Environmental Action Committee

Meeting #:
Date:
Time:
-
Location:
Online Video Conference
Members
  • Councillor Matt Mahoney, Ward 8 (Chair)
  • Councillor Stephen Dasko, Ward 1 (Vice-Chair)
  • Councillor George Carlson, Ward 11
  • Brad Bass, Citizen Member
  • Lea Ann Mallett, Citizen Member
  • Alice Casselman, Association for Canadian Educational Resources
  • Melanie Kramer, Credit Valley Conservation
  • Britt McKee, Ecosource
  • Andrea Rowe, Greening Sacred Spaces (Non-Voting Member)
  • Brad Butt, Mississauga Board of Trade (Non-Voting Member)
  • Sid Gendron, Sawmill Sid Inc. (Non-Voting Member)
Members Absent
  • Chelsea Dalton, Citizen Member
  • Pujita Verma, Citizen Member
  • Carina Suleiman, UTM (University of Toronto Mississauga) Student
  • Shailly Prajapati, PEYA (Peel Environmental Youth Alliance) Student
  • Vacant, Partners in Project Green

Staff Present 

Dianne Zimmerman, Manager, Environment

Lisa Urbani, Supervisor, Environment Initiatives

Catherine Nguyen-Pham, Communications Coordinator

Diana Suzuki-Bracewell, Supervisor, Environmental Outreach

Heliya Babazadeh-Oleghi, Environmental Outreach Coordinator

Samantha DiIorio, Environmental Assistant

John MacKinnon, Natural Areas and Million Tree Program Coordinator

Jamie Ferguson, Manager, Parks Services

Dayna Obaseki, Legislative Coordinator

1.
CALL TO ORDER
 

Councillor Mahoney, Chair called the meeting to order at 9:32AM.

2.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
 

Approved (B. Bass)

3.
DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
 

Nil.

4.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
 

5.
DEPUTATIONS
 

5.1
Port Credit Waterfront Pollution and the effects on Waterfowl 
 

Valeria Pirner, Ontario Trumpeter Swan Restoration
Dianne Horwath, Ontario Trumpeter Swan Restoration

Ms. Pirner and Ms. Horwath presented and provided an overview on the contamination of the Port Credit waterfront and the effects on waterfowl, in particular the Trumpeter swans.  They noted led poisoning from ingesting discarded fishing gear, fishing line entanglement and wrongful feeding as the leading dangerous causes for the waterfowl. They provided proposed solutions that consisted of public education, promoting non-led fishing tackle, signage and enforcement.

Members of Committee spoke to the matter and noted the need for public education, signage and alternate options to non-led fishing gear. 

Jamie Ferguson, Manager, Park Services noted the solutions the City of Mississauga were currently working on, which included fishing line recycling tubes in designated fishing areas and promoting steel sinkers. Mr. Ferguson noted that a social media campaign as a public education tool and signage outlining acceptable food items that can be fed to waterfowl would be great additional solutions to work on.

Councillor Mahoney requested that staff report back to the Committee on the effects of led on waterfowl and then a motion can be drafted and brought forward regarding the limiting the use of led fishing equipment.

DIRECTION to staff to report back to the Committee on the effects of led on waterfowl.

  • RECOMMENDATIONEAC-0008-2021
    Moved ByCouncillor Dasko

    That the deputation and associated presentation by Valeria Pirner and Dianne Horwath, Ontario Trumpeter Swan Restoration regarding Port Credit Waterfront Pollution and the effects on Waterfowl be received.

    Received

5.2
Blooming Boulevards: Growing the Future
 

Jeanne McRight, President, Blooming Boulevards

Ms. McRight presented and provided an overview on the environmental services offered by Blooming Boulevards.  She highlighted the native plant propagation program and the educational workshops and outreach programs. She further noted the pollinator gardens, family and neighbourhood plantings, the community benefits and genetic integrity.  Ms. McRight requested that the City of Mississauga provide a community greenhouse for conservation groups to grow native plants and as an educational center.

Members of Committee spoke to the matter and raised the following questions and concerns:

  • Applauded and supportive of the programs being offered;
  • Recommended that staff work offline regarding a community greenhouse with additional community organization partnerships;
  • Noted the potential location and space requirements for a community greenhouse;
  • Suggested a winter greenhouse as a tourist attraction and educational center with a activity hub and perimeter of trees as a outdoor maze;
  • Noted the potential to increased tourism as a result of beautification from planting on boulevards;
  • Noted the great opportunity for volunteers;
  • Noted urban agriculture;
  • Noted supporting local pollinators as it supports the local food system as well;
  • Inquired about commercially purchased wildflower mixes; and
  • Inquired about the plant upkeep and maintenance aspect;

Ms. McRight responded to questions from the Committee;

  • Commercial wildflower seed mixes end up cross-contaminating native plants, which are struggling to survive and further encouraged the need for community greenhouse to provide access to native seeds for residents to purchase.
  • Maintenance and plant upkeep can provide a number volunteer and part-time employment opportunities. She further noted utilizing passive solar systems for greenhouses where no food is being grown, educational aspects and benchmarking research in regards to maintenance.
  • RECOMMENDATIONEAC-0009-2021
    Moved ByA. Casselman
    1. That the deputation and associated presentation by Jeanne McRight, President, Blooming Boulevards regarding Blooming Boulevards: Growing the Future be received.
    2. That the Environment Staff schedule a meeting with Jeanne McRight, President, Blooming Boulevards to further explore the feasibility regarding the request to create a Municipal Greenhouse.
    Carried

5.3
Community Climate Council
 

Baani Dhillon, Political Advocacy Coordinator, Community Climate Council
Lajanthan Prabaharan, Board Member, Community Climate Council

Ms. Dhillon and Lajanthan (LJ) Prabaharan presented and provided an overview on the Climate Community Council (CCC). They provided a background, spoke to the CCC's three pillars, highlighted their projects and upcoming events as well as how to support Climate Community Council's work through event collaboration, project development and shared work with networks.

Brad Bass, Citizen Member inquired about the current membership and if there was an age limit.  Mr. Prabaharan responded by noting there are currently 30 active members and noted the membership has no age limitation and is open to all individuals who may be interested.

  • RECOMMENDATIONEAC-0010-2021
    Moved ByB. Bass

    That the deputation and associated presentation by Banni Dhillion, Political Advocacy Coordinator and Lajanthan Prabaharan, Board Member, Community Climate Council regarding Community Climate Council be received.

    Received

5.4
Urban Agriculture Strategy
 

Lisa Urbani, Coordinator, Environmental Initiatives
Jane Hayes, Project Lead, Hoffmann Hayes

Ms. Urbani and Ms. Hayes presented and provided an overview on the Urban Agriculture Strategy. Ms. Urbani noted the purpose, objectives, process, community engagement, priorities, and next steps. Ms. Hayes further noted the timelines of the project that consist of website launch, a public/stakeholder engagement in Spring 2021, a draft strategy in May 2021 and final strategy presented in Summer/Fall of 2021.  They posed three questions to the Committee surrounding policies/programs, food system linkages and contributions to a healthy environment.

Brad Bass, Citizen Member noted the innovative strategy and briefly addressed a big risk to food security is running low on phosphorous, as it is not a renewable source.

Lea-Ann Mallet, Citizen Member advocated for Ecosource has this organization spearheaded community gardens and urban agriculture. Ms. Hayes, Dianne Zimmerman, Manager, Environment and Diana Suzuki-Bracewell acknowledged Ecosource as key organizational partner and vital in the development of the strategy.

Members of the Committee further noted other organizational partnerships.

 

DIRECTION to Clerks’ staff was given to share the three posed questions in the deputation presentation via email to the Environmental Action Committee Members and to provide the Members with an opportunity to provide their comments in writing.

 

DIRECTION to Environment staff to set up an offline meeting with Britt McKee, Community Group Representative (Ecosource), Lea-Ann Mallet, Citizen Member and any other organizational partners to discuss the application of the Urban Agriculture Strategy.

  • RECOMMENDATIONEAC-0011-2021
    Moved ByL. Mallett

    That the deputation and associated presentation by Lisa Urbani, Coordinator, Environment Initiatives, City of Mississauga and Jane Hayes, Project Lead, Hoffman Hayes regarding the Urban Agriculture Strategy be received.

    Received

5.5
Update on 2021 Earth Days
 

John MacKinnon, Natural Areas and Million Tree Program Coordinator 
Heliya Babazadeh-Oleghi, Environmental Outreach Coordinator 

Diana Suzuki-Bracewell, Supervisor, Environmental Outreach

Ms. Babazadeh-Oleghi presented and provided an overview on the Update on Earth Days 2021.  She noted the Earth Days events would take place over a period of two weeks and would consist of virtual walks, take and make workshops, story time events, sketch and trivia nights, food and gardening in a changing climate, and a nature in your neighbourhood event. She further noted the COVID-19 safety planning and that the 20-minute makeover had to be postponed due to the Provincial lockdown guidelines. Mr. MacKinnon spoke about the one million trees initiative, the tree giveaways and the partnerships with conservation authorities. 

Councillor Dasko applauded the staff for constantly pivoting through the pandemic and the impact on outdoor public engagement. Alice Casselman, Community Group Representative thanked Mr. MacKinnon for creating the plant pandemic protocol. 

 

DIRECTION to Clerks’ staff was given to share the Mississauga, mobilized municipality for Earth Day video to the Members of the Committee.

  • RECOMMENDATIONEAC-0012-2021
    Moved ByM. Kramer

    That the deputation and associated presentation by Heliya Babazadeh-Oleghi, Environmental Outreach Coordinator and John MacKinnon, Natural Areas and Million Tree Program Coordinator regarding an Update to Earth Days 2021 be received.

    Received

6.
PUBLIC QUESTION PERIOD - 15 Minute Limit 
 

Public Comments: Advance registration is required to participate and/or to make comments in the virtual public meeting. Any member of the public interested in speaking to an item listed on the agenda must register by calling 905-615-3200 ext. 5425 or by emailing dayna.obaseki@mississauga.ca by Friday, April 2, 2021 before 4:00PM.

Pursuant to Section 42 of the Council Procedure By-law 0139-2013, as amended:

Environmental Action Committee may grant permission to a member of the public to ask a question of Environmental Action Committee, with the following provisions:

  1. Questions shall be submitted to the Clerk at least 24 hours prior to the meeting;
  2. A person is limited to two (2) questions and must pertain specific item on the current agenda and the speaker will state which item the question is related to;
  3. The total public question period time is 15 minutes maximum and shall not be extended by the Chair; and
  4. Any response not provided at the meeting will be provided in the format of written response.

No member of the public registered to speak.

7.
CONSENT AGENDA
 

No items were approved under the Consent Agenda.

8.
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED
 

8.1
Environmental Action Committee (EAC) Work Plan
 

Dayna Obaseki, Legislative Coordinator spoke to the EAC Work Plan item on Reporting on Committee Progress. Ms. Obaseki provided two options; for the Committee members to make a deputation to a General Committee meeting on June 9, 2021 or for staff to draft a covering memo and attached the Work Plan in an email to be sent to the Members of Council.

Members of Committee approved the option to Report on the Committee’s Progress via email and nominated Alice Casselman, Community Group Representative to be the presenter at a future deputation.

  • RECOMMENDATIONEAC-0013-2021
    Moved ByCouncillor Carlson
    1. That staff prepare a memo with the Environmental Action Committee Work Plan attached to be emailed to the Members of Council by the end of June 2021 to Report on the Committee’s Progress.
    2. That the Environmental Action Committee Work Plan be approved as discussed at the April 6, 2021 EAC meeting.
    Approved

9.
INFORMATION ITEMS - Nil.
 

10.
OTHER BUSINESS/ENQUIRIES
 

Nil.

11.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
 

Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 9:30am - Online Video Conference

12.
ADJOURNMENT
 

11:38AM (L. Mallet)

No Item Selected