nyuuzyou/wikis huggingface dataset:
Toronto, Ontario Declaring "Green Construction Week"

Type: Resolution
Status: Announced on 12/1/08
Source File: http://www.toronto.ca/proclamations/2008/proclamation_greenconstructionweek2008.htm
Text:
Green Construction Week
December 1 - 5, 2008
WHEREAS the City of Toronto supports the building and construction industry and recognizes the significant role it plays in shaping the city and its surrounding areas. We support its impact in bringing forth green building practices.
Toronto's building and construction industry is an economic force in Canada and Ontario. Canada's Construction industry represents 12% of Gross Domestic Product and maintains and repairs over $5 trillion in assets. In 2008, 21,000 people joined the construction industry and now 1 out of 16 workers employed in Canada earns a living in this industry. Over 1 million Canadians are employed in many diverse construction trades and professions.
Toronto is a great world city that is enhanced by its architecture and infrastructure. The City supports innovation in environmental and energy efficiency and recognizes that the building and construction industry is advancing building practices that will have a life-long impact on the city.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mayor David Miller, on behalf of Toronto City Council, do hereby proclaim December 1 - 5, 2008 as "Green Construction Week" to recognize the contribution the industry makes to our architecture, infrastructure and the city as a whole.
Category:Canada
Category:Building Standards
Category:City Governments
Category:Ontario
Category:Resolutions
Category:Toronto
Toronto, Ontario E3@Work Program

Type: Program
Status: Launched in 2002
Source File: http://www.toronto.ca/energy/e3atwork/index.htm
Description:
Employee Energy Efficiency at Work
E3@Work is an awareness program designed to save money and promote energy efficiency practices by managing office equipment power loads. Developed and implemented by the City of Toronto in 2002, the program is being promoted to business establishments and offices across the city. The goal is to reduce energy consumption and building operating costs, improve energy security and reliability and help preserve the environment.
Reduce energy costs
Employees can reduce energy cost by turning off computers, monitors, lamps, printers, copiers and other devices when not in use. Furthermore, as these devices emit excess heat when they are left on, turning them off reduces the need for air-conditioning - another significant way of reducing electricity consumption. This management of plug loads can amount to substantial savings on building operating costs.
* View E3@Work Program Overview presentation (PDF)
* View E3@Work savings chart (PDF)
Category:Canada
Category:City Governments
Category:Energy Policy
Category:Ontario
Category:Programs
Category:Toronto
Toronto, Ontario Environmentally Responsible Procurement Policy

Type: Policy
Status: Adopted on 6/19/07
Source File: http://www.toronto.ca/calldocuments/pdf/environment_procurement.pdf
Text:
PURPOSE
To increase the development, awareness and purchase of environmentally preferred products (EPP) and services.
POLICY
In order to increase the development and awareness of environmentally sound purchasing,
acquisitions of goods and services will ensure that wherever possible specifications are amended to provide for the expanded use of EPP such as: durable products, reusable products, energy efficient products, low pollution products, products (including those used in services) that contain the maximum level of post-consumer waste and/or recyclable content, and products that provide minimal impact to the environment.
An EPP is one that is less harmful to the environment than the next best alternative having characteristics including, but not limited to the following:
(1) Reduce waste and make efficient use of resources: an EPP would be a product that is more energy, fuel, or water efficient, or that uses less paper, ink, or other resources. For example, energy efficient lighting, and photocopiers capable of double-sided photocopying.
(2) Are reusable or contain reusable parts: these are products such as rechargeable batteries, reusable building partitions, and laser printers with refillable toner cartridges.
(3) Are recyclable: a product will be considered to be an EPP if local facilities exist capable of recycling the product at the end of its useful life.
(4) Contain recycled materials: an EPP contains post-consumer recycled content. An example is paper products made from recycled post-consumer fibre.
(5) Produce fewer polluting by-products and/or safety hazards during manufacture, use of disposal: an EPP product would be a non-hazardous product that replaces a hazardous product.
(6) Have a long service-life and/or can be economically and effectively repaired or upgraded.
It is recognized that cost analysis is required in order to ensure that the products are made available at competitive prices, and that the environmental benefits provided by a product or service does not undermine its overall performance.
Given the environmental and economic importance of infrastructure, environmentally responsible procurement principles should be applied to construction design, processes, tendering and materials; and given that many environmentally preferred products and services can produce a variety of tangible benefits, full consideration should be given to the long-term and complete costs and benefits of environmentally responsible procurement.
Category:Canada
Category:Buy Green Policy
Category:City Governments
Category:Ontario
Category:Policies
Category:Toronto
Toronto, Ontario Food Policy Council

Type: Policy
Status: Ongoing
Source File: http://www.toronto.ca/health/tfpc_index.htm
Description:
Toronto has long been at the forefront of public health initiatives and food security research. Toronto was one of the originators of, and among the first world cities to sign onto, the United Nations' Healthy Cities movement. In 1991, in the absence of federal and provincial leadership on food security, the City created the Toronto Food Policy Council (TFPC).
Our Mission:
The Toronto Food Policy Council partners with business and community groups to develop policies and programs promoting food security. Our aim is a food system that fosters equitable food access, nutrition, community development and environmental health.
How We Work:
The TFPC operates as a sub-committee of the Toronto Board of Health. Our members include City Councillors, and volunteer representatives from consumer, business, farm, labour, multicultural, anti-hunger advocacy, faith, and community development groups. As one of the few urban-rural policy development bodies in Canada, we try to bridge the gap between producers and consumers.
The Toronto Food Policy Council has a small staff and modest budget. It has no authority to pass or enforce laws. It's the power of ideas, inspired individuals and empowered communities that gives us influence.
The Council is free to make its own decisions on food policy issues. Staff working with the TFPC are employed by, and responsible to, Toronto Public Health. This innovative and effective arrangement has gained international respect from public health, community food security and sustainable agriculture organisations.
Together, staff and council members serve as catalysts and brokers. We bring people from different organisations together and help them find new ways to solve old problems. The Council is a forum for discussing and integrating policy issues that often fall between the cracks of established departments and research specialities.
Council staff collect hard-to-get information and make it available to students, researchers and community developers. Staff and council members increase public awareness of food policy issues through public lectures and workshops. Staff and members advocate for policy change at the municipal, provincial and federal level.
Over the past 10 years (pdf file size=29KB) the TFPC has been instrumental in putting Food Security and Food Policy development squarely on the municipal agenda in Toronto.
Category:Canada
Category:City Governments
Category:Food-Related Policies
Category:Ontario
Category:Policies
Category:Toronto
Toronto, Ontario Food and Hunger Action Committee

Type: Policy
Status: Established in December 1999
Source File: http://www.toronto.ca/food_hunger/index.htm
Description:
The Food and Hunger Action Committee was formed in December 1999 to study food security in Toronto and recommend ways to reduce hunger, improve the nutritional health of Torontonians, and support food-based initiatives that benefit Toronto's economy, environment and quality of life. The proposal to create the Committee came through Toronto's Millennium Task Force following from recommendations of the World Food Day Conference, hosted by the City and the community coalition, Hungerwatch.
The Committee took a collaborative approach to its work, bringing together City councillors, City staff, the staff of non-profit agencies, food program participants, volunteers, clergy and interested members of the public to discuss the wide range of issues related to food and hunger in Toronto.
Tending the Garden
The Food and Hunger Action Committee prepared this report for council in July 2003 on implementation of recommendations outlined in The Growing Season.
The phase II action plan: The Growing Season
Council asked the Committee to create a food charter for the City and to present an action plan to improve Torontonians' access to safe, affordable and nutritious food, and enhance the coordination and delivery of services related to food and hunger.
The phase I report: Planting the Seeds
The report includes information gathered from the community consultations, an inventory of food and hunger-related initiatives in which the City of Toronto is involved, a review of current literature in this area and makes recommendations on how to proceed.
Category:Canada
Category:City Governments
Category:Food-Related Policies
Category:Ontario
Category:Policies
Category:Toronto
Toronto, Ontario Green Fleet Plan 2008-2011

Type: Policy
Status: Adopted in March 2008
Source File: http://www.toronto.ca/fleet/gfp_08_11.htm
Description:
Toronto is greening its fleet operations to reduce fuel use, fuel costs, and emissions of greenhouse gases and smog pollutants. City Council approved the Green Fleet Plan 2008-2011 in March 2008.
Read the complete Plan (pdf, 470 KB).
Greening the fleet means choosing more environmentally sustainable vehicles, fuels and activities for the City's use.
The 2008-2011 Plan builds on the green fleet activities from Phase I: the Green Fleet Transition Plan 2004-2007. The Plan also adds exciting new initiatives, such as a focus on green heavy trucks.
The Plan outlines 38 specific actions Toronto will take to accelerate the greening of its fleet over the next four years. The actions cover five topic areas:
:1. Emission reduction targets
:2. Vehicles
:3. Fuels
:4. Sustainable choices
:5. Maintenance and management practices
The Plan will make buying green vehicles standard practice at the City of Toronto and provides the flexibility to adopt promising new technologies and practices over time.
The focus of the Plan is the City's centrally-managed fleet of almost 4,700 vehicles and pieces of equipment. These fleet vehicles and fuels are used by all City Divisions and managed by Fleet Services.
Through Phase I, the Green Fleet Transition Plan, the City of Toronto reduced CO2 emissions by an estimated five million kilograms, (5,000 tonnes). Phase II aims to reduce emissions of CO2 by approximately 15 million kilograms (15,000 tonnes) compared to conventional vehicles, fuels and activities. This equals an 11% reduction in fleet emissions compared to conventional activities. By reducing fuel use, implementing the Plan will also save money.
Some highlights of the plan:
* Replacing a minimum of 520 vehicles with green vehicles
* Pilot testing hybrid heavy trucks
* Pilot testing hydrogen-powered vehicles
* Promoting the Idle-Free campaign for City staff
* More highlights...
* Government Management Committee agendas, minutes and reports
* Q&As regarding greening our fleet
Category:Canada
Category:City Governments
Category:Gas-Powered Transportation
Category:Ontario
Category:Policies
Category:Toronto
Toronto, Ontario Humber Bay Butterfly Habitat

Type: Policy
Status: Adopted
Source File: http://www.toronto.ca/parks/hbbh.htm
Description:
HUMBER BAY BUTTERFLY HABITAT: IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME.
The Humber Bay Butterfly Habitat (HBBH) is an ecological restoration project that provides critical habitat for a variety of native butterfly species. Located along the shores of Lake Ontario in Toronto's west end, HBBH incorporates a diversity of native wildflowers, shrubs, trees, grasses, sedges and a variety of physical features known to support butterflies throughout their life cycles. Throughout the site, interpretive features explore the relationship between butterflies and their natural habitat. The goal of the HBBH is to establish a self-sustaining native plant community which will support a variety of butterfly species, while educating park users about the value of urban conservation.
The Humber Bay Butterfly Habitat is honoured with a Regional Merit Award from the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects
The Parks and Recreation Division is pleased to be honoured with a 2003 Canadian Society of Landscape Architects Regional Merit Award for its newly opened Humber Bay Butterfly Habitat (HBBH).
HBBH is located in Humber Bay Park East along the shores of Lake Ontario in Toronto's west-end. It was officially opened on September 24th, 2002, after 3 years of planning, design and implementation. The goal of HBBH is to establish a self-sustaining community of native vegetation that will attract a variety of native species of butterflies, while educating and engaging the public about urban wildlife habitat.
The Canadian Society of Landscape Architects Regional Award winners represent the very best regional work completed by Ontario Landscape Architects. Announced on March 1 in Winnipeg, winning projects demonstrated excellence in visionary, artistic and environmentally responsible design solutions. The jury remarked that HBBH carries a strong sense of place, and it brings the importance of conservation to the public in a tangible way.
Humber Bay Butterfly Habitat is the first of its kind to have large areas devoted exclusively to native plants and to incorporate large plantings through the organization of volunteer stewards. As well, it is the first to incorporate a "Home Garden" component where the general public can see first hand some of the types of plants they can use in their own backyards to increase urban wildlife habitat.
Category:Canada
Category:City Governments
Category:Ontario
Category:Policies
Category:Toronto
Category:Wildlife
Toronto, Ontario Packaging Reduction Policies

Type: Policy
Status: Adopted
Source File: http://www.toronto.ca/garbage/packaging_reduction.htm
Description:
Timeline of Council approved policies to reduce in-store packaging:
Immediately:
Ban on sale of bottled water immediately or following the expiry of any existing contracts at Civic Centres, including City Hall and Metro Hall.
April 2009:
Timeframe for City staff to report back to the Public Works & Infrastructure Committee on results of meetings with industry stakeholders to propose possible alternatives to existing hot drink cups.
June 1, 2009:
* Retailers must charge five cents for a single-use plastic shopping bag taken by a customer or provide a free alternative (i.e., a cardboard box).
* Signs must be posted to let customers know about the charge and it must be recorded on the receipt.
* Retailers are required, when requested, to fill reusable bags the customer provides in lieu of plastic shopping bags to carry out their purchases.
December 31, 2009:
The date by which City staff, together with industry stakeholders, are to achieve the goal of having 50 per cent of plastic takeout food containers compatible with Toronto’s recycling program.
June 1, 2010:
Ban on plastic carryout bags that are incompatible with Toronto’s recycling program (e.g., bags with metal detailing or grommets, rope or hard plastic handles, biodegradable or compo stable plastic bags).
December 31, 2010:
Food service retailer representatives, food service trade associations and/or other food service stakeholders who currently use plastic take-out food containers, must develop a reusable and/or refillable take-out food container, or take-out food service protocol, which will allow customers to choose a reusable packaging option.
January 1, 2011:
Date by which City staff are asked to report back to City Council on the use of bans or financial tools regarding plastic takeout food containers if no reusable and/or refillable take-out food container or take-out food protocol is in place.
February 28, 2011:
Ban on plastic take-out food containers (i.e., clear, hard, plastic containers) that are incompatible with Toronto’s recycling program.
December 31, 2011:
Date by which various City divisions are to have cooperatively developed and implemented a program that bans the sale and distribution of bottled water at all remaining City facilities, improves accessibility to tap water at all City facilities and takes into account existing contracts related to bottled water at City facilities and unique public health and safety related situations.
Check out the following for more details and background information:
* News Release and Backgrounder: December 2, 2008
* City Council Decision Document (pages 90-96), December 1,2,3, 2008
* Public Works & Infrastructure Committee Decision Document (pages 1-7), November 12, 2008
* Staff Report: Public Works & Infrastructure November 12, 2008 meeting
Category:Canada
Category:City Governments
Category:Ontario
Category:Policies
Category:Recycling
Category:Toronto
Toronto, Ontario Renewable Energy Program

Type: Program
Status: Ongoing
Source File: Click here
Description:
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
Society’s use of energy is one of the most significant factors contributing to climate change. According to the National Round Table on Environment and Energy (NRTEE), to address the impact of energy on climate change, we need to look at two key areas: how we use energy; and how we produce energy. The Renewable Energy Program addresses this latter issue.
We are currently pursuing four major initiatives in support of transforming the market for renewable energy technologies:
1. The Energy Trail at Kortright provides one of the largest renewable energy demonstrations, training and education programs in Canada. Click here for more information.
2. The Renewable Energy Road Map is a project to identify the most strategic actions needed to move the market for renewable energy technologies. Click here for more information.
3. The Renewable Energy Business Case is a project to articulate, in simple terms, the business case for specific renewable technologies and target audiences. For more information, download Proposal Business case for renewable energy technologies - 27K.
4. The Underground Thermal Energy Storage (UTES) Study: Toronto and Region Conservation and our partners are planning to look at the technical potential for Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) and Borehole Thermal Energy Storage (BTES) in the GTA in 2009. On July 30, 2008 TRCA hosted a presentation on UTES.
Category:Programs
Category:Renewable Energy
Category:Special Districts
Category:Toronto
Toronto, Ontario Smart Commute Program

Type: Program
Status: Initially launched as a pilot program in 2005
Source File: http://www.toronto.ca/planning/smart_commute_toronto.htm
Description:
City Council has authorized the 2007 launch of an internal initiative called the City of Toronto Smart Commute program. This program provides over 15,000 City of Toronto employees with the resources needed to help make the switch from driving alone to taking transit, cycling, walking, or carpooling.
The Smart Commute program helps the City address challenges like gridlock and smog and helps City staff save money, reduce commuting stress and increase health and fitness levels.
The program was piloted at North York Civic Centre from June 2005 - June 2006. In September 2006, City Council authorized the expansion of the program to other worksites across the corporation, where feasible.
Program staff is currently working on a commuter survey and project planning with anticipated roll-out in April 2007. Carpooling, public transit promotion and improvements to cycling and pedestrian infrastructure will be important components of the overall trip reduction strategy.
The Smart Commute program is just one more way in which the City of Toronto is showcasing leadership in promoting a more sustainable urban environment and enhancing quality of life for residents of the city.
The City of Toronto Smart Commute program is a joint initiative of City Planning's Smart Commute Initiative and Toronto Public Health's 20/20 The Way to Clean Air campaign.
Category:Canada
Category:City Governments
Category:Ontario
Category:Programs
Category:Toronto
Category:Transportation
Toronto, Ontario Trees Across Toronto Program

Type: Program
Status: Launched in 1999
Source File: http://www.toronto.ca/parks/tat/index.htm
Description:
Trees are vital to the overall health and well-being of our city. The pressures of construction and reconstruction create a difficult environment to sustain the urban forest canopy. Trees Across Toronto is an aggressive tree-planting program that responds directly to these pressures and helps us reclaim some of our underdeveloped and “un-treed” lands.
Since 1999, the planting program has received over $1.5 million in cash and in kind support and over 400,000 native trees and shrubs have been planted across the city since the beginning of the program.
Thank to all who had participated in this year's tree planting event!
Environmental benefits of tree planting:
An acre of trees can store 2.6 tons of carbon (pollution) annually that’s enough oxygen daily for 18 people. Trees provide relief for city residents by softening the harsh texture of concrete buildings and landscape. Trees offer privacy screens Trees provide protection from the sun's UV rays. Tress provide natural habitats for birds, insects and other wildlife Trees help prevent soil erosion.
In city areas without tree cover, streets and parking lots can raise air temperatures considerably. These areas known as "heat islands" can cause cities to be five to nine degrees warmer than surrounding areas.
Economic benefits of tree planting:
Trees boost the City's image and can help attract residents, tourists and investors. Trees can increase the value of homes significantly. Deciduous trees planted on the south and west sides of a house can reduce air conditioning needs substantially. Evergreens planted on the north side of a house act as windbreaks, lowering winter heating costs by up to 10 per cent. For every 5 per cent of tree cover area added to a community, storm water run-off is reduced by approximately 2 per cent. In 50 years, one tree can generate $30,000 in oxygen, recycle $35,000 of water, and eliminate pollutants that would otherwise cost $60,000 to remove from the air. Trees, with their health, economic and environmental benefits, are the lifelines of our city.
Category:Canada
Category:City Governments
Category:Ontario
Category:Programs
Category:Toronto
Category:Trees and Forests