Item - 2008.EX22.4

City Council on July 15, 16 and 17, 2008, adopted the following motions:

1.         In order to adapt to the long-lasting change in weather patterns due to climate change, City Council direct that climate change mitigation measures and explicit goals for adaptation of infrastructure and buildings be incorporated into Toronto’s Official Plan and request that the Chief Planner report on the amendments appropriate to the Official Plan incorporating such measures.

2.         City agencies, boards, commissions, corporations and divisions likely to be strongly affected by climate change also be requested to incorporate climate change mitigation measures and explicit goals for adaptation in their plans, programs, strategies and assessment procedures.

3.         City Council request all City agencies, boards, commissions, corporations and divisions to incorporate climate change concerns into planning for 2009, and identify in their 2009 budget submissions specific actions and programs they plan to undertake regarding climate change mitigation and adaptation, including, but not limited to the Council direction provided through the adoption of the Climate Change, Clean Air and Sustainable Energy Action Plan.

4.         The Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer report back on a funding strategy for climate change adaptation planning and actions, including the creation of an Extreme Weather Reserve, the purpose of which is to mitigate the expenditure impacts arising from extreme weather conditions by providing funding at the end of the year to offset wholly or partly a budget shortfall resulting from unbudgeted and uninsured extreme weather-related costs incurred during the year.

5.         The Director of the Toronto Environment Office support the work of the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer cited above in Part 4, by establishing, in consultation with the Climate Change Adaptation Steering Group, a methodology to prioritize short-term Climate Change Adaptation actions recommended by City Divisions prior to the 2009 Budget Cycle process.

6.         The Director of the Toronto Environment Office establish a process for the development of a longer-term, comprehensive adaptation strategy, that: identifies key vulnerabilities to climate change of the City, including financial vulnerability; prioritizes risks; identifies, assesses and implements adaptation actions that will reduce vulnerability; and takes advantage of opportunities presented by a changing climate.

7.         To support co-operation, communications and research among Federal, Provincial and Municipal governments, universities, colleges and non-governmental organizations on climate change mitigation and adaptation actions and strategies relevant to the City of Toronto and other urban centres, City Council authorize the Director of the Toronto Environment Office to co-ordinate City staff participation in the establishment and development of the proposed Urban Climate Change Network.