Item - 2015.LS4.3
Tracking Status
- This item was considered by Licensing and Standards Committee on May 25, 2015 and was adopted with amendments.
LS4.3 - Options for Mitigating Human-Wildlife Conflict in Toronto
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
Committee Decision
The Licensing and Standards Committee:
1. Endorsed the creation of the Inter-Divisional Working Group on Urban Wildlife led by Municipal Licensing and Standards to include relevant City divisions, agencies and boards to strengthen public educational efforts related to wildlife conflict prevention and identify emerging practices in urban wildlife management.
2. Directed the Inter-Divisional Working Group on Urban Wildlife to develop a comprehensive strategy for mitigating human-wildlife conflict in the City of Toronto.
3. Directed the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards to explore the feasibility of a by-law that prohibits the feeding of wildlife on private property.
4. Requested the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, in consultation with the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer, to develop/identify a funding source and bring forward for consideration, as part of the 2016 budget process, an option to include operating funding for the Toronto Wildlife Centre that would help the Toronto Wildlife Centre meet our shared goals of minimizing human-wildlife conflict, educating the public about wildlife issues and caring for injured and orphaned wildlife.
5. Requested the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, in consultation with the Chief Planner, to develop guidelines for residential and commercial development processes that promote wildlife-proofing measures in new building construction and the development of "owner awareness packages" to reduce post-construction conflicts between wildlife and residents.
6. Requested the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards to report to the June 25, 2015 Licensing and Standards Committee on the provincial response to the City's request for provincial action on licensing wildlife operators.
7. Requested the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards to report to the Licensing and Standards Committee on the feasibility of implementing by-law amendments to prohibit the feeding of pigeons in public spaces in Toronto.
Origin
Summary
Licensing and Standards Committee requested Municipal Licensing and Standards to report on how the City monitors its urban wildlife populations and identify best practices to reduce the negative impact of wildlife on public health, safety, and private property. Staff were also requested to report back on options for how the City can control exploding wildlife populations, particularly raccoons.
The report outlines the rules and regulations that govern wildlife in Ontario and outlines the roles that different individuals and organizations play in mediating conflict between humans and wildlife. It also reviews different approaches to wildlife management and highlights best practices based on a scan of other jurisdictions, expert advice and literature review.
Research and best practice indicate that governments/municipalities ought to focus on addressing the human behavioural contributors to urban wildlife issues rather than implement programs that attempt to control wildlife populations. Experience thus far demonstrates that education efforts and, where necessary, enforcement related to human conduct, may be a more successful long-term solution to human-wildlife conflict versus a cull or wildlife sterilization program, which are either difficult to implement in urban environments, cost prohibitive, or unsuccessful in controlling wildlife populations.
The report concludes with a series of actions the City can take to strengthen its role in public education related to wildlife conflict prevention, and provides for consideration a number of by-law amendments that may be necessary to address the human behavioural contributors to nuisance wildlife situations.
City Planning, Toronto Public Health, Solid Waste, Transportation Services, 311 and Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and Toronto Zoo were consulted in preparation for the report.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/ls/bgrd/backgroundfile-79987.pdf
Attachment 1 - Ipsos Reid Survey Results, December 2014
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/ls/bgrd/backgroundfile-79988.pdf
Attachment 2 - Toronto Animal Services’ Wildlife Field Responses, 2009 - 2014
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/ls/bgrd/backgroundfile-79989.pdf
Attachment 3 - Map of Toronto Animal Services’ Wildlife Field Responses Per Ward, 2014
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/ls/bgrd/backgroundfile-79990.pdf
Attachment 4 - Summary of laws, policies and regulations related to human-wildlife conflict in Ontario
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/ls/bgrd/backgroundfile-79991.pdf
Attachment 5 - Challenges and opportunities of different wildlife management approaches
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/ls/bgrd/backgroundfile-79992.pdf
Attachment 6 - Scan of urban wildlife management practices in other municipalities
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/ls/bgrd/backgroundfile-79993.pdf
Attachment 7 - Summary of roles and responsibilities related to urban wildlife in Toronto
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/ls/bgrd/backgroundfile-79994.pdf
Communications
(May 20, 2015) E-mail from Nicole Therese Corrado (LS.New.LS4.3.2)
(May 21, 2015) E-mail from Deborah Chalmers (LS.New.LS4.3.3)
(May 25, 2015) Submission from Nathalie Karvonen (LS.New.LS4.3.4)
(May 25, 2015) E-mail from Liz White, Animal Alliance and Animal Alliance Environment Voters Party of Canada and Barry MacKay, Canadian Representative, Born Free (LS.New.LS4.3.5)
Speakers
Liz White, Director, Animal Alliance of Canada
Motions
That the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, in consultation with the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer, be requested to develop/identify a funding source and bring forward for consideration, as part of the 2016 budget process, an option to include operating funding for the Toronto Wildlife Centre that would help the Toronto Wildlife Centre meet our shared goals of minimizing human-wildlife conflict, educating the public about wildlife issues and caring for injured and orphaned wildlife.
That City Staff report to the June 25, 2015 Licensing and Standards Committee on the provincial response to the City's request for provincial action on licensing wildlife operators.
That City Staff develop guidelines for residential and commercial development processes that promote wildlife-proofing measures in new building construction and the development of "owner awareness packages" to reduce post-construction conflicts between wildlife and residents.
That the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards be requested to report to the Licensing and Standards Committee on the feasibility of implementing by-law amendments to prohibit the feeding of pigeons in public spaces in Toronto.
To re-open consideration of the item to adopt the staff recommendations, as amended.