HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-26
Electronic Council Communications Information
Package
Date:April 26, 2024
Time:12:00 PM
Location:ECCIP is an information package and not a meeting.
Description: An ECCIP is an electronic package containing correspondence received by Staff for
Council's information. This is not a meeting of Council or Committee.
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at clerks@clarington.net, if you would like to include one of these items on the next regular agenda
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the week prior to the appropriate meeting, otherwise the item will be included on the agenda for the
next regularly scheduled meeting of the applicable Committee.
Members of the Public: can speak to an ECCIP item as a delegation. If you would like to be a
delegation at a meeting, please visit the Clarington website.
Pages
1.Region of Durham Correspondence
1.1 Notice of Adoption - With Respect to Amendment #198 to the Durham
Regional Official Plan Section 17(23) of the Planning Act - April 24, 2024
4
1.2 2024 Annual Climate Change Progress Report (2024-COW-12) - April
25, 2025
7
1.3 The Region of Durham’s response to the Ontario Regulatory Registry
posting related to the “Proposal to create regulation to support
implementation of the GO Transit Station Funding Act, 2023” (2024-
COW-14) - April 25, 2024
33
1.4 Durham Agricultural Advisory Committee Resolution re: Stormwater
Management Fees - April 25, 2024
54
1.5 2023 Annual Building Activity Review - April 26, 2024 55
2.Durham Municipalities Correspondence
3.Other Municipalities Correspondence
3.1 St. Catharines - Provincial Regulations Needed to Restrict Keeping of
Non-native ("exotic") Wild Animals - April 23, 2024
80
4.Provincial / Federal Government and their Agency Correspondence
4.1 Robyn Kurtes, Director, Environmental Policy Branch, Ministry of the
Environment, Conservation and Parks - Decision on Excess Soil
Regulation Amendments - April 25, 2024
82
4.2 Andrea Khanjin, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks -
April 22, 2024
84
(Response to your request for a comprehensive environmental
assessment for the Regional Municipalities of York and Durham’s
(Regions) proposed increase in treatment capacity at the Durham York
Energy Centre (DYEC) from 140,000 to 160,000 tonnes per year (the
Project))
April 26, 2024
Electronic Council Communications Information Package (ECCIP)
Page 2
5.Miscellaneous Correspondence
5.1 Minutes of the Orono Downtown Business Improvement Area dated April
18, 2024
89
5.2 Kawartha Conservation Authority - 2023 Audited Financial Statements -
April 25, 2024
93
April 26, 2024
Electronic Council Communications Information Package (ECCIP)
Page 3
File #: OPA 2023-002
Related File(s): N/A
Subject Lands: 4854 Concession Road 5 Part Lot 1, Concession 5, Municipality of Clarington
Date of Decision: April 24, 2024
Date of Notice: April 25, 2024
Last Date of Appeal: May 15, 2024
The Regional Municipality of Durham
Notice of Adoption
With Respect to Amendment #198 to the Durham Regional Official Plan
Section 17(23) of the Planning Act
Purpose and Effect of the Requested Official Plan Amendment
The purpose and effect of this Amendment is to permit the severance of a dwelling rendered
surplus as a result of the consolidation of non-abutting farm parcels on lands designated as
“Prime Agricultural Areas”.
The Amendment and background materials are available for inspection at the Regional Planning and Economic Development Department, Regional Municipality of Durham, 605 Rossland Road East, Fourth Floor, P.O. Box 623, Whitby, Ontario, Monday to Friday
between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Related Planning Act Files
N/A
Written and Oral Submissions
Public consultation on the application was undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the Planning Act. The Region received no inquiry on the application. Further details regarding how the public input was considered is available in Commissioner’s Report #2024-P-8and in the Planning and Economic Committee minutes dated April 4, 2023.
Decision of Regional Council
The Council of the Regional Municipality of Durham adopted Amendment #198 to the Durham Regional Official Plan by By-law #2024-018, on April 24, 2024.
Page 4
Page 5
If this information is required in an accessible format, please contact 1-800-372-1102 ext. 2097
Amendment #198 to the Regional Official Plan
Purpose and Effect: The purpose and effect of this Amendment is to permit the
severance of a dwelling rendered surplus as a result of the
consolidation on non-abutting farm parcels on lands designated as
“Prime Agricultural Areas”.
Location: The subject site is located on the north side of Concession Road 5,
west side of East Townline Road. The property is municipally
known as 4854 Concession Road 5 and is part of Lot 1,
Concession 5 in the Municipality of Clarington.
Basis: The residential dwelling on the subject site is not required by and is
surplus to the farm operation. The amendment conforms with the
Durham Regional Official Plan, the Greenbelt Plan, and the Growth
Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe and is consistent with the
Provincial Policy Statement.
Amendment (current Regional Official Plan – 2020 Consolidation):
The Durham Regional Official Plan is hereby amended by adding
the following policy exception to section 9A.3.2:
“9A.3.2 (iii) A surplus farm dwelling rendered surplus from the
parcel identified as Assessment No. 18-17-030-080-
13500 located in Part of Lot 1, Concession 5 in the
Municipality of Clarington, subject to the inclusion of
the provisions in the zoning by-law to prohibit the
construction of any new dwelling on the retained
parcel; and the use of the existing barn for housing
livestock. In accordance with Provincial and Regional
policies, no further severances of the property are
permitted.”
Implementation: The provisions set forth in the Durham Regional Official Plan
regarding the implementation of the Plan shall apply in regards to
this Amendment.
Interpretation: The provisions set forth in the Durham Regional Official Plan
regarding the interpretation of the Plan shall apply in regards to this
Amendment.
Page 6
If you require this information in an accessible format, please call 1-800-372-1102 ext. 2097.
The Regional Municipality of Durham
Corporate Services Department – Legislative Services Division
605 Rossland Rd. E.
Level 1 PO Box 623 Whitby, ON L1N 6A3
Canada
905-668-7711 1-800-372-1102
durham.ca
Alexander Harras M.P.A. Director of Legislative Services & Regional Clerk
Sent Via Email
April 25, 2024
Patrice Barnes MPP, Ajax 230 Westney Rd. S
Ajax, ON L1S 7J5
Dear Patrice Barnes:
RE: 2024 Annual Climate Change Progress Report (2024-COW-12), Our File: D19
Council of the Region of Durham, at its meeting held on April 24,
2024, adopted the following recommendations of the Committee of the
Whole:
“A) That Regional Council receive this 2024 Climate Change Progress Report for information; and
B) That a copy of Report #2024-COW-12 of the Chief Administrative Officer be sent to all Durham MPs and MPPs,
local area municipalities, Conservation Authorities, and local energy utilities, for their information and consideration.”
Please find enclosed a copy of Report #2024-COW-12 for your information.
Alexander Harras
Alexander Harras, Director of Legislative Services & Regional Clerk
AH/sd
Enclosed
c: E. Baxter-Trahair, Chief Administrative Officer M. Holland, MP (Ajax) J. Jivano, MP (Durham)
J. Schmale, MP (Haliburton/Kawartha Lakes/Brock)
P. Lawrence, MP (Northumberland/Peterborough South) C. Carrie, MP (Oshawa) J. O’Connell, MP (Pickering/Uxbridge)
Page 7
If you require this information in an accessible format, please call 1-800-372-1102 ext. 2097.
R. Turnbull, MP (Whitby)
T. McCarthy, MPP (Durham) L. Scott, MPP (Haliburton/Kawartha Lakes/Brock) D. Piccini, MPP (Northumberland/Peterborough South) J. French, MPP (Oshawa) P. Bethlenfalvy, MPP (Pickering/Uxbridge)
L. Coe, MPP (Whitby) J. Grossi, Clerk, Town of Ajax F. Lamanna, Clerk, Township of Brock J. Gallagher, Clerk, Municipality of Clarington
M. Medeiros, Clerk, City of Oshawa
S. Cassel, Clerk, City of Pickering R. Walton, Acting Clerk, Township of Scugog D. Leroux, Clerk, Township of Uxbridge C. Harris, Clerk, Town of Whitby
C. Darling, CAO, Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority
L. Laliberte, CAO, Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority M. Majchrowski, CAO, Kawartha Conservation R. Baldwin, CAO, Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority J. MacKenzie, CEO, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
J. Maclean, Elexicon Energy
J. Taylor, Oshawa Power G. Lind, Hydro One B. Lee, Enbridge
Page 8
If this information is required in an accessible format, please contact 1-800-372-1102 ext. 3802.
The Regional Municipality of Durham
Report
To: Committee of the Whole
From: Chief Administrative Officer
Report: #2024-COW-12
Date: April 10, 2024
Subject:
2024 Annual Climate Change Progress Report
Recommendations:
That the Committee of the Whole recommends to Regional Council:
A) That Regional Council receive this 2024 Climate Change Progress Report for
information; and
B) That a copy of this report, be sent to all Durham MPs and MPPs, local area
municipalities, Conservation Authorities, and local energy utilities, for their information
and consideration.
Report:
1. Purpose
1.1 Leadership on climate change and sustainability is a key strategic priority for the
Region, as reflected in the Region’s strategic plan as well as within the new
Council adopted Regional Official Plan. Regional Council’s declaration of a climate
emergency in January 2020 was a key decision point supporting the focus on
climate action as a critical priority guiding municipal policy, investment, and
operations. This annual climate change progress report provides a status update
on the implementation of climate action plans endorsed by Regional Council.
1.2 Section 2 of this report provides an update on the Durham Community Energy Plan
(DCEP). The DCEP was endorsed in principle by Regional Council and local area
municipal councils in 2019 and outlines Durham’s pathway to reduce greenhouse
gas (GHG) emissions and facilitate the transition towards a clean energy economy
through collaboration between the Region, local area municipalities, energy
utilities, and other community stakeholders.
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Report #2024-COW-12 Page 2 of 24
1.3 Section 3 of this report provides an update on the Durham Region Corporate
Climate Action Plan (CCAP). The CCAP was endorsed by Regional Council in
2021 (Report #2021-A-3) and provides a framework for corporate decarbonization,
including GHG reduction targets, and integration of a climate lens into the Region’s
business planning and budgets process. The CCAP was developed in
collaboration with internal departments and operating divisions.
1.4 Section 4 of this report provides an update on the Durham Community Climate
Adaptation Plan (DCCAP). DCCAP was endorsed by Regional Council in 2016
(Report #2016-COW-103) and sets out a vision, goals, and actions to help Durham
Region adapt to climate change impacts. This plan was developed in collaboration
between the Region, local municipalities, Conservation Authorities, energy utilities,
and other local stakeholders.
1.5 This is the fourth such annual climate progress report since Regional
Council’s 2020 climate emergency declaration. Previous annual climate
update reports can be found on the Region’s website.
2. Durham Community Energy Plan (DCEP) Update
2.1 Durham Region community-wide carbon emissions inventory update:
a. In late 2023, The Atmospheric Fund (TAF) published its annual
carbon emissions inventory report for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton
Area (GTHA). The report covered 2022 carbon emissions data across the
four regional municipalities (Halton, Peel, York, and Durham) and single tier
municipalities (Hamilton and Toronto) that make up the GTHA. TAF
estimated that GTHA emissions increased annually by 8 per cent in 2022,
which was the largest annual increase since 2015. Emissions increased
across all six jurisdictions covered by the report, ranging from 5 per cent in
Hamilton to 12 per cent in Halton Region. Carbon emissions in the GTHA
will need to decrease by 9 per cent annually to reach 2030 targets in line
with achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
b. Durham Region’s emissions, as reported by TAF, and based on total
activity within Durham’s geographic boundaries, increased by 8 per cent in
2022 to 5.9 million tones of carbon dioxide equivalent (TCO2e), nearly
reaching pre-pandemic levels (see Figure 2 below). The transportation
sector was the biggest driver for this increase, up 9 per cent, and continues
to be the largest source of GHG emissions overall in Durham Region (see
Figure 2: Durham Region Total Community Emissions, 2017-2022
(MtCO2e)
c. below). The report acknowledges that most of the GTHA's agricultural
activity is concentrated in Durham, making up 3 per cent of Durham’s total
emissions, and that food grown in Durham is consumed by communities
across Ontario and beyond.
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Report #2024-COW-12 Page 3 of 24
Figure 1: 2022 Durham Community GHG Emissions by Sector (MtCO2e)
Figure 2: Durham Region Total Community Emissions, 2017-2022 (MtCO2e)
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Report #2024-COW-12 Page 4 of 24
2.2 The Region continues to support the implementation of the DCEP in partnership
with local area municipalities, energy utilities, and other organizations with
influence over energy use and emissions in the community. Updates across key
areas of the DCEP low carbon pathway are provided below.
2.3 Existing Home Energy Retrofits
a. DCEP called for deep energy retrofits across all the roughly 200,000
existing single-family homes in Durham Region to align with a low carbon
pathway to 2050. Achieving this goal requires a tripling of the rate of home
energy retrofits, with each retrofit including both envelope upgrades (e.g.,
insulation) as well as upgrades to heating and cooling systems (e.g.,
switching from natural gas furnaces to electric air source heat pumps).
b. The Durham Greener Homes (DGH) program was launched in April 2022 to
provide residents with a comprehensive voluntary residential retrofit
program to achieve energy efficiency upgrades and deep energy retrofits.
The program includes expert energy coaching services, tailored incentives,
and third-party financing services.
c. To date, more than 1,000 Durham Region homes have registered to
participate in the DGH program, and of those, close to 100 homes have
completed a deep energy retrofit. In April 2024, the DGH program will be
enhanced with the launch of a virtual home energy audit tool (VHEAT) that
will enable insights into the energy performance of all 200,000 homes
across Durham Region. The Region is working with its contracted program
administrator, Windfall Ecology Centre, to implement a direct marketing
campaign to invite homeowners to register through the secure DGH portal
to access their VHEAT report and begin their retrofit journey. This will be
supported by tailored incentives administered by the Region with the
support of FCM Community Efficiency Financing Program grant funding.
d. As outlined in Section 4.4 below, Regional staff are also working to develop
an enhancement to the DGH program that will focus on supporting
homeowners with implementing climate resilience retrofits that can address
risks associated with flooding and extreme heat impacts. A full update to
Council on the DGH program, including planned enhancement, is expected
in Q2 2024.
2.4 Existing Building Retrofits – Industrial, Commercial, Institutional, and Multi-
Unit Residential Buildings.
a. In addition to single family homes, DCEP’s low carbon pathway includes
deep retrofits in all existing industrial, commercial, institutional, and multi-
unit residential buildings in the Region.
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Report #2024-COW-12 Page 5 of 24
b. The Durham Greener Buildings (DGB) program launched in January 2024
to support building owners and managers in complying with the Province of
Ontario’s Energy and Water Reporting and Benchmarking (EWRB)
Initiative. The program seeks to build capacity around benchmarking by
providing a Help Desk and training support services to build familiarity,
among building owners with Energy Star Portfolio Manager (ESPM), and in
turn, drive demand for energy efficiency improvements throughout the
building sector.
c. The Durham Greener Buildings program complements and expands on the
Durham Greener Homes program and will include a focus on supporting
benchmarking and disclosing energy and water usage data of municipally
owned buildings to showcase local government leadership in addressing
climate change. Additionally, the program facilitates compliance with
Broader Public Sector (BPS) reporting requirements. In subsequent steps,
staff will explore financing and funding opportunities while collaborating with
partners to facilitate deep energy building retrofits. For further program
details, please refer to report #2023-COW-16.
2.5 New Construction – Durham Green Development Program
a. Given expected population growth in Durham Region, and the associated
need to build thousands of new homes annually over the coming decades,
the DCEP identifies high energy performance in new building construction
as a critical piece of Durham’s low carbon pathway. Specifically, the DCEP
calls for local municipalities to implement a tiered set of energy and
emissions performance standards through the planning approval process,
with the first tier mandatory and upper tiers of energy and emissions
performance standards voluntary, supported by incentives.
b. Local area municipalities, including Town of Whitby, City of Pickering, and
Town of Ajax (the municipalities), have implemented green development
standards since the DCEP was endorsed. These standards include a tiered
set of energy and emissions performance criteria.
c. While the provincial government’s Bill 23 initially appeared to limit the ability
of municipalities to implement green development standards, subsequent
amendments as outlined in a Letter from the former Minister of Municipal
Affairs and Housing, Steve Clark, recognize the important work being done
by municipalities through green development standards. The Minister’s
letter further articulated that the Province intends to consult with
municipalities and other stakeholders on a consistent province-wide
approach for municipalities wanting to implement green building standards
that are above the minimum requirements in the Ontario Building Code
(OBC) although to date, such consultations have not yet occurred.
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Report #2024-COW-12 Page 6 of 24
d. As part of the implementation of the Pan Canadian Framework on Clean
Growth and Climate Change, the federal government has moved forward
with a National Building Code that includes energy performance tiers that
are designed to move the building industry to net zero by 2030. As part of
the code harmonization process, the Province of Ontario is updating the
OBC to align with National Codes. There is an emerging need for market
transformation to align with the tiered approach.
e. The Region has focused on industry training and capacity building
initiatives in collaboration with the Durham Region Home Builders’
Association (DRHBA), and Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan) Local
Energy Efficiency Partnerships (LEEP) team. Together with DRHBA and
LEEP, the Region hosted a series of technology forums for builders and
developers that are focused on high performance new construction. These
sessions are continuing into Q2 2024.
f. In 2023, Regional staff began working to develop a Green Development
Program with an aim of:
• building alignment amongst local municipal green development
standards the new national model energy code tiers, and with
forthcoming changes to the OBC; and
• supporting voluntary adoption of higher energy performance tiers.
g. The program development process has included evaluating policy tools to
enhance energy performance and reduce GHG emissions in new
residential construction, and collaboration with local municipalities and
cross-departmental municipal staff teams, including Finance and Planning.
Staff have consulted with energy utilities and building industry stakeholders
through focus group sessions. Staff anticipate bringing forward a
comprehensive program proposal to Regional Council in mid-2024.
2.6 Low Carbon Thermal Networks – Sewer Heat Recovery/District Heating.
a. The DCEP identifies district energy (DE) as a key strategy for building
sector decarbonization in Durham Region, which can potentially contribute
more than 15 percent of GHG emissions reductions to meet the 2050
target.
b. Exploration of DE opportunities have initially focused on Courtice given the
availability of heat from the Durham York Energy Centre (DYEC) and the
planned high population and employment densities around the Courtice GO
Station Major Transit Station Area (MTSA). A preliminary business case
analysis was developed in 2023, and presented to Council in January 2024
in Report #2024-COW-1. Following Council endorsement in principle of the
DES project concept for the Courtice Transit-Oriented Community (CTOC),
staff are evaluating service delivery model options for the Courtice district
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Report #2024-COW-12 Page 7 of 24
energy system, as well as updating the preliminary business case. A report
outlining the recommended next steps is expected to be presented to
Council in Q3 2024.
c. In addition to work to evaluate district energy in Courtice, the Region is
working with Brookfield Residential and energy developer Creative Energy
to determine the feasibility of utilizing thermal energy from the Region’s
sanitary sewer system to meet most of the space heating and cooling
requirements of the Dockside Development in the Port of Whitby. Staff are
currently undertaking the final round of consultations and will develop the
required Memorandum-of-Understanding (MOU) and the necessary
agreements. For further details, please refer to report #2022-INFO-16.
d. Staff will initiate an assessment of DE opportunities across strategic growth
areas outlined in the Regional Official Plan as part of an overarching,
comprehensive thermal energy demand mapping effort for the Region, in
collaboration with local area municipalities and energy utilities.
e. Given the relatively new nature of DE work in Durham Region, the projects
will help inform the development of future policies, standard agreements,
and protocols to support the pre-screening, review and approval of district
energy and waste energy transfer projects.
2.7 Electric Vehicle Adoption
a. The DCEP points to the transportation sector as a key area of focus, where
electric vehicle (EV) adoption to reduce gasoline and diesel fuel use, will
help to drive GHG reductions across Durham. As part of a multi-faceted
approach to encourage the uptake of EVs across Durham, the Region, in
collaboration with local municipalities and other public sector organizations
have proceeded with the implementation of EV charging stations to support
public and corporate fleet charging activities.
b. To date, the Region has led on four collaborative proposals to NRCan for
funding under the Zero Emissions Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP)
to support the implementation of EV chargers. Collaborative applications
have been developed in partnership with local area municipalities, the
Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB), Trent University Durham
GTA, Oshawa Power and Utilities Corporation, and Central Lake Ontario
Conservation Authority (CLOCA). In total, the Region secured $ 2.7 million
in approved grant funding to cover up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs
related to the implementation of over 360 EV chargers to support public
charging and corporate fleet applications.
c. The installation of EV charging infrastructure plays a key role in stimulating
consumer demand for EVs. In 2022, Durham experienced a surge in EV
purchases compared to 2021, with 3,707 EVs (an increase of 80 per cent
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Report #2024-COW-12 Page 8 of 24
over 2021) and 1,402 plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) (an increase of 34
per cent over 2021).
2.8 Public and Active Transportation
a. Low carbon mobility options such as public and active transit are important
for aligning community-wide carbon reduction outcomes with other priorities
like community health, well-being and cost-of-living. As shown in Figure 3
below, the automobile remains the dominant form of transportation in
Durham Region representing close to 90 per cent of total trips taken in
2022 (the latest year for which data is available). Auto mode share
increased over the period from 2019 to 2022, with a commensurate decline
in the share of trips taken by public transit and active modes. Transit did
show an increase between 2021 and 2022, reflecting resumption of normal
services from the COVID pandemic.
Figure 3: Durham Region – Percentage of total trips per mode1
b. The Region has a critical role to play in enabling low carbon mobility
through public transit service, and through investment in active
transportation infrastructure through the Regional Cycling Plan, including
strengthening its Transportation Demand Management (TDM) offerings and
policies under its Smart Mobility Durham program.
1 Source: Google Environmental Insights Explorer – Transportation Activity Data for the Regional
Municipality of Durham. Available here:
https://insights.sustainability.google/places/ChIJNWdhlINO1YkR3unhOZ62X88?hl=en-US&ty=2022
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
2019 2020 2021 2022
Automobile Public Transit Active Transit
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Report #2024-COW-12 Page 9 of 24
c. In the fall of 2023, Durham Region Transit (DRT) saw record ridership
levels which exceeded pre-pandemic levels. This was achieved despite a
lower overall amount of service hours delivered by DRT in 2023 as
compared to 2022 (~roughly 480,000 service hours in 2023 vs close to
590,000 service hours in 2022). Section 3.6a below provides additional
information on planned investment to support increased transit service
alongside bus fleet electrification.
d. Through implementation of the Regional Cycling Plan (RCP) the Region
continues to advance the installation of new cycling infrastructure. Since the
adoption of the 2021 RCP, the Region has built approximately 52
kilometres (km) of cycling infrastructure for a total of approximately 121 km
of regional cycling facilities. The 2024 budget approved funding for the
construction of approximately 19 km of cycling infrastructure to be
implemented as part of Regional Roads construction projects and $0.9
million to advance shovel-readiness of cycling network infill projects.
2.9 Climate Governance and Public Reporting
a. In addition to taking critical steps in advancing climate initiatives, the
Region also undertook efforts to enhance community advisory capacity,
and public facing communications on progress, as outlined below.
b. Durham Climate Roundtable (DCR) – In 2023, the Durham Region
Roundtable on Climate Change (DRRCC) advisory committee was
integrated with the Durham Environmental Advisory Committee (DEAC),
and a new arms-length Durham Climate Roundtable (DCR) was created,
coordinated by Ontario Tech University. The DCR serves as a leadership
accelerator, with membership representing diverse sectors across Durham
Region, including regional and local government, corporate entities, and
community organizations. The objectives of the DCR include providing
advice to the Region of Durham on climate change matters and conducting
climate change awareness and outreach activities. DCR member
responsibilities include reviewing the annual DCR Report, participating in
an annual Climate Forum, endorsing identified priorities for action by
implementation teams, and acting as champions for climate action priorities
within respective organizations, networks, and communities. For further
details, please refer to report #2022-COW-28.
c. Annual Durham Climate Forum - the Durham Climate Roundtable (DCR)
hosted the inaugural Durham Environment and Climate Forum on
November 14th, 2023. The event showcased progress on climate action and
celebrated the accomplishments of environment and climate change
leaders across Durham Region. Staff are working with the Brilliant Energy
Institute (BEI) and Ontario Tech University to deliver the upcoming annual
climate forum, scheduled for fall 2024.
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Report #2024-COW-12 Page 10 of 24
d. Durham Climate Dashboard - The Durham Climate Dashboard, formally
launching later in April 2024, is an online platform designed to monitor the
DCEP’s progress in achieving the Region’s climate targets. The dashboard
displays local energy and emissions data and enables community members
to see the progress and impact of climate action initiatives undertaken by
the Region and area municipalities, and visually track the outcomes and
impact of these actions.
3. Durham Region Corporate Climate Action Plan Update – Leading by Example
3.1 Regional Council approved the Corporate Climate Action Plan (CCAP) in 2021 in
support of municipal leadership in the community-wide transition to net zero and
climate resilience. Key elements of the CCAP include GHG emission reduction
targets for Regional operations, and a system to track, forecast and report
progress annually against those targets to senior leadership and Regional Council.
• 20 per cent GHG emissions reduction by 2025, below 2019 levels,
• 40 per cent GHG emissions reduction by 2030, below 2019 levels, and
• 100 per cent GHG emissions reduction by 2045, below 2019 levels.
3.2 Durham Region corporate GHG emissions inventory update:
a. Durham Region’s corporate emissions include energy consumption in
regional buildings, vehicles, and infrastructure (e.g. water, wastewater, and
solid waste management), as well as non-energy GHG emissions
associated with the Region’s solid waste management (closed landfill and
DYEC emissions) and wastewater operations (process fugitive emissions).
b. Based on preliminary estimates, 2023 corporate GHG emissions were
approximately 178,000 tonnes (tCO2e, rounded), which represents a 1 per
cent decrease from 2022 totals. Non-energy related emissions in solid
waste management and wastewater treatment operations continue to
represent the largest share of total corporate emissions.
c. For other corporate operating areas, GHG emissions are largely associated
with fossil fuel consumption in fleets from gasoline and diesel fuel whereas
GHG emissions in corporate buildings are largely related to natural gas use
for space and water heating in buildings. Energy-specific emissions for
which the Region is directly responsible for billing was approximately 27 per
cent of the corporate totals (based on 2023 estimates and net of the York
Region estimated share of Duffin Creek WPCP).
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Report #2024-COW-12 Page 11 of 24
Figure 4: Corporate GHG Emissions by Operational Area for 2023 (Preliminary
Estimate)
3.3 Progress in implementing the CCAP and aligning with Council-endorsed GHG
reduction targets have been hindered by the extraordinary challenges facing the
Region through the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing supply chain constraints, and
inflationary economic conditions. The Province of Ontario’s Bill 23, passed in
November 2022, added to these fiscal challenges through sweeping changes to
regional land use planning and municipal financing that will place a greater burden
on existing property taxpayers and ratepayers to cover the cost of future
infrastructure for new community areas. In addition, the Region’s corporate
emissions profile includes complex emissions sources in solid waste management
and wastewater treatment for which technology options are currently limited.
3.4 Figure 5 provides a projection of anticipated GHG reductions over the forecast
period based on information contained within departmental 10-year capital plans.
Based on current information and assumptions, large shares of the reductions are
expected to be realized through fleet operations, including the planned
electrification of transit service and through the natural decline of methane
generation in closed landfills. As reported in 2022, there remains a significant gap
between forecasted emissions, and Council endorsed corporate GHG reduction
targets. As the findings and recommendations of the GHG Emission Reduction
Pathways studies and Water & Wastewater GHG Management Strategy are
developed and finalized, forecast estimates will be updated.
Water & Sanitary Sewer: Energy
Related
5%Corporate Buildings and
Traffic Signals
7%
Water & Sanitary Sewer:
Non-Energy Related
16%
Vehicle Fleets
15%
Solid Waste Landfills
21%
Durham York Energy Centre
36%
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Report #2024-COW-12 Page 12 of 24
Figure 5: Durham Region Total Corporate Emissions, 2019 to 2023 (Estimated)
(MtCO2e)
3.5 Corporate Buildings
a. Corporate buildings (owned and leased facilities, excluding water and
sanitary sewer vertical infrastructure) and Regional traffic signals represent
seven per cent of total corporate GHG emissions, but a much larger share
of the energy-related emissions at just over 25 per cent. With buildings
representing the second largest source of emissions community-wide,
Regional action in this area is important to demonstrate corporate
leadership. Furthermore, with Regional buildings often providing front line
services to vulnerable residents (e.g. long-term care homes, childcare
centers, and social housing), investments to support climate resilience are
critical.
b. With the adoption of the Durham Standard in April 2023, all Regionally-
owned and operated buildings will be constructed, renovated, retrofitted or
expanded to a corporately approved building standard that aligns with the
Strategic Plan and CCAP. Specific to corporate climate action, the Durham
Standard sets a zero GHG design target and mandates that there is no on-
site combustion of fossil fuels (excluding backup power fuel requirements).
c. The Region has a number of corporate decarbonization projects underway:
• Traffic Operations /Health Protection at 101 Consumers Dr. (Whitby):
deep retrofit will lead to the phase out of on-site fossil fuel
consumption.
• Durham Region Local Housing Corporation (DRLHC) deep retrofits
at 155 King St. E. (Oshawa) and 655 Harwood Ave. S (Ajax): include
-
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
120,000
140,000
160,000
180,000
200,000
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 (Est.)2025 Fcst 2025
Target
2030 Fcst 2030
Target
2035 Fcst 2045
TargetTCO2E Durham York Energy Centre
Solid Waste Landfills
Water & Sanitary Sewer: Energy
Related
Corporate Buildings and Traffic
Signals
Water & Sanitary Sewer: Non-
Energy Related
Vehicle Fleets
20%
below
2019
Baseline
40%
below
2019
Baseline
100%
below
2019
Baseline
Page 20
Report #2024-COW-12 Page 13 of 24
improved building envelopes and upgrades to building heating,
cooling, and ventilation systems.
• Seaton Region of Durham Paramedic Services (RDPS) Station and
Training Facility (Pickering): includes a geothermal system that will
provide heating and cooling for the building and a solar photovoltaic
(PV) system that will contribute to making this a zero-carbon
building. This new build project is expected to be completed by the
year end 2024.
• Beaverton Transitional Supportive Housing Facility (Brock): all
electric building systems and a rooftop solar PV system which will
offset approximately 50 per cent of the building’s electrical
consumption.
• Seaton Long Term Care (Pickering): is the first new building to be
designed following adoption of the Durham Standard. As outlined in
Report #2023-COW-34, the building will be 25 percent more efficient
than OBC and future upgrades will be required to retrofit the building
to meet the Region’s target of net zero by 2045.
• Clarington Police Complex Phase 2 (Clarington): is currently under
construction and designed to include a geothermal field for heating
and cooling. With DRPS requiring emergency redundancy for
operations, natural gas will remain on site as a backup system.
• DRT Thornton Rd. Transit Maintenance Facility (Oshawa): this
project is in the early design phase with a goal of net zero GHG
emissions. Design and issuance of the tender is planned for fall
2024, with construction beginning in early 2025 subject to the federal
government’s approval of the Regional funding application under the
Zero Emissions Transit Fund.
d. In addition to retrofit projects underway, staff are advancing the
development of GHG Emission Reduction Pathways studies for all Regional
buildings. Once complete at the end of 2024, measures recommended
through these studies will be integrated into the 10-year capital plan and
implemented through the annual budget process.
3.6 Corporate Fleet
a. Corporate fleet vehicles made up 15 per cent of overall corporate emissions
in 2023 but more than half of energy-related emissions. With transportation
representing the largest share of community wide emissions (see Figure 1),
action to reduce its fleet GHG emissions can serve as a leadership
example for other public and private sector organizations.
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Report #2024-COW-12 Page 14 of 24
b. Regional investment to enhance public transit service can increase
corporate GHG emissions in absolute terms while significantly reducing
community-based emissions (e.g., growth of corporate transit fleet assisting
in reducing passenger vehicle travel).
• In February 2023, Council approved Durham Region Transit’s 2023-
2032 Transit Service and Financing Strategy (Report #2023-DRT-05)
which outlines an unprecedented 10-year investment in DRT
services, including a 127 percent increase in revenue services,
significant capital investments to implement the DRT Fleet
Electrification Plan, and priorities for infrastructure, accessibility, and
passenger amenities. The 2024 budget includes an increase of
59,665 revenue service hours, bringing total service to 569,876
hours of conventional service and 174,692 hours of On Demand
service.
• DRT’s first six battery electric buses are scheduled to be delivered in
April 2024, and the bus fleet is anticipated to be fully electric by
2037. The 2024 budget includes the acquisition of 34 electric buses
and supporting electrification infrastructure (pending federal funding
approval). DRT’s commitment to increasing revenue service hours
and fleet electrification represents one of the most significant
contributions the Region is making towards both community-wide
and corporate decarbonization.
c. In April 2023, Regional Council adopted a Light Duty Fleet Electrification
Plan which outlines preliminary target years for 100 per cent electrification
by fleet group. Figure 6 provides an update on the current state of light duty
vehicle electrification across fleet groups, including battery electric vehicles
(BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), hybrid electric vehicles
(hybrid) and internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs). The 2024 budget
includes investments of $4.1 million for BEVs, PHEVs and hybrid vehicles
in the Works and DRPS fleets.
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Report #2024-COW-12 Page 15 of 24
Figure 6: Light Duty Fleet Electrification Plan - 2021 Baseline, 2023 Actual, Targets
d. Staff are investigating the opportunity to pilot the use of renewable diesel as
a seasonal diesel alternative for medium- and heavy-duty fleet during non-
winter periods. A Request-for-Information (RFI) was undertaken by staff in
the fall 2023 to assess market opportunities and understand the range of
product offerings from various vendors, as well as associated
environmental benefits and potential operating implications. Renewable
diesel is a cleaner, green fuel, which could reduce the GHG emissions from
summer diesel by 60 per cent or more (on a lifecycle basis). Potential cost
implications continue to be assessed considering product price premiums,
potential exemptions on applicable carbon fuel surcharges, and
investments in the Region’s fleet electrification plans.
3.7 Solid Waste Management.
a. This source of emissions is related to the management of residential solid
waste on behalf of a growing region of more than 250,000 households.
Solid waste management makes up 57 per cent of corporate emissions,
with DYEC contributing 36 per cent and closed Regional landfills
contributing 21 per cent. Solid waste emissions are estimated to have
declined by close to 2 per cent in 2023 due to a decrease in methane
production at the Region’s closed legacy landfills (DYEC held constant from
2022 values).
2021
Baseline
2023
Actuals
2032
Target
2021
Baseline
2023
Actuals
2030
Target
2021
Baseline
2023
Actuals
2042
Target
2021
Baseline
2023
Actuals
2032
Target
DRT Paramedics Police Works
BEV 0%0%100%0%0%23%0%1%34%0%0%22%
PHEV 0%33%0%0%0%77%0%0%66%10%15%78%
Hybrid 0%0%0%0%0%0%16%21%0%0%0%0%
ICEV 100%67%0%100%100%0%84%78%0%92%85%0%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
ICEV Hybrid PHEV BEV
Page 23
Report #2024-COW-12 Page 16 of 24
b. Following Regional Council’s decision to pause the procurement process
for the Mixed-Waste Pre-Sort and Anaerobic Digestion (AD) Project in June
2022, staff developed an Organics Management Plan that was endorsed by
Council in March 2023 (Report #2023-WR-3). The next steps to move the
Region’s organics management plan forward comprise of short- and long-
term processes. The short-term process provides operational continuity by
securing third-party organics processing capacity at a suitable AD facility
beyond the end date of the current organics processing contract of June 30,
2024. The long-term process focuses on the future viability of the Region’s
AD Project. Regional staff will monitor the performance of the short-term
organics management plan and adjust the long-term organics management
plan requirements as appropriate.
c. In October 2023, a biocover pilot project at the closed Oshawa landfill site
was launched to determine if it can be an effective methane reduction
method for closed landfill sites in the Region. The feasibility study estimates
that a biocover could reduce methane emissions by up to 50 per cent and
preliminary findings are promising. The pilot project will continue until March
2025, after which staff will determine whether the project warrants
expansion.
3.8 Water and Wastewater
a. Water and wastewater operations make up 21 per cent of total corporate
emissions in 2023. This source of energy and non-energy emissions is
related to the treatment, storage, and pumping of drinking water and
wastewater for the benefit of residents, businesses, and institutions across
the Region. Combined, water and wastewater produced approximately
37,200 tCO2e (rounded), largely relating to wastewater treatment
operations (mainly biosolids incineration at Duffin Creek WPCP, fugitive
wastewater emissions and natural gas usage).
b. In 2023, the Works Department initiated the development of a Water and
Wastewater GHG Emission Management Strategy to provide a roadmap
towards decarbonization across the Region’s water and sanitary sewer
treatment plants, storage facilities and pumping stations. Work to finalize
the Strategy is underway, and is anticipated to be presented to Council in
Q2 2024 with identified decarbonization measures incorporated into the
2025 business planning and budgets process, including the 2025-2034 ten
year capital plan. The Strategy will identify measures such as renewable
natural gas (RNG) generation from wastewater treatment plants, and
thermal heat recovery from the Region’s sewer network as key
opportunities to align corporate leadership with community-wide
decarbonization objectives.
c. The Strategy will also make recommendations for inclusion of additional
emissions within the Region’s corporate emissions inventory, mainly related
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Report #2024-COW-12 Page 17 of 24
to Regional wastewater process emissions not currently quantified and
reported. It is expected that the Region’s emissions reporting protocols and
boundaries for GHG reporting will be expanded for the 2025 CCAP update
to include these additional emission sources.
4. Durham Community Climate Adaptation Plan (DCCAP) Update – Towards
Resilience
4.1 This section provides an update on climate adaptation and resilience measures,
and highlights implementation progress, by sector, on the proposed programs
recommended in the DCCAP approved by Council in 2016.
4.2 In 2020, the Region updated its future climate projections using the most up-to-
date climate information. This updated climate modelling indicates that the
climate change impacts already being felt will become more intense and severe
over the coming decades.
4.3 Cross-Sector – Recommended Programs to increase climate resilience and
action across departments and sectors and strengthen social cohesion in
communities.
a. CS1: Protect Our Outside Workers – Durham Region approved a
Heat Stress – Occupational Health and Safety Directive in 2023 to ensure
protective procedures are in place to reduce the hazard of heat stress to all
Region of Durham employees who work in high temperature environments.
b. CS2: Social Infrastructure for Emergency Resilience – Several local
area municipalities have or are developing cross-sector adaptation and
resilience plans to identify and address local climate risks and
vulnerabilities, including:
• City of Pickering (in development),
• Town of Ajax,
• Town of Whitby, and;
• Municipality of Clarington.
c. Other initiatives to support community resilience and cross-sector climate
action have been initiated including:
• Climate Resiliency: A Resident’s Guide developed by Durham
Environment and Climate Advisory Committee (DECAC),
• Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Program (SNAP) in Ajax and
Whitby, and
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Report #2024-COW-12 Page 18 of 24
• Planning for a new Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
(TRCA) Climate Ready Towers program for multi-unit residential
buildings.
d. Corporate Resilience – The Region and local area municipalities are
required to develop corporate asset management plans and reports which
include reporting of risk and climate change adaptation and mitigation
initiatives. Integration of climate adaptation into infrastructure design and
operations occurs on a divisional basis. The Region is currently developing
a Sustainable Infrastructure Design Policy and Standard in alignment with
Strategic Plan goals and values, providing a tool to operationalize
sustainability into Transportation, Water and Wastewater, and Waste
infrastructure projects and facilities. Staff expect to present an overview of a
draft policy and example standard to Council for information later in 2024.
4.4 Building Sector – Recommended programs to improve resilience of new and
existing buildings to future climate conditions, through development standards and
adaptation retrofits.
a. B1: The Durham Climate Resilience Standards for New Buildings –,
The Region and several local area municipalities have approved new
standards incorporating climate resilience into new construction. In 2023,
Durham Council approved the Durham Standard – A Standard for Regional
Municipality of Durham Facility Construction and Renovation Projects
requiring measures for asset resiliency, circular economy, water efficiency
and ecology. Town of Ajax, City of Pickering, Town of Whitby, and
Municipality of Clarington have Green Development Standards approved or
under development that promote cool roofs, natural heritage and urban
forest, stormwater management, renewable energy, and greenspace
protection. The Conservation Authorities have also developed technical and
engineering guidelines for stormwater management, guided by provincial
requirements.
b. B2: Building Retrofit for Climate Resilience – The Region is working to
expand the Durham Greener Homes (DGH) program (described above in
Section 2.3) to include resilience measures such as basement flood
mitigation, stormwater management and sustainable landscapes. This
program will cross-promote emergency preparedness and heat protection
programs. Staff expect to bring a proposed program update that includes
resilience measures to Council for review and approval later in 2024.
4.5 Flooding Sector – Recommended programs to proactively reduce urban and
riverine flooding risk, severity, frequency, and impact.
a. F1: Address Urban Flooding –
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Report #2024-COW-12 Page 19 of 24
• There have been several urban flooding and stormwater related
assessments and projects led by the local area municipalities, for
example Whitby Bridge and Culvert Master Plan, and
Uxbridge Stormwater Management Master Plan.
• Following a Stormwater Management Funding Feasibility Study, the
Town of Ajax introduced a Stormwater Fee and Credit Program in
2023 to support funding for the Town’s stormwater management
program, including system maintenance and rehabilitation.
• There are also examples of low impact development (LID)
implementation projects across the Region at public facilities, within
municipal rights-of-way, and at demonstration sites, for example at
Ontario Tech University’s North Oshawa Campus, and
Ajax Lakeshore Rain Gardens, and permeable parking installations.
• In Q2 2023, Durham Region launched Flood Ready Durham, an
information and resource hub about flood risk and resilience in the
community. The website helps residents learn about their flood risk
level, different types of flooding, and offers guides and other
resources to help get flood ready and know who to call if flooding
occurs.
b. F2: Redefine Flood Hazards to Consider Climate Change & F4:
Address Riverine Flooding – Durham conservation authorities have led
several initiatives including updated floodplain mapping for Durham’s
watersheds including analysis of future climate change scenarios (e.g.,
TRCA
Duffin’s Creek, GRCA Lovekin, Bouchette Point, Port Granby Creeks,
Wilmot, Graham Creek), watershed flood studies and management plans
(e.g., Lynde Creek, Krosno Creek) and dike rehabilitation projects (e.g.,
Ajax).
c. F3: Improve Flood Forecasting, Warning and Emergency Response –
Conservation authorities continue to provide flood forecasting, flood status
indicators, and flood warnings to municipalities and the broader community.
Updated flood modelling developed through studies such as the Region’s
Flood Vulnerable Road and Crossing Hydraulic Capacity Assessment
(outlined below in Road Sector), provide information for emergency
planning. Where possible, local area municipalities together with other
municipalities, conservation authorities, and Ministry of Natural Resources
and Forestry develop annual Flood Contingency Plans and Flood
Preparedness Guides (e.g., Clarington Flood Preparedness Guide). Area
specific plans have also been developed, including Town of Ajax Lower
Carruthers Site Specific Emergency Response Plan.
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Report #2024-COW-12 Page 20 of 24
4.6 Human Health Sector – Recommended programs to reduce health risks
associated with extreme heat through advanced warning, protective measures for
vulnerable residents, and reduced ambient summer temperatures.
a. HH1: Extreme Weather Alert and Response (EWAR) System – In 2016,
Durham’s Health Protection division launched Durham Region’s Heat
Warning and Information System (HWIS), which provides advance notice of
extreme heat conditions to municipalities, community partners and the
public so that heat response plans can be activated in advance of extreme
heat.
b. HH3: “Cool Durham” Heat Reduction Program - In 2018, Durham
developed Keeping Our Cool - Urban Heat Strategy providing an overview
of urban heat island causes, impacts, high risk areas in Durham, and
recommended reduction measures. The Durham Region Standard (refer to
Section 3.5) and local area municipal green building standards (see Section
2.5) integrate measures to encourage cooling of buildings as part of new
construction or major renovation. Efforts to reduce urban heat have also
been considered in local area municipal initiatives such as parks and
recreation plans, urban forest initiatives, and Sustainable Neighbourhood
Action Program (SNAP) in Ajax and Whitby.
c. Durham Region Health Department (DRHD) is currently developing a
region-wide Climate Change and Health Vulnerability Assessment to
examine the health-related impacts of climate change. These include
extreme heat, extreme weather, vector-borne diseases (e.g., tick-borne
diseases and
West Nile virus) access and quality of food and water, poor air quality, and
ultraviolet radiation.
4.7 Road Sector – Recommended programs to improve road performance and
resilience to extreme heat and rain events and protect from washouts at stream
crossings.
a. R1 Resilient Asphalt Program – Heat resilient asphalt standards are now
available. Climate-related increases in heat will be monitored and
implemented when warranted.
b. R2: Road Embankment Program – The Region has led several successful
pilots to address the impacts of extreme storm events on road
embankments, with lessons applied to new projects where application is
warranted.
c. R3: Adaptive Culverts and Bridges – Durham Region worked with TRCA
in 2022 to develop a Flood Vulnerable Road and Crossing Hydraulic
Capacity Assessment, identifying roads most vulnerable to flooding and
recommendations to prepare for more frequent and intense rainstorms.
This work informs asset management, disaster route planning, and
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Report #2024-COW-12 Page 21 of 24
prioritizing future investments. CLOCA completed a similar study in 2023,
and planning is underway for GRCA to undertake this work in 2024. All risk
assessment results will be made available to regional staff through
Durham’s GIS mapping.
d. Durham Maintenance Operations – Roads and Facilities staff successfully
secured funding from Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) to lead a pilot to
implement pollinator gardens along two regional roads and at regional
depot facilities. The process and outcomes will be monitored and may help
inform a broader strategy for pollinator plantings along strategic regional
roads and facilities on a larger scale. This work is supported by the Council-
endorsed DECAC motion regarding programming to support pollinators on
Regional facilities and along Regional Rights-of-Way to support natural
habitats and restoration.
4.8 Natural Environment Sector – Recommended programs to enhance natural
capital and build climate resilience in the natural environment.
a. NE1: Achieving Climate Change Resilience in the Natural Environment
• In 2022, a TRCA Durham Natural System Climate Change
Vulnerability Assessment was developed to identify natural system
vulnerability to future climate conditions, helping inform Durham
Region’s Natural Heritage System (NHS) science, policy, and
planning.
• Recent watershed planning is incorporating climate change
scenarios into the process (i.e., TRCA Carruthers Creek Watershed
Plan), and some conservation authorities are developing climate
adaptation strategies (i.e., LSRCA).
• Protection and natural system resilience continues to be supported
by local area municipalities and conservation authority’s securement
of environmentally sensitive land, ecological restoration and
management projects, neighbourhood, or project-scale nature-based
initiatives. The Town of Ajax has recently developed an Urban Forest
Study, Invasive Species Awareness Program, and Invasive
Phragmites Strategic Management Plan which will inform other local
area municipality approaches.
• New ecosystem services tools have been developed including
TRCA, Credit Valley Conservation (CVC), and LSRCA’s Natural
Asset Carbon Assessment Guide and Toolbox in 2022, developed to
estimate green infrastructure carbon sequestration and storage .
Oshawa’s Municipal Natural Assets Initiative was initiated to
understand and increase resilience of natural assets along the
Oshawa Creek. TRCA’s Nature-Based Climate Solutions Siting Tool
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Report #2024-COW-12 Page 22 of 24
was developed in 2023 to identify strategic locations for green
infrastructure and co-benefits, and can be applied outside TRCA
jurisdiction.
• In 2022, Durham Region and its five conservation authorities
launched Durham TREES, a subsidized rural tree-planting program
resulting in 218,000 trees planted in two (2) years. Planning is
underway for a second phase, as well as a partnership with Trees for
Life to support the Federal government’s 2 Billion Trees program
across the Region.
• Since 2020, the Region and local area municipalities have partnered
with LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests) to plant
over 1,300 native trees and shrubs. The LEAF planting program
offers a subsidized rate through the Backyard Tree Planting Program
for residents, multi-unit property owners, and commercial property
owners in participating municipalities.
4.9 Food Security Sector – Recommended programs to address climate adaptation
in the commercial agriculture and food supply sectors.
a. FS1: Convene Commercial Agriculture Task Force – Following the
approval of the Durham Community Climate Adaptation Plan in 2016, two
addenda were developed to support development of climate adaptation
strategies in the commercial agriculture and food supply sectors. In 2019
Growing Resilience - A Durham Agriculture Sector Climate Adaptation
Strategy was developed by the Agricultural Sector Expert Task Force,
identifying risks to the local agricultural sector and adaptation opportunities.
In 2021, Inspiring Next Steps - A Summary of Durham Region’s Food
Security Task Force was developed summarizing climate change impact on
residents’ food access, the results of several food security initiatives and
key recommendations on food security.
b. In 2024, the Durham Food Policy Council published the first Durham Food
System Report Card, evaluating a range of local food system indicators
including food access, production, farmland protection, waste, education
and literacy, Indigenous food sovereignty, cultural connections to food, and
farmers and food system worker welfare. This report card and the above
noted strategies support the objectives of the citizen-led Durham Food
Charter developed in 2009.
5. Relationship to Strategic Plan
5.1 This report aligns with the following strategic goals and priorities in the Durham
Region Strategic Plan:
a. Goal #1 – Environmental Sustainability
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Report #2024-COW-12 Page 23 of 24
• Goal 1.1 - Accelerate the adoption of green technologies and clean
energy solutions through strategic partnerships and investment;
• Goal 1.4 - Demonstrate leadership in sustainability and addressing
climate change; and
• Goal 1.5 - Expand sustainable and active transportation.
b. Goal #3 – Economic Prosperity:
• Goal 3.4 - Capitalize on Durham’s strengths in key economic sectors
to attract high-quality jobs.
6. Conclusion
6.1 Following Durham Region’s climate emergency declaration, staff have focused on
driving implementation of the Region’s existing council-endorsed plans, and
working to establish the Regional municipality as a leader in the context of
community wide climate action. This report provides Council with an update on the
implementation status of Region’s three Council-endorsed climate action plans
covering work on community-wide energy transitions under the DCEP, community-
wide climate resilience initiatives under the DCCAP, and corporate climate
leadership programs under the CCAP. The report identifies key challenges,
opportunities, and next steps to better align climate action efforts with the vision,
goals and targets established by Regional Council.
6.2 Within the DCEP, implementation remains focused on supporting energy retrofits
in existing homes and buildings with planned enhancements to the Durham
Greener Homes (DGH) program to leverage digital technologies to enhance
resident engagement, and the initial implementation of the Durham Greener
Buildings (DGB) Program. Critical work continues in new building construction,
including creation of a voluntary green development support program for the
building industry, and work to advance the feasibility of district energy opportunities
in strategic growth areas. Transportation-related emissions continue to represent
the largest share of the Region’s community-wide carbon footprint, and will require
sustained investment in public transit services, active transportation infrastructure,
and EV charging infrastructure to see reductions in the coming years.
6.3 Within the CCAP, corporate building retrofits and high-performance new building
construction are commencing, and GHG Emission Reduction Pathway studies are
expected to be completed towards the end of 2024 for all building portfolios to
enable integration of measures into the business planning and budgets process.
The Water and Wastewater GHG Management Strategy is nearly complete and
will provide a pathway towards decarbonization across Regional water and
wastewater options, accounting for planned capacity growth to serve a growing
population.
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Report #2024-COW-12 Page 24 of 24
6.4 Within the DCCAP, implementation led by the Region, local area municipalities and
conservation authorities is well underway across most recommended program
areas. In 2024, the focus is on integrating resilience retrofit measures into the DGH
program, developing a Durham Sustainable Infrastructure Design Policy and
Standard, and completing Public Health climate vulnerability assessments. These
will integrate equity considerations, leverage collaborations for collective impact,
and consider strategic monitoring and evaluation to track change and demonstrate
success.
6.5 This report has been reviewed by staff in Works, Finance, Planning, Social
Services, Transit, DRPS, and Health, including RDPS and approved by Sandra
Austin, Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives, 905-668-7711, extension 2449.
6.6 For additional information, contact: Ian McVey, Manager, Sustainability, at 905-
668-7711, extension 3803.
Respectfully submitted,
Original signed by
Elaine C. Baxter-Trahair
Chief Administrative Officer
Page 32
THIS LETTER HAS BEEN FORWARDED TO THE EIGHT AREA CLERKS
If you require this information in an accessible format, please call 1-800-372-1102 ext. 2097.
The Regional Municipality of Durham
Corporate Services Department – Legislative Services Division
605 Rossland Rd. E.
Level 1 PO Box 623 Whitby, ON L1N 6A3
Canada
905-668-7711 1-800-372-1102
durham.ca
Alexander Harras M.P.A. Director of Legislative Services & Regional Clerk
Sent Via Email
April 25, 2024
June Gallagher
Clerk
Municipality of Clarington 40 Temperance Street Bowmanville, ON L1C 3A6
Dear June Gallagher:
RE: The Region of Durham’s response to the Ontario Regulatory Registry posting related to the “Proposal to create regulation to support implementation of the GO Transit Station Funding Act, 2023” (2024-COW-14), Our File: T05
Council of the Region of Durham, at its meeting held on April 24,
2024, adopted the following recommendations of the Committee of the Whole:
“A) That the letter from Regional staff to the Ministry of Infrastructure as contained in Attachment 2 of Report #2024-COW-14 of the Commissioners of Finance and Planning and
Economic Development, be endorsed as the Region of Durham’s response to Ontario’s Regulatory Registry post regarding the proposal to create regulation to support the implementation of the GO Transit Station Funding Act, 2023; and
B) That a copy of Report #2024-COW-14 and Council resolution be sent to all area municipalities within the Region of Durham.”
Please find enclosed a copy of Report #2024-COW-14 for your information.
Alexander Harras
Alexander Harras, Director of Legislative Services & Regional Clerk
AH/sd
Page 33
If you require this information in an accessible format, please call 1-800-372-1102 extension 2097.
Enclosed
c: N. Taylor, Commissioner of Finance B. Bridgeman, Commissioner of Planning and Economic Development
Page 34
If this information is required in an accessible format, please contact 1-800-372-1102 ext. 2564.
The Regional Municipality of Durham
Report
To: Committee of the Whole
From: Commissioner of Finance and Commissioner of Planning and Economic
Development
Report: #2024-COW-14
Date: April 10, 2024
Subject:
The Region of Durham’s response to the Ontario Regulatory Registry posting related to
the “Proposal to create regulation to support implementation of the GO Transit Station
Funding Act, 2023”
Recommendation:
That the Committee of the Whole recommends to Regional Council:
A) That the letter from the CAO to the Province of Ontario as contained in Attachment
2 to Report #2024-COW-14, be endorsed as the Region of Durham’s response to
Ontario’s Regulatory Registry post regarding the proposal to create regulation to
support the implementation of the GO Transit Station Funding Act, 2023; and,
B) That a copy of this report and Council resolution be sent to all area municipalities
within the Region of Durham.
Report:
1. Purpose
1.1 The purpose of this report is to seek Regional Council endorsement of Regional
staff’s submission to the Province dated March 27, 2024, regarding the feedback the
Ministry of Infrastructure is seeking to develop a regulation to implement the Transit
Station Charge (TSC) through the GO Transit Station Funding Act, 2023.
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Report #2024-COW-14 Page 2 of 10
1.2 On December 4, 2023, the GO Transit Station Funding Act, 2023 received Royal
Assent. The legislation enables upper, single and lower-tier municipalities, as may
be prescribed, to support the delivery of new GO stations through the collection of a
TSC generated from development to pay for costs related to the construction of
stations that the municipality has agreed to upfront finance.
1.3 The proposed feedback request from the Ministry of Infrastructure was posted for a
45-day comment period on the Ontario Regulatory Registry, which ended on March
29, 2024 (24-MOI003). As such, Regional staff submitted preliminary comments to
ensure that the Region of Durham’s comments were received prior to the
commenting deadline. Should Regional Council wish to offer additional or different
comments, a revised response to the Province will be submitted.
2. Background
2.1 The Region of Durham has been working with the provincial government for over 30
years to expand GO train service to Bowmanville, which is a 20-kilometre extension
involving four proposed new GO stations in the City of Oshawa and the Municipality
of Clarington.
2.2 On December 7, 2017, Metrolinx awarded a Technical Advisor contract to Stantec to
provide technical advisory, design, and construction support services for the
Lakeshore GO East Extension to Bowmanville. The Technical Advisor has designed
the rail extension to approximately 50 per cent, excluding the stations, in anticipation
of awarding a Construction Manager at Risk contract to refine and bring the rail
extension to 100 per cent design and priced for construction.
2.3 In 2018, Metrolinx introduced its Market Driven Strategy. This strategy introduced
the concept of “the benefiter pays”, where the Province would no longer pay for new
GO stations. Instead, Metrolinx would leverage the value of the new transit service
and would work with landowners adjacent to GO stations, (who stand to benefit the
greatest from the introduction of the transit service), to pay for the station in
exchange for the rapid transit service.
2.4 The Market Driven Strategy is based on the ability of a single developer to pay for
and build a GO station in exchange for the increased land value associated with the
new transit infrastructure.
2.5 Despite having carried out an engagement process to identify station partners in
Durham, it has proven challenging for Metrolinx to secure developer agreements to
pay for any of the four stations, underpinned by the following reasons:
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Report #2024-COW-14 Page 3 of 10
a. The fragmented land ownership around the proposed stations means that no
single land parcel can generate enough land value uplift to support paying for
stations; and,
b. The land value uplift and Regional market conditions are not strong enough
within the Durham context for any single developer to absorb the cost of a
station while supporting a viable development.
2.6 On June 15, 2023, Metrolinx awarded the rail extension Construction Manager at
Risk (CMAR) contract to Bowmanville Construction Partners which is a general
partnership between Ledcor CMI Ltd. and Dragados Canada Inc. This consortium
will advance the rail extension to 100 per cent design for Metrolinx and will be the
preferred contractor to build the rail extension. At present, the CMAR contract does
not include the design or construction of the four proposed stations.
2.7 On September 25, 2023, the Province introduced new legislation, titled the GO
Transit Station Funding Act, 2023.
2.8 On December 4, 2023, the GO Transit Station Funding Act, 2023 received Royal
Assent and came into force. This legislation:
a. gives municipalities the ability to pass a by-law to collect a TSC to be levied
on lands subject to development to pay costs related to the construction of a
proposed new GO Transit station within a prescribed area around a proposed
new GO station, provided a by-law is passed before the construction of the
GO station begins;
b. provides that the TSC may recover costs related to station construction,
interest on any debt incurred to pay any costs to be recovered, and any other
amount provided for in the by-law;
c. makes the TSC payable upon the issuance of a building permit, with some
provisions for earlier or later payments;
d. establishes reporting requirements for participating municipalities and a
recourse for unpaid charges;
e. requires municipalities that choose to enact a TSC by-law to undertake a
background study to determine if a charge is payable in any particular case,
set the rate of the charge, establish the land area where the charges will
apply, complete public consultation, and receive consent from the Minister of
Infrastructure to pass the by-law; and
f. exempts lands owned and used for the purposes of a municipality or school
board.
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Report #2024-COW-14 Page 4 of 10
2.9 The Ministry of Infrastructure is seeking feedback to prepare regulation under the
GO Transit Station Funding Act, 2023 to implement the TSC and the transit station
by-law. It is critical that the Province moves quickly on these regulations, as the
design of the rail corridor extension for the Lakeshore East GO Extension to
Bowmanville continues to progress, whereas the design of the stations are lagging
behind significantly. If the Region were to upfront the cost of these stations through
this new legislation, the longer it takes to determine the viability of the program, the
more costs the Region could incur in redesign to have the stations work integrated
with the rail corridor works, thereby decreasing the overall project feasibility.
3. Proposal to create regulation to support implementation of the GO Transit
Station Funding Act, 2023
3.1 The Ontario Regulatory Registry posting included a series of questions the Ministry
of Infrastructure was requesting feedback on from stakeholders. The Ontario
Regulatory Registry posting can be found in Attachment 2. Below includes a high-
level summary of the Region of Durham staff’s comments on the questions.
How municipalities should be directed to map the boundaries to which they can
apply the Transit Station Charge?
3.2 The geographic boundaries for the collection of a TSC should relate to the impact
that transit has on real estate value, as Bill 131 is based on land value capture.
3.3 Each community and each station site is unique, therefore the forecasted impact of
the transit service on real estate value and development will be different. Broad
considerations include the extent to which an area is urbanized, existing transit
options, boundaries such as infrastructure, or natural features, and the status of
land use permissions. As a result, mapping of the boundaries to which the TSC may
apply should be determined by each municipality on a case-by-case basis as part of
the preparation of the background study.
3.4 Any delineation is likely best started in the context of provincially delineated Major
Transit Station Areas (MTSA) or Protected Major Transit Station Areas (PMTSA’s)
as the provincial policy that guides these delineations specifically prescribes policy
benefits to land within a prescribed distance of a rapid transit station.
3.5 Flexibility related to the mapping should be provided to consider the following
factors:
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Report #2024-COW-14 Page 5 of 10
a. the configuration/compact nature/walkability of the planned neighbourhood
b. whether lands outside of the MTSA or PMTSA will be impacted by the
presence of the rapid transit station and service
c. the benefits provided to a wider geographic area from increased access to
regional transit service.
What costs related to construction of a new GO station should be recoverable
through the Transit Station Charge?
3.6 An excessive TSC will disincentivize development and is entirely contrary to the
objective of equitably pooling land value uplift contributions by benefiting
landowners in order to pay for a new GO station. It is critical that the TSC remains
price sensitive and therefore cannot include endless costs to be recovered by
Metrolinx and the municipality.
3.7 Construction costs for the station must be fixed at the time financing is being sought
by the municipalities, as municipalities should not be involved in the delivery and
oversight of the construction of the GO stations. Accordingly, it should not be the
municipality’s responsibility to pay for project cost over runs or unknown conditions.
3.8 The recoverable costs through the TSC should include:
• All costs associated with the studies needed to complete the background
study including those required to assess the feasibility and risks of paying
for the station(s), legal and advisory fees for the design, implementation,
financing and administration of the station funding by law; and
• All design and construction costs including municipal advisory services for
station design oversight.
The methodology and considerations to be included when calculating the charge
and any additional requirements of the background study?
3.9 Reliable station costs should be examined against a conservative long term, market-
based development forecast tested under several amortization time periods and
interest rates scenarios.
3.10 Recognizing that a TSC is different than a development charge that seeks to
achieve complete cost recovery, the methodology should consider the principles of
equity and certainty for the private sector to have trust and confidence that the
charge will reflect land value capture.
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Report #2024-COW-14 Page 6 of 10
3.11 Municipalities should be allowed to vary the TSC throughout the geographic area
the by-law is subject to as justified through the background study work related to
land value uplift (i.e. varying the charge based on proximity to station), which will
contribute to the overall calculation of the charge.
3.12 Municipalities should be permitted to use a conservative development forecast as
municipalities cannot take on undue risk. There must be flexibility to allow for
changes to the charge under exceptional circumstances.
3.13 A detailed methodology is included in Attachment 2.
What are acceptable offset strategies or measures that prescribed municipalities
can consider?
3.14 The introduction of transit infrastructure and fast frequent service, combined with
municipally and provincially sponsored land use permissions that allow for a range
of high-density developments increases land value for landowners, which creates a
significant offset to landowners developing within the area. This increase in land
value coupled with reduced parking standards, expedited municipal approvals, and
guaranteed access to municipal services are offsets that the municipalities can
consider.
What is the methodology for calculating municipal offsets and co-ordinating
offsets with the requirement for fee payment?
3.15 The offsets identified above are the primary drivers of land value increases that
support the TSC payment. All other municipal fees and requirements, such as
planning application fees, reduced parking standards, access to servicing, etc.,
should be incorporated into the analysis to show total value to the landowner and
present it in the context of the difference in value if there were no station or transit
service. The regulation should allow for a broad range of value related offsets such
as guaranteed transit service based on municipal financial risk, as well as municipal
offsets to ensure that this legislation continues to be based in a market driven
strategy where the benefiter pays and does not become a municipal subsidy.
In addition to the draft by-law and background study, what additional information,
if any, should the Minister of Infrastructure require from municipalities before
deciding to approve a Transit Station Charge by-law?
3.16 Municipal commitment to ensure transit supportive land uses, densities and policies
are in place along with servicing.
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Report #2024-COW-14 Page 7 of 10
3.17 Overall, the regulation should provide prescribed municipalities as much flexibility as
possible to identify the appropriate components and TSC that will work for their
community to deliver new GO stations.
3.18 The municipality should retain the right to terminate all agreements in the event the
Minister makes amendments to the by-law that render the TSC no longer feasible
from the municipality’s perspective.
Should the Province consider exemption for certain forms of development from the
Transit Station Charge?
3.19 Yes, and these should be identified by the municipality relative to their local context
and the amount of revenue the transit service will generate. In addition, government
owned lands should be subject to the TSC unless the proposed form of
development is an exempted land use as determined by the municipality.
3.20 Where public institutions are exempt, the exemption should only apply to the space
being provided for public institutional purposes (i.e., not retail, or other commercial
uses therein).
3.21 In addition to considering certain exemptions, municipalities should have the option
to recover lost revenue from exemptions through the TSC, permit phase-ins for
certain community uses such as non-profit housing, and pre-payment to hedge
inflation, if in the municipality’s view it is fair to the development industry and
wouldn’t disincentivize development.
Additional Items for Ministry Consideration
3.22 Interest costs paid by the municipality should be minimized wherever possible, and
for this reason, no cost of any kind, and in particular interest costs, should be paid
by a municipality until the designating TSC by-law is passed to collect the charge,
and there is an agreement with Metrolinx that the station will be constructed.
3.23 In terms of Metrolinx staff costs to manage and deliver the project, this needs to be
assessed in the context of whether the GO station is a planned capital project.
Stations that are part of a planned Metrolinx capital extension project, such as the
Bowmanville Go Extension, means that Metrolinx has already planned for the
resources to deliver the project in its budget planning process. These fees should
not be paid by the municipality and recovered from the private sector. If the station
is not a planned capital project, the case for Metrolinx staff cost recovery may make
sense.
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Report #2024-COW-14 Page 8 of 10
3.24 In the case of a planned rail extension and the fact that there are finite costs that
can be recovered, it does not make sense to seek land costs from the municipality
which will be recovered through the private sector. The GO station asset and
associated lands will be owned operated, maintained and leveraged for future
optimization and as such, the private sector should not bear that cost either.
3.25 If the TSC results in funding that meets the target funding levels prior to debt
retirement the municipality should be allowed to direct the surplus towards capital
improvements that maybe necessary for accommodating improved services and
increasing ridership.
4. Previous Reports and Decisions
4.1 On May 6, 2022, the Commissioner of the Planning and Economic Development
Department released Council Information Report #2022-INFO-38, “Approval of the
Lakeshore East GO Extension to Bowmanville”, which provided Council with an
update on the approved alignment of the Extension and identified next steps.
4.2 On March 29, 2023, Council considered and endorsed confidential Committee of the
Whole Report #2023-COW-11 containing information regarding the Bowmanville
GO Extension station funding strategies.
4.3 On November 29, 2023, Council considered and endorsed the recommendations of
Committee of the Whole Report #2023-COW-38, “Durham Region’s response to the
proposed GO Transit Station Funding Act, 2023 which is a section within Bill 131:
Transportation for the Future Act, 2023”, which sought endorsement of Durham
Region staff’s input into the draft GO Transit Station Funding Act, 2023 legislation.
5. Next Steps
5.1 The Region will continue to explore the use of the new legislation as the regulation
is developed as a means to ensure GO station delivery for the Bowmanville GO
Extension project.
5.2 Regional staff will continue working with the Ministry of Infrastructure on the draft
regulation, and report back to Council accordingly.
6. Relationship to Strategic Plan
6.1 The Lakeshore East GO Extension to Bowmanville will improve mobility and travel
options, supports transit-oriented development and in particular, housing, and aligns
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Report #2024-COW-14 Page 9 of 10
with/addresses the following strategic goals and priorities in the Durham Region
Strategic Plan:
a. Goal 1 Environmental Sustainability: Objective 1.5: Expand sustainable and
active transportation.
b. Goal 2 Community Vitality: Objective 2.1: Revitalize existing neighbourhoods
and build complete communities that are walkable, well-connected, and have a
mix of attainable housing.
c. Goal 3 Economic Prosperity: Objective 3.3: Enhance communications and
transportation networks to better connect people and move goods efficiently.
d. Goal 4 Social Investment: Objective 4.1: Revitalize community housing and
improve housing choice, affordability, and sustainability.
7. Conclusion
7.1 The GO Transit Station Funding Act, 2023 received Royal Assent and came into
force on December 4, 2023.
7.2 The Ministry of Infrastructure is preparing regulations to implement the funding tools
set out in the Act and is seeking feedback from stakeholders.
7.3 It is recommended that this Report and its recommendations be endorsed as the
Region of Durham’s response to the feedback request on the Ontario Regulatory
Registry as the next step required to support the design and construction of new GO
stations in the Metrolinx service area.
7.4 This report has been prepared in consultation with the CAO’s office.
8. Attachments
Attachment #1: Ontario Regulatory Registry Posting 24-MOI003
Attachment #2: Region of Durham Submission to the Ontario Regulatory
Registry, commenting on the Ministry of Infrastructure’s proposal
to create regulation to support implementation of the GO Transit
Station Funding Act, 2023
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Report #2024-COW-14 Page 10 of 10
Respectfully submitted,
Original signed by
Brian Bridgeman, MCIP, RPP, PLE
Commissioner of Planning and
Economic Development
Original signed by
Nancy Taylor, BBA, CPA, CA Commissioner of Finance
Recommended for Presentation to Committee
Original signed by
Elaine C. Baxter-Trahair
Chief Administrative Officer
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Attachment 1Page 45
Page 46
If this information is required in an accessible format, please contact Planning Reception at 1-800-372-
1102, ext. 2548.
The Regional Municipality of Durham
Planning and Economic Development Department
Planning Division
605 Rossland Road East Level 4 PO Box 623 Whitby, ON L1N 6A3 Canada
905-668-77111-800-372-1102
Email: planning@durham.ca
durham.ca
Brian Bridgeman, MCIP, RPP, PLE Commissioner of Planning and Economic Development
Attachment 2
Sent Via Ontario Regulatory Register
March 27, 2024
Ministry of Infrastructure Transit Oriented Communities Policy & Delivery Branch College Park 777 Bay Street, 4th Floor, Suite 425
Toronto, ON M5G 2E5Address
RE: Ministry of Infrastructure’s Ontario Regulatory Registry proposal to create regulation to support the implementation of the GO Transit Station Funding Act, 2023, Proposal No. 24-MOI003
On behalf of the Region of Durham, please accept the following
staff commentary in response to the “Proposal to create regulation
to support the implementation of the GO Transit Station Funding Act, 2023”. Please note that due to the commenting period on the Ontario Regulatory Registry, regional staff will be seeking endorsement of this letter at its Regional Council meeting on April
24, 2024. Should any modifications be made by Regional Council, I
will immediately advise your office.
Regional staff continue to be supportive of the GO Transit Station Funding Act, 2023, which received Royal Assent on December 4, 2023, and which established the new funding tool to enable
prescribed municipalities (referenced as “municipality” or
“municipalities”) to support the construction of critical new GO stations. The Region appreciates that the Ministry is now starting to develop the regulation needed to implement the Transit Station Charge (TSC) and urges the Ministry to continue to work
collaboratively with its stakeholders to develop the regulation in a
timely manner, understanding the compressed timeline that the Region of Durham continues to operate within.
Please find Regional staff comments and feedback below related to the questions posed in the Ontario Regulatory Registry posting.
How municipalities should be directed to map the boundaries to which they can apply the Transit Station Charge?
The geographic boundaries for the collection of a TSC should relate to the impact that transit has on real estate value, as Bill 131 is based on land value capture.
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Page 2 of 7
Each community and each station site is unique, therefore the forecasted impact of the transit service on real estate value and development will be different. Broad considerations include the extent to which an area is urbanized, existing transit options, boundaries such as infrastructure, or natural features, and the
status of land use permissions. As a result, mapping of the boundaries to which the TSC may apply should be determined by each municipality on a case-by-case basis as part of the preparation of the Background Study.
In general, the process for mapping the boundaries should include
the following:
• Review MTSA Boundaries. Many municipalities will have established Major Transit Station Area (MTSA) boundaries for future transit expansions as there is provincial policy that
guides these delineations and specifically prescribes policy benefits to land within a prescribed distance of a rapid transit station. This work should be reviewed and considered as the minimum boundaries for the TSC. The MTSA (or PMSTA) boundaries should be reviewed against lands available for
redevelopment and the impact on the overall community.
• Lands Available for Redevelopment. An analysis of the local area that considers the pattern of existing land use and the probability of redevelopment as a result of the transit
investment – often called a “soft site” analysis – should be
undertaken. Sites that are close to, but not within the boundary of the MTSA might be included if it is determined that the transit service would have a material impact of the development or redevelopment of the area.
• Impact on the overall community. The boundary may also be influenced by the overall impact on the community. Where the transit offers a new service in an area where it is expected that the market impacts extend beyond the MTSA a larger TSC
area might be considered. For example, for Greater Golden Horseshoe communities that rely heavily on highway infrastructure to access the City of Toronto, the introduction of GO services may have a much more significant market impact than that experienced in more urban areas.
What costs related to construction of a new GO station should be recoverable through the Transit Station Charge?
As a precursor to advising on what would be fair to ask the private sector to pay in terms of cost recovery, it is critical to state that there is only so much cost that the private sector will be willing to bear,
and that an excessive TSC will disincentivize development and is
contrary to the objective of equitably pooling land value uplift contributions by benefiting landowners in order to pay for a new GO station. The TSC must be price sensitive and therefore cannot
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include endless costs to be recovered by Metrolinx and the municipality.
In addition to identifying what is fair for the private sector to pay, it is critical to ensure that construction costs for the station are fixed at the time financing is sought by the municipalities, as municipalities
should not be involved in the delivery and oversight of the construction. Accordingly, it should not be the municipality’s responsibility to pay for project cost over runs or unknown conditions.
The recoverable costs through the Transit Station Charge should
include:
• All costs associated with the studies needed to complete the Background study, including those required to assess the feasibility and risks of paying for the station(s), legal and
advisory fees for the design, implementation, financing and
administration of the station funding by law.
• All design and construction costs including municipal advisory services for station design oversight.
The methodology and considerations to be included when calculating the fee and any additional requirements of the background study?
Reliable station costs should be examined against a conservative long term, market-based development forecast tested under several
amortization time periods and interest rate scenarios.
Recognizing that a TSC is different than a development charge that seeks to achieve complete cost recovery, the methodology should consider the principles of equity and certainty for the private sector to have trust and confidence that the charge will reflect land value
capture.
Municipalities should be allowed to vary the TSC throughout the geographic area the by-law is subject to as justified through the background study work related to land value uplift (i.e., varying charge based on proximity to station), which will contribute to the
overall calculation of the charge.
Municipalities should be permitted to use a conservative development forecast, as municipalities cannot take on undue risk. There must be flexibility to allow for changes to the charge under exceptional circumstances.
The following summarizes the key steps Durham Region believes should be included as part of the Background Study methodology:
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Page 4 of 7
• Identify probable TSC area boundaries: As discussed above several scenarios should be developed to evaluate/assess the impact of various approaches to the boundaries of the TSC collection areas.
• Identify soft sites: Within each boundary scenario identify development or redevelopment sites and calculate the probable development yield from each site in terms of gross floor area and unit yields for the forecast period.
• Growth Forecasts: A long term, market based, development forecast should be prepared based on the expected long-term demand for intensified land uses within the Station Areas based on:
o The growth forecast for the community.
o The market attributes of the station area geographic location including the pattern of existing and surrounding land uses. o The amount of growth forecasted for higher density
development forms from a municipal perspective.
o Lands that may attract development that could form competitive supply. o Long term demand forecast. o Market experience/observed growth of mixed use /
medium and high-density development within the
community to establish a baseline growth forecast – (without transit) o Review medium and high-density historical observed growth within existing Transit Oriented Community (TOC)
sites in comparable market areas to establish a basis for
forecasting.
o An analysis will be conducted to consider how non-residential uses will be treated through the TSC.
• Estimate TOC Capture – Estimate the total forecasted
demand for mixed use / medium and high-density growth within the community and how much of the forecasted demand might be captured within the MTSA (or adjusted TSC area) understanding that a component of the forecasted
development could be captured elsewhere within the community.
• Estimate the Land Value Uplift – a financial model should be developed that tests the probable land value increase a
developer’s land would experience based on the new transit
investment and the increased land use planning entitlements. This could be accomplished by developing a residual land value model that tests the supportable land value of a development – considering all costs, revenues and profit – of a
development without transit. This analysis could then be
compared to the same development with the increase in revenues and sales absorptions associated with the
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development with transit in place. The land value uplift is the theoretical maximum amount a developer could direct toward a TSC without impairing the feasibility of the development.
• Develop assumptions for testing - Based on the above
analysis a range of TSC charges based on per square foot of
development area could be established for testing as well as other assumptions such as inflation rates. Financial Testing - The information from the aforementioned market-based growth forecasts and land value uplift should now be
used to forecast how much revenue may be collected over the
forecast/borrowing period to pay down all eligible costs including the debt requirement for funding the new station (as costed by Metrolinx). An amortization schedule that includes assumptions related to borrowing period, interest rates, gross floor area requiring
a TSC, the proposed TSC inflation, offsets, and other factors, as necessary. This analysis should be repeated for each boundary scenario proposed for the TSC.
The model may be used to test the sensitivity and make recommendations with respect to the following:
• The impact of various interest rates on the ability to pay off the Municipal debt along with timing of when the debt is incurred (i.e., before or at completion of station construction).
• The impact of increased or decreased development relative to
base market-based growth forecasts.
• Exempt development types (i.e., affordable housing). In this case, testing should make clear assumptions of the proposed
exemption(s). For example, affordable housing exemptions should look at the percentage of units required, the minimum building size, the type of development (rental and condo), the target affordability level and duration of affordability.
What are acceptable offset strategies or measures that
prescribed municipalities can consider?
The introduction of the transit infrastructure and fast frequent service, combined with municipally and provincially sponsored land use permissions that allow for a range of high-density developments increases land value for landowners, which creates a significant
offset to developers. This increase in land value coupled with reduced parking standards, expedited municipal approvals, and guaranteed access to municipal services are offsets that the municipalities can consider.
Municipalities that are successful in obtaining funding from other
levels of government should be able to apply this funding to the debt.
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What is the methodology for calculating municipal offsets and co-ordinating offsets with the requirement for fee payment?
The offsets identified above are the primary drivers of land value increases that support the TSC payment. All other municipal fees and requirements such as planning application fees, reduced
parking standards, access to servicing etc., should be incorporated into the analysis to show total value to the landowner, and presented in the context of the difference in value if there were no station or transit service. The regulation should allow for a broad range of value related offsets such as the guaranteed transit service
based on municipal financial risk, as well as municipal offsets to ensure that this legislation continues to be based in a market driven strategy where the benefiter pays so that this does not become a municipal subsidy.
In addition to the draft by-law and background study, what additional information, if any, should the Minister of Infrastructure require from municipalities before deciding to approve a Transit Station Charge by-law?
• Municipal commitment to ensure transit supportive land uses,
densities and policies are in place along with servicing.
• Overall, the regulation should provide municipalities as much flexibility as possible to identify the appropriate components and TSC that will work for their community to deliver new GO
stations.
• The municipality should retain the right to terminate all agreements in the event the Minister makes amendments to the by-law that render the TSC no longer feasible from the
municipality’s perspective.
Should the Province consider exemption for certain forms of development from the Transit Station Charge?
Yes, and these should be identified by the municipality relative to their local context and the amount of revenue the transit service will
generate. In addition, government owned lands should be subject
to the TSC unless the proposed form of development is an exempted land use as determined by the municipality.
Where public institutions are exempt, the exemption should only apply to the space being provided for public institutional purposes
(i.e., not retail, or other commercial uses therein).
In addition to considering certain exemptions, municipalities should have the option to recover lost revenue from exemptions through the TSC, permit phase-ins for certain community uses such as non-profit housing and pre-payment to hedge inflation, if in the
municipality’s view it is fair to the development industry and wouldn’t disincentivize development.
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Additional Items for Ministry Consideration
• Interest costs paid by the municipality should be minimized wherever possible, and for this reason, no cost of any kind, and in particular interest costs, should be paid by a
municipality until the designating by-law is passed to collect
the TSC, and there is an agreement with Metrolinx that the station will be constructed.
• In terms of Metrolinx staff costs to manage and deliver the
project, this needs to be assessed in the context of whether
the GO station is a planned capital project or not. Stations that are part of a planned Metrolinx capital extension project, such as the Bowmanville GO Extension, means that Metrolinx has already planned for the resources to deliver the project in its
budget planning process. These fees should not be paid by
the municipality and recovered from the private sector. If the station is not a planned capital project, the case for Metrolinx staff cost recovery may make sense.
• In the case of a planned Extension and the fact that there are
finite costs that can be recovered, it does not make sense to seek land costs from the private sector. The GO station asset and associated lands will be owned operated, maintained and leveraged for future optimization and as such, the private
sector should not bear that cost either.
• If the TSC results in funding that meets the target funding levels prior to debt retirement the municipality should be allowed to direct the surplus towards capital improvements
that maybe necessary for accommodating improved services
and increasing ridership.
Regional staff continue to welcome the opportunity to meet and further discuss the regulation to support the Transit Station Charge through the GO Transit Station Funding Act, 2023.
Sincerely,
Colleen Goodchild
Colleen Goodchild, RPP, MCIP Director of Planning
Regional Municipality of Durham
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THIS LETTER HAS BEEN FORWARDED TO THE EIGHT AREA CLERKS
If you require this information in an accessible format, please contact 1-800-372-1102 ext. 2097.
The Regional Municipality of Durham
Corporate Services Department – Legislative Services Division
605 Rossland Rd. E. Level 1 PO Box 623 Whitby, ON L1N 6A3 Canada
905-668-7711
1-800-372-1102
durham.ca
Alexander Harras M.P.A. Director of Legislative Services & Regional Clerk
SENT VIA EMAIL
April 25, 2024
June Gallagher Clerk Municipality of Clarington 40 Temperance Street
Bowmanville, ON L1C 3A6
Dear Ms. Gallagher:
RE: Durham Agricultural Advisory Committee Resolution re:
Stormwater Management Fees, Our File: C00
Council of the Region of Durham, at its meeting held on April 24, 2024, adopted the following recommendations of the Planning & Economic Development Committee:
“Whereas Stormwater Management fees are intended for urban infrastructure needs and flood prevention, the Durham Agricultural Advisory Committee (DAAC) believes that bona fide farmers on agricultural properties should be exempt from paying Stormwater Management fees in the Region of
Durham; and, that this resolution be circulated to Durham’s area municipalities for their information.”
Alexander Harras
Alexander Harras, Director of Legislative Services & Regional Clerk
AH/vw
c: B. Bridgeman, Commissioner of Planning & Economic
Development
Page 54
If this information is required in an accessible format, please contact 1-800-372-1102 ext. 2564
The Regional Municipality of Durham
Information Report
From: Commissioner of Planning and Economic Development
Report: #2024-INFO-29
Date: April 26, 2024
Subject:
2023 Annual Building Activity Review, File: D03-02
Recommendation:
Receive for information
Report:
1. Purpose
1.1 This report summarizes the key findings of the 2023 Annual Building Activity
Review. This annual report includes building permit and construction activity for
Durham Region and the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) for 2023, with
comparisons to 2022.
2. Background
2.1 The Planning and Economic Development Department conducts ongoing monitoring
activities to assess the effectiveness of the Durham Regional Official Plan (ROP)
and other Regional policies. These monitoring activities assist in identifying
emerging issues and trends.
2.2 Building activity is monitored as an indicator of Regional housing and employment
activity, the level of local investment and economic performance. It is also an
indicator of the local market for various new building types. This report provides a
comprehensive analysis of construction activity from the start of the process (i.e.
issuance of building permits), to the construction and occupancy of new residential
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Page 2 of 6
units into the market. The report concludes with a comparison of Durham’s building
activity with the other GTHA municipalities.
2.3 The 2023 Annual Building Activity Report (Attachment 1) presents key findings in
both the residential and non-residential sectors along with trends, forecasts and
housing market information. Attachment 2 to this report provides the background
data and analysis used to produce the annual report.
3. Previous Reports and Decisions
3.1 The 2022 Annual Building Activity Review and historical reports can be found on the
Planning for Growth page on the Region’s website.
4. Key Highlights
The following summarizes key highlights from the 2023 Annual Building Activity Review:
Residential building activity in Durham
• The total value of building permits issued in Durham decreased slightly by 0.4%,
from $2.89 billion in 2022 to $2.87 billion in 2023.
• Residential building permit value decreased by 24.2%, from $2.17 billion in 2022 to
$1.65 billion in 2023.
• The total number of permits issued for new residential units in Durham decreased
10.1%, from 6,530 units in 2022 to 5,869 units in 2023.
• Nearly 17.2% of new units (1,008 units) in 2023 were accessory apartments or
additional dwelling units to an existing home, representing a 25.2% increase
compared to 2022.
• A total of 78% of new residential units in Durham were in multiple residential forms
including row houses and apartments.
• There was a 33.3% decrease in the number of housing starts from 5,797 in 2022
to 3,864 in 2023. At the same time, completions increased by 28.1% from 3,828 to
4,904.
• The average cost of a new single-detached dwelling in Durham increased 21.9%
from $993,940 in 2022 to $1,211,552 in 2023. It should also be noted that the
average cost of a new single-detached dwelling in Durham in 2023 was 11.2%
below the GTHA average.
Page 56
Page 3 of 6
• The average price of a resale dwelling (all dwelling types) in Durham decreased by
8.6%, from $1024,570 to $936,023 in 2023. The average price of a resale single-
detached dwelling also decreased by 8.3% from $1,130,814 in 2022 to $1,036,698
in 2023. It should be noted that the average bank rate increased by 107.4% from
2.42% in 2022 to 5.02% in 2023.
Non-residential building activity in Durham
• The value of non-residential building permits increased by 71.6%, from $716.6
million in 2022 to $1.23 billion in 2023.
• Major non-residential construction projects initiated in 2023 included:
o A new warehouse/distribution centre in Ajax (cumulative value of $179.3
million);
o A new warehouse/distribution centre development in Ajax containing
three buildings (cumulative value of $160.3 million);
o A new industrial building in Whitby (cumulative value of $73.5 million);
o A new industrial building in Oshawa (cumulative value of $70.1 million);
o A new long-term care facility in Clarington ($61.3 million);
o A new long-term care facility in Ajax (cumulative value of $57.3 million);
o A new warehouse in Oshawa ($49.5 million);
o A new industrial development in Pickering for FGF Food Campus
(cumulative value of $40.1 million);
o A new industrial building in Whitby ($30 million);
o A new industrial building in Whitby ($28.6 million);
o A new industrial building in Pickering ($26.9 million);
o Site servicing and foundation for a new school in Oshawa ($21.5 million);
o A new Porsche Experience Centre in Pickering ($20.2 million);
o Renovations to a Regional facility in Whitby ($18 million);
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Page 4 of 6
o A new commercial development in Whitby (cumulative value of $17.7
million);
o A new foundation for a commercial building in Oshawa (15.1 million); and
o A new commercial development in Oshawa (cumulative value of $12.6
million).
Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area
• Across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, the total value of building permits
issued (both residential and non-residential) increased by 5.1% from $29.6 billion
in 2022, to nearly $31.2 billion in 2023.
• In 2023, there were 62,629 building permits issued for new residential units in the
GTHA, compared to 59,634 units in 2022 (+5%). Notably, Hamilton, York, and
Toronto experienced an increase in the number of permits issued for new
residential units, while Peel, Halton, and Durham experienced decreases.
• The total value of residential building permits in the GTHA increased slightly by
0.3%, from $18.7 billion in 2022 to $18.8 billion in 2023.
• The value of non-residential building permits issued in the GTHA increased by
13.4% from $10.9 billion in 2022, to nearly $12.4 billion in in 2023.
5. Relationship to Strategic Plan
5.1 This report aligns with/addresses the following strategic goals and priorities in the
Durham Region Strategic Plan:
a. Priority 3.1 (Economic Prosperity) – Position Durham Region as the location of
choice for business; and
b. Priority 5.3 (Service Excellence) – Demonstrate commitment to continuous
quality improvement and communicating results.
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Page 5 of 6
6. Conclusion
6.1 In 2023, Durham's residential sector experienced a decrease in the overall value of
building permits1 (-24.2%) and in the number of permits for new units (-10.1%). The
breakdown of new unit types indicates that the number of permits for apartments
increased by nearly a third, while permits for single, semi-detached, and townhouse
units decreased. The data indicates Durham’s continued upward growth trend in
units offering a higher degree of diversity and affordability of housing options
occurring in both intensification and greenfield areas. The availability of more
apartment units coincides with recent challenges in housing affordability, and this
trend can be expected to continue to accommodate housing needs in new and
existing communities.
6.2 Comparisons between the 2023 building permit data for new residential units and
development charge receipts collected by the Finance Department indicate that
development charges (DCs) have been received for 75% of new units. Development
charges are not collected for not-for-profit housing units, as well as additional
residential units or accessory apartments. Furthermore, the collection of DCs for
rental housing, retirement homes, and long-term care homes commence at
occupancy, therefore these units are not recognized at the building permit stage.
Additionally, the pending exemption of affordable units will be a factor in the future.
These factors contribute to the difference between the total number of units
recognized from building permits and units tied to DC collection.
6.3 Non-residential building permit value increased (+71.6%) compared to 2022 in all
sectors, including all investment such as renovations to existing units, and new,
additional, and temporary floorspace.
6.4 The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), in their Housing Market
Outlook for Canada and Metropolitan Areas noted that following the decline in
housing prices 2023 due to climbing interest rates, prices for homes in the Greater
Toronto Area are expected to rise in 2024 and 2025 a mortgage rates gradually
decline2. The decrease in the number of housing starts in 2023 is also expected to
contribute to rising prices in the resale market.
6.5 A copy of this report will be forwarded to the area municipalities for information.
1 The value of residential building permits includes new units, additions, renovations, and miscellaneous alterations. 2 Housing Market Outlook, Canadian Metropolitan Areas, Spring 2023. Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation.
Page 59
Page 6 of 6
7. Attachments
Attachment #1: 2023 Annual Building Activity Review
Attachment #2: Background Data and Analysis
Respectfully submitted,
Original signed by
Brian Bridgeman, MCIP, RPP, PLE
Commissioner of Planning and
Economic Development
Page 60
Planning &
Economic
Development
Department
ANNUALBUILDINGACTIVITY
REVIEW
APRIL 2024
Page 61
In 2023, Durham's residential sector experienced a decrease both in the number of permits for new residential units (-10.1%) and the value (-24.2%) of permits overall, compared to 2022.
The value of non-residential building permits increased significantly in Durham (+71.6%) compared to 2022.
Regional staff continue to monitor the impact of market-based shifts and inflationary pressures on building activity over the course of 2024.
The Planning and Economic Development Department conducts ongoing monitoring activities to assess the effectiveness of the Durham Regional Official Plan and other Regional policies.
Building activity is also an indicator of regional housing and employment activity, the level of local investment, and economic performance.
2 | 2023 Annual Building Activity Review | Planning and Economic Development DepartmentPage 62
2023 HIGHLIGHTS
2023 Annual Building Activity Review | Planning and Economic Development Department | 3Page 63
RESIDENTIAL
1Includes all forms of town houses, including stacked townhomes and row housing.
2Includes apartments, condominiums, and accessory apartments/dwelling units.
4 | 2023 Annual Building Activity Review | Planning and Economic Development DepartmentPage 64
GTHA
2023 Annual Building Activity Review | Planning and Economic Development Department | 5Page 65
NON-RESIDENTIAL
6 | 2023 Annual Building Activity Review | Planning and Economic Development DepartmentPage 66
GTHA
2023 Annual Building Activity Review | Planning and Economic Development Department | 7Page 67
8 | 2023 Annual Building Activity Review | Planning and Economic Development DepartmentPage 68
TRENDS
2023 Annual Building Activity Review | Planning and Economic Development Department | 9Page 69
FORECAST
1 Durham Region Planning & Economic Development Department - Residential growth forecasts for infrastructure planning, Spring 2023.
Note: The building permit forecasts are based on achieving Durham’s overall population forecast of 1.3 million to 2051 as
identified in the Council-adopted Regional Official Plan, pending approval from the Province at the time this document is being
published.
10 | 2023 Annual Building Activity Review | Planning and Economic Development DepartmentPage 70
HOUSING MARKET
2023 Annual Building Activity Review | Planning and Economic Development Department | 11Page 71
The Regional Municipality of Durham
Planning & Economic Development Department
605 Rossland Road East., Whitby, ON
905-668-7711 or 1-800-372-1102
www.durham.ca
If this information is required in an accessible format,
please contact 1-800-372-1102 ext. 2546.
Page 72
Key Indicators 2022 2023 %
#%#%change
Total value of building permits ($ millions)2,887.3 100%2,874.9 100%-0.4
a)By area municipality:
Ajax 308.1 10.7 542.0 18.9 76.0
Brock 49.3 1.7 41.5 1.4 -15.8
Clarington 309.3 10.7 433.6 15.1 40.2
Oshawa 902.3 31.3 639.5 22.2 -29.1
Pickering 471.0 16.3 732.9 25.5 55.6
Scugog 35.8 1.2 32.3 1.1 -9.8
Uxbridge 91.7 3.2 72.6 2.5 -20.8
Whitby 719.8 24.9 380.5 13.2 -47.1
b)By permit type:
Residential 2,170.7 75.2 1,645.0 57.2 -24.2
Non-Residential 716.6 24.8 1,229.9 42.8 71.6
Key Indicators 2022 2023 %
#%#%change
Total value of residential building permits ($ millions)2,170.7 100%1,645.0 100%-24.2
a)By area municipality:
Ajax 199.4 9.2 75.9 4.6 -61.9
Brock 34.9 1.6 13.2 0.8 -62.1
Clarington 196.2 9.0 312.7 19.0 59.4
Oshawa 762.5 35.1 375.0 22.8 -50.8
Pickering 374.3 17.2 621.0 37.8 65.9
Scugog 31.0 1.4 24.5 1.5 -21.1
Uxbridge 75.8 3.5 58.9 3.6 -22.3
Whitby 496.5 22.9 163.7 10.0 -67.0
b)By construction type:
New residential units 1,999.4 92.1 1,504.9 91.5 -24.7
Renovations, additions and improvements 170.7 7.9 140.1 8.5 -18.0
Table 1
Total value of building permits ($ million)
Table 2
Total value of residential building permits ($ million)
Attachment 2
Building Permit Activity in Durham - January to December
Note: All figures rounded
Source: Durham Region Planning Division building permit summaries.
Page 73
Key Indicators 2022 2023 %
#%#%Change
Permits issued for new residential units 6,530 100%5,869 100%-10.1
a)By unit type:
Single 1,365 20.9 1,189 20.3 -12.9
Semi 199 3.0 101 1.7 -49.2
Town 2,320 35.5 1,069 18.2 -53.9
Apartment 2,646 40.5 3,510 59.8 32.7
b)By area municipality:
Ajax 1,085 16.6 381 6.5 -64.9
Brock 69 1.1 18 0.3 -73.9
Clarington 595 9.1 813 13.9 36.6
Oshawa 2,141 32.8 1,205 20.5 -43.7
Pickering 1,023 15.7 2,686 45.8 162.6
Scugog 62 0.9 39 0.7 -37.1
Uxbridge 171 2.6 86 1.5 -49.7
Whitby 1,384 21.2 641 10.9 -53.7
c)By urban/rural area:
Urban 6,446 98.7 5,780 98.5 -10.3
Rural 84 1.3 89 1.5 6.0
d)By average dwelling size (square feet):
Single 2,651 2,576 -2.8
Semi 1,743 1,879 7.8
Town 1,709 1,698 -0.6
Apartment*1,019 786 -22.9
Table 3
Permits issued for new residential units (# of units)
Note: All figures rounded
Source: Durham Region Planning Division building permit summaries.
Page 74
Key Indicators 2022 2023 %
#%#%Change
Value of non-residential building permits 716.6 100%1229.9 100%71.6
a)By sector:
Commercial 206.9 28.9 244.5 19.9 18.2
Industrial 411.5 57.4 722.6 58.8 75.6
Agricultural 10.0 1.4 15.7 1.3 56.8
Institutional 36.9 5.1 200.0 16.3 442.6
Governmental 51.4 7.2 47.1 3.8 -8.3
b)By area municipality:
Ajax 108.6 15.2 466.1 37.9 329.1
Brock 14.4 2.0 28.3 2.3 96.4
Clarington 113.1 15.8 120.8 9.8 6.9
Oshawa 139.8 19.5 264.5 21.5 89.1
Pickering 96.7 13.5 111.8 9.1 15.6
Scugog 4.8 0.7 7.9 0.6 63.8
Uxbridge 15.8 2.2 13.7 1.1 -13.8
Whitby 223.3 31.2 216.9 17.6 -2.9
c)Commercial, industrial, and agricultural sectors:628.4 100.0 982.8 100.0 56.4
Value Associated with New Construction 400.0 63.7 753.6 76.7 88.4
Value of Renovations, Additions and Improvements 228.4 36.3 229.2 23.3 0.4
d)Institutional and governmental sectors:88.2 100.0 247.1 100.0 180.1
Value Associated with New Construction 14.7 16.7 135.8 55.0 821.3
Value of Renovations, Additions and Improvements 73.5 83.3 111.3 45.0 51.4
Key Indicators 2022 2023 %
#%#%Change
Non-residential floorspace (thousand sq. ft.)5,610.3 100%8,486.0 100%51.3
a)By sector:
Commercial 963.5 17.2 1,437.4 16.9 49.2
Industrial 3,824.0 68.2 5,894.5 69.5 54.1
Agricultural 362.9 6.5 286.2 3.4 -21.1
Institutional 214.0 3.8 629.2 7.4 194.0
Governmental 245.9 4.4 238.7 2.8 -2.9
b)By area municipality:
Ajax 815.5 14.5 3,738.9 44.1 358.4
Brock 118.8 2.1 154.6 1.8 30.1
Clarington 1,226.9 21.9 1,048.5 12.4 -14.5
Oshawa 320.6 5.7 756.1 8.9 135.9
Pickering 657.3 11.7 423.9 5.0 -35.5
Scugog 130.1 2.3 123.5 1.5 -5.1
Uxbridge 173.5 3.1 157.7 1.9 -9.1
Whitby 2,167.7 38.6 2,082.8 24.5 -3.9
Table 5
Non-residential floor space (thousand sq. ft.)
Note: All figures rounded
Source: Durham Region Planning Division building permit summaries.
Table 4
Value of non-residential building permits ($ millions)
Page 75
Key indicators 2022 2023 %
Change
1.Durham's share of GTHA
Total Value
Residential Value
Residential Units
Non-Residential Value
building permit activity (%)
9.7
11.6
11.0
6.6
9.2
8.7
9.4
10.0
-0.5
-2.8
-1.6
3.4
2022
#
2022
%
2023
#
2023
%
%
Change
2.Total value
GTHA
Durham
Halton
Peel
Toronto
York
Hamilton
of building permits issued ($ millions)
29,640.1
2,887.3
2,989.4
5,598.0
11,681.2
4,501.2
1,983.0
100.0%
9.7%
10.1%
18.9%
39.4%
15.2%
6.7%
31,150.9
2,874.9
2,953.4
4,932.5
12,410.8
5,452.7
2,526.6
100.0%
9.2%
9.5%
15.8%
39.8%
17.5%
8.1%
5.1%
-0.4%
-1.2%
-11.9%
6.2%
21.1%
27.4%
3.Value of
GTHA
Durham
Halton
Peel
Toronto
York
Hamilton
residential building permits issued ($ millions)
18,749.4
2,170.7
2,349.9
3,970.6
6,375.9
2,723.8
1,158.5
100.0%
11.6%
12.5%
21.2%
34.0%
14.5%
6.2%
18,800.7
1,645.0
1,834.7
2,984.0
6,535.7
4,123.2
1,678.2
100.0%
8.7%
9.8%
15.9%
34.8%
21.9%
8.9%
0.3%
-24.2%
-21.9%
-24.8%
2.5%
51.4%
44.9%
Note: This data may contain estimated values by Statistics Canada. As such, this data is subject to change
Sources: Statistics Canada (Halton, Peel, Toronto, York), City of Hamilton, and Durham Region Planning / Area municipal
building permit records
Table 6
Building permit activity in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA)
Page 76
Key indicators 2022 2022 2023 2023 %
# % # %Change
GTHA 59,634 100.0%62,629 100.0%5.0%
Single 7,307 12.3%5,337 8.5%-27.0%
Semi 667 1.1%470 0.8%-29.5%
Town 7,680 12.9%6,322 10.1%-17.7%
Apartment 43,980 73.7%50,500 80.6%14.8%
Durham 6,530 11.0%5,869 9.4%-10.1%
Single 1,365 18.7%1,189 22.3%-12.9%
Semi 199 29.8%101 21.5%-49.2%
Town 2,320 30.2%1,069 16.9%-53.9%
Apartment 2,646 6.0%3,510 7.0%32.7%
Halton 5,941 10.0%5,155 8.2%-13.2%
Single 1,075 14.7%536 10.0%-50.1%
Semi 32 4.8%97 20.6%203.1%
Town 753 9.8%1,381 21.8%83.4%
Apartment 4,081 9.3%3,141 6.2%-23.0%
Peel 21,068 35.3%15,502 24.8%-26.4%
Single 1,606 22.0%677 12.7%-57.8%
Semi 169 25.3%22 4.7%-87.0%
Town 1,080 14.1%929 14.7%-14.0%
Apartment 18,213 41.4%13,874 27.5%-23.8%
Toronto 15,494 26.0%18,000 28.7%16.2%
Single 879 12.0%857 16.1%-2.5%
Semi 46 6.9%70 14.9%52.2%
Town 539 7.0%592 9.4%9.8%
Apartment 14,030 31.9%16,481 32.6%17.5%
York 7,361 12.3%12,353 19.7%67.8%
Single 1,834 25.1%1,778 33.3%-3.1%
Semi 137 20.5%131 27.9%-4.4%
Town 1,957 25.5%2,047 32.4%4.6%
Apartment 3,433 7.8%8,397 16.6%144.6%
Hamilton 3,240 5.4%5,750 9.2%77.5%
Single 548 7.5%300 5.6%-45.3%
Semi 84 1.1%49 10.4%-41.7%
Town 1,031 14.1%304 4.8%-70.5%
Apartment 1,577 21.6%5,097 10.1%223.2%
Key indicators 2022 2022 2023 2023 %
# % # %Change
GTHA 10,890.7 100.0%12,350.2 100.0%13.4%
Durham 716.6 6.6%1,229.9 10.0%71.6%
Halton 639.5 5.9%1,118.7 9.1%74.9%
Peel 1,627.4 14.9%1,948.5 15.8%19.7%
Toronto 5,305.2 48.7%5,875.1 47.6%10.7%
York 1,777.5 16.3%1,329.6 10.8%-25.2%
Hamilton 824.5 7.6%848.4 6.9%2.9%
Note: This data may contain estimated values by Statistics Canada. As such, this data is subject to change
Sources: Statistics Canada (Halton, Peel, Toronto, York), City of Hamilton, and Durham Region Planning / Area municipal
building permit records
Table 7
Permits issued for new residential unit types in the GTHA
Table 8
Value of non-residential building permits issued in the GTHA ($ millions)
Page 77
Key Indicators
#
2022
%#
2023
%
%
Change
1.Housing Supply
a)Total Supply
Pending Starts
Under Construction
Completed & Not Absorbed
b)Starts
c)Completions
11,432
2,514
8,891
27
5,797
3,828
100%
22.0
77.8
0.2
10,330
2,496
7,827
7
3,864
4,904
100%
24.2
75.8
0.1
-9.6
-0.7
-12.0
-74.1
-33.3
28.1
2.Total Supply
a)By unit type:
Single
Semi
Town
Apartment
11,432
2,629
279
3,613
4,911
100%
23.0
2.4
31.6
43.0
10,330
2,180
208
2,210
5,732
100%
21.1
2.0
21.4
55.5
-9.6
-17.1
-25.4
-38.8
16.7
3.Absorptions
a)By unit type:
Single
Semi
Town
Apartment
b)By area municipality:
Ajax
Brock
Clarington
Oshawa
Pickering
Scugog
Uxbridge
Whitby
3,769
1,276
266
1,443
784
292
0
629
1104
417
0
71
1256
100%
306.0
63.8
346.0
188.0
70.0
0.0
150.8
264.7
100.0
0.0
17.0
301.2
4,651
1,582
164
2,208
697
233
0
398
1,299
1,746
0
88
887
100%
90.6
9.4
126.5
39.9
13.3
0.0
22.8
74.4
100.0
0.0
5.0
50.8
23.4
24.0
-38.3
53.0
-11.1
-20.2
0.0
-36.7
17.7
318.7
0.0
23.9
-29.4
Source: Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation (CMHC) - Local Housing Market Tables, 2022/23 and Housing Market Information Portal
Table 9
Housing Market Supply of New Units in Durham - January to December
Page 78
Key Indicators 2022 2023 %
Change
1.1Average Interest Rates
Conventional Mortgage
1 Year Term
3 Year Term
5 Year Term
Bank Rate (%):
Rates (%):
4.46
4.90
5.65
2.42
7.15
6.61
6.68
5.02
60.4
34.9
18.3
107.4
2.Average Cost of
Durham Region:
Ajax
Brock
Clarington
Oshawa
Pickering
Scugog
Uxbridge
Whitby
City of Toronto
York Region
Peel Region
Halton Region
Hamilton
a New Single Detached 2Dwelling
$993,940
$1,658,181
--
$924,469
$895,504
$1,236,773
--
--
$959,566
$2,075,673
$1,531,070
$1,210,599
$1,060,496
$622,445
$1,211,552
$1,295,925
--
$1,177,541
$1,199,216
$1,232,638
--
$1,534,682
$1,172,438
$2,064,866
$1,629,377
$1,172,823
$1,192,312
$710,968
21.9
-21.8
--
27.4
33.9
-0.3
--
--
22.2
-0.5
6.4
-3.1
12.4
14.2
3.3Resale Housing Market in Durham
Number of Sales
Number of New Listings
Average Price (all dwelling types)
Average Price (single-detached dwelling)
9,875
18,164
$1,024,570
$1,130,814
8,487
16,389
$936,023
$1,036,698
-14.1
-9.8
-8.6
-8.3
Sources:1. Bank of Canada Website: http://www.bankofcanada.ca/rates/interest-rates/canadian-interest-rates/
2. CMHC, Housing Now - Greater Toronto Area, December 2022/2023 and Housing Market Information Portal. Prices rounded.
3. Toronto Regional Real Estate Board - Market Watch, December 2022/2023. Prices rounded.
Table 10
Housing Market Indicators - January to December
Page 79
April 23, 2024
The Honourable Doug Ford
Premier of Ontario
Legislative Building
1 Queen’s Park
Toronto, ON M7A 1A1
Sent via email: premier@ontario.ca
Re: Provincial Regulations Needed to Restrict Keeping of Non-native ("exotic") Wild
Animals
Our File 35.11.2
Dear Premier Ford,
At its meeting held on April 8, 2024, St. Catharines City Council approved the following
motion:
WHEREAS Ontario has more private non-native (“exotic”) wild animal keepers,
roadside zoos, mobile zoos, wildlife exhibits and other captive wildlife operations
than any other province; and
WHEREAS the Province of Ontario has of yet not developed regulations to
prohibit or restrict animal possession, breeding, or use of non-native (“exotic”) wild
animals in captivity; and
WHEREAS non-native (“exotic”) wild animals can pose very serious human health
and safety risks, and attacks causing human injury and death have occurred in
the province; and
WHEREAS the keeping of non-native (“exotic”) wild animals can cause poor
animal welfare and suffering, and poses risks to local environments and wildlife;
and
WHEREAS owners of non-native (“exotic”) wild animals can move from one
community to another even after their operations have been shut down due to
animal welfare or public health and safety concerns; and
WHEREAS municipalities have struggled, often for months or years, to deal with
non-native (“exotic”) wild animal issues and have experienced substantive
regulatory, administrative, enforcement and financial challenges; and
Page 80
WHEREAS the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), the Association of
Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO) and the
Municipal Law Enforcement Officers' Association (MLEOA) have indicated their
support for World Animal Protection’s campaign for provincial regulations of non-
native (“exotic”) wild animals and roadside zoos in letters to the Ontario Solicitor
General and Ontario Minister for Natural Resources and Forestry;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of St. Catharines hereby petitions
the provincial government to implement provincial regulations to restrict the
possession, breeding, and use of non-native (“exotic”) wild animals and license
zoos in order to guarantee the fair and consistent application of policy throughout
Ontario for the safety of Ontario’s citizens and the non-native (“exotic”) wild animal
population; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution will be forwarded to all
municipalities in Ontario for support, the Premier of Ontario, Ontario Solicitor
General, Ontario Minister for Natural Resources and Forestry, MPP Jennie
Stevens, MPP Sam Oosterhoff, MPP Jeff Burch, AMO, AMCTO, and MLEAO.
If you have any questions, please contact the Office of the City Clerk at extension 1524.
Kristen Sullivan, City Clerk
Legal and Clerks Services, Office of the City Clerk
:av
cc: The Honourable Michael S. Kerzner, Solicitor General
The Honourable Graydon Smith, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry
Local MPPs
Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO)
Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO)
Municipal Law Enforcement Officers’ Association of Ontario (MLEAO)
All Municipalities of Ontario
Page 81
From:ClerksExternalEmail
To:Chambers, Michelle
Subject:Decision on Excess Soil Regulation Amendments
Date:April 25, 2024 10:37:50 AM
Greetings,
I am reaching out to share that Ontario has finalized amendments to O. Reg. 406/19:
On-Site and Excess Soil Regulation (“Excess Soil Regulation”) and Rules for Soil
Management and Excess Soil Quality Standards (“Soil Rules”). These amendments
increase soil management flexibility and support greater reuse of excess soil from
housing, infrastructure, and other construction projects.
To reduce burden and increase opportunities for beneficial reuse of excess soil, while
protecting our province’s people and environment and working to stop the illegal
dumping of potentially contaminated soil, Ontario has now made the following
amendments to the Excess Soil Regulation:
· Enhanced usability of project leader-owned or controlled storage sites (Class 2
soil management sites and local waste transfer facilities) and soil depots to
allow for larger volumes of soil being managed without requiring a waste
approval, now up to 25,000 m3 with additional flexibility for public bodies, and
having greater alignment of rules across sites;
· Increased opportunities for reuse of salt-impacted soil in lower-risk
circumstances;
· Exempting specified small projects and undertakings (generating or reusing
5m3 or less) from hauling records, and clarifying required information and
responsibility for hauling records;
· Exempting landscaping projects at enhanced investigation project areas from
reuse planning requirements, as long as the area of excavation is assessed as
not likely to be impacted by contamination;
· Clarifying the responsibility of the qualified person when substances such as
polymers are used for dewatering or solidification of liquid soil;
· Enabling temporary storage of sediment and soil near waterbodies for projects
excavating in or adjacent to that waterbody;
· Clarifying sampling requirements for tunnelling projects, salt-impacted soils,
stormwater management ponds, and use of past sampling reports to avoid
over-sampling; and
· Providing additional clarifications to assist with better understanding and
Page 82
consistent implementation of requirements.
The ministry had also consulted on proposed amendments to exempt additional soil
management depots from needing a waste environmental compliance approval while
following regulatory rules (i.e., aggregate reuse depots and small liquid soil depots),
as well as proposals to file notices on the Excess Soil Registry for these depots andother existing sites. Based on the feedback received suggesting that more
consideration and detail on the operational requirements is needed, the ministry has
not yet finalized its decision on these matters.
More information on the finalized amendments may be found in the decision
notice posted on the Environmental Registry. Links to the regulation and Soil Rules
as well as existing guidance to help understand the regulatory requirements can be
found on MECP’s Handling Excess Soil website. For information on using the Excess
Soil Registry, please refer to the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority
website.
MECP will continue to work collaboratively with stakeholders and Indigenouscommunities on implementation of these amendments and the Excess Soil
Regulation in general.
Please pass this information along to colleagues, members of your organization,
other organizations and anyone else that may be interested.
We would like to thank everyone who took the time to share input on this proposal. Ifyou have any questions or would like to discuss these amendments or other aspects
of the Excess Soil Regulation and Soil Rules, please contact Reema Kureishy or
Chris Lompart at MECP.LandPolicy@ontario.ca.
Sincerely,
Original Signed by:
Robyn Kurtes
Director, Environmental Policy Branch
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
Page 83
357-2024-265
April 22, 2024
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to you in response to your request for a comprehensive environmental
assessment for the Regional Municipalities of York and Durham’s (Regions) proposed
increase in treatment capacity at the Durham York Energy Centre (DYEC) from 140,000 to 160,000 tonnes per year (the Project). Following the publication of the Notice of Completion of the Environmental Screening
Process, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (ministry) received
seven elevation requests asking that the Regions be required to prepare an environmental assessment for the Project. Please be aware that changes were made to the environmental assessment program as
of February 22, 2024. To implement Ontario’s move to a project list approach, Part II of
the Environmental Assessment Act (EAA) and O. Reg. 101/07 (Waste Projects) were revoked and Part II.3 of the EAA, and O. Reg. 50/24 (Part II.3 Projects – Designations and Exemptions) and O. Reg. 53/24 (General and Transitional Matters) came into force. In addition, the Guide to Environmental Assessment Requirements for Waste
Management Projects (the Guide) was amended and the screening process was renamed the Environmental Screening Process for Waste Management Projects. The new regulations designate the Project as a Part II.3 Project and also transition the project under the new provisions without further assessment requirements.
Based on all of the information before me, I have decided to deny the requests for elevation for the reasons set out below. In making my decision, I have carefully considered the factors set out in the screening process, including the concerns raised in the elevation requests I received, the Regions’ response to the requests, the Regions’
Environmental Screening Process documentation, and the consultation record.
Reasons Part B of the Guide establishes the process through which projects of this type can be
carried out, and includes identifying, describing and assessing potential environmental
effects of a project, including completing relevant studies, undertaking consultation with interested persons and Indigenous communities, and developing impact management measures. The results of the screening process and conclusions reached are documented in an Environmental Screening Report. Based on the Environmental
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks Office of the Minister 777 Bay Street, 5th Floor Toronto ON M7A 2J3 Tel.: 416-314-6790
Ministère de l'Environnement, de la Protection de la nature et des Parcs Bureau duministre 777, rue Bay, 5e étage Toronto (Ontario) M7A 2J3 Tél. : 416.314.679
Page 84
Page 2.
Screening Report for the Project, the Regions have carried out the process in accordance with the screening process.
The concerns raised in support of the elevation requests received included the potential
for negative impacts to air quality and public heath, ecological impacts, water impacts, proximity of the DYEC to specified areas, and concerns about the adequacy of reports and responses provided by the Regions. Based on all of the information before me, I am satisfied that the concerns raised in the requests have been addressed by the Regions
through the previous environmental assessment processes and through commitments
made in its Environmental Screening Report. The Environmental Screening Report demonstrates that the anticipated emissions
associated with the Project would be within regulated provincial limits. I am therefore
satisfied that the anticipated emissions from the Project are not likely to adversely impact air quality, groundwater or surface water. The Regions have committed to completing an updated Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment for any future expansions of the DYEC to assess any potential impacts to human and ecological
health.
Additionally, further technical review of air emissions will occur through the application process for an amendment to the DYEC Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) for Air. The ECA regulates air emissions from the facility and includes conditions of
approval that are protective of human health and the natural environment.
I am also satisfied that meaningful opportunities for public, government agency, and Indigenous engagement and consultation were provided by the Regions during the process.
Based on the above, I am of the opinion that there is no public benefit from requiring the Project to proceed through a comprehensive environmental assessment. With this decision having been made, the Regions can now proceed with the Project,
subject to any other permits or approvals required. The Regions must ensure that the Project is implemented in the manner set out in the Environmental Screening Report, and inclusive of all mitigating measures and commitments, and environmental and other provisions therein.
I would like to thank you for bringing your concerns to the ministry’s attention. Sincerely,
Andrea Khanjin Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
Page 85
Page 3.
c: Kathleen O’Neill, Director, Environmental Assessment Branch, MECP,
Kathleen.oneill@ontario.ca
Page 86
The Corporation of the Municipality of Clarington, 40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville, ON L1C 3A6
1-800-563-1195 | Local: 905-623-3379 | info@clarington.net | www.clarington.net
If this information is required in an alternate format, please contact the Accessibility
Co-ordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131
March 16, 2022
To Interested Parties:
Re: Update and Next Steps: Municipal Comments on the Durham York
Energy Centre Throughput Increase from 140,000 to 160,000
Tonnes per Year
File Number: PG.25.06
At a meeting held on March 14, 2022, the Council of the Municipality of Clarington approved the following Resolution #C-062-22:
That Report PDS-016-22, and any related communication items, be received;
That the responses from the Regions of Durham and York (Regions) to the Municipality’s comments on the Durham York Energy Centre (DYEC) throughput
increase (from 140,000 to 160,000 tonnes per year) Environmental Screening
Process be received;
That Staff be directed to submit an Environmental Assessment elevation request to the Director of the Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch, MECP; and
That Staff be directed to request the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and
Parks (MECP):
i. confirm their review and acceptance of the air quality modelling methodology, data inputs, and Air Quality Impact Assessment completed as supporting documentation to the Environmental Screening Process,
and
ii. respond to concerns regarding elevated levels of nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and benzo[a]pyrene in the local airshed and the relative contributions of the DYEC; and further
Page 87
PDS-016-22 March 16, 2022 Page 2
The Corporation of the Municipality of Clarington, 40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville, ON L1C 3A6
1-800-563-1195 | Local: 905-623-3379 | info@clarington.net | www.clarington.net
That Staff be directed to prepare a briefing document on planned future
development in the South Courtice Area to support DYEC emissions dispersion modelling considerations by the Regions and MECP during the subsequent Environmental Compliance Approval Amendment process.
Yours truly,
_________________________
June Gallagher, B.A., Dipl. M.A. Municipal Clerk
JG/lp
c: Gioseph Anello, Manager of Waste Planning & Technical Services
Andrew Evans, Project Manager - Waste Planning & Technical Services
Linda Gasser Wendy Bracken Kerry Meydam Karrie Lynn Dymond
Celeste Dugas, Manager - York Durham District Office
Philip Dunn, Senior Environmental Officer Muneeb Farid, Contract Management Engineer, Environmental Services A. Burke, Senior Planner R. Windle, Director of Planning and Development Services
Page 88
Orono DBIA Meeting Minutes
April 18, 2024
Location: Orono Town Hall
Present: Karen Lowery, vice chair
Merissa and Brad Beckstead
Gavin Crab
Scott Story
Julie Cashin-Oster
Councillor Marg Zwart
Perry Kirkbridge
Heather Maitland
Frank Maitland
Leah McKnight
Regrets: Manish Jagwani, Prisco Teves Jr.Tammy
Rendell Ron Liu, Amin Rawdah, Raymond Bishay, Tina Barrie
Nava Subramaniyam, Jessi Hoey, Jac Woog
Lisa Roy and Timothy Jackson
Guests: Sam Kent, Kent Farms
Karen Lowery called the meeting to order at 8:33
Inclusion Statement
The Municipality of Clarington is situated within the traditional and treaty territory of the
Mississaugas and Chippewas (chip-uh-WUH) of the Anishinabeg (uh-NISH-in-NAH-bek)
known today as the Williams Treaties First Nations.
Our work on these lands acknowledges their resilience and their longstanding
contributions to the area now known as the Municipality of Clarington
Approval of Agenda
Motion: Gavin
Seconder: Heather
Page 89
Approval of February Minutes
Motion: Gavin
Seconder: Heather
Heather Maitland as Executive Secretary for D.B.I.A
Motion: Karen
Seconder: Frank, Gavin, Julie, Brad and Perry.
To be discussed with the sub-committee.
a.Discussion of Moving Forward with the Orono Downtown
b.including rental of empty buildings
c.washrooms – Town Hall &/or Orono Library
d.Bike Rental program
e.Dog waste stations
f.Orono sign installation
g.Heather Maitland to discuss cost increase of Orono swag
h.Update of Website and Arena advertising program
I.Farmers market possibility inside & downtown
j.Coffee shop / cyclists
k.Cross promotion of local & surrounding businesses.
1) Alister hasn’t approved the ORONO town sign and if he will be on his property. We
aren’t sure how much power it’s going to take to run it and need further
investigation.
2) Board of Trade - we need to reschedule the discussion on filling the empty buildings
and touching base with trying to get tenants in the empty buildings. In addition,
adding to the downtown by adding green to the community, ie, scooters or
something with the trails. Another meeting will be set up for May.
3) Washrooms are available in the library - we need to advertise this and when they’re
open. They’re open 6 days a week. Heather will reach out to Samantha. Laura at
invest Clarington had the original discussion. The bistro and building beside it are
listed for $695,000.
Page 90
4) Swag: Heather sent information to Brad on the swag, he got 3 costs that have
savings varying from 10-150%. 150% savings is better quality but only 1 print and
100 of each. You can get different sizes, but not different colours or prints.
Potentially a booth at the Orono fair to sell the swag or at the farmers market. Brad
has brainstormed a few different options in terms of designs for the swag - “ what is
Orono all about” Moving depot Oshawa or Scugog sales can do 2-3 prints no
charge with a minimum 10 order. It’s all dependent on how many we’re going to
want to sell. The Co-op and The Orono General Store are also selling them but the
one’s from the DBIA all proceeds go back into the down and DBIA. If we bought
100, 10 businesses could each put their logo on the side of the t-shirt to promote
their business in-town.Timothy could help us by re-posting it on Facebook and
promote the sale of the swag.Brad’s suggestion is save the 150% and he will send
out the costing and designs to the DBIA.
5) The arena website won’t be available until the Orono Fair. We want 20 new slides
for once the arena opens back up.The slides will run on the TV in the arena. Each
business needs to sign off their slide content prior to them being submitted to be
displayed at the arena to ensure accuracy.
6) Sam Kent is reinstating the Farmers Market website. A sponsor was obtained for
portable washrooms. A couple new vendors are coming on-board. Once a month
they will have a food truck. It will alternate between pizza and Hawaiian food.
They’re going to have different themes, ie kids serve customers. The sign on the
115 was submitted to the province but it will take 2-3 years. Wild Hearts Farm in
Newtonville is helping with the sign. The first market will likely be mid-June. After
the dog show, it will be at the Orono Arena.Vendor’s can apply through the
website.A post is coming out next week to advertise vendor applications. The next
meeting is at the fairgrounds on April 30. The hours will be 2-6. The farmers market
will end in October. They have applied for a $2500 grant from the province.
Downtown banners will be put up for the farmers market. We have new banners
downtown for veterans as well.The banners and flags will be put up within the next
month. Baskets on the west side and boxes on the east side will be displayed. A
grant will be applied for but funding for this could be used from the Big Box fund.
7) Karen reached out to Chris at Classic Designs regarding a price to rewire the
Christmas lights. Karen talked to Nick about parking - he’s the president of the fair
board. We can have the parking at the north end for the antique market and all
other parking can be at the fairgrounds for the car show. Philip owns the property at
the north end - Brad asked him if we could use it for parking and he said we could.
Antique festival is August 10 from 10-4.
8) Scott had a meeting with the head organizer of the Wyatt car show that is a
fundraiser for Sick Kids. It will be July 27 - he is reaching out to the OCC to see if
anyone can help with it. They need volunteers. Scott will ask him if he can come out
to a meeting to talk about asking for volunteers. The easter egg hunt went well, 60
kilos of chocolate was used for the hunt. Next year, there is an idea for potentially a
photo opportunity display with the easter bunny volunteer. This year, we ran out of
Page 91
cups, next year we need to buy more for hot chocolate.
9) Scott has organized the Tea for Sandy on April 26 at Rebekah’s Hall from 1-3. It’s
an informal drop-in. Tea, coffee, a small cake and potentially some sandwiches.
Brad will provide flowers for the Tea. Councillor Marg has a plaque for Sandy.
Heather to help with decorations.
-Previous minutes adopted-
Bank - $32,784.07 remaining in Big Box fund and $7859.40 in main bank account
Date of Next Meeting – May 16, 2024, 8:30am, Orono Town Hall
Meeting Adjourned at 9:39 A.M.
Page 92
April 25, 2024
Nicole Pincombe
Director, Business Planning and Budgeting
Region of Durham
605 Rossland Road East
Whitby, Ontario, L1N8Y9
Nicole.Pincombe@durham.ca
RE: 2023 Audited Financial Statements
Dear Ms. Pincombe:
Section 38(3) of the Conservation Authorities Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.27 requires that upon receipt of the auditor’s
report of the examination of our accounts and transactions, that we forward a copy of the report to each
participating municipality and to the Minister.
Enclosed is a copy of our 2023 Audited Financial statements approved by the Board of Directors as per resolution
#41/24.
If you have any questions or require further information, please feel free to contact myself directly.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Lucas, CPA
Director, Corporate Services
Enclosures: 2023 Audited Financial Statements, Kawartha Conservation
cc. Mark Majchrowski, Chief Administrative Officer, Kawartha Conservation
Joanne Cermak, Director, Financial Services, Region of Durham
Ken Nix, Chief Administrative Officer, Township of Scugog
Ralph Walton, Acting Director, Corporate Services/Clerk, Township of Scugog
Michelle Willson, Chief Administrative Officer, Township of Brock
Fernando Lamanna, Clerk/Deputy CAO, Township of Brock
Mary-Ann Dempster, Chief Administrative Officer, Municipality of Clarington
June Gallagher, Deputy Clerk, Municipality of Clarington
Page 93
Kawartha Region Conservation Authority
Financial Statements
For the year ended December 31, 2023
Page 94
Kawartha Region Conservation Authority
Financial Statements
For the year ended December 31, 2023
Contents
Management's Responsibility 2
Independent Auditor's Report 3 - 4
Financial Statements
Statement of Financial Position 5
Statement of Operations and Accumulated Surplus 6
Statement of Change in Net Financial Assets 7
Statement of Cash Flows 8
Notes to the Financial Statements 9 - 21
Schedules 22 - 27
Page 95
DocuSign Envelope lO: 77 E82072-89E1 4923-A868-540374E6462C
IAANAGEMENT'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE
FINANCIAL STATEIAENTS
The accompanying financiat statements of Kawartha Region Conservation Authority (the
"Authority") are the responsibitity of the Authority's management and have been prepared in
comp(iance with legistation, and in accordance with generatty accepted accounting principtes for
[oca[ governments estabtished by the Pubtic Sector Accounting Board of The Chartered
Professional Accountants of Canada. A summary of the significant accounting policies are
described in Note 1to the financial statements. The preparation of financiat statements
necessarity invotves the use of estimates based on management's judgment, particutarty when
transactions affecting the current accounting period cannot be finatized with certainty until
future periods.
The Authority's management maintains a system of internal controts designed to provide
reasonabte assurance that assets are safeguarded, transactions are property authorized and
recorded in comptiance with tegistative and regutatory requirements, and retiabte financiat
information is avaitable on a timety basis for preparation of the financ'iat statements. These
systems are monitored and evatuated by lilanagement.
,y'lembers meet with l{anagement and the external auditors to review the financial statements
and discuss any significant financia( reporting or internal controt matters prior to their approvat
of the financiaI statements.
The financial statements have been audited by BDO Canada LLP, independent externat auditors
appointed by the Authority. The accompanying lndependent Auditor's Report outtines their
responsibitities, the scope of their examination and their opinion on the Authority's financial
statements.
(Vice Chair
Pat Warren Harotd Wright
Aprit 1 , 2024Aptil 1 , 2024
Page 96
Independent Auditor's Report
To the Members of Kawartha Region Conservation Authority
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Kawartha Region Conservation Authority, (the
"Authority") which comprise the statement of financial position as at December 31, 2023, and the
statements of operations and accumulated surplus, change in net financial assets and cash
flows for the year then ended, and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of
significant accounting policies.
In our opinion, the accompanying financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the
financial position of the Authority as at December 31, 2023, and the results of its operations,
changes in net financial assets, and cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with
Canadian public sector accounting standards.
Basis for Opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards. Our
responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for
the Audit of the Financial Statements section of our report. We are independent of the Authority
in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial
statements in Canada, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with
these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and
appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Responsibilities of Management and Those Charged with Governance for the Financial
Statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements
in accordance with Canadian public sector accounting standards, and for such internal control as
management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are
free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, management is responsible for assessing the Authority’s
ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern
and using the going concern basis of accounting unless management either intends to liquidate
the Authority or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.
Those charged with governance are responsible for overseeing the Authority’s financial reporting
process.
Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a
whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an
auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but
is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with Canadian generally accepted
auditing standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can
arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they
could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of
these financial statements.
3
Tel: 705 726 6331 Fax: 705 722 6588 www.bdo.ca
BDO Canada LLP300 Lakeshore Drive, Suite 300
Barrie, ON, Canada, L4N 0B4
BDO Canada LLP, a Canadian limited liability partnership, is a member of BDO International Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, and forms part of the international BDO network of independent member firms.
Disclaimer information. Summolobor sequatismod diam aci bla facin wis nibh el in ulputpat, con utpat.
Summolobor sequatismod diam aci bla facin wis nibh el in ulputpat, con utpat.
Page 97
As part of an audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards, we
exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit. We
also:
Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements,
whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those
risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for
our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is
higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery,
intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.
Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit
procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of
expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Authorities internal control.
Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of
accounting estimates and related disclosures made by management.
Conclude on the appropriateness of management’s use of the going concern basis of
accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty
exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Authorities
ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists,
we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the
financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our
conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s
report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Authorities to cease to
continue as a going concern.
Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements,
including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying
transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.
Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the
entities or business activities within the Authority to express an opinion on the financial
statements. We are responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of the
group audit. We remain solely responsible for our audit opinion.
We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the
planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant
deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.
Chartered Professional Accountants, Licensed Public Accountants
Barrie, Ontario
April 1, 2024
4
Page 98
DocuSign Envelope lD: 7 7 E8207 2-89E1 4923-4868-540374E6462C
December 31
Kawartha Region Conservation Authority
Statement of Financial Position
zo23 2022
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivatents (Note 3)
Accounts receivabte (Note 4)
Financial liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued tiabitities
Deferred revenue (Note 5)
Deferred revenue - source water protection (Note 5)
Deferred revenue - ptanning and regutation (Note 5)
Deferred capital contributions
Net financial assets
Non-financial assets
Tangibte capitat assets (Note 6)
Prepaid expenses
Accumulated surplus (Note 9)
s 3,611,626 s 3,395,977
332 045 323 338
3,943,671 3,719,315
448,397 390,2871,140,054 1 ,011 ,05775,599 105,609469,980 454,00462,412 55,440
2
3
196 442 Z
747
0'16 397
229 1 702 918
3,727,398 3,660,227
28 191 36 90't
750 589 3 697 118
s 5,497,818 s 5,400,046
Contingent Liabilities (Note 12)
Approved by
*ud"L Vice Chair
f
5
The accompanyrng notes are an integral part of thes€ financial itatements
Page 99
Kawartha Region Conservation Authority
Statement of Operations and Accumulated Surplus
Budget
2023
For the year ended December 31 (Note 2)2023 2022
Revenue
Municipal levies:
General operating $1,715,325 $1,715,325 $1,653,325
Special operating 106,900 67,625 45,059
General benefiting 40,000 33,018 6,160
Special benefiting 1,009,900 702,840 499,357
2,872,125 2,518,808 2,203,901
Planning and development services
(Schedule A) 603,200 629,740 615,027
Integrated watershed management
(Schedule B) 70,400 91,802 64,857
Stewardship and conservation lands
(Schedule C)136,250 112,603 251,827
Corporate services (Schedule D)86,800 208,581 117,925
Special projects (Schedule E)222,400 395,843 224,070
Capital contributions -22,953 5,528
3,991,175 3,980,330 3,483,135
Expenses
Planning and development services
(Schedule A)865,686 873,932 702,285
Integrated watershed management
(Schedule B)549,585 554,684 507,579
Stewardship and conservation lands
(Schedule C)390,099 461,811 438,555
Corporate services (Schedule D)790,330 854,819 768,482
Special projects (Schedule E)1,349,000 1,137,312 768,647
3,944,700 3,882,558 3,185,548
Annual surplus 46,475 97,772 297,587
Accumulated surplus, beginning of year 5,400,046 5,400,046 5,102,459
Accumulated surplus, end of year $5,446,521 $5,497,818 $5,400,046
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements 6Page 100
Kawartha Region Conservation Authority
Statement of Change in Net Financial Assets
Budget
2023
For the year ended December 31 (Note 2)2023 2022
Annual surplus $46,475 $97,772 $297,587
Acquisition of tangible capital assets -(143,515)(63,243)
Amortization of tangible capital assets -78,833 75,190
Loss on disposal of tangible capital assets -2,511 5,016
46,475 35,601 314,550
Change in prepaid expenses -8,710 (15,299)
Change in net financial assets 46,475 44,311 299,251
Net financial assets, beginning of year 1,702,918 1,702,918 1,403,667
Net financial assets, end of year $1,749,393 $1,747,229 $1,702,918
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements 7Page 101
Kawartha Region Conservation Authority
Statement of Cash Flows
For the year ended December 31 2023 2022
Operating Transactions
Annual surplus $97,772 $297,587
Non-cash changes to operations:
Amortization of tangible capital assets 78,833 75,190
Loss on disposal of tangible capital assets 2,511 5,016
Changes in non-cash operating items:
Accounts receivable (8,707) 19,969
Prepaid expenses 8,710 (15,299)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 58,110 (76,104)
Deferred revenue 128,997 116,211
Deferred revenue - source water protection (30,010) (24,300)
Deferred revenue - planning and regulation 15,976 50,743
Total Operating Transactions 352,192 449,013
Capital Transactions
Deferred capital contributions 6,972 3,450
Acquisition of tangible capital assets (143,515) (63,243)
Total Capital Transactions (136,543) (59,793)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents 215,649 389,220
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 3,395,977 3,006,757
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year $3,611,626 $3,395,977
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash $3,558,407 $3,345,007
Money market funds 53,219 50,970
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements 8Page 102
Kawartha Region Conservation Authority
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2023
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Nature of the Authority
Kawartha Region Conservation Authority (the "Authority") was established on October 31,
1979, in accordance with Section 3(1) of the Conservation Authorities Act of Ontario. The
Authority is classified as a registered charity under the Income Tax Act (Canada) and as
such, is not subject to income taxes provided certain disbursement requirements are met.
The objective of the Authority, as stated by the Conservation Authorities Act R.S.O. 1990 is
"to provide for the organization and delivery of programs and services that further the
conservation, restoration, development and management of natural resources in watersheds
in Ontario".
Management's Responsibility
The financial statements of the Authority are the responsibility of management. They have
been prepared in accordance with Canadian public sector accounting standards established
by the Public Sector Accounting Board ("PSAB") of The Chartered Professional Accountants of
Canada.
Basis of Accounting
Revenue and expenses are reported on the accrual basis of accounting whereby they are
reflected in the accounts in the year in which they have been earned and incurred,
respectively, whether or not such transactions have been settled by the receipt or payment
of money.
Various revenue and expense items flow through the statement of financial activities based
on their general nature in relation to operating activities. To the extent that these revenue
and expense items relate to specific reserve balances, these items are reflected on Schedule
F - Continuity of Reserves
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand, demand deposits and short-term cashable
investments. Short-term investments are highly liquid, subject to insignificant risk of
changes in value.
9Page 103
Kawartha Region Conservation Authority
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2023
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Non-Financial Assets, Tangible Capital Assets
Non-financial assets are not available to discharge existing liabilities and are held for use in
the provision of services. They have useful lives extending beyond the current year, and are
not intended for sale in the ordinary course of operations.
(i) Tangible Capital Assets
Tangible capital assets are recorded at cost, less accumulated amortization. Cost includes
all amounts directly attributable to acquisition, construction, development or betterment of
the tangible capital asset including transportation costs, installation costs, design and
engineering fees, legal fees and site preparation costs. Amortization is recorded on a
straight-line basis over the estimated life of the tangible capital asset using the following
rates:
Buildings 10 - 40 years
Conservation area improvements 10 - 50 years
Gauge stations and monitoring wells 10 - 50 years
Vehicles 10 years
Furniture and fixtures 7 - 10 years
Equipment 5 - 10 years
Computers and computer software 3 - 10 years
Assets under construction are not amortized until the asset is available for productive use,
at which time, they are capitalized.
(ii) Contributed Tangible Capital Assets
Tangible capital assets received as contributions are recorded at the fair value at the date
of receipt.
Vacation pay and lieu time liabilities
Vacation credits earned but not taken and lieu time entitlements are accrued as earned.
Vacation credits earned do not vest over time.
Reserves
Reserves are established under approval of the Kawartha Region Conservation Authority
(Kawartha Conservation) Board of Directors. The recommendation of reserves and
appropriations fall under the authority of the CAO and the Director of Corporate Services.
Increases or decreases in these reserves are made by appropriations to or from operations.
Any use of funds from a reserve shall be authorized by the Board of Directors as outlined in
procedure.
10Page 104
Kawartha Region Conservation Authority
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2023
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Government transfers
Government transfers and municipal levies are recognized as revenue in the financial
statements when the transfer is authorized and any eligibility criteria are met, except to the
extent that transfer stipulations give rise to an obligation that meets the definition of a
liability. Government transfers and municipal levies are recognized as deferred revenue
when transfer stipulations give rise to a liability. Government transfers and municipal levies
are recognized in the statement of operations as the stipulation liabilities are settled.
Restricted Revenue
Contributions, other than government transfers, are deferred when restrictions are placed
on their use by the external contributor, and are recognized as revenue when used for the
purpose specified. Contributions relating to capital assets are deferred and amortized over
the useful life of the related asset.
Other Revenue
Other grants, donations and contributions, investment income and authority-generated
revenue including permit fees are recognized when the related services are performed.
Pension Plan
The Authority is an employer member of the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement
System (OMERS), which is a multi-employer, defined benefit pension plan. The Board of
Trustees, representing plan members and employers, is responsible for overseeing the
management of the pension plan, including investment of the assets and administration of
the benefits. The Authority has adopted defined contribution plan accounting principles for
this Plan because insufficient information is available to apply defined benefit plan
accounting principles. The Authority records as pension expense the current service cost,
amortization of past service costs and interest costs related to the future employer
contributions to the Plan for past employee service.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the financial statements in accordance with Canadian public sector
accounting standards requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect
the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and
expenses during the reporting period. The principal estimates used in the preparation of
these financial statements include accounts receivable, estimated provisions for accrued
liabilities, the estimated useful lives of tangible capital assets and valuation of tangible
capital assets. Actual results could differ from management's best estimates as additional
information becomes available in the future.
11Page 105
Kawartha Region Conservation Authority
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2023
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Financial Instruments
Cash and equity instruments quoted in an active market are measured at fair value.
Accounts receivable and accounts payable are measured at cost or amortized cost. The
carrying amount of each of these financial instruments is presented on the statement of
financial position.
All financial assets are tested annually for impairment. When financial assets are impaired,
impairment losses are recorded in the statement of operations.
Transaction costs are added to the carrying value for financial instruments measured using
cost or amortized cost. Transaction costs are expensed for financial instruments measured
at fair value.
The Authority's financial assets comprise of cash and cash equivalents including investments
which are recorded at fair value; and accounts receivable which are recorded at amortized
cost. The Authority's financial liabilities comprise of accounts payable and accrued liabilities
which are recorded at amortized cost.
Asset Retirement Obligation
A liability for an asset retirement obligation is recognized when there is a legal obligation to
incur retirement costs in relation to a tangible capital asset; the past transaction or event
giving rise to the liability has occurred; it is expected that future economic benefits will be
given up; and a reasonable estimate of the amount can be made. The liability is recorded
at an amount that is the best estimate of the expenditure required to retire a tangible
capital asset at the financial statement date. This liability is subsequently reviewed at each
financial reporting date and adjusted for the passage of time and for any revisions to the
timing, amount required to settle the obligation or the discount rate. Upon the initial
measurement of an asset retirement obligation, a corresponding asset retirement cost is
added to the carrying value of the related tangible capital asset if it is still in productive
use. This cost is amortized over the useful life of the tangible capital asset. If the related
tangible capital asset is unrecognized or no longer in productive use, the asset retirement
costs are expensed.
12Page 106
Kawartha Region Conservation Authority
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2023
2.Budget Figures
The Budget for 2023 was adopted by the Board of Directors on May 25, 2023. The budget was
prepared on a cash basis (based on expected cash inflows and outflows), while Canadian
public sector accounting standards now require the reporting of actual results on the
financial statements to be prepared on a full accrual basis. The budget figures presented in
the statements of operations and change in net financial assets represent the 2023 budget
adopted by the Board.
Revenue Expense Net
Board approved budget:
Operating $4,566,550 $4,601,550 $(35,000)
Less:Budgeted internal revenues 512,650 512,650 -
Budgeted capital expenses -144,200 144,200
Budgeted transfer from reserves 62,725 -62,725
Adjusted budget per the statement
of operations $3,991,175 $3,944,700 $46,475
The budgeted numbers are unaudited.
3.Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents is comprised of funds held in money market funds. Investment in money
market funds are recorded at fair value.
As at year end, the Authority held $53,219 (2022 - $50,970) in money market funds with a
fair value of $53,219 (2022 - $50,970).
4.Accounts Receivable
2023 2022
Municipal levies $53,764 $73,979
Federal and provincial 15,731 52,502
HST receivable 70,978 47,664
Other 191,572 149,193
$332,045 $323,338
13Page 107
Kawartha Region Conservation Authority
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2023
5.Deferred Revenue and Government Transfers
Revenue received but not earned at year end is as follows:
Deferred Revenue 2023 2022
Government Funding - Special Benefiting Projects:
Durham - Plan Implementation $134,560 $155,558
Durham - East Cross Forest 168,185 131,610
CKL - Lake Dalrymple 30,877 18,188
CKL - Plan Implementation 431,543 536,062
MOE, Conservation and Parks -4,925
Trent Lakes - Blue Canoe 8,521 8,521
Trent Lakes - Flood Plain Mapping 220,150 -
Government Funding - Special Joint Benefiting Capital
Projects:
City of Kawartha Lakes and Durham Region 64,427 34,208
Government Funding - Other Deferred Projects:
Digitization of Corporate Records 27,287 24,955
Environmental Monitoring Strategy Implementation 2,132 -
Levy Stability 7,428 7,426
Other Deferred Projects:
Grants and Self-Generated 44,943 89,604
$1,140,053 $1,011,057
Deferred Revenue - Source Water Protection 2023 2022
Government Funding - Source Water Protection Program $75,599 $105,609
Deferred Revenue - Planning and Regulation 2023 2022
Section 28 Regulations - Large Scale Fill $274,513 $283,538
Permit and Subdivision Applications 195,467 170,466
$469,980 $454,004
These amounts are recognized as revenue as directly related expenses are incurred. Unless
otherwise noted, deferred revenue received comes from non-government sources.
14Page 108
Kawartha Region Conservation Authority
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2023
6. Tangible Capital Assets
2023
Land and Land
Custodianship
Conservation
Area
Improvements Buildings Vehicles
Machinery
and
Equipment
Furniture and
Fixtures Total
Cost
Balance, beginning of year $2,629,799 $428,640 $1,204,955 $180,788 $444,059 $121,068 $5,009,309
Add: Additions during the year 6,614 32,699 11,549 -92,653 -143,515
Add: Transfers -------
Less: Disposals during the year -(44,908)-(46,539)(117,787)(15,499)(224,733)
Balance, end of year 2,636,413 416,431 1,216,504 134,249 418,925 105,569 4,928,091
Accumulated amortization
Balance, beginning of year -267,049 485,196 151,162 328,649 117,026 1,349,082
Add: Amortization during the
year -10,424 30,649 6,237 30,100 1,423 78,833
Less: Amortization on disposals -(44,908)-(46,539)(115,276)(15,499)(222,222)
Balance, end of year -232,565 515,845 110,860 243,473 102,950 1,205,693
Net book value of
tangible capital assets $2,636,413 $183,866 $700,659 $23,389 $175,452 $2,619 $3,722,398
15Page 109
Kawartha Region Conservation Authority
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2023
6. Tangible Capital Assets (continued)
2022
Land and Land
Custodianship
Conservation
Area
Improvements Buildings Vehicles
Machinery and
Equipment
Furniture and
Fixtures Total
Cost
Balance, beginning of year $2,628,934 $379,911 $1,204,955 $180,788 $444,741 $121,068 $4,960,397
Add: Additions during the year 865 48,729 --13,649 -63,243
Less: Disposals during the year ----(14,331)-(14,331)
Balance, end of year 2,629,799 428,640 1,204,955 180,788 444,059 121,068 5,009,309
Accumulated amortization
Balance, beginning of year -260,598 454,541 144,881 307,584 115,603 1,283,207
Add: Amortization during the
year -6,451 30,655 6,281 30,380 1,423 75,190
Less: Amortization on disposals ----(9,315)-(9,315)
Balance, end of year -267,049 485,196 151,162 328,649 117,026 1,349,082
Net book value of
tangible capital assets $2,629,799 $161,591 $719,759 $29,626 $115,410 $4,042 $3,660,227
Tangible capital assets under construction have a value of $47,834 (2022 - $41,503) and have not been amortized. Amortization of these assets will
commence when the assets are put into service.
16Page 110
Kawartha Region Conservation Authority
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2023
6. Tangible Capital Assets (continued)
Included in land and land custodianship is $25,000 contributed to the acquisition of Dewey's
Island. The Authority contributed to the acquisition of Dewey's Island by the Nature
Conservancy of Canada in 1993. The Authority felt the acquisition was necessary to ensure
the long-term protection of this Class 1 wetland. A custodial agreement was negotiated with
The Nature Conservancy of Canada by the Authority. The agreement gives the Authority the
management responsibilities for the property, as well as the first option to purchase in the
case of any eventual sale by the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
Included in land and land custodianship is $10,000 contributed to the acquisition of
Tuckerman property. The Authority contributed to the acquisition of the Tuckerman
property by Ontario Heritage Trust in 2004. The Authority felt the acquisition was necessary
to ensure the long-term protection of this Class 1 wetland. A custodial agreement was
negotiated with Ontario Heritage Trust and Ducks Unlimited Canada by the Authority. The
agreement gives the Authority the management responsibilities for the property, as well as
the first option to purchase in the case of any eventual sale by Ontario Heritage Trust.
7. Credit Facility
The Authority has a $350,000 revolving line of credit held with Royal Bank of Canada at
prime plus 0% interest. As at December 31, 2023, no amount has been drawn (2022 - $Nil).
8. Related Entity
Kawartha Conservation Foundation is a registered charitable organization whose mission is
to support the vision and mandate of Kawartha Conservation, by raising funds and promoting
awareness to the community to restore and sustain a healthy environment for future
generations.
9.Accumulated Surplus
Accumulated surplus consists of the following:
2023 2022
Surpluses
Internal 'current' and 'capital' funds $1,560,559 $1,509,719
Invested in tangible capital assets 3,659,986 3,604,787
Reserves 277,273 285,540
Accumulated surplus $5,497,818 $5,400,046
17Page 111
Kawartha Region Conservation Authority
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2023
10. Expenses by Object
2023 2022
Amortization $78,833 $75,190
Consulting and other professional fees 233,702 214,285
Grants 54,844 37,801
(Gain)/Loss on disposal of capital assets (2,762)5,016
Insurance 55,530 45,216
Interest and bank charges 4,966 4,091
Office 114,021 92,499
Program related 501,274 357,845
Repairs and maintenance 72,709 66,652
Training 18,249 6,596
Utilities and property taxes 41,236 39,388
Vehicle and travel 43,728 23,237
Wages and benefits 2,672,723 2,224,052
$3,889,053 $3,191,868
11.Pension Plan
The Authority makes contributions to the Ontario Municipal Employees' Retirement System
("OMERS"), which is a multi-employer plan, on behalf of all full-time members of its staff.
The plan is a defined benefit plan, which specifies that amount of the retirement benefit to
be received by the employees based on the length of service and rates of pay. The Board of
Trustees, representing plan members and employers, is responsible for overseeing the
management of the pension plan, including the investment of assets and administration of
benefits. OMERS provides pension services to more than 500,000 active and retired members
and approximately 1,000 employees.
Each year an independent actuary determines the status of OMERS Primary Pension Plan (the
Plan) by comparing the actuarial value of invested assets to the estimated present value of
all pension benefits that members have earned to date. The most recent actuarial valuation
of the Plan was conducted at December 31, 2023. The results of this valuation disclosed total
actuarial liabilities of $136.2 billion in respect of benefits accrued for service with actuarial
assets at that date of $132 billion indicating an actuarial deficit of $4.2 billion. Because
OMERS is a multi-employer plan, any pension plan surpluses or deficits are a joint
responsibility of Ontario municipal organizations and their employees. As a result, the
Authority does not recognize any share of the OMERS pension surplus or deficit. Contributions
made by the Authority to OMERS for 2023 were $201,544 (2022 - $156,561).
12. Contingent Liabilities
The Authority, as is common with all regulatory agencies, may be subject to appeals and
lawsuits in regard to decisions rendered. Legal defence costs are accrued when such an
action commences but damages and penalties are only accrued when action is considered to
be of reasonable merit.
There are no unresolved legal claims outstanding against the Authority as at December 31,
2023.
18Page 112
Kawartha Region Conservation Authority
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2023
13. Financial Instruments Risks
Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk that one party to a financial instrument will cause a financial loss for
the other party by failing to discharge an obligation. The Authority is exposed to credit risk
resulting from the possibility that a counterparty to a financial instrument defaults on their
financial obligations; if there is a concentration of transactions carried out with the same
counterparty; or of financial obligations which have similar economic characteristics such
that they could be similarly affected by changes in economic conditions. The Authority's
financial instruments that are exposed to concentrations of credit risk relate primarily to
its accounts receivable. The majority of the Authority's receivables are from government
resources.
There has been no change to this risk from the prior year.
Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Authority will encounter difficulty in meeting its obligations
associated with financial liabilities. Liquidity risk includes the risk that, as a result of
operational liquidity requirements, the Authority will not have sufficient funds to settle a
transaction on the due date. The Authority is exposed to this risk mainly in respect of its
accounts payable. The Authority mitigates this risk by ensuring that it always has sufficient
cash to allow it to meet its liabilities when they become due.
There has been no change to this risk from the prior year.
14.Comparative Figures
Certain comparative figures have been reclassified to conform with current year
presentation.
19Page 113
Kawartha Region Conservation Authority
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2023
15. Program Information
Certain allocation methodologies are employed in the preparation of program financial
information. Government grants, user charges, transfers from other funds, and other
revenue are allocated to the specific program or service they relate to. Expense allocations
are both internal and external. Activity based costing is used to allocate internal support
costs to departments. These costs include the net expenditures for departments, such as
human resources, information systems, finance and others, commonly referred to as
overhead. The Authority allocated its activities into four main program areas which are
reported in the accompanying supplementary schedules to the financial statements.
Planning and Development Services
This department is responsible for planning, permitting and enforcement. Planning and
Development Services fulfills the delegated responsibility of commenting on behalf of the
Province of Ontario on planning matters related to natural hazards, administers Section 28
Regulation of the Conservation Authorities Act, Ontario Regulation 182/06 and ensures
compliance of development activities impacting natural regulated features within the
watershed.
Integrated Watershed Management
This department's primary responsibilities include protecting people and property across the
watershed from flooding, developing and implementing watershed management plans,
monitoring water quality and quantity, conducting research and assessments and supporting
our stakeholders and partners by providing environmental spatial information to assist with
decision making.
The department works closely with municipalities to provide technical expertise and advice
on issues related to climate change, stormwater management, watershed planning and other
technical information. The objective of the Integrated Watershed Management department
at Kawartha Conservation is to maintain health and sustainability of the region's watersheds
for the benefit of both the environment and the community.
Stewardship and Conservation Lands
Kawartha Conservation owns and manages over 1,300 hectares of Conservation Lands with
visitors including the general public, schools, special interest groups, and tourists. This
department is responsible for supporting the advancement of the Conservation Lands
programs including property maintenance, trail management and development, invasive
species control, infrastructure improvements, and contributing to the strategic goals and
advancement of the department.
Stewardship initiatives are primarily supported through special projects within the City of
Kawartha Lakes and Region of Durham through Special Projects.
20Page 114
Kawartha Region Conservation Authority
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2023
15. Program Information (continued)
Corporate Services
Corporate Services supports each of the departments and the organization as a whole by
providing administrative support, coordination, policy development and implementation,
program direction and development, strategic and business planning and Board support
including agendas and minutes. Corporate Services is responsible for Finance, Human
Resources, Health & Safety, Asset Management, Information Technology, Records
Management and Corporate Communications.
Special Projects
Special benefiting projects are designed to meet the needs or concerns of a specific
municipality, and thus directly benefit the individual municipality. The benefiting
municipality funds the projects entirely or in apportionment with another benefiting
municipality. Special projects include development and implementation of Lake Management
Plans, updates to our watershed plans in the Region of Durham, floodplain mapping and tree
planting initiatives. General benefiting projects have a watershed wide benefit and the levy
is shared by the municipal partners on the same apportionment percentage as the operating
levy. General projects include website enhancements and the digitisation of corporate
records and implementation of our 10-year Environmental Strategy.
21Page 115
Kawartha Region Conservation Authority
Planning and Development Services
Schedule A
For the year ended December 31, 2023 with comparative information for 2022
2023 Budget
(Note 2)2023 Actual 2022 Actual
Revenue:
Drinking Water Source Protection $63,200 $56,666 $101,050
Planning and Permitting Fees 420,000 489,389 405,787
Large Scale Fill Permits 10,000 12,773 13,246
Municipal Agreement, Risk Management
Official 60,000 53,402 44,792
MOU, Flood Plain Mapping 50,000 17,510 50,152
Total Program Generated Revenue 603,200 629,740 615,027
Municipal Levy 262,486 262,486 187,849
Total Revenue 865,686 892,226 802,876
Expenses:
Clean Water Act Enforcement 60,000 53,402 44,792
Drinking Water Protection 63,200 56,666 101,050
Large Scale Fill 5,000 -1,327
MOU, Flood Plain Mapping 1,000 1,005 7,500
Planning and Development Services 808,200 824,656 585,392
937,400 935,729 740,061
Internal Fee for Service (71,714)(61,797)(37,776)
Total Expenses 865,686 873,932 702,285
Net Surplus for the Year $-$18,294 $100,591
22Page 116
Kawartha Region Conservation Authority
Integrated Watershed Management
Schedule B
For the year ended December 31, 2023 with comparative information for 2022
2023 Budget
(Note 2)2023 Actual 2022 Actual
Revenue:
Fee for Service $1,000 $175 $452
Grants and Donations 10,300 9,635 3,231
Innovation Hub 34,500 57,352 36,534
MNRF Transfer Payment 24,600 24,640 24,640
Total Program Generated Revenue 70,400 91,802 64,857
Municipal Levy 481,765 479,185 529,628
Total Revenue 552,165 570,987 594,485
Expenses:
Environmental Information Services 123,950 125,866 81,587
Environmental Monitoring 338,000 332,119 298,064
Flood & Water Level Monitoring 16,350 23,317 77,612
Watershed Management & Support 162,900 140,042 122,576
Innovation Hub 28,350 36,402 18,145
669,550 657,746 597,984
Internal Fee for Service (119,965)(103,062)(90,405)
Total Expenses 549,585 554,684 507,579
Net Surplus for the Year $2,580 $16,303 $86,906
23Page 117
Kawartha Region Conservation Authority
Stewardship and Conservation Lands
Schedule C
For the year ended December 31, 2023 with comparative information for 2022
2023 Budget
(Note 2)2023 Actual 2022 Actual
Revenue:
Conservation Areas $58,950 $63,160 $54,638
Donations 15,000 2,957 8,011
Education 4,300 12,691 1,852
Grants 18,000 23,318 96,275
Restoration Management 40,000 10,477 91,051
Total Program Generated Revenue 136,250 112,603 251,827
Municipal Levy 253,849 253,849 229,687
Total Revenue 390,099 366,452 481,514
Expenses:
Dewey Island 100 --
Education Program 1,300 12,454 5,700
Fleetwood Creek Natural Area 8,700 8,560 9,295
Habitat Comp. Program 40,000 8,728 20,445
Ken Reid CA 49,050 69,692 62,138
Land Management & Support 429,000 487,230 417,976
Pigeon River Headwaters 10,450 4,867 8,644
Windy Ridge CA 3,750 3,038 2,099
542,350 594,569 526,297
Internal Fee for Service (152,251)(132,758)(87,742)
Total Expenses 390,099 461,811 438,555
Net Surplus (Deficit) for the Year $-$(95,359)$42,959
24Page 118
Kawartha Region Conservation Authority
Corporate Services
Schedule D
For the year ended December 31, 2023 with comparative information for 2022
2023 Budget
(Note 2)2023 Actual 2022 Actual
Revenue:
Donations $-$2,124 $2,308
Grants and Other Revenue 24,200 32,758 39,974
Investment Income 62,600 173,699 75,643
Total Program Generated Revenue 86,800 208,581 117,925
Municipal Levy 673,930 673,930 706,161
Capital Levy Contribution 45,875 45,875 -
Total Revenue 806,605 928,386 824,086
Expenses:
Amortization 60,000 78,833 75,190
Communication 138,200 157,529 140,178
Corporate Services 785,850 761,210 674,193
(Gain)/Loss on Disposal of TCA -(2,764)5,016
Internal Recovery -
Vehicle & Equipment Pool (25,000)4,958 (5,556)
959,050 999,766 889,021
Internal Fee for Service (168,720)(144,947)(120,539)
Total Expenses 790,330 854,819 768,482
Net Surplus for the Year $16,275 $73,567 $55,604
25Page 119
Kawartha Region Conservation Authority
Special Projects
Schedule E
For the year ended December 31, 2023 with comparative information for 2022
2023 Budget
(Note 2)2023 Actual 2022 Actual
Revenue:
Climate Change Funding $18,000 $18,000 $18,000
Fee for Service 38,400 35,574 14,038
Grants and Other 139,000 310,425 161,674
Product Sales 27,000 31,844 30,358
Total Program Generated Revenue 222,400 395,843 224,070
General Benefiting 40,000 33,018 6,160
Special Benefiting 1,009,900 702,840 499,357
Special Operating 106,900 67,625 45,059
Total Revenue 1,379,200 1,199,326 774,646
Expenses:
CKL - Flood Plain Mapping -57,875 12,483
CKL - Implementation Science 160,200 127,585 95,925
CKL - Implementation Stewardship 316,900 295,843 249,358
CKL - Lake Dalrymple 69,300 56,612 65,322
CKL & Durham - Tree Planting Program 187,700 217,192 136,193
Durham - ECF 106,900 97,484 55,999
Durham - Implementation Science 83,020 80,360 49,662
Durham - Implementation Stewardship 65,800 49,768 47,259
Durham - LSEP 41,580 51,980 33,666
Durham - Watershed Planning 27,300 28,234 22,620
Digitization Project 15,000 11,353 160
Monitoring Strategy 25,000 10,176 -
Trent Lakes - Flood Plain Mapping 250,300 52,850 -
Total Expenses 1,349,000 1,137,312 768,647
Net Surplus for the Year $30,200 $62,014 $5,999
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Kawartha Region Conservation Authority
Continuity of Reserves
Schedule F
For the year ended December 31, 2023 with comparative information for 2022
2023
Balance,
December 31,
2022
Appropriation
(to) from
Operations Additions
Balance,
December
31, 2023
Unrestricted $857,599 $50,840 $-$908,439
Capital Assets Acquisitions 538,765 --538,765
Conservation Initiatives 113,355 --113,355
Externally Restricted
Durham East Cross Forest
Conservation Area 39,600 --39,600
Windy Ridge Conservation Area 22,826 (788)-22,038
Ken Reid Conservation Area 89,450 --89,450
Scugog Land Acquisitions 133,664 (7,479)-126,185
1,795,259 42,573 -1,837,832
Capital Reserve 3,604,787 55,199 -3,659,986
$5,400,046 $97,772 $-$5,497,818
2022
Balance,
December 31,
2021
Appropriation
(to) from
Operations Additions
Balance,
December 31,
2022
Unrestricted $706,295 $151,304 $-$857,599
Capital Asset Acquisitions 400,532 138,233 -538,765
Conservation Initiatives 83,594 29,761 -113,355
Externally Restricted
Durham East Cross Forest
Conservation Area 39,600 --39,600
Windy Ridge Conservation Area 24,124 (1,298)-22,826
Ken Reid Conservation Area 89,450 --89,450
Scugog Land Acquisitions 133,664 --133,664
1,477,259 318,000 -1,795,259
Capital Reserve 3,625,200 (20,413)-3,604,787
$5,102,459 $297,587 $-$5,400,046
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