Whitby Sustainability Advisory Committee Minutes

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Hybrid Meeting
Whitby Town Hall
Present:
  • Wenda Abel
  • Sara Best, Vice-Chair
  • Janet Dignem
  • Brian Kelly
  • Patti Mavins
  • Catherine Philogene
  • Bryan Widner, Chair
  • Bob Willard
  • Zartasha Zainab
Regrets:
  • Andrea Cecchetto
Also Present:
  • Councillor Leahy, Mayor's Designate
  • Kristin Palilionis, Staff Liaison, Climate Change Coordinator
  • Heather Ellis, Council and Committee Coordinator (Recording Secretary)

1.
Call to Order

 

2.
Declarations of Conflict of Interest

 

There were no declarations of conflict of interest.

3.
Approval of Previous Minutes

 

  • Recommendation:

    Moved bySara Best

    That the Whitby Sustainability Advisory Committee minutes of September 4, 2024 be approved.

    Carried

4.
Presentations

 

4.1
Catherine Philogene, Whitby Sustainability Advisory Committee Member

 

Re: Sustainable Finance

Catherine Philogene provided a presentation regarding Sustainable Finance. Highlights of the presentation included:

  • details about sustainable finance;
  • sustainable development goals set by the United Nations;
  • examples of sustainable investments including green bonds, social bonds, sustainability bonds, and sustainability-linked bonds;
  • sustainable investing and the integration of environment, social, and corporate governance (ESG) risk factors; and,
  • Canadian regulations of sustainable finance and standards.

A question and answer period ensued regarding:

  • concerns about greenwashing and Bill C-59;
  • information about the green bond label and why it is important for investors;
  • information about interest rates for green bonds and how they compare to market trends; and,
  • where to find additional information on sustainable financial taxonomies around the world.

5.
Delegations

 

There were no delegations.

6.
General Business and Reports

 

6.1
Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Program (SNAP)

 

Kristin Palilionis advised that the neighbourhood of West Lynde was recommended by Staff for the SNAP pilot project. Ms. Palilionis stated that the SNAP Pilot Project - Neighbourhood Selection Report would be considered by Council at the Regular Council Meeting on October 7, 2024.

6.2
Sustainability Events

 

Kristin Palilionis provided an update regarding sustainability events including:

  • the Forest Therapy Walk on September 21, 2024;
  • the Tree Planting event hosted by LEAF on September 20, 2024 at Kelloryn Park; and,
  • details about upcoming local events including Energy Efficiency Day (October 2, 2024), the Durham Climate Roundtable Fall Forum (October 19, 2024), the Waste Reduction Event (October 26, 2024), and Waste Reduction Week (October 21 to 27, 2024).

Brian Kelly provided an update regarding the Whitby Sustainability Advisory Committee booth at the Harvest Festival.

7.
Correspondence

 

There was no correspondence.

8.
Council Update

 

Councillor Leahy provided an update regarding:

  • the Tree Planting event hosted by LEAF;
  • the SNAP pilot project; and,
  • how to provide feedback for Whitby's municipal multi-year budget.

9.
Other Business

 

9.1
Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area

 

Brian Kelly stated that Council approved the conveyance of Town-owned lands at Hickory Street South and Colborne Street East, and at Dunlop Street East and Hickory Street South to Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area during the June 24, 2024 Regular Council meeting. Mr. Kelly further stated that the land would be used to build 40 affordable housing units. He advised that he requested information from Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area regarding the cost and type of heating systems they were planning to install.

9.2
Windfall Ecology Centre

 

Brian Kelly advised that Windfall Ecology Centre would be conducting a series of workshops on heat pumps throughout the Region of Durham.

10.
Next Meeting

 

Wednesday, November 6, 2024 - 7:00 p.m.

11.
Adjournment

 

  • Recommendation:

    Moved byCatherine Philogene

    That the meeting adjourn.

    Carried

    The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

    Note: These minutes were approved by the Whitby Sustainability Advisory Committee on November 6, 2024. 


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