Climate Change & Environmental Sustainability Working Group

The Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Working Group is governed by Schedule D.2 of Chapter 105 of the City of Orillia Municipal Code - Committees and Public Appointments.

Mandate

1. To identify and advise on local environmental matters which contribute to a healthy natural environment focusing on the protection and sustainability of our air, land, and water resources within the City of Orillia.
2. This shall include, but not be limited to, Orillia’s aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems (e.g. the lakes, their tributaries and shore lands, wetlands, forested lands and developed lands).
3. This shall also include work related to the development and implementation of the City’s Climate Change Action Plan and Climate Change Adaptation Strategy.
4. For the purposes of satisfying Section 8 of the Planning Act, the working group shall also serve as a “planning advisory committee” with respect to providing comments on planning policy matters.

Terms of Reference include:

1. Conducting research and providing advice to Council Committee regarding environmental policies, development proposals, and any environmental matters that are from time to time referred to the working group by Council;
2. Developing information and promoting public education to protect and enhance the local environment as authorized by Council;
3. Initiating and implementing environmental projects as authorized by Council; and,
4. Providing comments on municipally initiated planning matters as requested by the General Manager of Development Services and Engineering.

Specific exclusions to the terms of reference above include:

1. All matters of air, land and water relating to the design, operation and maintenance of the Waste Diversion Site and solid waste management shall remain the exclusive purview of the Waste Management Advisory Committee.
2. All matters related to heritage conservation under the Ontario Heritage Act shall remain the exclusive responsibility of the Municipal Heritage Committee.

The Working Group consists of seven members: six citizens, two of whom may be non-residents, and one City Councillor. 

Agency Representation: Agency representation may be invited on an ad hoc basis where the working group may benefit from the resources supported by the City from local environmental organizations such as Sustainable Orillia.

Resources: City staff resources shall be coordinated from the Environment and Infrastructure Services Department, and for matters specifically related to planning policy, the Development Services and Engineering Department. Meeting coordination and general administrative support shall be provided by the Council Services Division.