Minutes

Environment Advisory Committee

The Corporation of the City of Brampton

Tuesday, April 02, 2024

6:00 P.m. - 8:00 P.m.

Hybrid Meeting - Virtual Option & In-Person in Council Chambers – 4th Floor – City Hall

Members Present:

• Raman Vasudev (Co-Chair)
• Sherry-Ann Ram (Co-Chair)
• Sukran Balaban
• Subhash Chander Duggal
• Neil Fairhead
• Shailly Prajapati
• Sandra Roppa

Members Absent:

• Brajgeet Bhathal
• Pushproop Brar (regrets)
• Charles Coimbra
• Hardik Mankad (regrets)
• Regional Councillor G. Toor - Wards 9 and 10

Staff Present:

• Pam Cooper, Acting Manager, Environmental Planning, Planning, Building and Growth Management
• Karley Cianchino, Environmental Project Specialist, Planning, Building and Growth Management
• Sonya Pacheco, Legislative Coordinator

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1.

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 6:06 p.m. and adjourned at 6:56 p.m.

  

2.

Approval of Agenda

The following motion was considered.

• EAC007-2024

  That the agenda for the Environment Advisory Committee meeting of April 2, 2024, be approved.

  Carried

3.

Declarations of Interest under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act

Nil

  

4.

Previous Minutes

4.1

Minutes - Environment Advisory Committee - February 6, 2024

The minutes were considered by Committee of Council on February 21, 2024, and were approved by Council on February 28, 2024. The minutes were provided for Committee’s information.

  

5.

Presentations\Delegations

5.1

Delegation from David Laing, President, Brampton Environmental Alliance, re: Collaboration Opportunities

David Laing, President, Brampton Environmental Alliance, provided a presentation to Committee regarding the Brampton Environmental Alliance (BEA) and included information on the following:

• BEA history, vision, mission, advocacy, activities
• Importance of environmental advocacy
• Climate modeling and the impacts of climate change
• Promotion of 'One Planet Living'
• Collaboration with the City of Brampton 
• Public opinion/perception of climate change, and the need to change people's behaviour/choices to protect the environment
• 'Rooted in Hope' project, fundraising efforts and the need for more volunteers
• Raising awareness in schools and challenges/supports related to the establishment of eco-clubs  
• Request for support from the Environment Advisory Committee

Committee discussion took place and the delegation responded to questions regarding the following:

• Earth Day event location and activities
• How to engage the public to raise awareness, educate, and provide solutions regarding climate change  
• Engaging faith-based groups 
• Engaging businesses, and BEA relationship with Partners in Project Green (PPG)
  • Work of PPG
• Impact of climate change on food supply and water reserves
• Benefits of pollinator gardens
• Challenges associated with engaging schools in environment-related initiatives, programs and projects for students
  • Collaboration with ACER and TRCA
• Potential collaboration with Engineers Canada  

The following motion was considered.

• EAC008-2024

  That the delegation from David Laing, President, Brampton Environmental Alliance, to the Environment Advisory Committee Meeting of April 2, 2024, re: Collaboration Opportunities, be received.

  Carried

6.

Reports/Updates

6.1

Verbal Update from Karley Cianchino, Environmental Project Specialist, Planning, Building and Growth Management, re: Earth Day

Karley Cianchino, Environmental Project Specialist, Planning, Building and Growth Management, provided information to Committee regarding Earth Day, which will be celebrated on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at the Gore Meadows Community Centre. The celebration will feature the Grow Green Awards ceremony, family-friendly activities and programs, and a variety of vendors and environmental organizations, including the Brampton Environmental Alliance. Committee members were encouraged to participate in this event or attend with family and friends.

The following motion was considered.

• EAC009-2024

  That the verbal update from Karley Cianchino, Environmental Project Specialist, Planning, Building and Growth Management, to the Environment Advisory Committee Meeting of April 2, 2024, re: Earth Day, be received.

  Carried

6.2

Verbal Update from Karley Cianchino, Environmental Project Specialist, Planning, Building and Growth Management, re: Seedy Saturday

Karley Cianchino, Environmental Project Specialist, Planning, Building and Growth Management, provided an overview of the Seedy Saturday event, which took place on Saturday, March 9, 2024, highlighted its success, and thanked the Committee members that attended. 

The following motion was considered.

• EAC010-2024

  That the verbal update from Karley Cianchino, Environmental Project Specialist, Planning, Building and Growth Management, to the Environment Advisory Committee Meeting of April 2, 2024, re: Seedy Saturday, be received.

  Carried

6.3

Verbal Update from Karley Cianchino, Environmental Project Specialist, Planning, Building and Growth Management, re: Etobicoke Creek Wetlands Enhancement Project

Karley Cianchino, Environmental Project Specialist, Planning, Building and Growth Management, provided an overview of the Etobicoke Creek Wetlands Enhancement Project, which is a collaboration between the City and TRCA to improve wetland habitat and connectivity along the Etobicoke Creek from Conservation Drive Park to Loafers Lake Park. Details were provided regarding project funding, scope of work, anticipated project completion date, key priorities, community engagement, tree planting event, storybook walk and Loafer's Lake closures. Committee members were encouraged to visit the project webpage for further information. In addition, it was noted that further project updates would be provided at future Committee meetings.

In response to a question from Committee, staff provided clarification regarding the public engagements held at Loafer's Lake regarding this project.

The following motion was considered.

• EAC011-2024

  That the verbal update from Karley Cianchino, Environmental Project Specialist, Planning, Building and Growth Management, to the Environment Advisory Committee Meeting of April 2, 2024, re: Etobicoke Creek Wetlands Enhancement Project, be received.

  Carried

7.

Sub-Committees

Nil

  

8.

Other New/Business

Nil

  

9.

Correspondence

Nil

  

10.

Question Period

Sandra Roppa, Committee Member, asked if there were any updates on the work of the sub-committees established by the Environment Advisory Committee.

No updates were provided at this time.

    

11.

Public Question Period

The public was given the opportunity to submit questions in person or via e-mail to the City Clerk’s Office regarding any decisions made at this meeting. S. Pacheco, Legislative Coordinator, confirmed there were no questions from the public. 
  

12.

Adjournment

The following motion was considered.

• EAC012-2024

  That the Environment Advisory Committee do now adjourn to meet again on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at 6:00 p.m., or at the call of the Chair.

  Carried