HomeMy WebLinkAbout 2026-02-19 Climate Change and Environment Committee Agenda
Climate Change and Environment Committee
Agenda
February 19, 2026, 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-Chair: Brooklin Wallis
Co-Chair: Amanda Di Battista
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 where
possible are encouraged to register prior to the start of the meeting. For
Delegates who are attending in-person, registration is permitted up to the start
of the meeting. Delegates who are interested in attending virtually must register
by 1:00 p.m. on February 19, 2026 in order to participate electronically.
4.Discussion Items
4.1 Sustainable Food Systems Sub-Committee
Mid-Term Report, DSD-2026-074
10 m 1
N. Goss, Manager of Policy & Research with the City of Kitchener, will
provide a 5-minute presentation on this matter.
4.2 High Performance Development Standards
Sub-Committee Mid-Term Report, DSD-2026-
073
10 m 4
N. Goss, Manager of Policy & Research with the City of Kitchener, will
provide a 5-minute presentation on this matter.
5.Information Items
5.1 Sub-Committee Updates 5 m
5.1.a Committee/Council Report
TemplateChange(s)
P. Boot and P. Nojo will provide a 5-minute sub-committee
update.
5.2 Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF) - Call for
Volunteers
5 m
5.3 Agenda Forecast to March 2026 10 m
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: February 19, 2026
SUBMITTED BY: Natalie Goss, Manager Policy & Research, 519-783-8933
PREPARED BY: Fionnula Wade, Sustainability Advisor on behalf of the CCEC
Sustainable Food Systems Subcommittee, 519-707-1464
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All Ward(s)
DATE OF REPORT: February 2, 2026
REPORT NO.: DSD-2026-074
SUBJECT: CCEC Sustainable Food Systems Sub-committee Update
RECOMMENDATION:
For Information.
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS:
The purpose of this report is to provide a mid term update on the work conducted by
the Climate Change and Environment Committee (CCEC) Sustainable Food Systems
Subcommittee.
The key finding of this report is that the Sustainable Foody Systems Subcommittee has
conducted informal interviews with City of Kitchener staff working in areas contributing
to food system sustainability. In the second half of the CCEC 2025-26 term, the
subcommittee will continue liaising with City staff and look for ways to support the
development of increased food system sustainability across Kitchener.
There are no direct financial implications of this report.
Community engagement included the posting of this report with the agenda in advance
of the CCEC meeting.
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:
During the development of the Climate Change and Environment Committee (CCEC)
workplan in February 2025, Committee members expressed interest in forming a
Sustainable Food Systems Subcommittee. In September 2025, a formal subcommittee was
formed with the intention of exploring sustainable food systems in the City of Kitchener.
This report provides the CCEC with an update of the subcommittee’s work and next steps.
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REPORT:
The Sustainable Food Systems Subcommittee identified 4 main goals listed below, which
have been used to guide the subcommittees work since forming in September 2025.
1. Connect with City of Kitchener staff to see what’s already been done at the
intersection of food and sustainability and explore what else can be done.
2. Examine current efforts/assets for collaborative and connective opportunities
between projects/initiatives/departments as well as opportunities to connect the
public to ongoing City efforts.
3. Connect with City of Kitchener NGO’s, small businesses, and farmers to examine
intersection of food and sustainability.
4. Create a deliverable/output that helps connects residents to sustainable food system
assets (e.g., Kitchener Market map of farms, GIS map of sustainable food assets in
the city).
Subcommittee Work to Date
To date, the subcommittee has worked on advancing goals 1 and 2 listed above. In the fall
of 2025, the subcommittee began meeting with City of Kitchener Staff to gain an
understanding of if and/or how sustainable food systems intersect with work in their
departments. In preparation for the meetings, the subcommittee provided the following
questions to City staff to help guide the conversation:
1. How is food system sustainability present in your portfolio?
2. Where can residents access information on sustainable food programs?
3. How can the CCEC advance a priority related to the intersection of food and
sustainability that you don’t currently have the capacity to move forward? How can
we help?
4. Is there anyone else that we should talk to regarding food system sustainability within
the City of Kitchener or outside of the organization?
Meeting Summaries
Kitchener Market
The subcommittee met with a Kitchener Market staff member and discussed Kitchener
Market policies, programs, and operational practices that support food system sustainability
including, supporting MyPick certification for local famers, an “Ontario only” policy for
selected seasonal produce, food waste reduction programs (e.g., Community Fridge) and
community engagement programs.
Downtown Development
The subcommittee met with a staff member working in Downtown Development and
discussed ways that the city supports businesses in the downtown area, including local food
producers and restaurants that use sustainable business practices.
Neighbourhood Development Office
The subcommittee met with Neighbourhood Programs and Services staff and discussed
community gardens and fruit forests, as well as the LoveMyHood grant program.
Planning
The subcommittee met with a Planning staff member and discussed how local food is being
included in the current draft Official Plan.
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Next Steps
In 2026, the subcommittee plans to continue working with City staff to identify departments,
projects, or programs related to sustainable food systems with the aim of identifying common
themes, possible connections, or ways that the subcommittee can support ongoing work.
The subcommittee is available to provide feedback, participate in focus groups, or discuss
any related program, action, or policy.
A final report will be prepared by the subcommittee for the September 2026 meeting.
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 council / committee meeting.
PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES:
There are no previous reports/authorities related to this matter.
APPROVED BY: Natalie Goss, Manager Policy & Research
3
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: February 19, 2026
SUBMITTED BY: Natalie Goss, Manager Policy & Research, 519-783-8933
PREPARED BY: Natalie Goss, Manager Policy & Research, on behalf of the CCEC
High Performance Development Standards Subcommittee 519-783-
8933
WARD(S) INVOLVED: ALL
DATE OF REPORT: February 2, 2026
REPORT NO.: DSD-2026-073
SUBJECT: CCEC High Performance Development Standards Sub-Committee
Update
RECOMMENDATION:
That the CCEC high performance development standards sub-committee be
disbanded; and,
That the CCEC continue to monitor the progress of the city’s work on high
performance development standards.
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS:
The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the sub-committee’s work over the
past year.
The key finding of this report is that as a result of changes in provincial legislation related
to high performance development standards, the city continues to determine
appropriate next steps, and no further work can be done by the sub-committee.
There are no direct financial implications of this report.
Community engagement included posting of this report with the agenda in advance of
the CCEC meeting.
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 March 2025 the Climate Change and Environment Committee formed a high performance
development standards sub-committee to learn from and inform the city’s work on this topic.
This report provides the CCEC with an update of the sub-committee’s work and
recommends next steps.
4
REPORT:
In June 2025, the sub-committee met with city planning staff and staff from WR Community
Energy where an update was provided by staff on the City’s in progress high performance
development standards work. Staff also shared that Provincial legislation was tabled (Bill
17) and indicated that it may impact the city’s approach and timelines. Until such time as
next steps have been determined by the city on this matter in light of legislative changes,
the sub-committee is unable to continue their work. The sub-committee encourages CCEC
to continue to monitor and receive updates from staff on the high performance development
standards once more information is available.
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 advisory committee meeting.
PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES:
There are no previous reports/authorities related to this matter.
REVIEWED BY: Janine Oosterveld, Manager Customer Experience and Project
Management
APPROVED BY: Natalie Goss, Manager Policy & Research
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