Infrastructure and Environment Committee
The full agenda, as filed
All 10 items in the clerk’s order. Each carries the city’s own words: the staff recommendation, what the body decided, and its status. Nothing below is written by us.
IE6.1amended
Presentation from OMERS - Climate and Fiduciary Duties
As requested by City Council in its decision on item MM5.1 at the March 29, 30 and 31, 2023 meeting, representatives from OMERS have been invited to give a presentation on Climate and Fiduciary Duties of OMERS to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee.
The Infrastructure and Environment Committee invited OMERS to make an annual presentation to the Committee on the OMERS Climate Action Plan, and requested OMERS to include more detailed climate plan and progress reports along with the annual Presentations.
IE6.2amended
On-Street Paid Parking Pilot - Mobile Only Zones
Since the introduction of the Green P Mobile Application in 2016, the Toronto Parking Authority has seen adoption in the use of the Green P App grow from just 49 percent of all customer transactions in 2016 to over 75 percent in 2023, with a total of 1.6 million subscribers. Over 12 million customer transactions in 2023 have taken place on the Green P App. By the end of 2024, the Toronto Parking Authority forecasts that growth will continue to increase to approximately 79 percent of customer transactions and to 85 percent by the end of 2025. The increase in mobile usage has resulted in a corresponding reduction in the percentage of customer transactions utilizing Pay and Display parking machines. Toronto Parking Authority's current on-street paid parking portfolio includes approximately 21,500 parking spaces and accepts payment via 2,728 Pay and Display parking machines, 178 single-space parking meters, and the Green P App. In 2022, Toronto Parking Authority's on-street paid parking program generated $44.7 million in revenues. The Toronto Parking Authority conducted a review of how best to manage aspects of on-street parking operations, and how paid parking equipment (i.e. Pay and Display parking machines and single space meters) are being used as part of the larger on-street paid parking program. Through this review, the Toronto Parking Authority identified that Pay and Display parking machines which are located in low volume areas or are servicing a threshold of five (5) or less parking stalls per one (1) Pay and Display machine and do not generate sufficient revenue to off-set operational costs should be identified for transition. As a result, and in an effort to sustain paid parking areas which helps drive turnover for local businesses, the Toronto Parking Authority reviewed alternative options to the current On-Street paid parking program including the introduction of "Mobile Only Zones" where customers can pay for parking using a number of mobile options including, the Green P App, text to pay or by scanning a QR code. Transportation Services and Toronto Parking Authority staff have reviewed the current on-street paid parking inventory and are proposing to pilot thirteen (13) Mobile Only Zones based on one (1) or more of the following criteria: High mobile utilization within that specific area or location (greater than 70 percent utilization), Low number of parking stalls at minimum five (5) or less parking stalls per one (1) Pay and Display parking machine, Locations containing legacy single space meters which have reached the end of their serviceable life, or Located in the downtown core for prototype purposes (learning opportunity in a busier environment). The Toronto Parking Authority staff will monitor the operation of these thirteen (13) Mobile Only Zones throughout the duration of a one (1) year pilot program to determine success against key performance indicators. This report also seeks Council approval to amend a number of City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapters to add Mobile Only Zones to the on-street paid parking program in order to conduct the pilot.
The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that: 1. City Council approve a pilot project of up to twelve (12) months at on-street paid parking locations to allow Mobile Only Zones as generally described in the report (September 6, 2023) from the General Manager, Transportation Services to allow customers paying for parking to do so through the Green P App, text to pay or by scanning a QR code to complete paid parking transactions and request that the General Manager, Transportation Services, in consultation with the President, Toronto Parking Authority, report back to City Council on the outcome of the pilot project and recommend next steps. 2. City Council amend City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 910 to establish new offences in relation to Mobile Only Zones, generally as set out in Attachment 1 to the report (September 6, 2023) from the General Manager, Transportation Services, and establish an associated penalty amount of $30.00 for each such new offence. 3. City Council amend City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 179, Parking Authority, City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 610, Penalties, Administration of, City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 910, Parking Machines and Meters, City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 925, Permit Parking, City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 950, Traffic and Parking and City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 903, Parking for Persons with Disabilities, as outlined in Attachment 1 to the report (September 6, 2023) from the General Manager, Transportation Services, to allow for the establishment of Mobile Only Zones. 4. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the necessary bills to give effect to City Council's decision and City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make any necessary clarifications, refinements, minor modifications, technical amendments, or by-law amendments as may be identified by the City Solicitor or General Manager, Transportation Services, in order to give effect to Recommendations 1 to 3, above. 5. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services, to undertake a comprehensive review of various on-street parking administrative penalty amounts and report back at in January 2024 meeting of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee on revised administrative penalty amounts.
Staff recommendation as filed
The General Manager, Transportation Services, recommends that: 1. City Council approve a pilot project of up to twelve (12) months at on-street paid parking locations to allow Mobile Only Zones as generally described in the report (September 6, 2023) from the General Manager, Transportation Services to allow customers paying for parking to do so through the Green P App, text to pay or by scanning a QR code to complete paid parking transactions and request that the General Manager, Transportation Services, in consultation with the President, Toronto Parking Authority, report back to City Council on the outcome of the pilot project and recommend next steps. 2. City Council amend City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 910 to establish new offences in relation to Mobile Only Zones, generally as set out in Attachment 1 to the report (September 6, 2023) and establish an associated penalty amount of $30.00 for each such new offence. 3. City Council amend City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 179, Parking Authority, City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 610, Penalties, Administration of, City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 910, Parking Machines and Meters, City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 925, Permit Parking, City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 950, Traffic and Parking and City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 903, Parking for Persons with Disabilities, as outlined in Attachment 1 to the report (September 6, 2023) from the General Manager, Transportation Services to allow for the establishment of Mobile Only Zones. 4. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the necessary bills to give effect to City Council's decision and City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make any necessary clarifications, refinements, minor modifications, technical amendments, or by-law amendments as may be identified by the City Solicitor or General Manager, Transportation Services, in order to give effect to Recommendations 1 to 3, above.
IE6.3amended
Transition of Toronto's Blue Bin Recycling Program to Extended Producer Responsibility
This report provides the outcome of discussions with the System Administrator (Circular Materials) for the post-transition phase of the Blue Box transition to Extended Producer Responsibility, beginning January 1, 2026, specifically whether the City of Toronto would play a continued role in service provision on behalf of producers past December 31, 2025. This report also summarizes key considerations following a review of the Issuing Authority's (comprised of Circular Materials and Reverse Logistics Group) Request for Proposals, which is seeking a collections service provider for eligible sources in the City of Toronto post-2025. Based on an extensive and collaborative multi-divisional review of the Request for Proposal and its technology, operational, asset, staffing and other service requirements, staff are recommending to not respond to the tender and have prepared an alternative workplan with supporting City Council recommendations and further detail outlined in Confidential Attachment 2.
The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that: 1. City Council support the decision of City staff to not submit a bid in response to the Circular Materials, as the Common Collection System Administrator, and Reverse Logistics Group, as the Common Collection System Operator, Request for Proposals for services to collect Provincially-regulated blue box material from residences and facilities as defined in O. Reg. 391/21: Blue Box in City of Toronto Districts, beginning January 1, 2026. 2. If Recommendation 1 is adopted, City Council authorize the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, to negotiate and enter into any agreements to sell City recycling carts from eligible residences and facilities, and for the funds from the sale to return to Solid Waste Management Services' utility rate, as an exception to section 195-12.2 of the Code. 3. City Council support the decision of City staff to decline any request from Circular Materials and Reverse Logistics Group, received after December 31, 2023, to negotiate a Blue Box Materials service agreement with the City of Toronto. 4. City Council direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services to review and analyze potential service delivery options for waste collection (excluding Provincially-regulated blue box recycled materials) from District 2 beginning July 1, 2026, including issuing a competitive tender to the private sector, pursuing managed competition, and bringing collection services in-house to be performed by City of Toronto staff. 5. City Council direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services to report back to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee in the first quarter of 2024 on the review and analysis of potential service delivery options for District 2 beginning July 1, 2026, as authorized in Recommendation 4. 6. City Council authorize the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, to negotiate and enter into any agreements or amending agreements necessary for professional services such as a financial analysis firm or a management consulting firm to support the review and analysis authorized in Recommendation 4. 7. City Council direct that Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (September 8, 2023) from the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, remain confidential in its entirety for five years from the date that City Council adopts the report titled "Transition of Toronto's Blue Bin Recycling Program to Extended Producer Responsibility", dated September 8, 2023, as it contains a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiation carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the City. 8. City Council direct that Confidential Attachment 2 to the report (September 8, 2023) from the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, remain confidential in its entirety until December 31, 2024 as it relates to labour relations or employee negotiations. 9. City Council request the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services to continue to collaboratively work with CUPE Local 416 to address any staffing impacts caused by the continued implementation of Ontario Regulation 391/21: Blue Box. 10. City Council request the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services to report to City Council in fourth quarter of 2025 on any known operational and customer experience impacts in Ontario municipalities as a result of the implementation of Ontario Regulation 391/21: Blue Box (the Province of Ontario's Residential Blue Box Extended Producer Responsibility program), with the purpose of informing a comprehensive change management and communications strategy for Toronto residents as a result of the transition. 11. City Council direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services to inform the Province and the Issuing Authority for Ontario Regulation 391/21: Blue Box (Blue Box Extended Producer Responsibility program) of the City of Toronto's interest and ability to continue to provide a cost-effective, seamless and high-quality Blue Box recycling collection service across the City of Toronto post-2025 for both Torontonians and Producers through direct negotiations for service. 12. City Council request that the Province require the Issuing Authority for Producers as it relates to the implementation of Ontario Regulation 391/21: Blue Box program to make public the Request for Proposals: Collection of Blue Box Material from Residences and Facilities in City of Toronto Districts document to support public access and transparency as the relates to the future delivery of Blue Box collections services in the City of Toronto.
Staff recommendation as filed
The General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services recommends that: 1. City Council support the decision of City staff to not submit a bid in response to the Circular Materials, as the Common Collection System Administrator, and Reverse Logistics Group, as the Common Collection System Operator, Request for Proposals for services to collect Provincially-regulated blue box material from residences and facilities as defined in O. Reg. 391/21: Blue Box in City of Toronto Districts, beginning January 1, 2026. 2. If Recommendation 1 is adopted, City Council authorize the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, to negotiate and enter into any agreements to sell City recycling carts from eligible residences and facilities, and for the funds from the sale to return to Solid Waste Management Services' utility rate, as an exception to section 195-12.2 of the Code. 3. City Council support the decision of City staff to decline any request from Circular Materials and Reverse Logistics Group, received after December 31, 2023, to negotiate a Blue Box Materials service agreement with the City of Toronto. 4. City Council direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services to review and analyze potential service delivery options for waste collection (excluding Provincially-regulated blue box recycled materials) from District 2 beginning July 1, 2026, including issuing a competitive tender to the private sector, pursuing managed competition, and bringing collection services in-house to be performed by City of Toronto staff. 5. City Council direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services to report back to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee in the first quarter of 2024 on the review and analysis of potential service delivery options for District 2 beginning July 1, 2026, as authorized in Recommendation 4. 6. City Council authorize the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, to negotiate and enter into any agreements or amending agreements necessary for professional services such as a financial analysis firm or a management consulting firm to support the review and analysis authorized in Recommendation 4. 7. City Council direct that Confidential Attachment 1 remain confidential in its entirety for five years from the date that City Council adopts this report titled "Transition of Toronto's Blue Bin Recycling Program to Extended Producer Responsibility", dated September 8, 2023, as it contains a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiation carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the City. 8. City Council direct that Confidential Attachment 2 remain confidential in its entirety until December 31, 2024 as it relates to labour relations or employee negotiations.
IE6.4adopted
Existing buildings are Toronto's largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for approximately 58 percent of total community-wide emissions. In July 2021, City Council adopted the Net Zero Existing Buildings Strategy (the Strategy) to address the challenge of achieving net zero emissions from existing buildings. The Strategy was developed with a net zero by 2050 target, which was then accelerated to net zero by 2040 upon City Council's adoption of the TransformTO Net Zero Strategy (TransformTO) in December 2021. Meeting the City's ambitious net zero by 2040 target will require rapid action to scale up existing programs and significant levels of investment and coordination with other levels of government. Toronto's community-wide emissions from buildings have been reduced 37 percent between 2008 and 2020. These emissions must be nearly cut in half in the next seven years to meet the 2030 target. TransformTO confirms the establishment of mandatory performance standards for existing buildings as a key action and calls for greenhouse gas emissions from existing buildings to be cut in half, from 2008 levels, by 2030. The Strategy was developed with extensive technical modelling and analysis, stakeholder engagement, and best practices research. The Strategy identified nine actions for the City to undertake to achieve net zero emissions from existing buildings and includes key design and implementation considerations for each action. The Strategy also presents the potential impacts on emissions, costs, and co-benefits of resilience, social equity, health, and local economic development. The Strategy recommends an approach of first introducing voluntary programs followed by a transition to mandatory requirements in the medium to long-term (2025-2030). Key insights from the Strategy included that voluntary measures will not be sufficient to catalyze the scale of action required to achieve net zero emissions and that mandatory requirements are necessary. The Strategy estimates that retrofitting existing building stock to net zero performance levels by 2050 will require more than $145 billion beyond business-as-usual investment by all levels of government and the private sector. Accelerating the Strategy's net zero goal to reach a 2040 target will require accelerated investment and a greater focus on mandatory measures to ensure success. Update Report Overview The Update on the Net Zero Existing Buildings Strategy and Implementation of Mandatory Emissions Performance Standards report provides a general update on implementation progress of the Strategy and reports back to City Council on direction received following adoption of the Strategy, including progress on: - Mandatory emissions performance reporting for all buildings, providing data to better understand the performance of buildings - Emissions-based labelling program for low-rise residential buildings that begins as voluntary and transitions to mandatory - Mandatory emissions performance standards for all existing buildings that will require improved emissions performance over time, taking into consideration the City's authority to implement - Phased-in mandatory energy and emissions audits, re-commissioning and retrofit roadmaps planning for larger buildings - Programs which support commercial, institutional, and multi-unit residential buildings in undertaking retrofits including guidance, financing and collaboration - Promotion and education efforts to engage property owners and other building sector stakeholders including designers, architects, engineers, developers, builders, property managers, tenants and other stakeholders in the implementation of the Strategy and the benefits of retrofits This report also provides information on efforts underway to realign the modelling and proposed pathways in the Strategy with the accelerated net zero by 2040 TransformTO target adopted by City Council in December 2021. Preliminary key findings include: - fuel-switch-focused packages for all building sectors are less costly and easier-to-implement - the requirement to decarbonize the Provincial electricity grid is now even more critical than before - current market conditions have resulted in significant increases to upfront capital costs for retrofits These preliminary findings mean that the transition to net zero will be more difficult, making even more critical providing additional supports for building owners and the expedited introduction of mandatory requirements for existing buildings. Environment and Climate Division intends to bring forward an emissions performance reporting by-law covering buildings with a floor area greater than 600 square metres (6,458 square feet) for City Council's consideration in the Fourth Quarter 2023. This initial by-law will have reporting requirements similar to the Provincial Energy and Water Reporting and Benchmarking program. Once the Environment and Climate Division has determined the best reporting mechanism for smaller buildings, an amendment will be proposed to cover commercial, institutional and multi-unit residential buildings under 600 square metres and low-rise residential. Mandatory emissions performance standards are planned to apply to all buildings in Toronto, from the largest office towers to low-rise residential homes. The emissions performance standards will set appropriate emissions limits so that Torontonians have reasonable, achievable pathways to make improvements to their buildings over time. Building owners need to start planning for these requirements as soon as possible. Staff anticipate that an emissions performance standards by-law will be presented to City Council for consideration in 2024. Environment and Climate Division staff will also develop additional by-law proposals to be presented to City Council in the future, as described in the Strategy, including: - Emissions Performance Labelling for Low-Rise Residential Buildings - Amendment to Emissions Performance Reporting for buildings under 600 square metres, including low-rise residential - Emissions Auditing Requirement for Large Buildings - Recommissioning Requirement for Large Buildings - Retrofit Roadmap Planning Requirement for Large Buildings Toronto Building, City Planning and Legal services provided input into the preparation of this report.
The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that: 1. City Council receive the report (September 7, 2023) from the Executive Director, Environment and Climate, for information.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Executive Director, Environment and Climate, recommends that: 1. City Council receive this report for information.
IE6.5adopted
Existing buildings are Toronto's largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for approximately 58 percent of total community-wide emissions. In July 2021, City Council adopted the Net Zero Existing Building's Strategy (the Strategy) to address the challenge of achieving net zero emissions from existing buildings. The Strategy was developed with a net zero by 2050 target, which was then accelerated to net zero by 2040 upon City Council's adoption of the TransformTO Net Zero Strategy (TransformTO) in December 2021 (2021.IE26.16). The Strategy identified nine actions for the City to undertake to achieve net zero emissions from existing buildings and estimates that retrofitting existing building stock to net zero performance levels by 2050 will require more than $145 billion beyond business-as-usual investment by all levels of government and the private sector. Amongst other actions, the Strategy identified the need for mandatory emissions performance standards; integrated retrofit support to make retrofits easier and more affordable; and the expansion and enhancement of retrofit financing. The Strategy also presents the potential impacts on emissions, costs, and the co-benefits of resilience, social equity, health, and local economic development. This report focuses on considerations for future retrofit funding programs and the City's role informed by the following design principles: - Drive Market Transformation - Ensure Long-term, Financial Sustainability for the City - Attract Third-Party Investment to Support Retrofits - Leverage Municipal Tools and Expertise - Deliver a High-Quality Customer Experience This report also provides: - An overview of The City's role in identifying funding solutions and developing programs to enable decarbonization. - The proposed use of a $500,000 budget allocation for a credit enhancement to support scaling up the Home Energy Loan Program (HELP); and - A summary of current retrofit funding solutions and financing programs available for both low-rise residential buildings (detached, semi-detached, row houses, small multi-unit residential) and large buildings (large multi-unit residential buildings (MURBS), commercial and institutional buildings). A companion report (Update on the Net Zero Buildings Strategy and Implementation of Mandatory Emissions Performance Standards) provides progress updates on the other key actions identified in the Strategy, as well preliminary findings from work underway to realign the modelling and proposed pathways in the Strategy with the accelerated net zero by 2040 TransformTO target. The Environment and Climate Division is in the process of developing policy actions and new and enhanced programs including funding solutions to further enable decarbonization of homes and buildings. Informed by the design principles set out in this report, staff will develop program offerings that will maximize the City's available resources and determine where to focus efforts to meet building owner and occupant needs. This approach recognizes the financial challenges the City faces in allocating significant new operating funds or City funded financing to support new programs and initiatives. It will be imperative to identify new and innovative funding solutions and collaborate with other levels of government, the financing community, and community at large to achieve the scale of retrofits necessary to meet our targets. This will be increasingly critical as the City works to introduce mandatory emission performance standards in the coming year.
The Infrastructure and Environment Committee: 1. Received the report (September 6, 2023) from the Executive Director, Environment and Climate, for information.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Executive Director, Environment and Climate, recommends that: 1. The Infrastructure and Environment Committee receives this report for information.
IE6.6amended
Consumption-based Emissions Inventory and Cool Food Pledge Commitments
Overview of consumption-based emissions inventory A consumption-based emissions inventory estimates the total greenhouse gas emissions associated with producing, transporting, using and disposing of goods and services consumed by a particular community or entity in a given time frame (e.g., typically one year). Similar to calculations that estimate a household's carbon footprint, consumption-based emissions focus on consumers. The emissions associated from the purchases of goods and services by Toronto residents, such as the food that appears on supermarket shelves, consumer goods purchased at a department store or larger items like personal vehicles are captured by a consumption-based emissions inventory. Typically, for these products and services, the majority of greenhouse gas emissions are generated outside of Toronto's geographic boundary because many of them are not produced in Toronto. Complementary to consumption-based emissions inventory, a sector-based emissions inventory [1] measures the greenhouse gases attributable to emissions generating activities taking place within the geographic boundary of the city, as well as some indirect emissions from waste produced in the city, and transmission of electricity into the city boundary in a given time period (typically one year). When examining where enhanced impact can be achieved that reduce emissions from both consumption and sector-based inventories, transportation (specifically purchasing vehicles and associated gasoline consumption) and natural gas usage present as the greatest opportunities for residents and businesses to reduce emissions through actions that support non-automobile low carbon transportation modes like walking, cycling and taking transit. Report overview and key findings This report outlines Toronto's inaugural consumption-based emissions inventory. It provides three different baseline points for the year 2019 - community-wide, corporate and a subcategory of corporate emissions that account for the food that the City procures and serves through three key City Divisions. This report also provides observations from an additional analysis on emissions from embodied carbon found in buildings and linear infrastructure which is an emerging issue and opportunity for local government action. In summary, the key findings of the baseline year for 2019 are: - Toronto's community-wide consumption-based emissions were roughly 39 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. When compared to Toronto's sector-based emissions inventory, the emissions related to consumption were 2.5 times greater[2] than sector-based emissions reported in 2019 (15.6 megatonnes). With 1,141,709 households in the city, this equates to approximately 34 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per-household. For reference, the Canadian average for consumption-based emissions was estimated at about 37 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per-household. - There are five main categories that constitute Toronto's consumption-based inventory: food, transportation, services, housing, and goods. Among these categories, food accounts for the majority of consumption-based emissions. The food category includes all food consumed by Toronto residents, broken down by meat, dairy, fruits and vegetables, and other foods consumed at home as well as eating out. Consumption-based emissions from food capture the production, transport, sale, and preparation of food. This includes emissions from fertilizer use, livestock farming, operation of trucks and other equipment, building construction and operation, and fuel used in refrigeration and cooking (for food prepared outside the home, including eating out). - Toronto's corporate consumption-based emissions inventory was 2.4 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent and is about six per cent of the total community-wide consumption-based emissions. The largest sources of corporate emissions were from construction and maintenance, utilities, and transportation. Among City Divisions, Agencies, and Corporations, the Toronto Transit Commission, Toronto Water, and Transportation Services were the greatest sources of consumption-based emissions, driven heavily by their significant expenditures on capital projects. Toronto's corporate consumption-based emissions inventory captures all emissions associated with the activities of the corporation including goods and services procured for City Divisions, Agencies, and Corporations. The corporate consumption-based emissions inventory excludes emissions from non-City entities, such as residents, businesses, or other non-municipal government institutions. In addition, it does not include emissions associated with employee commuting. A corporate consumption-based emissions inventory is important because it allows for a more comprehensive review of all greenhouse gas emissions that can potentially be reduced by local government. - The procurement of food for municipally-delivered programs was 46 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent which is about two per cent of the total corporate consumption-based emissions inventory. Of those emissions, nearly half were from beef and lamb consumption, which comprised only three per cent of total food purchased by weight. Seniors Services and Long-Term Care, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, and Children's Services, procure and serve seven million meals for the year 2019 amounting to approximately 3,000 tonnes of food. - The complementary 2019 Buildings and Linear Infrastructure Emissions Analysis found that construction and maintenance of buildings and linear infrastructure (such as roads, railways and water infrastructure) in Toronto accounted for 1,513 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. Of this total, buildings comprised 1,065 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, while linear infrastructure comprised 448 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent; however, these findings include some overlap with calculations from the community and corporate-wide inventories and therefore should be understood as part of the context of those two other consumption-based emissions inventories. Future consumption-based emissions inventory reporting consumption-based emissions inventories are developed using a wide range of data from local, national, and international sources. These data inform computer models that are used to predict consumer behavior and their corresponding impacts from material consumption. However, due to limited data availability, the data sources and models used in Toronto's consumption-based emissions inventory were based upon United States data. Because of the current limitations on data availability and evolving consumption-based emissions inventory methodology[3], it is recommended that Toronto's next consumption-based emissions inventory be produced in 2027, following the release of the 2026 national census when data will be comparable to the 2019 consumption-based emissions inventory for progress monitoring. Nevertheless, the findings of Toronto's inaugural consumption-based emissions inventory can still be incorporated into policy, program and project activities across the City. The information in the report could be used to consider near term policy- or category-specific targets, or even set targets based upon readily available, actionable data that indicate changes in consumption-based emissions without directly monitoring those emissions ("actionable data indicators" or ADI). For instance, work has already been initiated specific to food-related emissions as part of the City's commitment to reduce the emissions from the food that it procures. In 2019, the City of Toronto became a signatory of the World Resources Institute's Cool Food Pledge and pledged to decrease emissions from public food procurement by 25 per cent by 2030 relative to 2019 levels. It is therefore recommended that the City continue to calculate and report on an annual basis to the Cool Food Pledge and C40 on progress towards Toronto's food procurement-related commitments and to summarize Toronto's progress on the City's website with identification of the actions taken yearly to reach the 2030 goal. This information can be analyzed as part of Toronto's 2027 consumption-based emissions inventory report. With respect to building emissions, in 2022, City Planning updated the Toronto Green Standard Version 4 which applies to new buildings and included revisions in the "Embodied Emissions in Materials" performance measures which apply to the emissions produced by materials used to construct buildings and limit these emissions to 350 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent per square metres for Tier 2 mid-high rise, non-residential buildings and City-owned facilities and 250 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent per square metres for Tier 3 mid-high rise and non-residential buildings (2023.PH3.19). Both Environment and Climate and City Planning will continue to refine and adjust actions being taken to address embodied carbon in buildings as further refinement and studies become available. While methodologies and practices for tracking consumption-based emissions is a nascent field, it shows potential for unique opportunities to support local government in future with developing targets, policies, and programs that can help shift Toronto residents towards more responsible production and consumption of goods and services in order to reduce Toronto's global carbon footprint. [1) https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/8e55-2020-Sector-based-Greenhouse-Gas-Emissions-Inventory.pdf [2] Attachment A: 2019 Community-Wide Consumption-Based Emissions Inventory Report provides call-out boxes to highlight and compare specific categories that appear for both Toronto's consumption-based emissions inventory and sector-based emissions inventory. [3] In particular, the results calculated from majority of the consumption categories in the report were based on national-level statistical data, including those in the United States. Multiple assumptions were made to estimate local or household-level consumption patterns by Toronto residents.
The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that: 1. City Council direct the Director, Environment and Climate in consultation with Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration, General Manager, Children's Services, General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, General Manager, Seniors Services and Long-Term Care, Chief Procurement Officer, Purchasing and Materials Management and Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to report on Toronto's next consumption-based emissions inventory in 2027, following the release of the 2026 Canadian Census and recommend methods that consumption-based emissions can be meaningfully measured to assist with future target setting. 2. City Council direct the Director, Environment and Climate to include in future reports progress and actions in meeting Toronto Cool Food Pledge and the C40 Good Food Cities Declaration commitments. 3. City Council direct the Director, Environment and Climate to include updates on Toronto's progress in meeting the Toronto Cool Food Pledge and the C40 Good Food Cities Declaration commitments in the annual TransformTO Net Zero Status Updates. 4. City Council direct the General Manager, Environment and Climate, in consultation with the Chief Purchasing Officer, to report back to Infrastructure and Environment Committee in the first quarter of 2024 with recommendations on whether Toronto should adopt a policy on Plant-based purchasing savings for City and climate, comparable to a program in the City of Vancouver.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Executive Director, Environment and Climate, recommends that: 1. City Council direct the Director, Environment and Climate in consultation with Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration, General Manager, Children's Services, General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, General Manager, Seniors Services and Long-Term Care, Chief Procurement Officer, Purchasing and Materials Management and Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to report on Toronto's next consumption-based emissions inventory in 2027, following the release of the 2026 Canadian Census and recommend methods that consumption-based emissions can be meaningfully measured to assist with future target setting. 2. City Council direct the Director, Environment and Climate to include in future reports progress and actions in meeting Toronto Cool Food Pledge and the C40 Good Food Cities Declaration commitments.
IE6.7amended
Military Trail Road Reconstruction
City Council on June 14 and 15, 2023, referred Administrative Inquiry IA7.1 from Councillor Paul Ainslie, Ward 24, Scarborough-Guildwood, regarding the Military Trail Road Reconstruction and Answer IA7.1a from the City Manager to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee for consideration.
The Infrastructure and Environment Committee: 1. Requested the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services and the Chief Procurement Officer to report to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee on how construction general contractors contracted by the City of Toronto are evaluated and how their performance may be taken into account on future contracts. 2. Requested the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services, to report to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee in the First Quarter of 2024 with an evaluation of the of the contract management model that the City uses to oversee infrastructure work done by contractors.
IE6.8amended
Citywide Approach to Dogs Off-Leash Areas
Many residents within my ward and across the City have expressed frustration with how the City handles the creation and revitalization of Dog Off-Leash Areas. Today, we have more people and more dogs living closer together in smaller residences, sharing the same parkland. We need to bring harmony to our parks by creating safe, enjoyable spaces for people with and without dogs. Toronto has an estimated 300,000 dogs and counting. Toronto's high-rise communities have an estimated 4-8 pets per floor. Adults aged 25-40 now have more dogs than children. Plus, the added number of 'Pandemic Puppies' will bring our already strained infrastructure to a tipping point. The pandemic has shown how much Torontonians need and value outdoor experiences. Dog owners use parks every day - sometimes multiple times a day - all year long, in all weather. We must plan for the new normal. More and more municipalities across North America are recognizing off-leash areas as necessary places for people to enjoy legitimate recreation, in the same way that designated spaces are required for other forms of recreation, such as tennis, baseball and so on. Toronto is a big-city leader in the provision of 75 off-leash areas, including in and around downtown. Yet Toronto's off-leash areas were not planned as a network and are not distributed based on population. Entire wards have no off-leash areas. Properly located off-leash areas are required to facilitate responsible by-law compliance. Much has been learned through the Citywide Study of Toronto's Existing Off-Leash Areas completed in 2021. The design of new off-leash areas has improved significantly in recent years. However, some challenges persist when seeking to introduce new off-leash areas in dense urban environments. A clear, transparent, and evidence-based approach is needed to guide decision making and facilitate effective designs that balance a variety of park uses in these environments. Further, many existing off-leash areas are in need of repairs and improvements that reflect current best practices for surfacing, shade, trees, seating, and other design features. The City's 2010 Off-Leash Policy is brief and no longer sufficient for the needs of our growing city. It contains limited design guidelines and places a limited focus on proactive identification of locations for future off-leash areas. Smaller municipalities with fewer challenges have developed far more comprehensive and effective Off-Leash Area Master Plans and Strategies. Toronto's park users deserve the same level of diligence. Developing an evidence-based, best practice approach to Off-Leash Areas and integrating this approach within the Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan is the only way to address all ongoing issues once and for all.
The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that: 1. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to review and update the City's approach to planning, locating, funding, building and maintaining Dogs Off-Leash Areas based on recognized best practices and integrated with the Parks, Forestry and Recreation Facilities Master Plan which includes, but is not limited to: a. International best practices for design, signage, rules, accessibility, shade, shelter, surface materials, fencing and amenities; b. Process to proactively identify and fund new off-leash areas where most needed, reflective of population distribution and development, in balance with other park functions and uses; c. Process to identify and fund priority repairs and improvements to existing off-leash areas; d. Includes accommodations for all types and sizes of Dog Off-Leash Areas including those in urban settings with limited parkland available; e. Potential opportunities for volunteers to steward these areas and ambassador programs to promote responsible dog area use and promote responsible dog ownership; and f. Review of and updates to the Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan and Dog Off-Leash Area Policy as needed. 2. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to include a comprehensive review of other jurisdictions' Off-Leash Area plans, strategies and approaches, and ambassador / stewardship programs including but not limited to Vancouver, Surrey, Edmonton, Calgary, and Winnipeg as part of the development of an evidence-based, best practice approach to Dogs Off-Leash Areas for Toronto. 3. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to report back with the recommended new approach to Dogs Off-Leash Areas resulting from recommendation 1 above, including required funding to implement, to the Committee by the third quarter of 2024. 4. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing, and Standards, to ensure the approach to Dogs Off-Leash Areas includes by-law enforcement strategies to address the ongoing concerns of all park users. 5. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to include the findings and recommendations from the Toronto Dog Off-Leash Area Study, conducted by Thinc Design in 2019, in their report back to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee in the third quarter of 2024.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Chris Moise recommends that: 1. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to review and update the City's approach to planning, locating, funding, building and maintaining Dogs Off-Leash Areas based on recognized best practices and integrated with the Parks, Forestry and Recreation Facilities Master Plan which includes, but is not limited to: a. International best practices for design, signage, rules, accessibility, shade, shelter, surface materials, fencing and amenities; b. Process to proactively identify and fund new off-leash areas where most needed, reflective of population distribution and development, in balance with other park functions and uses; c. Process to identify and fund priority repairs and improvements to existing off-leash areas; d. Includes accommodations for all types and sizes of Dog Off-Leash Areas including those in urban settings with limited parkland available; e. Potential opportunities for volunteers to steward these areas and ambassador programs to promote responsible dog area use and promote responsible dog ownership; and f. Review of and updates to the Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan and Dog Off-Leash Area Policy as needed. 2. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to include a comprehensive review of other jurisdictions' Off-Leash Area plans, strategies and approaches, and ambassador / stewardship programs including but not limited to Vancouver, Surrey, Edmonton, Calgary, and Winnipeg as part of the development of an evidence-based, best practice approach to Dogs Off-Leash Areas for Toronto. 3. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to report back with the recommended new approach to Dogs Off-Leash Areas resulting from recommendation 1 above, including required funding to implement, to the Committee by the third quarter of 2024. 4. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing, and Standards, to ensure the approach to Dogs Off-Leash Areas includes by-law enforcement strategies to address the ongoing concerns of all park users.
IE6.9amended
Learning from the Fire at 35 Vulcan Street
On August 11, 2023, a six-alarm fire took place at Brenntag Canada (Brenntag), a chemical distribution facility at 35 Vulcan Street in North Etobicoke. This fire resulted in environmental impacts both onsite and to our local waterways. Efforts to remediate and monitor these impacts are ongoing, led by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP). Many partners contributed to the immediate response and ongoing efforts to clean-up and monitor the impacts of the fire over the past month: - Brenntag retained private firms at their cost to clean up the spill and conduct sampling. - Toronto Water has been providing support for the clean-up and is monitoring the situation. - The investigation into the cause, origin and circumstances of this fire is being conducted by the Office of the Fire Marshal. The onsite investigation concluded on August 25 and the property was returned to the care and control of the owner, but the broader investigation continues. - Other government bodies contributed to the immediate and ongoing response including Toronto Fire; Toronto Public Health; Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation; Toronto and Region Conservation Authority; and Environment and Climate Change Canada. - Finally, the Toronto Wildlife Centre , a charitable wildlife rescue organization, continues to rescue animals impacted by the runoff. As we move forward, we have an opportunity to learn from this event, and to: - ensure residents have clarity on the impact of the fire and any long-term risks, and - potentially reduce the risk of similar events happening at similar sites in Toronto.
The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that: 1. City Council request that the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks notify the general public, within one week of results being available, and no later than, November 1, 2023 as to: a. The results of analysis on all water samples collected since August 11, 2023, including which tests are being conducted; and b. Any long-term impact or safety risk to the waterways, animals, or neighbours of the impacted sites. 2. City Council request the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks consult with the Office of the Fire Marshal, Toronto Fire Services, Toronto Water, and Toronto Public Health regarding the results of the Office of the Fire Marshal investigation once completed to identify opportunities to mitigate similar events in the future. 3. City Council request that the Office of the Fire Marshal share with the general public the findings of their investigation into the cause, origin and circumstances of the fire once completed.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Amber Morley recommends that: 1. City Council request that the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks notify the general public as to: a. The results of analysis on all samples collected since August 11, 2023, including which tests are being conducted; and b. Any long-term impact or safety risk to the waterways, animals, or neighbours of the impacted sites. 2. City Council request the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks consult with the Office of the Fire Marshal, Toronto Fire Services, Toronto Water, and Toronto Public Health regarding the results of the Office of the Fire Marshal investigation once completed to identify opportunities to mitigate similar events in the future. 3. City Council request that the Office of the Fire Marshal share with the general public the findings of their investigation into the cause, origin and circumstances of the fire once completed.
IE6.10adopted
Prioritization of Green Building Standards in Ontario Building Code
Since the adoption of the Toronto Green Standard in 2006, the City of Toronto has established itself as a leader in securing sustainable performance measures for new development, including a tiered approach to requiring near zero by 2040, through the site plan process. Dramatically improved building energy performance is essential to Toronto's carbon budget and to achieving TransformTO. In February 2023, the Government of Ontario initiated discussions with interested municipalities and other stakeholders on improving the scope and effectiveness of certain green building standards by moving them from the site plan process into the Ontario Building Code. City of Toronto staff from multiple divisions were actively engaged in this work, along with industry and other interested stakeholders. Site plan approval occurs too late in the development process, and is too limited, for optimum results in improving building energy performance and reducing operating costs. In addition, the current process requires the applicable green standard to be triggered by the date of site plan approval, which can be many years before a building is actually constructed. This can result in new buildings being constructed that are designed to obsolete standards, and which are not appropriate to the rapid evolution of the climate crisis. In its letter to municipalities of February 28 2023, the Government of Ontario committed to move the authority to impose green standards into the Ontario Building Code through an interim amendment "by the summer of 2023". Summer of 2023 has come and gone, with no such amendment. This delay is a serious concern, as new editions of the Ontario Building Code are issued only every five years or so, and the next edition in the late stages of development. Given the climate crisis, our climate commitments and the rapid evolution of building technologies, the City of Toronto urgently requires robust authority to increase the scope, timeliness and ambition of our green standards. This authority requires the Ontario Building Code amendment that the province of Ontario committed to deliver this past summer. City Council requests that the Government of Ontario honour its February 28, 2023 commitment and expedite the necessary building code amendment as soon as possible.
The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that: 1. City Council reiterate its support for, and request that, the Government of Ontario immediately expedite the transition to the Ontario Building Code of green building standards related to the construction of buildings that are currently administered through the planning process.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Dianne Saxe recommends that: 1. City Council reiterate its support for and request that the Government of Ontario immediately expedite the transition to the Ontario Building Code of green building standards related to the construction of buildings that are currently administered through the planning process.