HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinal SPAC Minutes February 26 2014
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Minutes/Meeting Summary
Sustainable Pickering Advisory Committee
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
11:30 am
CAO Boardroom
Attendees: Doug Dickerson, Chair, City Councillor, Ward 2
Peter Rodrigues, Regional Councillor, Ward 3
Tom Melymuk, Director, City Development
Grant McGregor, Manager, Sustainability & Economic Development
Michelle Pearce, Coordinator, Environmental Awareness Programs
Chantal Whitaker, Coordinator, Sustainability
Carol Redmond, (Acting) Executive Assistant, Council
Jessica Macina, Administrative Assistant l (Recording Secretary)
Guests: Brian Kelly, Manager of Sustainability (Durham Region)
Todd Hall, Member, Durham Region Roundtable on Climate Change
Absent: David Pickles, Vice-Chair, City Councillor, Ward 3
Gilbert Boehm, Supervisor, Energy Management
Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
1. Durham Region’s Future Climate Presentation Brian Kelly
Todd Hall
Councillor Dickerson called the meeting to order at 11:40 am.
Brian K. and Todd H. introduced themselves and proceeded
with the presentation.
Brian K. and Todd H. provided a summary of a comprehensive
study that was prepared by SENES Consultants for the Durham
Region Roundtable on Climate Change (DRRCC) entitled
―Durham Region‘s Future Climate ―. The study provides climate
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projections that can be used to prepare Durham Region for the
future climate conditions that are expected to occur in 2040 –
2049. Brian K. and Todd H. are currently engaging experts from
Durham municipalities and stakeholders to sit on topic-specific
task forces to interpret the implications of the climate
projections and help prepare a Community Climate Adaptation
Plan.
Councillor Rodrigues commented that he likes the idea of
preparing and educating municipalities and stakeholders with
this adaptation plan.
Councillor Dickerson expressed his concern with climate
change and noted that it will take more than a community to
take action in order to alleviate this issue. Todd H. replied that
the Region has prepared a mitigation report that outlines
potential programs to reduce greenhouse gases, but agreed
that the science is telling us that the climate is changing at a
very rapid rate and there needs to be a focus on ―adaptation‖ in
order to prepare, protect and safeguard our communities.
The Region of Durham Community Climate Adaptation Plan
presentation included:
1. Explanation of Climate Change
2. Recent examples of extreme weather impacts – such as:
December 2013 ice storm that hit southern Ontario
and Eastern Canada causing $200M worth of insured
losses.
July 2013 Toronto flood that cost $940M (total
losses).
June 2013 Calgary floods in June $5B (total losses).
2011 Goderich tornado $75M in insured damage
from tornado, $130M total damage estimate from
tornado plus sustained rains.
1998 ‗Quebec ice storm‘ most expensive storm in
Canadian history to that point with economic
consequences totaling more than $1.5B.
3. Climate change as a risk: the need for adaptation
4. Climate Projections (please see attached slides):
climate projections for timeframe 2040-2049
climate means and weather extremes
parameters of temperature and precipitation
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5. Next Steps
engage a wide range of community stakeholders
(regional departments, local governments, institutions,
businesses)
inform them of the Adaptation Plan process and seek
their involvement on an expedited basis
request organizations to delegate representatives to
Expert Task Forces
hold monthly meetings of each task force
standing offer to brief senior stakeholder management
on key progress and findings throughout the process
conduct Adaptation Charette in April/May 2014
offer to brief local municipality senior staff and councils
in the August/September timeframe
provide a copy of the proposed Community Adaptation
Plan in September 2014 (as approved by DRRCC)
Todd H. added that it is important to realize that the SENES
study projects climate parameters. The project is not a weather
forecast and climate is defined as average weather over
periods of time.
Grant arrived at the meeting at 12:30 pm.
Councillor Rodrigues inquired about the implications of how this
future climate is going to affect agriculture. Discussion ensued
about the impact to the agricultural community.
Councillor Dickerson commented that we have seen a lot of
changes in Pickering throughout the years and asked what
would be the best way to address this issue. Todd H. replied
that various CSA standards are being revised and there is a lot
of work happening right now to implement/coordinate a few
initiatives in the GTA with low costs that could make houses
more resilient to climate change.
Councillor Dickerson left the meeting at 1:00 pm and thanked
Brian K. and Todd H. for the presentation.
Tom M. expressed his concern regarding the established
neighbourhoods and commented on the need for strategies to
deal with existing residents and businesses. He also inquired
about how we motivate communities and stakeholders to take
action now, when the perception may be that we still have
many years before climate change becomes a problem. Todd
H. explained that climate change will affect existing population
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and infrastructure and that corrective actions are being
researched for implementation into the Building Code. Todd H.
also commented that people need to be made aware in order to
make informed decisions and ultimately influence the Province
to make changes.
Brian K. and Todd H finished the presentation at 1:15 pm,
thanked everyone and left the meeting at 1:25 pm.
2. Celebrating Sustainable Neighbourhoods & Sustainable
Pickering Day
Chantal Whitaker
Debrief Celebrating Sustainable Neighbourhood Event.
Chantal W. advised that the City received very positive
feedback in regards to the celebration event.
Chantal W. mentioned that she was going to meet with
members of the Dunbarton High School Enviro-Club for a
preliminary discussion on project ideas and locations.
Sustainable Pickering Day will be held on Saturday, March 29,
2014. The Theme this year is local food, gardening and the
natural environment.
A discussion ensued regarding groups to be invited to attend
and participate in the event. Staff to review.
Meeting Adjourned: 1:50 pm
Next meeting: Wednesday, April 9, 2014 - CAO Boardroom
Copy: City Clerk