Items

1. That the report from Karley Cianchino, Supervisor, Wetlands and Environmental Projects, Planning, Building and Growth Management, to the Committee of Council Meeting of April 2, 2025,  Re: Budget Amendment and Recommendation Report: Donnelly Ponds Restoration Project – Ward 2,
be received; and
2. That a budget amendment be approved, and capital project 237485-002 be established in the amount of $366,750.00 for the Donnelly Ponds Restoration Project, with $251,750.00 funded by the Federal Government under Environment and Climate Change Canada and $115,000.00 funded from Reserve #4 via return of funding from 217485-001

City staff recommended that council support Peel Public Health concerns regarding the Emerald Waste Incinerator expansion

With the concurrence of the Mayor, that by the adoption of this Resolution, the City of Brampton formally endorses a plant based treaty and makes a plant
based approach as a part of the city’s climate plan.
2. Use Brampton civic events including meeting and events hosted by city council
to promote and showcase appropriately environmentally friendly plant-based
food and drink options, alongside displayed information about the climate and
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health benefits and relative cost of different protein/food sources and informing
people about how to achieve a balanced plant-based diet.
3. When events occur on Brampton open spaces, and where catering is
provided, ensure that environmentally friendly plant-based options are
included and available (i.e., minimum from at fifty per cent of caterers),
secured through the use of terms and conditions of hire (where reasonably
and appropriately possible).
4. Evaluate the potential for increasing plant-based food options and introducing
plant-based defaults in City of Brampton facilities and during regional events,
with the aim of increasing healthy eating options for staff and visitors while
contributing to the reduction of negative climate impacts.
5. Promote a plant-based awareness week and use municipal communication
channels to promote sustainable and affordable food and drink practices
throughout the City of Brampton.
6. Create an action plan and time scale for implementing changes to City of
Brampton activities following the endorsement of the treaty and report back on
progress is 6 months

The delegations sought Committee's support to stop the expansion of Emerald Energy from Waste Inc., and to request that the Provincial Government undertake a third party investigation of this matter.  This cover air quality, health concerns, and public awareness of the issue.

Brampton Transit is committed to achieving an environmentally sustainable transit service by electrifying its fleet. With the transportation sector being a major contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the electrification of Brampton Transit’s fleet is crucial in achieving the City of Brampton’s GHG reduction targets in support of the federal government’s 2050 emissions targets.

staff are seeking Council endorsement of the Zero Emission Bus Implementation Strategy & Rollout Plan (ZEB Strategy) prepared by the Canadian Urban Transit Research and Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC).

Council’s endorsement of the ZEB Strategy includes the adoption of and commitment to achieving a net zero objective for the Brampton Transit bus fleet as early as 2040 and no later than 2050, subject to the capital and operating commitments required. 

The ZEB Strategy recommends, based on existing route structure and geographic location (in relation to our local energy grid), that the City proceeds to electrify the bus fleet using a mixed fleet of Zero Emission Buses (ZEBs); both Battery Electric Buses (BEBs) and hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Buses (FCEBs). 

The ZEB Strategy will be executed in a phased approach, as outlined in this report and subject to change based on the annual fleet plan, required funding and/or financing, commercial supply chain availability, technology innovation, and Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) requirements. 

The transition to ZEBs will require more buses given the limited kilometer range of ZEBs that are commercially available today, compared to diesel and hybrid-electric buses. 

The mixed fleet transition provides for the fewest number of ZEBs within the three fleet electrification scenarios examined, and will require: o More buses: approximate 21% increase in fleet to provide same level of service as clean diesel/hybrid electric buses; and o More service hours: approximate 7% additional incremental service hours; and o More staff: increased labour expenditures to support additional service hours

More facilities and equipment:  New Third Transit Facility: storage limits are anticipated to reach near capacity in 2034 (973 buses forecasted). Advancing Phase 2 build to support electrification is needed.  Future Additional Facilities: Further assessment will need to be completed to determine the fleet storage strategy beyond 2034, including potential for expansion and/or relocation options for 3 existing facilities, and/or the need for a potential New Fourth Transit Facility.  The zero emission target for achieving full electrification as outlined in the ZEB Strategy is achievable, and ambitious. This target will however require significant funding and financing to achieve, as the City alone will be unable to generate sufficient funds from the tax base and current funding sources.

Council received a staff presentation outlining the City’s environmental-focused comments on the Proposed Provincial Planning Statement, 2023, including potential impacts on natural heritage systems, climate change considerations, and land-use planning, and related advocacy efforts.

Council voted to investigate how the City can earn carbon credits through implementation of its climate goals.

Whereas Bill 23 will reduce the ability of municipalities to protect, conserve, enhance and manage the natural heritage system, leading to the loss of protected lands, further loss of natural heritage areas and wetlands potentially resulting in significant impacts such as increased risk of serious flooding and climate change risks,

Brampton council voted to allow only the Battery Energy Storage option as the gas fired plant would go against the city's greenhouse gas reduction plans.