The recommendations were approved as follows:
EAC016-2022
That the agenda for the Environment Advisory Committee Meeting of June 14, 2022 be approved as published and circulated.
EAC017-2022
That the following delegations re: Huttonville Forest, to the Environment Advisory Committee Meeting of June 14, 2022, be received:
1. Julie Harlow, Brampton resident on behalf of Save Huttonville Forest;
2. Dr. Tushar Mehta, Brampton resident.
EAC018-2022
1. That the delegations re: Urgency of Climate Breakdown - Transitioning 50% of City Food Purchases to Plant-Based, to the Environment Advisory Committee Meeting of June 14, 2022, be referred to a future meeting of the Committee of Council; and
1. Diane Smele, Member, and Dr. David Steele, President, Earthsave Canada;
2. Mo (Marian) Markham, and Dr. Tushar Metha, Members, Plant-Based Cities Movement;
3. Shailly Prajapati, Brampton resident; and
2. That, it is the position of the Environment Advisory Committee that, the City of Brampton evaluate their current food product sourcing and that Council consider a substantial shift towards adopting more plant-based options in City facilities and during events, in alignment with reducing climate impacts.
EAC019-2022
1. That the staff presentation titled: Grass and Weed Cutting By-law 166-2011 Update, to the Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting of June 14, 2022, be received.
2. That staff be requested to educate the public through providing visual identification of plants on the City's website, and any other resources that may be available, to educate residents on plants of concern and common landscape plants that are problematic in the environment, and provide options for native alternatives.
EAC020-2022
That the staff presentation titled: Micromobility – Electric Scooter Pilot, to the Environment Advisory Committee Meeting of June 14, 2022, be received.
EAC021-2022
That the verbal update from Zoe Milligan, Environmental Project Specialist, Public Works and Engineering, re: Urban Forest Management Plan - Final Report, to the Environment Advisory Committee Meeting of June 14, 2022, be received.
EAC022-2022
Whereas the United Nations has declared 2021-2030 the “Decade of Ecosystem Restoration” to “Prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems worldwide” and calls on everyone; including local governments to act to find viable solutions to mitigate global challenges such as increasing climate change impacts and catastrophic biodiversity losses;
Whereas the UNECE identified urban trees and forests as providing a unique opportunity for policymakers at local levels of government to contribute meaningfully to the goals for the Decade; prompting over 50 mayors, at the inaugural Forum of Mayors in October 2020 to endorse a Declaration which places trees and forests at the heart of the urban agenda for next decade by pledging to adopt policy and take action through the “Trees in Cities Challenge”;
Whereas the City of Brampton 2040 Vision calls for the planting of one million trees by 2040 to grow the urban forest, mitigate and adapt to climate change, and foster the delivery of ecosystem services;
Whereas in February 2020, the City of Brampton Council approved the Brampton One Million Trees Program as a framework for the City and its partners to increase tree planting initiatives and realize the target of one million trees by 2040;
Whereas the Report to Committee of Council, dated November 20, 2019 stipulates that the One Million Trees Program is focused on getting new trees in the ground, and does not look at tree preservation and upkeep; and further that, directions pertaining to the inventorying, operations, maintenance, and monitoring of the urban forest will be addressed in the City’s Urban Forest Management Plan;
Whereas it is acknowledged in the Report to Committee of Council dated November 20, 2019 that the City’s current canopy is just 18% of total land cover and that the existing canopy is under further threat due to invasive species, extreme weather events and drought;
Whereas it is widely acknowledged that in order to benefit from the ecosystems service a healthy urban forest can provide, trees must live to their potential. Further that in order for trees to survive and thrive, thus contributing to a healthy urban forest, cities must invest resources in planning, monitoring and maintenance;
Therefore Be It Resolved that, it is the position of the Environment Advisory Committee that Brampton City Council adopt and support the Urban Forest Management Plan in principle and practice, including the resources to adequately operationalize the plan.
EAC023-2022
That the Verbal Update from Kristina Dokoska, Policy Planner - Environment, Public Works and Engineering, re: Earth Day and Grow Green Awards Recap, to the Environment Advisory Committee Meeting of June 14, 2022, be received.
EAC024-2022
That the Verbal Update from Michael Hoy, Supervisor, Environmental Planning, Public Works and Engineering, re: Centre for Community Energy Transformation (CCET) Update, to the Environment Advisory Committee Meeting of June 14, 2022, be received.
EAC025-2022
That the Environment Advisory Committee do now adjourn to meet again on Tuesday, August 9, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. or at the call of the Chair.