Standing Committee on Environmental Protection, Water and Waste Management

Minutes

Meeting #:

35

Date:

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Time:

9:30 A.m. - 11:30 A.m.

Location:

Electronic Participation

Absent:

• Chair Scott Moffatt, 
• Vice-Chair Shawn Menard, 
• Councillor Riley Brockington, 
• Councillor Jean Cloutier, 
• Councillor George Darouze, 
• Councillor Keith Egli, 
• Councillor Allan Hubley, 
• Councillor Rawlson King, 
• and Councillor Catherine McKenney

---

1.

Notices and meeting information for meeting participants and the public

Notices and meeting information are attached to the agenda and minutes, including: availability of simultaneous interpretation and accessibility accommodations; in camera meeting procedures; information items not subject to discussion; personal information disclaimer for correspondents and public speakers; notices regarding minutes; and remote participation details.

Accessible formats and communication supports are available, upon request.

Except where otherwise indicated, reports requiring Council consideration will be presented to Council on July 6, 2022 in Standing Committee on Environmental Protection, Water and Waste Management Report 24.

The deadline to register by phone to speak, or submit written comments or visual presentations is 4 pm on Monday, June 20, and the deadline to register to speak by email is 8:30 am on Tuesday, June 21.

This draft Minutes document contains a summary of the disposition of items and actions taken at the meeting. This document does not include all of the text that will be included in the final Minutes, such as the record of written and oral submissions. Recorded votes and dissents contained in this draft Minutes document are draft until the Minutes of the meeting are confirmed by the Committee. The final draft Minutes will be published with the agenda for the next regular Committee meeting and, once confirmed, will replace this document.

2.

Declarations of Interest

No Declarations of Interest were filed.

3.

Confirmation of Minutes

3.1

EPWWM Minutes 24 - Tuesday, 17 May 2022

• Carried

4.

Postponements and Deferrals

4.1

EPWWM 02-21 - Effectiveness and Enforceability of Anti-idling Bylaw

Responses to inquiries deferred for discussion from the meeting of 17 May 2022

• Motion No. EPWWM 2022-25/1
  Moved by Vice-Chair S. Menard

  WHEREAS, on April 24, 2019, City Council declared a Climate Emergency for the purposes of naming, framing, and deepening our commitment to protecting the economy, ecosystems, and community from climate change; and

  WHEREAS the link between greenhouse gas emissions, including those from vehicles, and climate change, and heat island effects is well researched and evident; and

  WHEREAS Environment Canada estimates air pollution from vehicle emissions contribute to 15,000 premature deaths each year in Canada through emission exhaust comprised of nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxides, volatile organic compounds and fine particulate matter which can irritate the nose and throat, and cause long-term damage like asthma, decreased lung function, cardiac disease, and cancer; and 

  WHEREAS idling in areas such as school zones, bus stops, and community centers places vulnerable populations at risk from an air pollution; and

  WHEREAS the intent of Ottawa’s current anti-idling by-law (Idling Control By-law No. 2007-266) was to provide education and warnings and enforce for repeat offenders; and

  WHEREAS the Idling Control By-law No. 2007-266 is rarely enforced, written with many exemptions and out of date in comparison to other mid-size cities; and 

  WHEREAS Ottawa experienced a three-week-long occupation in winter 2022 which resulted in residents walking through and breathing in vehicle exhaust fumes at a level significantly higher than the average for Ottawa, with more ‘freedom convoy’ related protests expected to continue through the summer; and

  WHEREAS in February of 2022 emergency measures were enacted that gave By-law and Regulatory Services the authority to enforce no-idling rules at -15 and above in the occupied zone of the City for the duration of the emergency period and/or to sunset at 2 months, and raised the fine for idling from $100 to $1000 for this same time period; and

  WHEREAS the By-law Review Framework specified that the City’s by-law should be reviewed and updated every ten years, and the anti-idling By-law No. 2007-266 was last updated 15 years ago, in 2007; and

  WHEREAS, in accordance with the Council-approved By-law Review Framework, it is anticipated that the 2023-2026 By-law Review Work Plan will be brought forward for Council’s consideration and  approval early in the new Term of Council, to identify by-law reviews to be undertaken during the Term; 

  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Standing Committee on Environmental Protection, Water and Waste Management recommend Council direct Public Policy Development Services in Emergency and Protective Services to include  a  comprehensive by-law review of By-law No. 2007-266 for Council consideration as part of the 2023-2026 By-law Review Work Plan to be approved by Council in 2023,  and that this review shall include consideration of the following components: 

  • Temperature thresholds, considering the increasing heat waves due to climate change as per the National Capital Climate Projections and our Climate Resiliency Strategy and a comparison to other major Canadian cities;
  • Fines and time thresholds in relation to other major Canadian cities; 
  • Exemptions which currently include 12 categories of vehicles that are not subject to the by-law; 
  • Improved definitions of terms such as “idle”, “mobile workshop”, “normal farm practice”, “private transit vehicles”, and “vehicle” to ensure accuracy and enforceability; 
  • Enforcement, providing clarity on how citizens can report non-compliant idling to the City for investigation and a review of complaints, associated actions and effectiveness; 
  • Integration and updating of the Vehicle and Equipment Idling Policy dated June 2002, Number FS01, updated February 2021.
  Carried

• The Chair moved referral of the following part of the Motion to Ottawa City Council on 6 July 2022:

  Amendment:
  Motion No. EPWWM 2022-25/1
  Moved by Chair S. Moffatt

  THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Council request the Ottawa Board of Health consider developing a public education and signage campaign to reduce unnecessary idling, in collaboration with the City of Ottawa staff, including Public Information and Media Relations and Emergency and Protective Services.

5.

Planning, Real Estate and Economic Development Department

5.1

Climate Change Master Plan – Climate Vulnerability and Risk Assessment

File No. ACS2022-PIE-EDP-0019 - City-wide

• Report recommendations

  That the Standing Committee on Environmental Protection, Water and Waste Management recommend that Council:

  1. Receive the Climate Vulnerability and Risk Assessment (CVRA) attached as Documents 1 and 2 and summarized in this report.
  2. Direct staff to bring forward the Climate Resiliency Strategy by Q4 2023.
  3. Direct staff to consider resourcing needs to develop the Climate Resiliency Strategy as part of the 2023 budget process, including resources to support public and stakeholder engagement.
  4. Direct staff leading new or updates to City plans, strategies, policies and programs to take the CVRA findings into consideration.
  5. Direct staff to consider resourcing needs to further assess or mitigate known climate risks as part of the 2023 budget process to accelerate early action while the Climate Resiliency Strategy is being developed.
  6. Direct staff to consider climate resiliency in the 2023 – 2026 Strategic Plan / Term of Council Priorities.
  Carried

5.2

2021 Hydro Ottawa Dividend Surplus Spending Plan

File No. ACS2022-PIE-EDP-0023 - City-wide

• Report recommendation

  That the Standing Committee on Environmental Protection, Water and Waste Management recommend Council approve the prioritized Spending Plan as shown in Document 1, with funding for implementation to be aligned with the Hydro Ottawa's dividend surplus once the specific dollar amount, if any, is known.

  Carried as amended
• Amendment:
  Motion No. EPWWM 2022-25/2
  Moved by Vice-Chair S. Menard

  WHEREAS on page four of report ACS2022-PIE-EDP-0023 item 2 – 2021 Hydro Ottawa Dividend Surplus Spending Plan, the bullet point references “Energy management at the drinking water purification plants”; and

  WHEREAS the original text as noted is specific to Drinking Water Plants (Britannia and Lemieux); and  

  WHEREAS alternative wording allows for the inclusion of all drinking water and wastewater facilities across the City of Ottawa as intended by the report; 

  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, with respect to the bullet point on page four of report ACS2022-PIE-EDP-0023 item 2 – 2021 Hydro Ottawa Dividend Surplus Spending Plan referencing:

  “Energy management at the drinking water purification plants” 

  be deleted in its entirety and be replaced with the following wording:

  “Energy management at water facilities”.

  Carried

6.

Public Works Department

6.1

Update on the Transition to Provincial Blue Box Individual Producer Responsibility

File No. ACS2022-PWD-SWS-0002 – City-wide

• Report recommendations

  That the Standing Committee on Environmental Protection, Water and Waste Management recommend that Council: 

  1. Receive an update on the Provincial Blue Box Program transition to Individual Producer Responsibility (IPR); and
  2. Delegate authority to the General Manager of the Public Works Department, in consultation with Legal, Finance and Supply Services, to negotiate using the proposed guidelines and execute, in the best interest of the City, the agreement(s) needed for the transition period of the Provincial IPR Blue Box Program (July 1, 2023 – Dec 31, 2025) as described within this report and the accompanying confidential memorandum “Financial Implications for Report ACS2022-PWD-SWS-0002” (memo to be issued separately).
  Carried

7.

Infrastructure and Water Services Department

7.1

Ruisseau Park Ravine Rehabilitation, Class Environmental Assessment and Functional Design

File No. ACS2022-PIE-IS-0003 - Innes (Ward 2)

• Report recommendation

  That the Standing Committee on Environmental Protection, Water and Waste Management Committee recommend Council approve the results of the Class Environmental Assessment Study for the Ruisseau Park Ravine Rehabilitation as detailed in Document 1 and direct staff to proceed with posting the Notice of Study Completion for a 30-day public review period in accordance with the Ontario Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Schedule "B" process.

  Carried

7.2

Drinking Water Quality Management System (DWQMS) 2021 Management Review Report

File No. ACS2022-IWS-WS-0004 - City-wide

• Report recommendation

  That the Standing Committee on Environmental Protection, Water and Waste Management recommend that Council receive the 2021 Management Review Report of the Drinking Water Quality Management System.

  Received

8.

Motions of Which Notice has been Previously Given

8.1

Councillor C. McKenney - Motion - Endorsement of the Fossil Fuel Non-proliferation Treaty

File No. ACS2022-OCC-ENV-0007 - City-wide

• Report recommendations

  That the Standing Committee on Environmental Protection, Water and Waste Management recommend Council:

  1. Formally endorse the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty; and
  2. Approve that the Mayor, on behalf of Council and the City of Ottawa, send a letter to the Prime Minister of Canada and the Premier of Ontario urging the Canadian and Ontario governments to support the global initiative for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.

  For (6)

  Councillor K. Egli, Councillor R. King, Councillor C. McKenney, Councillor J. Cloutier, Chair S. Moffatt, and Vice-Chair S. Menard

  Carried (6 to 0)

8.2

Councillor S. Menard - Motion - Tree Protection By-law Amendment to decrease distinctive tree diameter to 30 cm in the suburban area

File No. ACS2022-OCC-ENV-0008 - City-wide

• Report recommendation

  That the Standing Committee on Environmental Protection, Water and Waste Management recommend Council direct staff to consult with the public and bring forward a report in Q2 2023 to amend the Tree Protection By-law, 2020-340 to reduce the size of a Distinctive Tree in the suburban area of Ottawa from 50 centimeters to 30 centimeters in diameter measured at breast height.

  Carried

9.

In Camera Items

There were no in camera items.

10.

Information Previously Distributed

10.1

Report on the use of delegated authority during 2021 by the Public Works Department, as set out in schedule “I” of by-law 2020-360

File No. ACS2022-PWD-GEN-0001 - City-wide

11.

Notices of Motions (For Consideration at Subsequent Meeting)

There were no Notices of Motion.

12.

Inquiries

There were no Inquiries.

13.

Other Business

There was no other business.

14.

Adjournment

Next Meeting

Tuesday, September 20, 2022.

The meeting adjourned at 1:07 pm.