Environmental Sustainability

Implementing practices and policies to ensure the health and well-being of the environment for current and future generations. Environmental sustainability is vital for adapting to the impacts of climate change, preserving biodiversity, and improving the quality of life for residents in the community. 

Objectives

  • Implement the Climate Change Adaptation Plan recommendations through collaboration with various community partners and updates to the City's business practice.
  • Reduce the City's greenhouse gas emissions while enhancing energy efficiency. 
  • Foster a healthy and resilient urban forest ecosystem that contributes to biodiversity and improved air quality.
  • Reduce the impact of wet weather events and combined sewer overflows on water bodies and ecosystems.
  • Ensure critical infrastructure assets' long-term sustainability and functionality through targeted repair and maintenance programs.

Actions

Climate Change Adaptation Plan

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<25% Complete
On Track
Key Accomplishment(s)
  • Approved the Climate Change Adaptation Plan 2023. 
  • Grant for Climate Liaison not approved.  
  • Established an internal "Green Team" to work on climate goals and progress on 41 key benchmarks within the plan.
Next Milestone(s)
  • The internal Climate "Green Team" will share progress on climate goals. 
  • Set meetings with external stakeholders to establish collaborative opportunities to work on some of the 41 community-focused benchmarks.  
  • Include selected climate items in the 2025 Budget. 

Stormwater Management and Drainage Programs

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25% Complete
On Track
Key Accomplishment(s)
  • Budget approved for municipal drain, ditch inventory, and Stormwater Management Facility (SWMF) cleaning.
  • Council considered changes to the existing Residential Urban Drainage Assistance Policy.
  • Forestview SWMF was cleaned and upgraded.
Next Milestone(s)
  • Consultant examination of municipal drains and ditches. 
  • Cleanout of Domenic Crescent Storm Water Management Facility (SWMF).
  • Phragmite removal in the FernwoodSWMF - 2025.
  • Cleanout of the Fernwood SWMF - 2026
  • Replacement of 6 rural culverts and hydraulic investigation of two high priority locations.
  • Storm sewer condition assessment program underway.

Infrastructure State of Good Repair Program

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On Track
Key Accomplishment(s)
  • Projects approved in the 2024 capital budget.  
  • Plans for 2025 and a 10-year forecast are underway.
  • Main Street Reconstruction from Willoughby to Sodom
  • Ferry Street Reconstruction from Stanley to Ellen.
  • Beck Road Bridge Rehabilitation.
  • Resurfacing Portage Road from Thorold Stone Road to Mountain Road.
  • Stanley Avenue Business Park Watermain Replacements Phases 1, 2, and 3, with Phase 4 to be completed in 2025.
  • Drummond and Portage Road Reconstruction from Thorold Stone Road to Morrison Phase 1, with Phases 2 and 3 to be completed in 2025/2026.
  • City-wide Sanitary Sewer Lining Program Years 1, 2, and 3, with 4 to be completed in 2025.
Next Milestone(s)
  • Willoughby Drive Reconstruction Phase 1 (2025) from Weinbrenner to Cattell.
  • Maple, Elm and Homewood Sewer Separation and Road Reconstruction (2025).
  • Whirlpool Road Reconstruction from Stanley Avenue to the OPG Canal Bridge (2025).

Infrastructure Servicing Master Plan

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75% Complete
On Track
Key Accomplishment(s)
  • Consulting assignment is underway.
  • Growth forecast included in the Development Charges Background Study.
  • Sanitary and Storm Models built and calibrated.
  • PIC #1 - December 2023
  • PIC #2 - December 2024
Next Milestone(s)
  • Completion and report to Council in Spring 2025.

Wet Weather and Combined Sewer Overflow Strategy

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75% Complete
On Track
Key Accomplishment(s)
  • Included in the Infrastructure Servicing Master Plan.
Next Milestone(s)
  • Public Meeting #2.

Strategic Urban Forest Management Plan

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<25% Complete
Project Pending
Key Accomplishment(s)
  • Completed a jurisdiction scan.
  • Updated the tree inventory. 
Next Milestone(s)
  • Consultant Request For Proposal.

Review of Active Transportation Opportunities

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50% Complete
On Track
Key Accomplishment(s)
  • Kickoff of Active Transportation Master Plan as part of the Transportation Master Plan.
  • Public Open House #1.
  • Candidate network drafted.
  • Presented project to various Committees, including the Accessibility Advisory Committee, Environmental Action Committee, and local cycling organizations.
Next Milestone(s)
  • Public Open House #3, where the final draft of trails and cycling network will be presented to the public.
  • Develop policies for maintenance, travel demand management and wayfinding.
  • Develop phasing and costing for the network.
  • Monitoring program and strategies to ensure the successful implementation of the project.
  • Presentation to Council.

Energy Management and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan

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<25% Complete
Delayed
Key Accomplishment(s)
  • The contractor is currently auditing our highest-use facility (Gale Centre) to identify specific opportunities to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
  • The conservation demand management plan is nearing completion by the consultant and will provide guidance for future capital replacement projects.
Next Milestone(s)
  • Detailed building energy audits for facilities with the greatest energy demands.
  • Implementing projects based on the outcome of audits and in alignment with the CDM plan.
  • Preparation of budgets for future conservation projects.

Create new Woodland Restoration & Preservation Policies

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25% Complete
On Track
Key Accomplishment(s)
  • Policies scoped in the new Official Plan.
Next Milestone(s)
  • Draft Policy presented in Phases 3 and 4 of Study (Spring/Summer 2025).