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York Region Sustainability York Region Sustainability StrategyStrategy

“Towards a Sustainable Region”“Towards a Sustainable Region”Preliminary DraftPreliminary Draft

Planning and Economic Planning and Economic Development CommitteeDevelopment Committee

March 7, 2007March 7, 2007

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What does Sustainability What does Sustainability Mean to York Region?Mean to York Region?

““development that meets the needs of the present development that meets the needs of the present without comprising the ability of future without comprising the ability of future

GenerationsGenerations to meet their own.” to meet their own.”

triple-bottom line sustainability: integrating values of triple-bottom line sustainability: integrating values of EconomicEconomic vitality, healthy vitality, healthy CommunitiesCommunities and and

sustainable natural sustainable natural EnvironmentEnvironment

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Trends Affecting the RegionTrends Affecting the Region

York Region

Global

Aging Society

Ethnically Diverse Society

Energy Use

Obesity

Cardiovascular Disease

Pandemics

Mental Illnesses

Increasing Urbanization

Resources Consumption

Lifestyle Choices

Poverty

Social Isolation

Pace of Growth

Human Services

Infrastructure

Natural Heritage

Intensification

Agriculture

Quality of Life

Water & Air Quality

Financial Resources

Energy

Public Health

Climate Change

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What did our Public Say?What did our Public Say?

recognition of the recognition of the LinksLinks between a strong between a strong economy, housing and economy, housing and transportationtransportation

recognition of the value recognition of the value of our “of our “Natural Natural CapitalCapital” and the ” and the carrying capacity of the carrying capacity of the landland

the provision of the provision of Human Human ServicesServices that keeps that keeps pace with pace with Growth.Growth.

reduction of reduction of EnergyEnergy consumption and consumption and exploring alternative exploring alternative sourcessources

CultureCulture, heritage , heritage and good design are and good design are essential to our essential to our CommunitiesCommunities

provision of future provision of future EmploymentEmployment land land and opportunitiesand opportunities..

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Why a Sustainability Why a Sustainability Strategy?Strategy?

Makes Good Business SenseMakes Good Business Sense Translates Theory into Practical ActionTranslates Theory into Practical Action Improves Regional Image/ CredibilityImproves Regional Image/ Credibility Align/Coordinate Current Initiatives/ DirectionsAlign/Coordinate Current Initiatives/ Directions Expectation of the Public and Regional Expectation of the Public and Regional

EmployeesEmployees

PURPOSE: Long-term framework for making smarter decisions about growth management and municipal responsibilities that better integrate the economy,

environment and community.

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Regional AchievementsRegional Achievements

Public Transit and VIVA Rapid TransitPublic Transit and VIVA Rapid Transit Water for TomorrowWater for Tomorrow Greening and Land Securement InitiativesGreening and Land Securement Initiatives Human Services Inclusivity Action PlanHuman Services Inclusivity Action Plan Housing StrategyHousing Strategy Tom Taylor Place: Energy Efficient Affordable Tom Taylor Place: Energy Efficient Affordable

HousingHousing Corporate Clean Air Task ForceCorporate Clean Air Task Force LEED Buildings Programs & RetrofitsLEED Buildings Programs & Retrofits Smart Commute InitiativeSmart Commute Initiative Wind Energy Feasibility StudiesWind Energy Feasibility Studies Centres and Corridors StrategiesCentres and Corridors Strategies Waste Diversion StrategyWaste Diversion Strategy And much more……And much more……

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Local AchievementsLocal Achievements

East Gwillimbury: Energy Star ProgramEast Gwillimbury: Energy Star Program

Markham: Green Bins, Pathway and Trails Master PlanMarkham: Green Bins, Pathway and Trails Master Plan

Newmarket: Pesticides By-LawNewmarket: Pesticides By-Law

Richmond Hill: Wind Energy Project and Intensification Richmond Hill: Wind Energy Project and Intensification StudyStudy

Vaughan: Sustainable Community Project Block 39Vaughan: Sustainable Community Project Block 39

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PartnershipsPartnerships

Regional Council

Area Municipalities

Province

Federal

Public

Private Sector

Interest Groups

Community Leaders

Education Sector

Conservation Authorities

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The Function of the The Function of the StrategyStrategy

Plans & Strategie

s

UpdateImplemen

tMonitor

Vision

HO

WW

HA

T

and more…

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Guiding Principles for Guiding Principles for ImplementationImplementation

1.1. Leadership and a Long-Term ViewLeadership and a Long-Term View

2.2. Short-term Achievable Actions Contribute Short-term Achievable Actions Contribute Towards Sustainability LegacyTowards Sustainability Legacy

3.3. Triple-Bottom Line ApproachTriple-Bottom Line Approach

4.4. Improvement and InnovationImprovement and Innovation

5.5. Targets and MonitoringTargets and Monitoring

6.6. Partnerships and EngagementPartnerships and Engagement

7.7. Raise Awareness and EducationRaise Awareness and Education

8.8. Sustainable Lifestyles, Needs & ExpectationsSustainable Lifestyles, Needs & Expectations

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Action AreasAction Areas

1.1. Corporate Culture of SustainabilityCorporate Culture of Sustainability

2.2. Healthy CommunitiesHealthy Communities

3.3. Economic Vitality Economic Vitality

4.4. Sustainable Natural EnvironmentSustainable Natural Environment

5.5. Education, Engagement and PartnershipsEducation, Engagement and Partnerships

6.6. Sustainability Implementation and MonitoringSustainability Implementation and Monitoring

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Action ExamplesAction Examples

Corporate Culture of Sustainability

- Initiatve a sustainability training program to further engage staff, senior management and Regional Council

- Prepare a green procurement strategy that ensures that environmentally friendly and biodegradable products are given first priority

Healthy Communities - Design new communities in the Region’s Whitebelt that prioritize the human conditions with respect to health, social equity, culture, environment and sense of place

- Continue to support human services by advocating for adequate funding and by fostering civic engagement

Economic Vitality - Ensure triple bottom line assessment of all infrastructure initiatives and context sensitive design

- Develop and implement a local source food strategy that increases awareness about production, processing and distribution

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Action Examples Cont’dAction Examples Cont’d

Sustainable Natural Environment

- Identify and adopt an updated linked natural heritage system for York Region in collaboration with the stakeholders, area municipalities and conservation authorities

- Adopt and implement the Corporate Clean Air Strategy

Education, - Showcase the Region’s sustainability initiatives

Engagement and Partnerships

- Produce a citizens’ brochure and website on how the Region and its residents can contribute towards achieving sustainability

Sustainability Implementation and

- Develop a sustainability assessment template for all Regional policies, initiatives, and staff reports

Monitoring - Report annually to the public and stakeholders on sustainability initiatives, indicators and issues

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Next StepsNext Steps

Endorse Preliminary Draft (March)Endorse Preliminary Draft (March) Consult with Key Stakeholders (April/May)Consult with Key Stakeholders (April/May) Final Draft to Council (June)Final Draft to Council (June) Continue with Implementation Continue with Implementation Annual Progress Reports to CouncilAnnual Progress Reports to Council