HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-03-20 Climate Change and Environment Committee Agenda
Climate Change and Environment Committee
Agenda
March 20, 2025, 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Conestoga Room
City of Kitchener
200 King Street W, Kitchener, ON N2G 407
People interested in participating in this meeting can email Committee Administrator, Eda
Islemecioglu at eda.islemecioglu@kitchener.ca. Please refer to the delegation section on the agenda
below for the registration deadline. Written comments received will be circulated to the Committee
prior to the meeting and will form part of the public record.
*Accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request. If you require
assistance to take part in a city meeting or event, please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994.*
Co-Chairs: V. Nhio-son & K. Charlesworth
Pages
1.Commencement
The meeting will begin with a Land Acknowledgement given by the Chair.
The City of Kitchener is situated on the traditional territory of the
Chonnonton, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee Peoples.
We recognize our responsibility to serve as stewards for the land and
honour the original caretakers who came before us. Our community is
enriched by the enduring knowledge and deep-rooted traditions of the
diverse First Nations, Metis and Inuit in Kitchener today.
2.Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General
Nature Thereof
Members of Council and members of the City’s local boards/committees are
required to file a written statement when they have a conflict of interest. If a
conflict is declared, please visit www.kitchener.ca/conflict to submit your written
form.
3.Delegations
Pursuant to Council’s Procedural By-law, delegations are permitted to address
the Committee for a maximum of five (5) minutes. All Delegations must register
by 12:00 p.m. on March 20, 2025, in order to participate in the meeting.
4.Discussion Items
4.1 High Performance Development Standards,
DSD-2025-120
15 m 1
J. Oosterveld with the City of Kitchener and N. Ing with the WR
Community Energy will provide a 5-minute presentation on this matter.
4.2 Kitchener Utilities Transition Project Update,
INS-2025-119
20 m 5
K. Daley with the City of Kitchener will provide a 5-minute presentation
on this matter.
4.3 LT2 Overview, CAO-2025-121 20 m 9
S. Sweazey with the City of Kitchener will provide a 5-minute
presentation on this matter.
4.4 Pivot Net Zero Update, DSD-2025-122 20 m 12
F. Wade with the City of Kitchener will provide a 5-minute presentation
on this matter.
4.5 2024-2026 Committee Work Plan, DSD-2025-
117
10 m 14
5.Information Items
6.Adjournment
Eda Islemecioglu
Committee Administrator
Staff Report
Development Services Department www.kitchener.ca
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
REPORT TO: Climate Change and Environment Committee
DATE OF MEETING: March 20, 2025
SUBMITTED BY: Natalie Goss, Manager, Policy and Research, 519-783-8933
PREPARED BY: Janine Oosterveld, Manager, Customer Experience and Project
Management, 519-783-8942
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All Wards
DATE OF REPORT: March 4, 2025
REPORT NO.: DSD-2025-120
SUBJECT: High-Performance Development Standards Discussion Draft
RECOMMENDATION:
For Discussion.
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS:
The purpose of this report is to provide an update to the Climate Change and
Environment Committee (CCEC) on the High-Performance Development Standards
(HPDS) and to seek feedback on the discussion draft.
The key finding of this report is that engagement is underway to support the
development of the HPDS across the seven area municipalities in Waterloo Region
with the support of the Region of Waterloo, local utilities and under the leadership of
WR Community Energy to support climate action and other environmental objectives.
There are no financial implications identified in this report.
Community engagement for the HPDS includes both community and development
industry-focused opportunities supported by a project engagement webpage.
This report supports Cultivating a Green City Together: Focuses a sustainable path to
a greener, healthier city; enhancing & protecting parks & natural environment while
transitioning to a low-carbon future; supporting businesses & residents to make
climate-positive choices.
BACKGROUND:
Under the leadership of WR Community Energy, the City of Kitchener is collaborating with
municipalities in Waterloo Region as well as local utilities including Kitchener Utilities to
establish a harmonized approach to creating standards for new development that undergo
a Planning Act approval. These standards are proposed to mitigate greenhouse gas
emissions, support adaptation to a changing climate and other environmental objectives.
Taking a simple, consistent approach across the region is intended to create a level
playing field for developers while collectively addressing community climate goals.
1
As background, WR Community Energy formed a Land Use and Energy Working Group in
2021 with the purpose to integrate energy considerations into the planning process. The
City of Kitchener was a founding member. In 2022, the group established a subcommittee
to study the impacts of establishing a green development standard for cities in Waterloo
Region. The subcommittee currently includes representatives from the Region of
Waterloo, all three Cities, Enova Power Corp., GrandBridge, and Kitchener Utilities. In the
spring of 2023, the three Cities and the Region of Waterloo reported back to their
respective Councils to launch Phase 2. Kitchener City Council unanimously endorsed
proceeding with a harmonized approach advancing a standard (refer to DSD-2023-109).
Concurrently, WR Community Energy invited to the Region’s four Townships to participate
in this harmonized approach. All four rural municipalities have joined the subcommittee
creating a unique opportunity in Waterloo Region to establish a harmonized standard
across the region’s seven urban and rural municipalities. To support this project, WR
Community Energy in collaboration with the subcommittee received a grant from Natural
Resources Canada to fund this work including hiring a Community Energy Planner staff
position as the project lead to coordinate the overall work plan, consultant work,
community and industry engagement and preparation of the draft standards, as well as
support the future training and implementation roll-out.
In June 2024, formal consultation was initiated including community education and design
workshops, booths at community events, a development industry workshop, and
discussions at CCEC (DSD-2024-267) and Kitchener’s Development Liaison Committee.
The purpose of the initial engagement was to identify and prioritize categories for the first
version of the standard.
The information from the initial phase of engagement informed a discussion draft which was
introduced at an All Councils meeting on December 6, 2024, and posted on the project
webpage, launching the second phase of engagement described in this report.
REPORT:
This report provides an update on the HPDS project engagement program this spring and
seeks feedback from the Climate Change and Environment Committee on the discussion
draft content.
Project Timeline. Key project milestones include the following:
Spring 2024: Engagement launch to garner initial feedback seeking feedback on
priorities among potential focus areas;
Fall 2024: Discussion Draft release through the project webpage presented at the
All Councils meeting on December 6th;
Winter-Fall 2025: Engagement on the discussion draft and refined standards to
prepare for decisions among each municipality later in 2025 or early 2026; and,
2026: Anticipated implementation including staff and industry training.
The current phase of engagement has included a series of five in-person community
engagement events held throughout the region including a joint Kitchener and Waterloo
session on February 19th. The project webpage includes a survey for an online opportunity
to provide feedback. Development industry engagement has included on-going
discussions with Waterloo Region Home Builders’ Association and Ontario Home Builders’
2
Association representatives, attendance at Build Urban meetings as well as Kitchener
Development Liaison Committee and an industry workshop in March. The project team will
gauge industry interest in establishing a working team for more in-depth discussions on
the draft standards in the next phase of engagement.
The overall approach to the High-Performance Development Standards is to make it
harmonized, simple, effective:
Harmonized: consistency across local area municipalities in the region to support
its integration into development review.
Simple: Make it easy for developers and municipal staff.
Effective: Support the region’s climate action goals and other sustainability
objectives.
The discussion draft includes 14 draft categories grouped in three sections as detailed in
Table 1.
Table 1. Potential categories for high-performance standards
Built Environment Natural Environment Energy Efficiency
Develop safe, inclusive, and
accessible spaces that
address the inequities that
serve as barriers to inclusive
communities
Recognize the importance of
the natural environment and
require mindful consumption
and resource use to minimize
the contributions to GHG
emissions
Require energy efficient and
resilient developments and
structures
B1. EV Parking and Charging
Infrastructure
B2. Active Transportation
B3. Exterior Lighting
B4. Refuge Area
B5. Sustainable Roofing
N1. Vegetation and
Landscaping
N2. Waste
N3. Water Efficiency
N4. Bird Friendly Design
N5. Stormwater
E1. Embodied Carbon
E2. GHG Emissions
Reduction
E3. Airtightness
E4. Local Energy
Generation
Additional categories may be incorporated in future versions consistent with other
municipalities with established standards (e.g., Toronto Green Standard is currently version
4).
Questions for CCEC:
Does the CCEC have overall or high-level feedback on the approach to the HPDS in
the discussion draft?
Would the CCEC be interested in providing more in-depth feedback on the discussion
draft or future iterations?
If so, how would the CCEC like to provide more in-depth feedback? (e.g.
subcommittee, focused discussions at CCEC meetings by topic)
3
Kitchener’s representatives on the project team will continue to update and seek feedback
from CCEC throughout this project. Staff anticipate the next update to this committee will
occur in late Q2 or Q3 of 2025 as the draft HPDS is refined with further detail on each metric
category.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This report supports Cultivating a Green City Together: Focuses a sustainable path to a
greener, healthier city; enhancing & protecting parks & natural environment while
transitioning to a low-carbon future; supporting businesses & residents to make climate-
positive choices.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Capital Budget – The recommendation has no impact on the Capital Budget.
Operating Budget – The recommendation has no impact on the Operating Budget.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM – This report has been posted to the City’s website with the agenda in advance of
the committee meeting. Additionally, the project webpage can be found at
https://www.engagewr.ca/high-performance-development-standards
CONSULT – To date, there have been two phases of engagement which have included in-
person and online engagement opportunities with outreach to both the community and
development industry. Community engagement events held throughout the region including
a joint Kitchener and Waterloo session on February 19th as well as an online survey.
Development industry engagement included workshops in the summer and fall of 2024 with
the next workshop planned for late March. Additionally, industry engagement includes
discussions at Build Urban and municipal Waterloo Region Home Builders’ Association
(WRHBA) Liaison Committees in Waterloo, Cambridge and Waterloo Region as well as
Kitchener’s Development Liaison Committee which includes both WRHBA and as well as
commercial/high rise developer representatives.
COLLABORATE – WR Community Energy is collaborating with development industry
representatives to analyse the impacts of the draft HPDS and will be gauging interest in a
development industry working team for in-depth discussions as the standards are developed
and refined.
PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES:
DSD-2023-109 - Harmonized Green Development Standards Phase 2 Project
Launch
DSD-2024-067 Harmonized Green Development Standards Project Update
DSD-2024-267 Waterloo Region High Performance Development Standards
Engagement Launch
Planning Act
4
Staff Report
Infrastructure Services Department www.kitchener.ca
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
REPORT TO: Climate Change and Environment Committee
DATE OF MEETING: March 20, 2025
SUBMITTED BY: Natalie Goss, Manager Policy & Research, 519-783-8933
PREPARED BY: Kate Daley, Senior Strategist, Carbon and Energy Planning, 519-503-
5307
WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward(s)
DATE OF REPORT: March 6, 2025
REPORT NO.: INS-2025-119
SUBJECT: KU Clean Energy Transition Strategy – March 2025 Update
RECOMMENDATION:
For Information.
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS:
The purpose of this report is to provide an update on Phase 2 of the Kitchener Utilities Clean
Energy Transition Strategy, which is underway. This phase consists of collaboratively
assessing options for the City’s community-facing energy businesses in light of the clean
energy transition and recommending an integrated business approach based on the
information gathered.
The key finding of this report is that staff have developed distinct scopes of work for several
consultants to advance investigation of the identified potential business activities. These
activities fall under four main themes of: [1] providing energy products and services; [2]
planning for and reporting on our gas distribution system; [3] providing the gaseous fuels of
tomorrow, and [4] providing system-scale energy services. The results of these
investigations will form the basis of the Kitchener Utilities Clean Energy Transition Strategy.
There are no financial implications at this time.
Community engagement was extensive during Phase 1 of the project in 2023, with
customers, community members, stakeholders, Kitchener committees, staff, and
councillors. This engagement, combined with stakeholder and staff engagement in early
2024, has provided a large list of energy business activities that could be pursued. Plans
for community engagement during this next stage of the project will be developed with
support of consultants.
This report supports Cultivating a Green City Together: Focuses a sustainable path to
a greener, healthier city; enhancing & protecting parks & natural environment while
transitioning to a low-carbon future; supporting businesses & residents to make
climate-positive choices.
5
BACKGROUND:
This project will develop a strategy to guide us as we evolve our energy business to continue
to be financially successful and provide valued services throughout the energy transition. The
project’s scope includes the City of Kitchener’s community energy businesses, which include
natural gas delivery and rental water heaters, and which are housed in the Gas and Water
Division of the Infrastructure Services Department.
Table 1: Project Phases
Project Phase Timing Focus on… Achieved through…
Phase 1 2023 building relationships and
understanding around values,
goals, and scope of the strategy
relational engagement with
Council, staff, stakeholders,
community members, and
customers
Phase 2 2024-2026 determining the way forward
together
detailed, collaborative option
assessment and recommendation
of an approach
Phase 3 2026+ building consensus on the
implementation plan to 2030
developing a phased long-term
implementation strategy to 2050
and a detailed first phase
implementation plan to 2030
In December of 2023, Council endorsed guiding principles for the project that were based on
extensive engagement with the public, stakeholders, City committees, staff, and councillors:
As we evolve our energy business to continue to be financially successful and provide
valued services throughout the energy transition, we will…
Guiding
Principles
Our intention Objectives
1: Make
responsible,
accountable,
and financially
rewarding
business
decisions
“We will work to responsibly
position our community-
owned business for success
as things change around us.”
1.1: Follow sound business practices
1.2: Take action quickly to manage risk and
maximize opportunity
1.3: Assess value holistically to find our
best contribution
2: Serve
customers as an
affordable and
reliable partner
in the energy
transition
“We will work to empower
customers and community
members as their trusted
partner in the energy
transition.”
2.1: Pursue affordable, reliable, and
predictable energy services
2.2: Empower customers with choice and
with trustworthy, accessible information
2.3: Bring people along as things change
3: Contribute to
a thriving
community
“We will work to make our
community even stronger.”
3.1: Collaborate with partners
3.2: Do our part to address climate change
3.3: Use clear metrics and align them with
community-scale goals
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REPORT:
Identifying Potential Business Activities
Matching the breadth of ideas that were received during Phase 1 engagement, along with a
dedicated stakeholder workshop early in Phase 2, staff have identified a broad range of
potential energy business activities, which fit under four main themes:
Identifying Bodies of Work for Consulting Support
Each identified business activity requires further investigation to determine its potential
integration into the overall strategy. Significant work was undertaken by staff in 2024 to
determine what questions about these business activities could be answered internally using
staff expertise, and which would require consultant support.
Staff have developed distinct scopes of work for several consultants to advance investigation of
the identified potential business activities. These scopes of work are currently in various stages
of the City’s procurement processes.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This report supports Cultivating a Green City Together: Focuses a sustainable path to a
greener, healthier city; enhancing & protecting parks & natural environment while
4. Plan for
multiple energy
futures with
flexibility and
focus
“We will work to prioritize
solutions that can adapt to
and provide value in all
energy futures.”
4.1: Rely on safe bet technologies and
prepare for long shot technologies
4.2: Prepare for a broad range of net-zero
carbon futures
4.3: Iterate, experiment, and learn
provide energy
products and services.
•providing energy
equipment services.
•providing energy
transition support
services.
•running a district or
neighbourhood
utility.
•helping commercial
and industrial
customers meet their
energy needs.
plan for and report on
our gas disribution
system.
•developing policies
and programs for our
assets.
•evaluating and
future-proofing our
gas rates.
•developing
forecasts, scenarios
and models to help us
plan.
provide the gaseous
fuels of tomorrow.
•making, buying, or
delivering biofuels
(e.g. renewable
natural gas).
•making, buying, or
delivering hydrogen.
•advancing our work
to track and contain
gas in our system.
provide system-scale
energy services.
•generating and
selling renewable
energy at a large
scale.
We could…
(themes)
This might
look like…
(types of
potential
business
activities)
7
transitioning to a low-carbon future; supporting businesses & residents to make climate-
positive choices.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
None at this time.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM – This report has been posted to the City’s website with the agenda in advance of the
council / committee meeting.
CONSULT – During Phase 1 of the project in 2023, extensive consultation took place with
customers, community members, stakeholders, Kitchener committees, staff, and councillors.
This engagement, combined with stakeholder engagement in January of 2024, has provided a
large list of energy business activities that could be pursued, which have formed the basis of the
scope for the various consultants on the project.
Plans for community engagement during this next stage of the project will be developed with
support of consultants.
PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES:
INS-2023-199 Kitchener Utilities Clean Energy Transition Update (Community and
Infrastructure Services Committee)
INS-2023-489 Phase 1 of Kitchener Utilities Clean Energy Transition Strategy
(Climate Change and Environment Committee)
INS-2023-508 Phase 1 report and guiding principles for the Kitchener Utilities Clean
Energy Transition Strategy (Community and Infrastructure Services Committee)
INS-2024-198 Kitchener Utilities Clean Energy Transition Strategy Phase 2 Update
(Climate Change and Environment Committee)
INS-2024-224 Phase 2 Update – Kitchener Utilities Clean Energy Transition Strategy
(Community and Infrastructure Services Committee)
APPROVED BY: Denise McGoldrick, General Manager, Infrastructure Services
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
8
Staff Report
Chief Administrator’s Office www.kitchener.ca
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
REPORT TO: Climate Change and Environment Committee
DATE OF MEETING: March 20, 2025
SUBMITTED BY: Natalie Goss, Manager Policy & Research, 519-783-8933
PREPARED BY: Sloane Sweazey, Senior Policy Advisor, 519-783-8988
Kate Daley, Senior Strategist, Carbon & Energy Planning, 519-783-8039
WARD(S) INVOLVED: ALL
DATE OF REPORT: March 4, 2025
REPORT NO.: CAO-2025-121
SUBJECT: Staff Energy Working Group update
RECOMMENDATION:
For information.
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS:
The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the creation of a staff Energy Working
Group, and on its initial work to address the City’s role in the Independent Electricity System
Operator (IESO)’s recent long-term energy procurement process.
The are no financial implications associated with this report.
This report supports Cultivating a Green City Together: Focuses a sustainable path to
a greener, healthier city; enhancing & protecting parks & natural environment while
transitioning to a low-carbon future; supporting businesses & residents to make
climate-positive choices.
BACKGROUND:
In the latter half of 2024, the Province of Ontario signaled the prioritization of a pro-growth,
clean energy transition agenda with significant investments and regulation anticipated in the
energy sector from 2025 onward.
The City of Kitchener plays a unique role in the energy sector. As both a local planning
authority and owner of a community-scale gas distribution utility, the province’s pro-growth,
energy transition agenda will have direct implications on Kitchener that extend beyond those
faced by other municipalities.
The province’s pro-growth agenda is expected to remain a core priority of the government. To
effectively navigate this agenda, Kitchener’s corporate leadership team established an energy
working group comprised of staff across the corporation to focus on engaging effectively with
the energy file as it evolves.
9
As one of its initial priorities, the energy working group is seeking input on key factors that
Kitchener should consider following the launch of the province’s second Long-Term (LT2)
procurement process in January 2025.
REPORT:
As part of the plan to meet growing electricity demand, the Province of Ontario has tasked the
IESO with managing a series of competitive electricity resource procurements focusing on
delivering new electricity generation and capacity (e.g. storage) resources. Municipal
governments have an important role in these procurements, determining whether to host
projects in their communities, and overseeing local development approvals. Without municipal
approval of projects where they make sense, the province may be unable to procure enough
electricity to meet demand.
On the direction of the Minister of Energy and Electrification, all electricity project developers are
required to obtain written confirmation of municipal support for energy projects within municipal
boundaries under the Long-Term 2 (LT2) procurement. This requirement is intended to ensure
that municipalities have control over what electricity projects they wish to host within their
communities.
To deliver on this direction, the IESO requires project developers to engage early with
municipalities to better understand local preferences and needs. Engagement will occur at
different stages of the process, including pre-engagement consultation, municipal support
confirmations, and downstream approvals. Municipalities have an opportunity for ongoing
engagement and communication of local expectations to developers throughout the
development process.
The request for proposals opened in January 2025, with proposal submissions likely to be
awarded in Q3 2025 and final contract awards anticipated by early 2026.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This report supports Cultivating a Green City Together: Focuses a sustainable path to a
greener, healthier city; enhancing & protecting parks & natural environment while
transitioning to a low-carbon future; supporting businesses & residents to make climate-
positive choices.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no financial implications associated with this report.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM – This report has been posted to the City’s website with the agenda in advance of the
council / committee meeting.
CONSULT – LT2 details are being presented to the CCEC for their input and feedback on the
potential implications for the City of Kitchener, as well as any considerations that should inform
staff’s developing work on this issue.
PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES:
There are no previous reports/authorities related to this matter.
10
11
Staff Report
Development Services Department www.kitchener.ca
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
REPORT TO: Climate Change and Environment Committee
DATE OF MEETING: March 20, 2025
SUBMITTED BY: Natalie Goss, Manager Policy & Research, 519-783-8970
PREPARED BY: Anna Marie Cipriani, Corporate Sustainability Advisor, 519-783-8933
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All
DATE OF REPORT: March 3, 2025
REPORT NO.: DSD-2025-122
SUBJECT: Introduction to Pivot: Net-0
RECOMMENDATION:
For discussion.
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS:
The purpose of this report is to introduce the committee to a body of work approved by
Kitchener City Council in April 2024 and to position the committee to engage in this work
as per the committee Terms of Reference
This report supports Cultivating a Green City Together: Focuses a sustainable path
to a greener, healthier city; enhancing & protecting parks & natural environment
while transitioning to a low-carbon future; supporting businesses & residents to
make climate-positive choices.
BACKGROUND:
In April 2024, Council approved Pivot: Net-0, the City of Kitchener’s second-generation
Corporate Climate Action Plan. A plan to drive down corporate greenhouse gas emissions.
Pivot: Net-Zero received Council’s support of a Net-Zero 2050 target while maintaining our
current 2026 target of an 8% reduction from our 2016 baseline. There are 47 actions
identified in the plan from 2024-2027 along with the anticipated year of budget requests,
target completion dates and the divisions that will lead and support these actions. These
actions are foundational to developing a roadmap that will align Net-Zero actions best with
multiple priorities across the organization (e.g., deferred maintenance, asset renewal,
capital planning), streamlining the most strategic approach to making progress on a new
Net-Zero target. Staff intend to report on progress indicators. Scaling up and directing
funding sources within municipal control to accelerate corporate climate action work is
needed in addition to seeking outside support (e.g., through advocacy and grants).
REPORT: Staff will provide an introductory overview of Pivot: Net-0 with the intention of
positioning the committee to engage in this work as per the Committee Terms of Reference.
12
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This report supports Cultivating a Green City Together: Focuses a sustainable path to
a greener, healthier city; enhancing & protecting parks & natural environment while
transitioning to a low-carbon future; supporting businesses & residents to make
climate-positive choices.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no direct financial implications of this report.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM – This report has been posted to the City’s website with the agenda in advance of
the council / committee meeting.
PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES:
DSD-2024-074 Pivot: Net-0 and the City’s 2023 Corporate Greenhouse Gas
emissions inventory.
13
Staff Report
Development Services Department www.kitchener.ca
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
REPORT TO: Climate Change and Environment Committee
DATE OF MEETING: March 20, 2025
SUBMITTED BY: Natalie Goss, Manager Policy & Research, 519-783-8933
PREPARED BY: Carrie Musselman, Senior Environmental Planner, 519-783-
8940
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All Wards
DATE OF REPORT: March 3, 2025
REPORT NO.: DSD-2025-117
SUBJECT: 2024 - 2026 CCEC Work Plan
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Climate Change and Environment Committee (CCEC) Work Plan 2024-2026
appended to DSD-2005-117 as Attachment A, be approved.
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS:
Per the terms of reference for the Climate Change and Environment Committee, this
workplan outlines priority environmental matters of interest to the committee and
associated actions.
There are no financial implications associated with the workplan.
Community engagement included informing the public by posting the report on the City’s
website with the agenda in advance of the meeting.
This workplan supports Cultivating a Green City Together: Focuses a sustainable path
to a greener, healthier city; enhancing & protecting parks & natural environment while
transitioning to a low-carbon future; supporting businesses & residents to make climate-
positive choices.
BACKGROUND:
In accordance with the Committee’s Terms of Reference, the committee in cooperation with
staff are required to develop a Work Plan to be implemented in the current term. Accordingly,
members were invited to provide suggestions on the types of things they would like to see
the committee undertake. Staff then put together a Work Plan based on the committee’s
identified interests.
REPORT:
At the February 20, 2025, committee meeting, members were asked to provide suggestions
for the 2024-2026 Committee Work Plan. Members were reminded that priority
14
environmental issues should relate to and assist with advancing Council’s strategic
priorities, as well as priorities outlined in related guiding documents, such as:
Strategic Plan
Strategic Plan for the Environment
Corporate Climate Action Plan
TransformWR Climate Action Strategy
Actions should also link to the environmental issues identified and be consistent with the
duties of the Committee, such as:
Provide input on relevant environmental issues, policies, projects, or programs that
are within the jurisdiction of the municipality.
Serve as a forum for delegations to provide public input on environmental matters.
Discuss new, relevant, or unexplored environmental or climate change issues.
Assist Council and staff in identifying research needs and environmental data gaps,
assist in gathering data, undertaking research, and formulating a strategy to improve
the information available for private and public use.
Support approved municipal initiatives with respect to the education of citizens on
matters of environmental significance.
Undertake other environmental projects assigned by Council from time to time.
Priority Environmental Issues – Work Plan
Members discussed potential priority environmental issues, consistent with the duties of the
committee and the City’s overall environmental objectives, and agreed upon the following
for the 2024 – 2026 Work Plan:
Environmental Rodent Control Impacts
Sustainable Food Systems
Committee/Council Report Template Change(s)
The 2024 – 2026 Work Plan has been attached to this report as Attachment A. The work
plan may be updated throughout the term as priority environmental issues are added or
completed and removed.
Priority Environmental Issues - Sub-Committees
The Work Plan is composed of actions to address priority environmental issues, which are
often best fulfilled through members participating within a sub-committee. Each sub-
committee will report through the committee.
Recognizing that committee members bring a wide variety of skills, knowledge and
experience with them, a sub-committee can provide members with meaningful work that
suits their skills and goes beyond merely discussing issues at a committee meeting.
The Co-Chairs may be considered an alternate member of all sub-committees, allowing
them to attend a sub-committee meeting in place of one of its appointed members when it
is deemed crucial to advance the Committee’s business. A sub-committee cannot meet or
exceed quorum.
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STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This report supports Cultivating a Green City Together: Focuses a sustainable path to a
greener, healthier city; enhancing & protecting parks & natural environment while
transitioning to a low-carbon future; supporting businesses & residents to make climate-
positive choices.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The recommendation has no impact on the Capital or Operating Budget.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM – This report has been posted to the City’s website with the agenda in advance of
the meeting.
PREVIOUS REPORT(S):
DSD-2025-069 2024-2026 CCEC Work Plan Discussion
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A – 2024-2026 Work Plan
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Priority Environmental Issues and/or
SubCommittee Committee Member(s)Action
No.Description Start End Guiding Documents / Studies / Reports Staff / City Resources
J. Clary-Lemon 1 Define the problem
Nature Canada - Defending Nature From Chemical
Rodent Control
Staff - Facilities Managment
Division - Infrastructure Services
Dept.
C. Corcoran 2
Research applicapble Policy and Laws
(Federal, Provincial, Municipal)
Nature Canada - Bird Friendly Application - Section 1:
Threat Reduction: 1.4 (B) Pesticide Use - Insect/Rodents
3 Investigate possible solutions Using pesticides in Ontario
4 Investgate how best to implment the
solutions
Pest control products (pesticides) acts and regulations in
Canada
5 Report to CCEC committee
6
1 Define the problem
Official Plan (Community Garden, Temporary Farmers'
Markets and Urban Agricultural)
Staff - Planning and Housing
Policy Division - Development
Services Department (Policy and Research)
2 Research applicapble Policy and Laws
(Federal, Provincial, Municipal)Community Gardens
3 Investigate possible solutions Laurier Centre for Sustainable Food Systems
4 Investgate how best to implment the solutions Sustainable Food Systems in Canada
5 Report to CCEC committee
Goal 2: Support a healthier and more sustainable food
system
6
K. Charlesworth 1 Define the problem 2023 - 2026 Strategic Plan
Compass Kitchener Citizen
Advisory Committee
P. Boot 2 Research applicapble Policy (Municipal) United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Staff - Legislated Services Division
- Corporate Services Dept.
3 Investigate possible solutions Chapter 25 - Procedure
4 Investgate how best to implment the
solutions
5 Report to CCEC committee
6
Environmental Rodent Control Impacts
Sustainable Food Systems
Committee/Council Report Template Change(s)
Councillor S. Stretch
P. Nojo
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