Minutes

Environment Advisory Committee

The Corporation of the City of Brampton

Tuesday, October 03, 2023

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
• Brajgeet Bhathal
• Pushproop Brar
• Charles Coimbra
• Subhash Chander Duggal
• Neil Fairhead
• Shailly Prajapati
• Sandra Roppa

Members Absent:

• Hardik Mankad
• Regional Councillor G. Toor - Wards 9 and 10

Staff Present:

• Pam Cooper, Policy Planner, Environment, Planning, Building and Growth Management
• Kristina Dokoska, Policy Planner, Environment, Public Works and Engineering
• Karley Cianchino, Environmental Project Specialist, Planning, Building and Growth Management
• Sonya Pacheco, Legislative Coordinator

---

1.

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 6:07 p.m. and adjourned at 7:10 p.m.

 

2.

Approval of Agenda

Committee discussion took place with respect to proposed amendments to the agenda.

The following motion was considered.

• EAC011-2023

  That the agenda for the Environment Advisory Committee Meeting of October 3, 2023, be approved, as amended to add the following item:

  8.2 Discussion Item at the request of Subhash Chander Duggal, Committee Member, re: Environmental Projects, Research and Funding

  Carried

3.

Declarations of Interest under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act

Nil

  

4.

Previous Minutes

4.1

Minutes - Environment Advisory Committee - August 1, 2023

The minutes were considered by Committee of Council on September 6, 2023, and were approved by Council on September 13, 2023. The minutes were provided for Committee’s information.

  

5.

Presentations\Delegations

Nil

  

6.

Reports/Updates

6.1

Verbal Update from Kristina Dokoska, Environmental Planner, Planning, Building and Growth Management, re: Grow Green Awards

Kristina Dokoska, Environmental Planner, Planning, Building and Growth Management, provided information regarding the Grow Green Awards and 2024 event, and provided an overview of each environmental award category and the nomination and selection process. Ms. Dokoska sought Committee's support to promote and participate in this event.

Staff responded to questions from Committee with respect to the promotion of the Grow Green Awards and the selection criteria for each award category.

The following motion was considered.

• EAC012-2023

  That the verbal update from Kristina Dokoska, Environmental Planner, Planning, Building and Growth Management, to the Environment Advisory Committee Meeting of October 3, 2023, re: Grow Green Awards, be received.

  Carried

6.2

Verbal Update from Kristina Dokoska, Environmental Planner, Planning, Building and Growth Management, re: Climate Change Adaptation Plan (CCAP)

Kristina Dokoska, Environmental Planner, Planning, Building and Growth Management, provided an overview of the Climate Change Adaptation Plan (CCAP), and advised of the opportunity for Committee members to participate in future workshops and provide feedback on the plan. In addition, Ms. Dokoska sought Committee's support to promote this plan and encourage residents to participate.

Staff responded to questions from Committee with respect to the following:

• Purpose of future workshops on the CCAP and the participation of Committee members 
• Role of Committee members to promote the CCAP and encourage resident participation
• Climate resiliency
• The City's plans and programs to address pollution and details regarding the City's eco-park program
  • Staff advised Committee that additional information is available on the City's website

The following motion was considered.

• EAC013-2023

  That the verbal update from Kristina Dokoska, Environmental Planner, Planning, Building and Growth Management, to the Environment Advisory Committee Meeting of October 3, 2023, re: Climate Change Adaptation Plan (CCAP), be received.

  Carried

6.3

Verbal Update from Karley Cianchino, Environmental Project Specialist, Planning, Building and Growth Management, re: Dearbourne Pollinator Pilot Project

Karley Cianchino, Environmental Project Specialist, Planning, Building and Growth Management, provided an update on the  Dearbourne Pollinator Pilot Project, highlighted its success, and provided information on 2024 planting and stewardship events.  

Neil Fairhead, Committee Member, provided information to Committee regarding:

• the severe reduction of pollinators across Canada and the role of municipalities to reverse this decline
• an article dated March 21, 2019 by David Suzuki titled "Cities hold the key to reversing the bee decline"
• the benefits of residential pollinator gardens and the need to educate and engage the public in this regard (Note: A video of a residential pollinator garden was played)

Committee discussion on this matter included the following:

• Information on the Backyard Garden Program
• The importance of educating children regarding the environment
• Exploring options to promote and encourage residential pollinator gardens

The following motion was considered.

• EAC014-2023

  That the verbal update from Karley Cianchino, Environmental Project Specialist, Planning, Building and Growth Management, to the Environment Advisory Committee Meeting of October 3, 2023, re: Dearbourne Pollinator Pilot Project, be received.

  Carried

6.4

Verbal Update from Pam Cooper, Acting Manager, Environmental Planning, Planning, Building and Growth Management, re: Strategic Plan

Pam Cooper, Acting Manager, Environmental Planning, Planning, Building and Growth Management, provided an update on, and outlined the purpose of, Council's Strategic Plan. Ms. Cooper advised the plan consists of six strategic directions, including Environmental Resilience and Sustainability, and provided details on this direction within the context of the plan. In addition, Ms. Cooper advised that Committee Members can participate in the budget process to support funding for environmental initiatives. 

The following motion was considered.   

• EAC015-2023

  That the verbal update from Pam Cooper, Acting Manager, Environmental Planning, Planning, Building and Growth Management, to the Environment Advisory Committee Meeting of October 3, 2023, re: Strategic Plan, be received.

  Carried

7.

Sub-Committees

Nil

  

8.

Other New/Business

8.1

Discussion Item at the request of Raman Vasudev, Co-Chair, re: Environmental Concerns in Residential Areas and Mitigating Impacts through Public Education and Engagement

Raman Vasudev, Co-Chair, addressed Committee regarding environmental concerns in residential areas and outlined the need to educate new residents regarding the importance of protecting the environment.

Sonya Pacheco, Legislative Coordinator, advised that this matter was referred to the Engagement Sub-committee for review pursuant to Recommendation EAC009-2023 passed at the August 1, 2023 Environment Advisory Committee meeting.

Further Committee discussion took place regarding the impact of noise pollution in residential areas.

Shailly Prajapati, Committee Member, advised that the Engagement Sub-committee will convene a meeting to review this matter.

  

8.2

Discussion Item at the request of Subhash Chander Duggal, Committee Member, re: Environmental Projects, Research and Funding

Subhash Chander Duggal, Committee Member, addressed Committee with respect to the importance of engaging and educating children and youth regarding the environment to ensure future environmental sustainability. Mr. Duggal suggested that environmental programs and/or projects be developed and funded to engage students on various environmental issues, and that educational institutions be invited to participate. 

Committee discussion on this matter included the following:

• Consideration for the development of environmental programs and/or projects for students
  • Suggestions regarding the types of programs that may be developed 
• Opportunity, and process, for providing educational presentations regarding the environment at local schools
• Opportunity for local schools to participate in the City's environmental programs/initiatives
• Previous youth engagements by the City (e.g. Brampton 2040 Vision), and the possibility of hosting a youth symposium regarding the environment
• Information from staff regarding the City's co-op program, specifically in the Environmental Planning area

Committee members advised that further consideration would be given to this matter at a later date.

 

9.

Correspondence

Nil

  

10.

Question Period

Nil

  

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.

• EAC016-2023

  That the Environment Advisory Committee do now adjourn to meet again on Tuesday, December 5, 2023.

  Carried