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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLN 01-16Cit.q o~ From: Subject: Thomas Melymuk Director, City Development Report to Executive Committee Report Number: PLN 01-16 Date: March 7, 2016 Blue Dot Movement -The Right to a Healthy Environment City of Pickering Declaration Recommendation: 1. That the City of Pickering's Declaration supporting David Suzuki Foundation's Blue Dot Movement -The Right to a Healthy Environment, as shown on Attachment #1 to Report PLN 01-16, be endorsed; and 2. That the City of Pickering's Declaration for The Right to a Healthy Environment, supporting the right of all Canadians to live in a healthy environment, be sent to the Prime Minister of Canada, Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Pickering-Uxbridge Member of Parliament, Premier of Ontario, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Ajax-Pickering Member of Provincial Parliament, Pickering-Scarborough East Member of Provincial Parliament, Region of Durham, municipalities within Durham Region, Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Association of Municipalities of Ontario, Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, and the David Suzuki Foundation. Executive Summary: On December 14, 2015, a resident presented the David Suzuki Foundation's Blue Dot Movement to Council and requested that the City of Pickering pass a declaration supporting the Right to a Healthy Environment. The item was referred to staff for a report. As of February 17, 2016, 117 Canadian municipalities have passed Blue Dot declarations including the City of Oshawa, Town of Ajax and Town of Whitby. The Declaration as shown on Attachment #1 meets the needs of the Blue Dot Movement and reflects the City's commitment to sustainability. The Declaration is consistent with the City's corporate and community plans, strategies and by-laws as well as the goals within the Sustainable Placemaking and Community Engagement Corporate Priorities. Financial Implications: Not applicable. PLN 01-16 Subject: Blue Dot Movement -The Right to a Healthy Environment Discussion March 7, 2016 Page 2 1. The Blue Dot Movement is an initiative of the David Suzuki Foundation to help recognize the right to a healthy environment as a human right. These rights include: • The right to breathe clean air • The right to drink clean water • The right to food security, and to consume safe and healthy food • The right to access nature • The right to know about pollutants and contaminants released into the local environment • The right to participate in decision-making that will affect the environment According to the Foundation, over 110 governments from around the world, including several cities, have recognized their citizen's right to live in a healthy environment through by-laws, declarations, and other forms of legislation. Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms does not explicitly protect environmental rights. In addition, only 5 Canadian provinces and territories have environmental rights legislation (Quebec, Ontario, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut). 2. The ultimate goal of the Blue Dot Movement is to have the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms amended to guarantee every Canadian's right to a healthy environment. To help achieve this goal, citizens were urged to request that their municipal governments pass declarations. As of February 17, 2016 117 Canadian municipalities have passed Blue Dot declarations. After enough municipalities have passed declarations, the Foundation will request each province to include similar wording in an Environmental Bill of Rights. Once 7 out of 10 provinces representing at least 50 percent of the Canadian population have taken this step, they will approach the Federal government about amending the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. A resident delegation presented the David Suzuki Foundation's Blue Dot Movement to Council on December 14, 2015 and requested that the City of Pickering pass a declaration supporting the Right to a Healthy Environment. The request was referred to staff for review and to prepare a report. 3. The City's Declaration meets the needs of the Blue Dot Movement and is reflective of the City's on-going commitment to sustainability. City Development staff have reviewed the Blue Dot Movement initiative and the sample declaration provided by the David Suzuki Foundation and other declarations adopted by various municipalities across the Greater Toronto Area. PLN 01-16 Subject: -Blue Dot Movement -The Right to a Healthy Environment March 7, 2016 Page 3 The attached Declaration demonstrates the City's on-going commitment to a healthy environment and is consistent with our longstanding reputation as a municipal leader in sustainability. The Declaration also directly aligns with two Corporate Priorities - Sustainable Placemaking and Community Engagement. Specifically it reflects the -concepts with numerous corporate and community plans, strategies, and by-laws such as: the Measuring Sustainability Report, Vehicle Idling By-law 6297/04, Sustainable Neighbourhood Development Guidelines for Urban Pickering, Urban Forest Study, Partners for Climate Protection program, Corporate Smart Commute program, Corporate Energy M~nagement Plan, annual sustainability events, and the Valley Plentiful Community Gardens. The City's Legal Services and Clerks have reviewed the attached Declaration. Attachment 1. City of Pickering Declaration ....., The Right to a Healthy Environment Prepared By: Orar-------...q.--'1'--t"' "----'---'~'-~ Chantal Whitaker Coordinator, Sustainability CW:Id Recommended for the consideration of Pickering City Council Approved/Endorsed By: ~!k:5~ Grant McGregor, MCIP , RPP Manager, Sustainability & Economic Development ~~~c Thoma: ~~;m , MCIP, Director, City evelopment ~ r;.£. tf3,2Dt(, Tony Prevedel, P.Eng. Chief Administrative Officer City of Pickering Declaration The Right to a Healthy Environment Whereas the City of Pickering has shown, and continues to show, demonstrated commitment and leadership regarding sustainability, including environmental sustainability; Whereas the City of Pickering understands that people are part of the environment, and that a healthy environment is inextricably linked to the well-being of a sustainable community; Whereas, the City of Pickering supports the right of all Canadians to live in a healthy environment, including: • The right to breathe clean air • The right to drink clean water • The right to food security, and to consume safe and healthy food • The right to access nature • The right to know about pollutants and contaminants released into the local environment • The right to participate in decision-making that will affect the environment Whereas, within the City's means and responsibilities, the City will continue to implement the principles, goals and policies of its community and corporate Plans, Strategies, and By-laws to respect, protect, fulfill and advance these rights, including: a. Promoting responsible growth and development; b. Ensuring that infrastructure and development minimize their impact on the environment; c. Addressing climate change by taking actions to reduce corporate greenhouse gas emissions and implementing adaptation measures; d. Encouraging the community to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; . e. Promoting walking, cycling, carpooling, and public transit; f. Encouraging the Region of Durham to continue to ensure adequate infrastructure for the provision ·Of safe and accessible drinking water; g. Promoting the availability of safe and healthy locally grown foods; h. Reducing solid waste and promoting recycling and composting in corporate facilities; i. Encouraging and working with the Region of Durham to improve waste reduction and diversion, and j. Establishing and maintaining accessible open spaces. Therefore be it resolved, that the City of Pickering requests the Federal Government to enshrine the right to a healthy environment in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms; Be it further resolved, that the City of Pickering requests the Ontario Government to review and amend the Ontario Environmental Bill of Rights to include enforceable provisions that protect for and guarantee the right to live in a healthy environment; And further that, the City of Pickering forward a copy of this Declaration, supporting the right of all Canadians to live in a healthy environment, to the Prime Minister of Canada, Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Pickering-Uxbridge Member of Parliament, Premier of Ontario, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Ajax-Pickering Member of Provincial Parliament, Pickering-Scarborough East Member of Provincial Parliament, Region of Durham, municipalities within Durham Region, Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Association of Municipalities of Ontario, Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, and the David Suzuki Foundation.