Item - 2015.HL6.2
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on September 30, 2015 with amendments.
- This item was considered by Board of Health on September 22, 2015 and was adopted with amendments. It will be considered by City Council on September 30, 2015.
HL6.2 - Green City: Why Nature Matters to Health
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on September 30, October 1 and 2, 2015, adopted the following:
1. City Council dedicate sufficient resources to meet the strategic goal of increasing canopy cover in Toronto to 40 percent as set out by the 2013 Strategic Forest Management Plan.
2. City Council prioritize green space investment in the 31 Neighborhood Improvement Areas.
3. City Council recognize school sites as important community assets benefitting human health and the environment and that it support Toronto school boards keeping green spaces and sports facilities associated with schools accessible for use by the public when decisions are made on the future of school properties, especially those in high growth and Neighbourhood Improvement Areas.
Background Information (Board)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-83420.pdf
Attachment 1: Green City: Why Nature Matters to Health - An Evidence Review
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-83421.pdf
Attachment 2: The Impact of Green Space on Heat and Air Pollution in Urban Communities: A meta-narrative systematic review
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-83422.pdf
Presentation from the Medical Officer of Health on Green City: Why Nature Matters to Health
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-84077.pdf
Background Information (City Council)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/cc/bgrd/backgroundfile-84238.pdf
Communications (Board)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/hl/comm/communicationfile-55505.pdf
(September 21, 2015) E-mail from Sharon Yetman (HL.New.HL6.2.2)
(September 22, 2015) Presentation from Mike Puddister, Deputy CAO and Director Watershed Transformation, Credit Valley Conservation Authority and Pegeen Walsh, Executive Director, Ontario Public Health Association (HL.New.HL6.2.3)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/hl/comm/communicationfile-55580.pdf
Motions (City Council)
That City Council amend Board of Health Recommendation 3 by deleting the words "provide funding and other", "to", "to ensure that any", "open spaces" and "remain", and inserting the word "keeping" and inserting the letter "s" after the word space so that it now reads as follows:
3. City Council recognize school sites as important community assets benefitting human health and the environment and that it supports Toronto school boards keeping green spaces and sports facilities associated with schools accessible for use by the public when decisions are made on the future of school properties, especially those in high growth and Neighbourhood Improvement Areas.
That City Council refer Board of Health Recommendations 1 and 2 to the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation for consideration in the implementation of the 2013-2018 Strategic Forest Management Plan and in the development of the 20 year Parks and Recreation Facility Master Plan, the Parkland Acquisition Strategy and the subsequent Parks, Forestry and Recreation 10 Year Capital Plan.
Recommendations to be referred:
1. City Council dedicate sufficient resources to meet the strategic goal of increasing canopy cover in Toronto to 40 percent as set out by the 2013 Strategic Forest Management Plan.
2. City Council prioritize green space investment in the 31 Neighborhood Improvement Areas.
Vote (Amend Item) Oct-02-2015 12:20 PM
| Result: Lost | Majority Required - HL6.2 - Holyday - motion 2 |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 15 | Members that voted Yes are Ana Bailão, John Campbell, Christin Carmichael Greb, Gary Crawford, Stephen Holyday, Jim Karygiannis, Chin Lee, Josh Matlow, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Ron Moeser, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, David Shiner, Michael Thompson, John Tory |
| Total members that voted No: 21 | Members that voted No are Maria Augimeri, Jon Burnside, Shelley Carroll, Joe Cressy, Vincent Crisanti, Janet Davis, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Justin J. Di Ciano, Frank Di Giorgio, Sarah Doucette, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Mark Grimes, Norman Kelly, Mike Layton, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
| Total members that were Absent: 9 | Members that were absent are Paul Ainslie, Michelle Berardinetti, Raymond Cho, Josh Colle, Rob Ford, Mary Fragedakis, Giorgio Mammoliti, Cesar Palacio, Jaye Robinson |
Vote (Adopt Item as Amended) Oct-02-2015 12:22 PM
| Result: Carried | Majority Required - HL6.2 - Adopt the item as amended |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 35 | Members that voted Yes are Maria Augimeri, Ana Bailão, Christin Carmichael Greb, Shelley Carroll, Gary Crawford, Joe Cressy, Vincent Crisanti, Janet Davis, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Justin J. Di Ciano, Frank Di Giorgio, Sarah Doucette, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Mark Grimes, Jim Karygiannis, Norman Kelly, Mike Layton, Chin Lee, Josh Matlow, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Ron Moeser, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Cesar Palacio, James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, David Shiner, Michael Thompson, John Tory, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
| Total members that voted No: 3 | Members that voted No are Jon Burnside, John Campbell, Stephen Holyday |
| Total members that were Absent: 7 | Members that were absent are Paul Ainslie, Michelle Berardinetti, Raymond Cho, Josh Colle, Rob Ford, Mary Fragedakis, Giorgio Mammoliti |
HL6.2 - Green City: Why Nature Matters to Health
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
Board Recommendations
The Board of Health recommends that:
1. City Council dedicate sufficient resources to meet the strategic goal of increasing canopy cover in Toronto to 40 percent as set out by the 2013 Strategic Forest Management Plan.
2. City Council prioritize green space investment in the 31 Neighborhood Improvement Areas.
3. City Council recognize school sites as important community assets benefitting human health and the environment and that it provide funding and other supports to Toronto school boards to ensure that any green space, open spaces, and sports facilities associated with schools remain accessible for use by the public when decisions are made on the future of school properties, especially those in high growth and Neighbourhood Improvement Areas.
Decision Advice and Other Information
The Board of Health:
1. Urged the Minister of Education to recognize school sites as important community assets benefitting human health and the environment and to provide funding and other supports to Toronto school boards to ensure that any green space, open spaces, and sports facilities associated with schools remain accessible for use by the public when decisions are made on the future of school properties, especially those in high growth and Neighbourhood Improvement Areas;
2. Urged the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to strengthen policies for provision of green space in land-use planning documents under review in the "2015 Co-ordinated Review" which include The Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe; The Green Belt Plan; The Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan; and the Niagara Escarpment Plan;
3. Requested the Medical Officer of Health to forward the report (September 4, 2015) from the Medical Officer of Health to the Chief Planner and Executive Director of City Planning, General Managers of Parks, Forestry and Recreation and Transportation Services, Executive Director of Social Development, Finance and Administration, and Director, Environment and Energy Division for their consideration;
4. Fowarded the report (September 4, 2015) from the Medical Officer of Health to Ministers of Health and Long-Term Care, Municipal Affairs and Housing, and Education, Chief Medical Officer of Health, Association of Local Public Health Agencies, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, the Toronto District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board, le Conseil scolaire Viamonde, and le Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud; and
5. Requested the Chair of the Board of Health to forward the report (September 4, 2015) from the Medical Officer of Health to the City-School Boards Advisory Committee.
Origin
Summary
Abundant, diverse and well maintained green spaces are important features of a healthy city. Two recent systematic reviews, Green City: Why Nature Matters to Health and The Impact of Green Space on Heat and Air Pollution in Urban Communities, detail the health benefits of green space. These reviews fill a gap in the understanding of the relationship between green space and human health and highlight the importance of continued investments in Toronto’s natural heritage.
Green space is a term that refers to a wide variety of natural and landscaped areas both publicly and privately owned. It includes parks, ravines, school yards, private yards, street trees, landscaped open spaces along streets and around buildings, cemeteries and green roofs. Having access to and using green spaces promotes physical activity and improves health and wellbeing. The presence of green space is associated with reduced mortality, obesity, depression, anxiety, cardiovascular disease and small for gestational age births. It also provides places for stress reduction, mental restoration and social interactions.
Green spaces have a number of environmental health benefits. They are associated with improved air quality, provide relief from extreme heat and lessen the urban heat island effect, which reduce the negative health impacts associated with a warmer climate. Green spaces also have important ecological functions, such as reducing the negative impacts of heavy rainfall events, which are expected to increase with climate change.
An increase in pollen allergies and risk of vector-borne diseases are potential negative health impacts related to exposure to green space. Public education, careful selection of species planted and adoption of protective measures can reduce these risks.
The available evidence shows that both small and large green spaces contribute to better health. There is also evidence that vulnerable groups, such as people with low income and children, gain the most benefit from increased access to green spaces. Implementing the City’s Official Plan, Parks Plan 2013-2017 and Strategic Forest Management Plan (2012-2022), including improving access to green space for vulnerable groups, will help make Toronto a healthy city for all.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-83420.pdf
Attachment 1: Green City: Why Nature Matters to Health - An Evidence Review
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-83421.pdf
Attachment 2: The Impact of Green Space on Heat and Air Pollution in Urban Communities: A meta-narrative systematic review
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-83422.pdf
Presentation from the Medical Officer of Health on Green City: Why Nature Matters to Health
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-84077.pdf
Communications
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/hl/comm/communicationfile-55505.pdf
(September 21, 2015) E-mail from Sharon Yetman (HL.New.HL6.2.2)
(September 22, 2015) Presentation from Mike Puddister, Deputy CAO and Director Watershed Transformation, Credit Valley Conservation Authority and Pegeen Walsh, Executive Director, Ontario Public Health Association (HL.New.HL6.2.3)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/hl/comm/communicationfile-55580.pdf
Speakers
Pegeen Walsh, Co-Chair, EcoHealth Ontario
Motions
Request the Chair of the Board of Health to forward the report to the City-School Boards Advisory Committee.
That Recommendation 5 of the staff report be amended by adding, "and City Council" following "Minister of Education" and deleting "direct" and replacing it with "provide funding and other supports to" so that the recommendation now reads:
The Board of Health urge the Minister of Education and City Council to recognize school sites as important community assets benefitting human health and the environment and to provide funding and other supports to Toronto school boards to ensure that any green space, open spaces, and sports facilities associated with schools remain accessible for use by the public when decisions are made on the future of school properties, especially those in high growth and Neighbourhood Improvement Areas;