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CORRECTION to Press Release issued on October 30, 2025

City of Richmond Hill becomes the first municipality in York Region to support the Plant Based Treaty

City agrees to promote a more plant-based food approach that aligns with the City’s climate plans and GHG reduction goals

November 6 — City of Richmond Hill, Ontario, has passed a motion to promote more plant-based food options where possible, which is consistent with the goals of the city’s Community Energy and Emissions Plan (CEEP). With this support, Richmond Hill joins the call for a global food system transformation as a critical solution to the climate crisis, supporting the goals of the Plant Based Treaty.

Note that the City of Richmond Hill did not officially endorse the Plant Based Treaty, but voted in favour of a motion that supports some of the goals of the Plant Based Treaty.

The Plant Based Treaty motion, which passed 8:1, was introduced on 22nd October by Councillor Scott Thompson following sustained local advocacy and ratified on 29th October.

Councillor Thompson, who tabled the motion at the council meeting on October 29th, said, “This is not an anti-meat campaign, or about telling people what they should or shouldn’t eat. It’s about acknowledging science, and promoting awareness of how our food choices, collectively, contribute to GHG emissions, and how even small changes can make a meaningful difference.” 

Media Contacts:

Media Assets: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1UT6DTzHIRPhVJQIirvrHToxHPBrnMnJS?usp=sharing

Media Contacts:

Media Assets: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1UT6DTzHIRPhVJQIirvrHToxHPBrnMnJS?usp=sharing

November 6 — City of Richmond Hill, Ontario, has passed a motion to promote more plant-based food options where possible, which is consistent with the goals of the city’s Community Energy and Emissions Plan (CEEP). With this support, Richmond Hill joins the call for a global food system transformation as a critical solution to the climate crisis, supporting the goals of the Plant Based Treaty.

Note that the City of Richmond Hill did not officially endorse the Plant Based Treaty, but voted in favour of a motion that supports some of the goals of the Plant Based Treaty.

The Plant Based Treaty motion, which passed 8:1, was introduced on 22nd October by Councillor Scott Thompson following sustained local advocacy and ratified on 29th October.

Councillor Thompson, who tabled the motion at the council meeting on October 29th, said, “This is not an anti-meat campaign, or about telling people what they should or shouldn’t eat. It’s about acknowledging science, and promoting awareness of how our food choices, collectively, contribute to GHG emissions, and how even small changes can make a meaningful difference.” 

In the Plant Based Treaty motion, the City of Richmond Hill has committed to: 

  • Promoting a more plant-based food approach that aligns with the City’s climate plans and GHG reduction goals, 
  • Aim to include environmentally-friendly plant-based food options at City meetings and events,
  • Encourage inclusion of plant-based options at events held by community organizations, 
  • Explore opportunities to raise public awareness about the climate, environmental, and health benefits of plant-based food systems and diets. 

Local resident and Plant Based Treaty Richmond Hill volunteer, Eduardo Morales, said, “This makes me feel really good. Not only does it inspire and provide an opportunity for more people to try plant-based foods, but it also inspires hope for future climate action. For me, it means more plant-based options at Richmond Hill events; it also means more plant-based options for friends and family of various diets.” 

Background 

The Plant Based Treaty is modeled on the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, and since its launch in August 2021, the initiative has received support from 55 cities, more than a quarter of a million individual endorsers, 5 Nobel laureates, IPCC scientists, and more than 4000 groups and businesses, including Plant Based Canada, 350 Toronto, and chapters of Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth. 

The Plant Based Treaty has secured high-profile endorsements from celebrities, including Bif Naked, and Paul, Mary and Stella McCartney, who issued a written statement calling for politicians to support the Plant-Based Treaty. They said: “We believe in justice for animals, the environment and people. That’s why we support the Plant Based Treaty and urge individuals and governments to sign it.” 

Learn more at www.plantbasedtreaty.org

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