Whitby Sustainability Advisory Committee Minutes

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Virtual Meeting
Present:
  • Wenda Abel
  • Janet Dignem
  • Brian Kelly, Vice-Chair
  • Patti Mavins
  • Catherine Philogene
  • Bryan Widner, Chair
  • Bob Willard
  • Zartasha Zainab
  • Alex Van Camp
  • Ginette Best
Also Present:
  • Councillor Cardwell, Mayor's Designate
  • Sarah Shields, Staff Liaison, Project Manager, Sustainability and Climate Change
  • 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 byJanet Dignem

    That the Whitby Sustainability Advisory Committee minutes of March 5, 2025 be approved.

    Carried

4.
Presentations

 

4.1
Bob Willard, Whitby Sustainability Advisory Committee Member

 

Re: Sustainable Procurement Presentation to Town Staff

Bob Willard provided a presentation regarding Sustainable Procurement. Highlights of the presentation included:

  • the definition of Net-Zero Procurement (NZP);
  • the importance of NZP;
  • alignment of NZP to the Town of Whitby’s Procurement Policy;
  • the NZP Solution and Toolkit;
  • reducing product carbon footprints and businesses’ greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to net-zero;
  • mitigating the global climate crisis; and,
  • Circular Procurement and how circularity reduces or eliminates product carbon footprints.

A question and answer period ensued regarding:

  • requesting feedback from suppliers;
  • whether other municipalities have implemented a similar scoring mechanism;
  • whether industry experts have expressed concerns about the greenwashing provisions in Bill C 59; and,
  • whether the scoring system considers the supplier’s commitment and whether or not they have science based targets in meeting those commitments.

5.
Delegations

 

There were no delegations.

6.
General Business and Reports

 

6.1
April Sustainability Events and Environmental Awareness Days

 

Kristin Palilionis provided an overview of the April Sustainability Events and Environmental Awareness Days which included:

  • Earth Month events including a Waste Diversion Event, Repair Café, Composting and Waste Management Workshop, LEAF Community Spring Tree Planting, and a Waste Management Display at the Brooklin Community Centre and Library;
  • Earth Day on April 22, 2025; and,
  • a film screening of Later is Too Late by Seniors Fighting for Climate Justice, hosted by Climate Justice Durham and Ontario Tech University on April 22, 2025.

6.2
Flood Ready Workshop

 

Kristin Palilionis provided information about the Flood Ready: Flood Preparedness and Home Protection Strategies Workshop on Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at the Centennial Building, Regal Room. Ms. Palilionis advised that registered participants would receive a complimentary emergency preparedness kit.

6.3
Home Efficiency Retrofit Orientation (HERO) Webinar

 

Kristin Palilionis provided information about the Town of Whitby's Home Efficiency Retrofit Orientation (HERO) Webinar on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.

6.4
Whitby Sustainability Advisory Committee Work Plan and Event Planning

 

Bryan Widner requested feedback from the Committee regarding the Whitby Sustainability Advisory Committee Work Plan and event planning.

6.5
Whitby Sustainability Advisory Committee Budget

 

Bryan Widner stated that the Whitby Sustainability Advisory Committee budget would be updated to include costs incurred from event planning such as handouts and materials for engaging the public.

7.
Council Update

 

Councillor Cardwell provided an update regarding:

  • a resolution by Council requesting that the Provincial government expedite the removal of all tolls on the entirety of Highway 407 East, in accordance with the 2025 Protect Ontario Plan, starting April of 2025;
  • the Cullen Central Park Master Plan;
  • Corbett Creek Bridge and Waterfront Trail upgrades;
  • promoting the Town's three Youth Rooms;
  • the Town of Whitby's new Navigating Tariffs webpage to provide support and resources for businesses and residents while navigating the U.S. imposed tariffs;
  • planned upgrades to the Whitby 55+ Recreation Centre; and,
  • commencement of the West Lynde – Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Plan (SNAP) program.

Wenda Abel requested an update regarding Whitby Waterfront projects including Shirley Scott Park, the Rowe House, and the Port Whitby Marina expansion.

8.
Other Business

 

8.1
Invitation to Brooklin Spring Fair

 

Kristin Palilionis requested feedback from the Committee regarding participating in the Brooklin Spring Fair and providing information on pollinators.

8.2
Town of Whitby's Urban Forest Management Plan, Committee Representative

 

Kristin Palilionis requested a volunteer from the Committee to act as a Whitby Sustainability Advisory Committee representative for the Town’s Urban Forest Management Plan stakeholder consultations. Wenda Abel and Zartasha Zainab volunteered to serve as Committee representatives.

8.3
Earth Hour Results

 

Kristin Palilionis provided information about the Earth Hour energy savings results at Whitby Town Hall. Ms. Palilionis stated that electricity consumption and green house gas emissions were reduced by 96 percent and 10 percent respectively.

8.4
Little Forests Durham

 

Wenda Abel requested an update regarding opportunities for a Little Forest in Whitby.

Kristin Palilionis stated that discussions were underway with Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA) and that she would provide an update at a later date.

9.
Next Meeting

 

Wednesday, May 7, 2025 - 7:00 p.m.

10.
Adjournment

 

  • Recommendation:

    Moved byJanet Dignem

    That the meeting adjourn.

    Carried

    The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.


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