Item - 2021.DM30.3
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on March 10, 2021 with amendments.
DM30.3 - Calling on the Province to Phase-Out Gas-Fired Electricity Generation - by Councillor Jennifer McKelvie, seconded by Councillor Mike Layton
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on March 10, 2021, adopted the following:
1. City Council request the Government of Ontario to develop and implement a plan to phase-out all gas-fired electricity generation as soon as possible to ensure that Toronto has a clear path to achieve our climate action goals, taking into consideration the need to balance the cost to taxpayers, the need to have flexibility of supply and the need to have system reliability during the refurbishment of the Darlington and Bruce nuclear power stations.
2. City Council request the City Manager to forward this resolution to the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines and the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.
Background Information (City Council)
Communications (City Council)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/dm/comm/communicationfile-128334.pdf
(February 1, 2021) Letter from Lyn Adamson, Co-Chair, ClimateFast (DM.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/dm/comm/communicationfile-128326.pdf
(February 1, 2021) Letter from Chris Fralick, President, Atura Power (DM.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/dm/comm/communicationfile-128330.pdf
(February 1, 2021) Letter from Roselle Martino, Vice President, Policy, Toronto Region Board of Trade (DM.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/dm/comm/communicationfile-128335.pdf
(February 1, 2021) Letter from Tracey Teed-Martin, Director, Toronto Region Operations, Enbridge (DM.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/dm/comm/communicationfile-128336.pdf
(February 2, 2021) Letter from Rick Ciccarelli, on behalf of the Mount Dennis ecoNeighbourhood Team and its partner representatives (DM.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/dm/comm/communicationfile-128332.pdf
(February 2, 2021) Letter from Jack Gibbons, Chair, Ontario Clean Air Alliance (DM.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/dm/comm/communicationfile-128331.pdf
(February 2, 2021) Letter from Amelia Rose Khan, Toronto350 (DM.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/dm/comm/communicationfile-128324.pdf
(February 2, 2021) Letter from David Butters, President and Chief Executive Officer, Association of Power Producers of Ontario (DM.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/dm/comm/communicationfile-128337.pdf
(February 4, 2021) Letter from Sarah Buchanan, Ontario Climate Program Manager, Environmental Defence (DM.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/dm/comm/communicationfile-128325.pdf
(February 4, 2021) E-mail from Paul Young, Health Promoter, South Riverdale Community Health Centre (DM.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/dm/comm/communicationfile-128327.pdf
(February 4, 2021) Letter from John Stephenson, Leader, Toronto West Chapter, Citizens Climate Lobby Canada (DM.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/dm/comm/communicationfile-128328.pdf
(February 4, 2021) Letter from Bryan Purcell, Vice President Policy and Programs, The Atmospheric Fund (DM.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/dm/comm/communicationfile-128338.pdf
(February 4, 2021) Letter from Toby Heaps, Chief Executive Officer, Corporate Knights Inc. (DM.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/dm/comm/communicationfile-128329.pdf
(February 4, 2021) E-mail from Michael DiBernardo (DM.New)
(February 16, 2021) Letter from Michael Barkley, Co-Lead Climate Advocacy Interest Group, Climate Action Club of the Life Institute (DM.Main)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/dm/comm/communicationfile-128313.pdf
(February 25, 2021) Letter from Vince Brescia, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ontario Energy Association (DM.Main)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/dm/comm/communicationfile-128314.pdf
(February 22, 2021) E-mail from Margot Dawson (DM.Main)
(February 18, 2021) E-mail from JoAnne Hunter (DM.Main)
(February 26, 2021) Letter from Sharon Zeiler (DM.Main)
(February 25, 2021) Letter from Colin Phillips, Chair, Trinity St. Paul's United Church Board, Janet Haddock, Jeanne Moffat, Linda Padfield, Jeanne Rowles for the Climate Justice Group (DM.Main)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/dm/comm/communicationfile-128358.pdf
(February 28, 2021) E-mail from Anne Nikkel and Denis Grey (DM.Main)
(March 1, 2021) Letter from Katie Krelove, Ontario Campaigner, Wilderness Committee (DM.Main)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/dm/comm/communicationfile-128360.pdf
(March 1, 2021) Letter from Bob Walker, National Director, Canadian Nuclear Workers' Council (DM.Main)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/dm/comm/communicationfile-128361.pdf
(March 3, 2021) Letter from Diana Yoon on behalf of Emmay Mah, Executive Director, Toronto Environmental Alliance (DM.Main)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/dm/comm/communicationfile-128538.pdf
(March 4, 2021) Letter from Nathalie St-Pierre, President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Propane Association (DM.Supp)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/dm/comm/communicationfile-128541.pdf
(March 7, 2021) Letter from Boyd Reimer, Bruce Lyne, Cathy Nosaty, Don Booth, Janet Nanos, Kyle Duncan, Lowell Lo, Lyn Adamson, Nick Nanos, Rabea Murtaza, Rena Ginsberg, Rose Kudlac and Sarah Grant, on behalf of the Toronto East End Climate Collective (DM.Supp)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/dm/comm/communicationfile-128596.pdf
(March 8, 2021) Letter from Jack Gibson, Chair, Ontario Clean Air Alliance (DM.Supp)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/dm/comm/communicationfile-128581.pdf
(March 8, 2021) Letter from Eric Stark (DM.Supp)
(March 9, 2021) Letter from Terry Young, Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, Independent Electricity System Operator (DM.Supp)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/dm/comm/communicationfile-128767.pdf
(March 8, 2021) Letter from Miriam L Diamond, Professor, University of Toronto Danny Harvey, Professor, University of Toronto Matthew Hoffmann, Professor, University of Toronto Douglas Macdonald Senior Lecturer Emeritus, School of the Environment, University of Toronto, Nicholas Rivers, University of Ottawa and John Robinson, Professor, University of Toronto (DM.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/dm/comm/communicationfile-128928.pdf
(March 9, 2021) Letter from Anne Keary and Brianne Whyte, For Our Kids Toronto (DM.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/dm/comm/communicationfile-128930.pdf
(March 8, 2021) Letter from Gabriella Kalapos, Executive Director, Clean Air Partnership (DM.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/dm/comm/communicationfile-128931.pdf
(March 9, 2021) Letter from Rocco Rossi, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ontario Chamber of Commerce (DM.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/dm/comm/communicationfile-128932.pdf
(March 9, 2021) Letter from John Stephenson, Leader, Toronto West Chapter, Citizens Climate Lobby Canada (DM.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/dm/comm/communicationfile-128940.pdf
Motions (City Council)
That:
1. City Council amend Recommendation 1 so that it now reads as follows:
1. City Council request the Government of Ontario to develop and implement a plan to phase-out all gas-fired electricity generation as soon as possible to ensure that Toronto has a clear path to achieve our climate action goals, taking into consideration the need to balance the cost to taxpayers, the need to have flexibility of supply and the need to have system reliability during the refurbishment of the Darlington and Bruce nuclear power stations.
2. City Council adopt the following new recommendations:
City Council request the City Manager to report to the Executive Committee by the end of 2021 on the gas-fire-generated electricity used and produced by the City of Toronto, and its agencies and corporations, and on a plan, including financial impacts, of phasing out the use of gas-fire-generated electricity.
City Council request the City Manager to report to the Executive Committee by the end of 2021 on the extra costs that will appear on taxpayers electricity bills as a result of the phase out of gas-fire-generated electricity.
City Council request the City Manager to consult with Toronto Hydro and the Ontario Energy Association on the impacts of phasing out the use of gas-fire generated electricity and report back to City Council through the Executive Committee by the end of 2021.
Part 2 of motion 1 did not carry.
Vote (Amend Item) Mar-10-2021 8:05 PM
Result: Carried | Majority Required - DM30.3 - Minnan-Wong - motion 1 Part 1 only |
---|---|
Total members that voted Yes: 13 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Shelley Carroll, Mike Colle, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Cynthia Lai, Nick Mantas, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Jaye Robinson, Michael Thompson, John Tory |
Total members that voted No: 10 | Members that voted No are Brad Bradford, Joe Cressy, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Mike Layton, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
Total members that were Absent: 3 | Members that were absent are Gary Crawford, Michael Ford, James Pasternak |
Vote (Amend Item) Mar-10-2021 8:07 PM
Result: Lost | Majority Required - DM30.3 - Minnan-Wong - motion 1 Part 2 only |
---|---|
Total members that voted Yes: 4 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Mike Colle, Stephen Holyday, Denzil Minnan-Wong |
Total members that voted No: 19 | Members that voted No are Ana Bailão, Brad Bradford, Shelley Carroll, Joe Cressy, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Mark Grimes, Cynthia Lai, Mike Layton, Nick Mantas, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, Michael Thompson, John Tory, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
Total members that were Absent: 3 | Members that were absent are Gary Crawford, Michael Ford, James Pasternak |
Vote (Adopt Item as Amended) Mar-10-2021 8:08 PM
Result: Carried | Majority Required - DM30.3 - Adopt the Item as amended |
---|---|
Total members that voted Yes: 19 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Brad Bradford, Shelley Carroll, Mike Colle, Joe Cressy, Paula Fletcher, Mark Grimes, Cynthia Lai, Mike Layton, Nick Mantas, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, Michael Thompson, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
Total members that voted No: 3 | Members that voted No are John Filion, Stephen Holyday, Denzil Minnan-Wong |
Total members that were Absent: 4 | Members that were absent are Gary Crawford, Michael Ford, James Pasternak, John Tory |
Vote (Adopt Item as Amended) Mar-10-2021 8:09 PM
Result: Carried | Majority Required - DM30.3 - Adopt the Item as amended - REVOTE |
---|---|
Total members that voted Yes: 21 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Brad Bradford, Shelley Carroll, Mike Colle, Joe Cressy, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Mark Grimes, Cynthia Lai, Mike Layton, Nick Mantas, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, Michael Thompson, John Tory, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
Total members that voted No: 2 | Members that voted No are Stephen Holyday, Denzil Minnan-Wong |
Total members that were Absent: 3 | Members that were absent are Gary Crawford, Michael Ford, James Pasternak |
That in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 27, Council Procedures, City Council reconsider the vote to adopt the Item DM30.3 as amended.
Councillor Cressy, on a Point of Order, stated that the item should be held down until staff are available to answer Deputy Mayor Minnan-Wong's questions.
Councillor Cressy, on a Point of Privilege, stated that Members of Council are right to expect that staff will be present but with the speed of the agenda and the challenges with technology, Members should have some compassion for staff.
Deputy Mayor Minnan-Wong, on a Point of Privilege stated that he took exception to Councillor Cressy's comments and that Members of Council have been here all day and have a fair expectation that staff will be available to answer questions.
Councillor Robinson, on a Point of Privilege, stated that the comments made by Councillor Layton were inappropriate for the Chamber and she would like it to stop.
Councillor Pasternak, on a Point of Privilege, stated that Members could hear Councillor Layton's comments and they were inappropriate.
Councillor Holyday, on a Point of Privilege, stated that comments made by Councillor Layton were personal in nature about himself and Deputy Mayor Minnan-Wong, and asked the Speaker to caution Councillor Layton to keep comments in debate generic and not personal.
Mayor Tory, on a Point of Privilege, stated that it wasn't right to challenge someone's honesty earlier, or to refer to other Members as grumpy old men; further stated that this is an embarrassment and Council is debating an important issue, that this happens with evening meetings; that Members should resolve to finish this debate; and that Councillor Layton should withdraw his comments so Council can move on with completing the agenda.
Mayor Tory, on a Point of Order, stated that he would like to be able to vote on each part of Deputy Mayor Minnan-Wong's motion separately.