York commits to action on clean air

York Region joined the federal and provincial governments and GTA municipalities recently at the 2007 Smog Summit in Toronto to affirm a common commitment to clean air initiatives that will reduce smog, air pollution and greenhouse gases as outlined in the Toronto and Region 2007 Inter-governmental Declaration on Clean Air.

"York Region is working on an air quality strategy and several other initiatives that will improve air quality and reduce green house gas emissions," said York Chairman Bill Fisch. "We have an opportunity to make a positive impact that will enrich the quality of life for regional communities for years to come."

During the Clean Air and Climate Change Planning panel discussion, Vaughan Regional Councillor Joyce Frustaglio, chair of the health and emergency medical services committee of Regional council, explained that York has developed a preliminary draft sustainability strategy, which outlines a new approach to decisionmaking about growth management and municipal responsibilities that better integrate the economy, environment and community.

By 2031, York will add 600,000 people and 340,000 jobs, bringing the population to 1.5 million and employment to 800,000.

"This ongoing, rapid growth requires York Region to take an active role in protecting and enhancing our environment, particularly the air we breathe," commented Frustaglio, who signed the Declaration on behalf of Regional council. "Growth must be managed well if we are to sustain economic vitality and healthy communities."

The Region's draft sustainability strategy will assist the Region in reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and improve air quality. It contains eight guiding principles and more than 80 actions, including reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases, smog precursors and other harmful pollutants that impact human health.

In addition, Frustaglio identified initiatives that are planned or already under development to reduce energy consumption across Regional operations and lower greenhouse gas emissions. They include: • Working on adopting and implementing a Regional Air Quality Strategy. • Assessing the viability of a wind power project. • Constructing new Regional facilities to meet the energy efficiency standards of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification as a minimum. • Exploring opportunities for alternative fuels, such as biodiesel and diesel-electric, for York Region Transit/Viva buses. • Increasing forest cover available for carbon sequestration through the Greening Strategy's afforestation initiatives.

As a signatory to the 2007 Intergovernmental Declaration on Clean Air, York has committed to working collaboratively with the other members of the GTA Clean Air Council to develop healthy and sustainable communities, through the following activities: • Developing energy conservation plans for government buildings and operations. • Developing energy efficiency criteria for purchasing, lease and contract decisions. • Identifying opportunities to purchase green power. • Developing model corporate and community green building policies. • Encouraging installation of technologies that generate renewable energy and/or reduce use of conventional fossil fuels. • Developing and/or participating in transportation demand management initiatives, Smart Commute programs and/or Green fleet plans to reduce emissions associated with government operations. • Monitoring and evaluating local and international progress in creating healthy and sustainable communities through clean air practices such as green development policies, sustainable and active transportation and urban and rural green spaces. • Identifying financial mechanisms that further enable corporate energy-use reductions.

York has been a member of the GTA Clean Air Council since 2001. Other members include five of York Region's local municipalities: King, Markham, Newmarket, Richmond Hill and Vaughan.