Rahul Metha, Founder, Sustainable Mississauga, Co-founder, Stop Sprawl Peel asked the following questions:
Question 1 (regarding 7.1):
The SNAP is an excellent example of community, government and local experts/organizations (in this case the Conservation Authority) coming together with the experience and expertise of each to support sustainability outcomes in the near and long-term. It is clear that a higher priority exists in some neighbourhoods due to others due to existing inequities and climate vulnerability, however the program elements shared today are clearly needed, with substantial benefit, city-wide. We also know that programs such as blooming boulevards, once implemented city-wide, can become more manageable and predictable with City oversight. Will the Committee consider recommending to GC the implementation of SNAP-style programs, city-wide, to help meet our Climate/Water/Waste/Energy targets? Examples include a city-wide tree-giveaway program (currently confined to select wards via CVC/TRCA), City-wide rain barrel giveaway program for low-income households (currently available for purchase at distant and car-dependant CRCs) and "depave" retrofit program (currently non-existent, incentivizing low-income households and co-ops to replace impermeable with permeable surfaces). All of these programs could be funded through a SWM levy marginal increase.
Question 2 (regarding 7.2):
We know climate change is real and an urgent issue affecting all of us, including all city services and the infrastructure on which we depend. While our climate and transportation plans range in ambition, they are among the better plans in the region - when it comes to targets. Unfortunately, we are not meeting most of our targets, be it on emissions reductions, transit growth and usage, green retrofit funding and completions and walking/cycling annual build length or funding. We have approved these plans, yet the targets continue to be missed, making the 50% modal split by sustainable means farther and farther out of reach. Seeing the rapid growth of the cycling network and Toronto and bus network in Brampton, in just the past three years of COVID, we do not have a reasonable excuse for falling so far behind. Will this committee consider recommending to GC increased funding to meet our annual funding targets for the Pedestrian and Cycling Master Plan, as well as to increase transit service hours in line with Brampton (a city smaller than us with transit ridership and service hours increasing exponentially)?
Councillor Mahoney, Chair noted that a response would be sent from staff by email.