring jobs and add to the growing number of transit-related developments in the area. And other opportunities are opening up as well, thanks to the planned transit hub and efforts to revitalize Weston Road and Eglinton Avenue.

In late January of 2012, Blue Green Canada, the Labour Education Centre and the Mount Dennis Weston Network brought 50 thinkers, planners and activists together to discuss the challenges and opportunities in Mount Dennis, and to begin to develop a strategy for Making Green Work in this community. Momentum is building and a diverse group is working to bring positive change.

To get involved in Making Green Work in Mount Dennis or for more information, contact Rick Ciccarelli.