Part 1: GHG Reduction Target Set, Climate Working Group Approved, and Tree Protection Concerns Raised — 10/03/2023

The Environmental Advisory Committee met on October 3, 2023, with the session livestreamed for the public. Councillor MacNaughton, serving as chair, opened the meeting but passed chairing duties to the vice chair shortly after due to technical issues. Early in the meeting, the committee welcomed Ava Wille as its new youth member, marking a small but notable step in expanding youth participation. It was also noted that a key discussion later in the meeting would focus on tree management and enforcement, with input expected from the Natural Cover Working Group.

Following this, the committee moved through its routine business, approving the agenda without changes, confirming there were no pecuniary interests declared, and adopting the September 5, 2023 meeting minutes as presented. With no announcements brought forward, the meeting shifted into its main agenda items.

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Corporate greenhouse gas emissions target presentation

The primary presentation was delivered by Arryn McNichol, Director of Corporate and Legislative Services and Chair of the Green Task Force, who introduced Milestone Two of the Partners in Climate Protection program. This stage focuses on setting a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target for municipal operations. Staff recommended a 20 percent reduction over ten years, using 2019 as the baseline year, and explained that this year was selected because it reflects a stable, pre-pandemic snapshot of operations.

The presentation walked through emissions data across municipal buildings, fleet, waste, water systems, and streetlighting, while also outlining how future initiatives could contribute to reaching the target. It was emphasized that the target is not fixed and can be revisited by Council over time, with the next major step being the development of a local action plan that will include both mitigation and adaptation strategies. The committee ultimately received the presentation for information, with no immediate decision required.

Climate Action Plan Working Group terms of reference

A significant portion of the meeting was then dedicated to reviewing the Terms of Reference for the Climate Action Plan Working Group, where members focused on making the document more accessible and easier for the public to engage with. The discussion centered on reducing overly technical language and clearly defining the group’s role as one that supports and collaborates with staff, rather than being solely responsible for delivering outcomes. Changes included refining the purpose and goals, moving detailed milestone descriptions to later sections, clarifying scope, and strengthening references to climate adaptation.

The committee also approved expanding the group to include up to four public members, with recruitment to be supported through county communication channels. The revised Terms of Reference were approved and forwarded to Council for final approval.

Natural Cover Working Group tree policy discussion

The conversation then shifted to the Natural Cover Working Group, which raised ongoing concerns about the effectiveness of the current Tree Management and Preservation Policy, particularly around enforcement. Members pointed to recent incidents involving tree damage as evidence that stronger measures may be needed, potentially through a formal bylaw, along with better long term planning for tree maintenance and dedicated funding.

Staff acknowledged that improvements have already been made following past issues and confirmed that a site alteration bylaw is currently in development, which is expected to include provisions for tree protection. The committee supported the idea of the working group bringing a future deputation to Council, emphasizing the importance of both education and enforcement as the discussion moves forward.

Other items and meeting close

Additional items toward the end of the meeting included updates related to Quinte Source Water Protection pre consultation, general working group activity, and progress on the committee’s work plan. Members also noted that a planned climate related event originally scheduled for November would be postponed to the spring to better align with Earth Day activities, allowing for stronger participation and outreach. The next meeting date was adjusted to December 12, 2023, due to overlapping Council budget discussions, and the meeting adjourned at 4:01 p.m.

Key Takeaways

1. The municipality is moving toward a defined greenhouse gas reduction target, setting a clear direction for lowering emissions across its own operations, with more detailed planning still to come.

   
   

2. The Climate Action Plan Working Group is being shaped to be more accessible and collaborative, making it easier for residents to participate while keeping staff responsible for implementation.

   
   

3. Tree protection and enforcement remain active concerns, with growing support for stronger tools, clearer policies, and future Council discussion on how to better manage and protect natural cover across the County.

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Disclaimer: This article is based on a meeting with an approximate duration of 1:55:30. Due to the length of the meeting, our team was not able to independently review the full recording in its entirety. As a result, we relied on software-generated transcription, automated summarization, and automated recognition of speakers and participants, which may not be entirely accurate. All transcriptions, summaries, and related content are prepared by our team in good faith and on a reasonable best-efforts basis. The content is provided for general informational purposes only and is intended to support public understanding of the topics discussed. While reasonable efforts have been made to present the information accurately, automated processes may result in errors, omissions, or unintended misinterpretations. This article does not constitute an official, certified, or verbatim record of the meeting, and it should not be relied upon as such. Readers are encouraged to consult original source materials, official minutes, or recordings where available for confirmation or clarification. Questions, requests for clarification, or suggested corrections may be submitted to hello@pecconnect.ca for review and consideration.