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Home My WebLink About2024-09-20 Electronic Council Communications Information Package Date:September 20, 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. Alternate Format: If this information is required in an alternate format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator, at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131. Members of Council: In accordance with the Procedural By-law, please advise the Municipal Clerk at clerks@clarington.net, if you would like to include one of these items on the next regular agenda of the appropriate Standing Committee, along with the proposed resolution for disposition of the matter. Items will be added to the agenda if the Municipal Clerk is advised by Wednesday at noon 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 2.Durham Municipalities Correspondence 2.1 Town of Ajax - Support for the Solve the Crisis Campaign and Requesting Action to Address the Growing Mental Health, Addictions and Homelessness Crisis - September 18, 2024 3 3.Other Municipalities Correspondence 4.Provincial / Federal Government and their Agency Correspondence 4.1 Jennifer French, MPP Oshawa - Townline Interchange - September 17, 2024 6 Link to City of Oshawa Council Resolution 5.Miscellaneous Correspondence 5.1 Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA) - Policy for Kite Flying in CLOCA Lands - September 19, 2024 8 (Staff have confirmed with CLOCA that the recommendation report is no longer confidential) September 20, 2024 Electronic Council Communications Information Package (ECCIP) Page 2 TOWN OF AJAX 65 Harwood Avenue South Ajax ON L1S 3S9 www.ajax.ca _______________________________________________________________________________ The Right Honorable Justin Trudeau Prime Minister of Canada House of Commons Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6 justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca Sent by E-Mail September 18, 2024 Re: Support for the ‘Solve the Crisis’ Campaign and Requesting Action to Address the Growing Mental Health, Addictions and Homelessness Crisis The following resolution was passed by Ajax Town Council at its meeting held on September 16, 2024: WHEREAS a humanitarian crisis unfolding in communities across Ontario requires immediate action at all levels of government, starting with the Province; AND WHEREAS the homelessness, mental health and addictions crisis continues to grow with 3432 drug related deaths in Ontario in 2023, an estimated 234,000 Ontarians experiencing homelessness and over 1400 homeless encampments across Ontario communities in 2023; AND WHEREAS according to Regional Report #2024-INFO-40, ‘Update on Durham Region’s Integrated Homelessness System Action Plan’, from May 31, 2024, the Durham By-Name List reported a total of 1045 individuals experiencing homelessness in 2023; AND WHEREAS while the provincial government has provided additional funding for mental health, addictions and homelessness programs, it does not adequately address the growing crisis and the financial and social impact on municipalities and regions; AND WHEREAS municipalities and regions are stepping up and working with community partners to develop and implement community-specific solutions, but municipalities and regions lack the expertise, capacity and resources needed to address these increasingly complex healthcare and housing issues alone; AND WHEREAS mental health, addictions and homelessness is primarily a healthcare challenge that falls squarely within provincial jurisdiction and municipalities and regions should not be using the property tax base to fund community programs; AND WHEREAS there is no provincial lead focused on this crisis leading to unanswered questions that span over a dozen ministries, and a lack of support to manage the increasing needs of those who are unhoused. Page 3 NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT: 1. Ajax Council confirms support of the Solve the Crisis Campaign and calls on Ajax residents to join us in appealing to the provincial and federal governments for support by visiting SolveTheCrisis.ca; and 2. Ajax Council asks that: a. the provincial and federal governments commit to immediate action to solve the Humanitarian Crisis that Ontario is facing as the numbers of unhoused individuals and those suffering with mental health & addictions grows exponentially; and b. the province appoint a responsible Minister and Ministry with the appropriate funding and powers as a single point of contact to address the full spectrum of housing needs as well as mental health, addictions and wrap around supports; and c. the province strike a task force with broad sector representatives, including municipalities, regions, healthcare, first responders, community services, the business community and the tourism industry, to develop a Made in Ontario Action Plan and to review proven successful programs in communities to ensure that solutions can be implemented quickly and effectively; and d. the province establish adequate and sustainable funding to equip municipalities with the tools and resources required to support individuals suffering with mental health and addictions, including unhoused people and those from vulnerable populations that may be disproportionately impacted; and 3. A copy of this motion be sent to the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities of Canada, the Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, the Honourable Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, the Honourable Paul Calandra, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Honourable Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, the Honourable Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, all Durham Region MPs, all Durham Region MPPs, John Henry, Durham Regional Chair, all Durham Region municipalities, and Ontario’s Big City Mayors. CARRIED If you require further information please contact me at 365-885-6329 or Jaclyn.Grossi@ajax.ca Sincerely, Jaclyn Grossi Municipal Clerk Copy: Regional Councillor S. Lee Mayor S. Collier Page 4 Hon. Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities of Canada Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario Hon. Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Hon. Paul Calandra, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Hon. Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services Hon Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions All Durham Region MPs All Durham Region MPPs John Henry, Durham Regional Chair All Durham Region municipalities Ontario’s Big City Mayors Page 5 September 17th, 2024 Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria Minister of Transportation 777 Bay Street, 5th Floor Toronto, ON M7A 1Z8 Dear Minister Sarkaria, As your Ministry is aware, Oshawa City Council passed a resolution on February 26th, 2024 requesting staff to investigate the feasibility of adding a 401 interchange at Townline Road. On March 21st, 2024, I wrote to you expressing my interest in meeting to discuss this opportunity (letter is attached). I am refreshing this request in light of the letter from Mayor Dan Carter dated September 12th, 2024 regarding the Townline interchange. Mayor Carter and Oshawa City Council have outlined a few thoughtful points to make the case for this new interchange. I am happy to echo their call for Ministry attention to this matter. Please let my office know when we can coordinate a meeting to discuss Oshawa’s transportation priorities. Sincerely, Jennifer French MPP Oshawa cc: Dan Carter, Mayor, City of Oshawa Anthony Ambra, Commissioner of Economic Development Services, City of Oshawa Municipality of Clarington, Legislative Services Regional Municipality of Durham, Legislative Services Enclosure: Letter dated March 21, 2024 Page 6 March 21, 2024 Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria Minister of Transportation 777 Bay Street, 5th Floor Toronto, ON M7A 1Z8 Dear Minister Sarkaria, There are many transportation projects and opportunities in the Oshawa area. I would request a meeting with you and your staff for an update on Ministry of Transportation projects in Oshawa, including widening of Highway 401, the improvement of the Highway 401 interchange at Harmony Road, the potential for plans for a new Highway 401 interchange at Townline Road, and Metrolinx’s work on the Bowmanville GO Extension. Please let us know when we can coordinate an update. Sincerely, Jennifer French cc: Dan Carter, Mayor, City of Oshawa Page 7 Page 1 of 2 Healthy watersheds for today and tomorrow. Policy for Kite Flying in Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority Lands Background: CLOCA owns environmentally important and sensitive land to protect and conserve our watershed health. Where feasible, and without compromising environmental conditions, passive recreation opportunities may be provided for our watershed residents and visitors. Recreation activities are intended to provide environmental education and appreciation as well as physical and mental health benefits. CLOCA has experienced kite string and kites littered in trees, meadows, and have reports of injuries from trail users that have become entangled with kite string. The string poses a safety concern to trail users and pets, and can entangle wildlife, and vegetation. Definitions: Kite Fighting: Kite fighting is an activity where two or more participants fly kites with the aim of cutting an opponent’s kite string. The losing kite and string drifts away uncontrolled. The string used for kite fighting is abrasive or chemically treated to enhance the ability to cut the opponent’s string. Abandoned string is hazardous because it drifts until it becomes lodged in tree branches or other vegetation, is difficult to see, and can cut people, pets, and wildlife that become entangled in it. The string also poses a maintenance issue when entangled in mowing and trimming equipment. Competitive Kite Flying: Kite competitions may or may not include kite fighting, and may include competitors being judged on their performance in compulsory figures as well as a ballet-style flying using artistic interpretation of music. Performances are done as individuals, a pair of pilots, or as a team. Hazardous Kite String: Kite string materials made of metal, wire, piano wire, fishing line or any type of nylon that can be or is chemically treated or contains glass fragments. Policy: 1. Given the safety and environmental concerns, kite fighting and use of hazardous kite string is prohibited on all CLOCA lands. 2. Competitive kite flying that does not include kite fighting may be allowed by permit only and with strict requirements to immediately retrieve and remove all kite string and damaged kites. Page 8 Page 2 of 2 Healthy watersheds for today and tomorrow. Permits: 1. Permits may be issued by CLOCA to allow for competitive kite flying or competitions (excluding kite fighting) on CLOCA Lands. 2. The permit holder must provide a Certificate of Insurance for no less than $5 Million per occurrence. The Certificate of Insurance must specifically name the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority listed as additionally insured. 3. A deposit may be required for any litter (including kite string) removal required by CLOCA staff after the event. In the event no litter is found, the deposit will be returned to the permit holder. Contravention of Policy: Any person who contravenes the above policy may be subject to fines and prosecution under the Trespass to Property Act (RSO 1990, c T.21). *End of Policy* Auth. Res. # 63/24 SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 Page 9 DATE: September 17, 2024 FILE: AINA45 & LALM3 S.R.: 5898-24 MEMO TO: Chair and Members, CLOCA Board of Directors FROM: R. Perry Sisson, Director, Engineering, Field Operations, and Education SUBJECT: Kite Concerns - Heber Down Conservation Area Purpose: The purpose of this report is to inform the CLOCA Board of Directors of recent issues with abandoned kite string at Heber Down Conservation Area and related safety concerns. Background: CLOCA staff were made aware of an incident that occurred at the Heber Down Conservation Area in August when a cyclist sustained an injury after riding into kite string. The incident occurred approximately 500m from the Heber Down (North) parking lot located at 5000 Cochrane Street, Whitby. We are uncertain if the kite string related to the incident was placed maliciously or if the string drifted onto the trail. Both CLOCA and Durham Region Police Services posted notices warning Conservation Area visitors to be aware and cautious. CLOCA staff completed a thorough inspection of the Heber Down CA trails and although the marked trails were clear, they did find kite string on an unsanctioned trail. Since the incident, a Conservation Area Trail Steward (CATS) volunteer found kite string in the meadow near the Cochrane Street entrance on August 23rd, and on September 2nd, a CATS volunteer observed kite fliers at the Maple Leaf picnic site and collected 4 fallen kites and 5 long strings on the adjacent trails. The picnic sites have not been booked on the evenings that the kite flying has occurred. Kite Fighting: Kite fighting is an activity where two or more participants fly kites with the aim of cutting an opponent’s kite string. The losing kite and string drifts away uncontrolled. The string used for kite fighting is abrasive or chemically treated to enhance the ability to cut the opponent’s string. Abandoned string is hazardous because it drifts until it becomes lodged in tree branches or other vegetation, is difficult to see, and can cut people, pets, and wildlife that become entangled in it. The string also poses a maintenance issue when entangled in mowing and trimming equipment. Kite fighting has been banned in all public and private property in Oakville and in the Town of Mono. In Toronto, a By- Law prohibits flying a kite with hazardous string and competitive kite flying in parks. Given the safety and environmental concerns, staff recommend implementing a kite flying policy for all CLOCA lands. The policy will ban kite fighting on all CLOCA owned lands and will allow CLOCA staff to reject any day use rental applications related to kite fighting. The policy will enable CLOCA enforcement officers to stop any kite fighting activity or use of hazardous string that is encountered on our Conservation Areas. Cont’d CONFIDENTIAL REPORT ___________________________CENTRAL LAKE ONTARIO CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Page 10 FILE: AINA5 & LALM3 September 17, 2024 S.R.: 5898-24 Conclusion: Our experience demonstrates that kite fighting activity results in abandoned kites and string entangled in vegetation throughout nearby natural areas. Kite fighting and/or the use of hazardous kite string poses a risk to the safety of our Conservation Area visitors, pets, and wildlife. Kite fighting or the use of hazardous string is not an appropriate activity for our Conservation Areas and should be controlled through a kite flying policy. RECOMMENDATIONS: THAT Staff Report #5898-24 be received for information; and, THAT staff be directed to implement a kite flying policy for all Central Lake Ontario Conservation Areas that prohibits kite fighting or the use of hazardous kite string; and, THAT staff circulate this policy to all Durham Region Municipalities. ATTACH. RPS/lv p:\reports\2024\sr5898_24.docx Page 11