HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016 TRCA Annual Report - Resilience in The Living CityResilience
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Message from the CEO
Imagine you're holding a rubber band. No matter how much you stretch, twist or contort it, it always
manages to return to its original shape. That's resiliency — the ability to respond to stress and bounce back.
These days, resiliency seems to be everywhere. Resiliency planning is underway at the municipal level,
with some even adding resiliency officers to their staff complement. Businesses constantly pursue resiliency
in an ever expanding global market and organizations like Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA), work to
make our planet resilient in the face of climate change.
The GTA is home to more than five million people. It's also home to some truly stunning natural spaces.
Nine rivers cut through our region, shaping the landscape and the lives of those who live here. There is
untold beauty here, but also the crush of development. Finding a balance and preserving nature while
wrestling with the very real effects of climate change is where we find resilience together.
Resilience is a part of everything we do. It's in the programs we teach to students of all ages. It's in the
community events we host. It's even in the way we run our organization and interact with our partner
municipalities. Our goal is to meet the challenges that come our way by being proactive rather than reactive,
by anticipating and adapting to change, by seeing the storms on the horizon and making course corrections
well ahead of time. Ultimately, resiliency is a muscle we are compelled to work every single day.
It's gratifying, then, that the Ontario government has taken steps to promote resiliency in the province.
Recently, the Province's Coordinated Land Use Planning Review highlighted the importance of watershed
planning as a key element in sustainable and resilient growth management in the Greater Golden Horseshoe.
This show of support for the creation of thoughtful and balanced watershed plans is a step in the right
direction — one that underscores our mission to protect thriving communities in the region.
As well, TRCA's Watershed Strategies team recently studied a number of priorities and actions released by
the Province for their second phase of the Conservation Authorities Act review. Additionally, in representing
the 36 conservation authorities across Ontario, TRCA staff recently provided feedback on the Ministry of
Natural Resources and Forestry's Environmental Bill of Rights. Both submissions to the Province emphasized
the move towards resiliency as an integral part of the long term growth of sustainable communities.
The new climate reality is just that — a reality. There's no more room for 'what ifs'. There is only moving
ahead — all levels of government and the public, protecting our natural world, growing with care and being
resilient in all that we endeavor.
Ultimately, if we choose to work together, we are sure to be like that rubber band and bounce back.
Thank you. �
ru� L -�� /
Brian Denney
Chief Executive Officer
2016 ANNUAL REPORT 0 TORONTO AND REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY
Message from the Chair
English historian Thomas Fuller once said that we never know the worth of water till the well is dry. When it
comes to the theme of Toronto and Region Conservation's 2016 Annual Report — resiliency —I can't think
of a more fitting phrase.
For years, climate change has been used to describe why our mean temperatures around the globe are rising
steadily, why the polar ice is melting or even why various species are being found in places they never were
previously. And while the phrase 'climate change' has become commonplace and perhaps even overused,
the time for debate is over. The time for planning and acting is now.
That's why I'm proud to work with the passionate and dedicated people of TRCA. For more than 60 years,
this organization has been looking out for the environment, protecting greenspace and preserving biodiversity
in our region. A healthy system of watersheds benefits not only the fish, birds and other wildlife — it benefits
we humans too. It provides us with an outlet, a place to relax and escape the concrete jungle. It gives us
room to breathe, to decompress and to reconnect with our friends and family. It's good for our economy too.
Building resilience into everything TRCA means the natural world we love is going to be here for the next
generation to enjoy. It means our rivers, lakes and streams are drinkable, fishable and swimmable. It means
our air is clean and we continue to look for balance in the way we develop our urban landscape. It means
our ravines, forests, meadows and valleys are alive with wildlife of all kinds. All it takes is a commitment to
embody resilience—and that's something TRCA does naturally.
On behalf of the Authority, I'd like to thank the staff and TRCA's many partners for another year of
hard work in protecting and preserving nature here in the GTA.
Maria Augimed
Chair
TORONTO AND REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY 0 2016 ANNUAL REPORT
571 619 sq, m
of land restored across TRCA's jurisdiction
through the Young Tree Monitoring and
Maintenance Program that tracks the health
of trees and shrubs in our region.
1,500 m
new trail on the Etobicoke Creek Trail opened
in 2016, connecting the City of Brampton to
the Town of Caledon.
Ell
research themes related to climatology,
hydrology and ecology analyzed in the OCC
State of the Climate Change Science in the
Great Lakes Basin report, produced with
Environment and Climate Change Canada,
the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
and Forestry and McMaster University. The
report provides key material for researchers,
managers and decision makers.
flowers planted as part of the Gatineau
Hydro Corridor Revitalization Project in
the Scarborough Centre Butterfly Trail. The
establishment of this meadow will help
to mitigate the negative effects of climate
change through increased pollinator habitat.
700 h rs
500 m of fencing, 32 Citizen Scientist
volunteers and three turtle beaches were
involved in the Heart Lake Road ecology
study. TRCA and the City of Brampton
installed fencing and a culvert to allow the
safe passage of wildlife.
1,700
visitors to 18th annual Mill Pond Splash that
engages the community about restoration
work and environmental principles that will
last a lifetime held in collaboration with the
Town of Richmond Hill.
2,100
people visited the shore of both
Highland and Duffins Creek as part of
annual salmon festivals.
700
participants, 350 boats and 89 volunteers took
part in the Manulife Paddle the Don — an event
that creates a connection to the river and raises
funds for watershed initiatives.
30 years
of actions taken in the waters of Lake
Ontario on the shores of Toronto have
resulted in significant progress made
towards restoring the water, fish, wildlife
and habitats, as reported in the Toronto
and Region Remedial Action Plan's Within
Reach: 2015 Toronto and Region Remedial
Action Plan Progress Report. Now the waters
are more swimmable, drinkable and fishable.
Assessing the environmental health of the GTA is the Climate change vulnerability assessments for the City of
focus of The Living City® Report Card. The 2016 edition, Mississauga and the City of Vaughan were conducted by the
produced in collaboration with several partner organizations, Ontario Climate Consortium (OCC) to identify the risks the
is the most comprehensive in-depth analysis of environmental cities might face in a changing climate as well as
sustainability and highlights successes, challenges and
opportunities for action by municipal and regional
governments in the GTA.
The current health of our city's trees was released in the
State of the Urban Forest. Produced in partnership with Green
Infrastructure Ontario (GIO) Coalition, this report combined
data from 17 municipal and regional governments for this
baseline assessment. It highlighted the many benefits ar
challenges of caring for our urban forest.
vulnerabilities that exist in stormwater infrastructure.
OCC increased the technical capacity of municipal staff to
undderstand and apply vulnerability action steps.
TORONTO AND REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY 0 2016 ANNUAL REPORT
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agency representatives attended the annual the
Floods Happen Municipal Workshop, providing
an opportunity for first responders and
emergency management professionals working
in the GTA to discuss opportunities to improve
operations across boundaries.
2,000 m
of flood control channel cleaned to restore
the original flow capacity to maximize flow
and reduce flood risk. These channels
include Sheppard Channel, Mallon Channel
and Yonge/York Mills Channel.
1,474 ml
of valley slope stabilized and restored.
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1,125 m
of new trail constructed and 902 m of
existing trail restored.
500
inspections completed on TRCA dams
to ensure structures are safe and
performing correctly.
13
buildings protected against erosion and/or
slope instability.
12,100
online interactions from 40 countries
brought the page views for trcagauging.ca
to over 21,000.
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TRICKS Flood Forecasting and Warning program plays a vital
role by monitoring weather and watershed conditions and
issuing flood messages. In 2016, the Emergency Operations
Centre integrated updated Incident Management System (IMS)
principles. Over 28 unique positions were developed and over
31 staff were trained.
2016
resulted in the completion of the completion
of the Lower Don 1 D-21) hydraulic model and
floodplain mapping update, which generated
updated regulatory floodplain mapping for
over 500 ha. The enhanced animations and
risk mapping products produced for this area
can be used to better develop emergency
plans and explore flood mitigation options
around the Don River Valley and associated
transportation corridors.
1,492 m
of streambanks were protected.
Final design
for the decommissioning of Albion Hills Dam
was completed and removal of the structure
will take place in 2017.
wells. From this information, hydrology models are created
which engineers use to assess possible impacts of proposed
developments on area wetlands. For example, this work is
being carried out for the massive Seaton Development —
Sideline 21 and 26 wetlands and Baif wetland.
TORONTO AND REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY 0 -116 ANNUAL REPORT
Assisting developers, consultants, municipalities and
Resilient developments that complement existing land and
landowners implement sustainable storm water management
water features rather than negatively impact them is the
practices in their watersheds is the focus of the Low Impact
purpose behind the Wetland Water Balance Project. At TRCA's
Development Treatment Train Tool (LID TTT). This tool was
15 wetland monitoring sites, water levels, groundwater flow
created by Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority
and plant and animal species data is collected from 130(LSRCA),
Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) and TRCA.
TORONTO AND REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY 0 -116 ANNUAL REPORT
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12,577,016
monitoring data records collected in 2016
that provide the foundation on which
important conservation decisions are made.
133+
projects implemented by The Restoration
Projects Group and continued planning for
39 projects.
1,978
habitat structures restored; including bird
nest boxes, turtle basking logs, bee condos,
log tangles, salamander cookies, snake
hibernacula, raptor poles, perching poles
and tern rafts.
184,960
biodiversity records collected help TRCA
departments like Planning and Development
in their reviews, help guide restoration
activities and contribute to reporting on the
overall state and health of our watersheds.
102.67 ha
of wetland, riparian and terrestrial habitat
restored. That's over 1 km2, equivalent to the
area of 293 Yonge-Dundas Squares!
The resiliency of our species and spaces in the face of climate
change and urbanization is found through quantitative study.
TRCA's Regional Watershed Monitoring Program collects data
on terrestrial and aquatic habitat and species, water quality,
water quantity and climate and hydrology. The information is
invaluable as it helps inform a host of policy decisions in the
face of environmental stressors and urbanization.
Little wonders — The endangered Redside Dace, a red and
yellow striped minnow is as a useful indicator of watershed
health. According to the Committee on the Status of
Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), the Redside
Dace is especially sensitive to environmental disturbance
and its presence or absence can indicate the state of a
77
monitoring and restoration partnerships and/
or collaborations supported.
10,412 m
of riparian, stream and shoreline restored.
At an average walking speed, it would take
you over two hours to walk the length of
this restoration.
101,166
native trees and shrubs planted at 110
planting sites covering over 65 ha.
watercourse's health. The Golden Horseshoe Region contains
80% of Canada's Redside Dace population — much in urban
areas or those slated for development. Urban development is
considered the most immediate threat to this species in
Canada, so TRCA habitat restoration projects for Redside
Dace benefits watersheds on the whole.
The Cell 2 Wetland Creation Project at Tommy Thompson
Park is the definition of resiliency on Toronto's waterfront.
A 9.3 hectare coastal wetland, this project transformed a
construction waste disposal facility into a rich, coastal habitat
for fish and wildlife. Cell 2 builds on the work completed at the
adjacent Cell 1 Wetland, providing habitat for marsh birds,
turtles, amphibians, small mammals and native fish.
TORONTO AND REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY 0 -fREPORT
2,962 ha
of TRCA greenspace assessed to help
identify changes in conditions and make
links between human and/or environmental
changes and the impacts on the greenspaces.
people introduced to the importance of
cultural heritage through public outreach
and educational programs led by TRCA
Archaeology department.
17
TRCA projects requiring consultation with
First Nations and Mdtis communities were
coordinated through Archaeology staff.
3,950 kg
of waste removed from TRCA properties.
IN
TRCA properties inspected according to the
TRCA Trails Standard Operating Procedures,
ensuring that risks and hazards along trails are
identified and mitigated, thereby reducing our
risk and providing quality user experiences.
1110
public engagement sessions held,
including stewardship committee meetings,
public information sessions and advisory
committee meetings to help promote
community involvement in greenspace and
trail management.
Joining together to create a resilient connection built on
conservation is the innovation behind TRCA's partnership
with Green Durham Association. In 2016, the collaboration
and funding allowed TRCA to continue to provide a community
liaison staff position for TRCA's East Duffins Headwaters
Properties. A management plan was created and new trail posts,
post markers and trail head maps were produced. This local
conservation partnership allows TRCA to further its conservation
efforts in an area with limited resources available for land and
trail management.
In 2016, the first year of TRCA's Greenlands Acquisition
Project, TRCA acquired 30 hectares of floodplain land
increasing its land holdings to 18,145 secured for both flood
protection and greenspace conservation. This allowed TRCA
44 km
of trail mapped using specialized High
Efficiency Trail Assessment Process (HETAP)
equipment to record accessibility factors
identifying trail features such as accessibility.
143.3 km
of authorized trail audited to ensure proper
trail alignment and conditions.10.2 km
of unauthorized trails inventoried which
informs trail closures and help mitigate our
risk by eliminating unsafe trails.
53
individual archaeological assessments
conducted on TRCA properties.
to expand access to greenspace, establish trail and ecological
connections, ensure clean and abundant groundwater supplies
and provide protection to ecologically sensitive lands.
TRCA, the Town of Richmond Hill and York Region celebrated
the completion of the main trail in Oak Ridges Corridor
Conservation Reserve in the autumn of 2016. The 5.2 km
trail forms a section of Lake to Lake Cycling Route and
Walking Trail, which will provide a continuous 121 km trail
from Lake Ontario to Lake Simcoe when completed.
With an eye on ensuring safety and resilient land management,
TRCA acquired a site adjacent to the Scarborough Bluffs on
Fishleigh Drive for a total of approximately $2M though City of
Toronto erosion control funding. A 4.6 h Conservation Easement
was also acquired in Pickering adjacent to Carruthers Creek.
TORONTO AND REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY 0 20�L.,l_-,--F i T
Resiliency Highlights:
• Community resilience is a concept that embraces the principle
of social equity. That's why, in 2016, Black Creek Pioneer
Village cultivated community partnerships to create culturally
rich and accessible experiences. These included collaborating
with the Town of Aurora, the McMichael Art Gallery and the
Toronto Public Libraries. Toronto Community Living had free
access to the museum for a photography course and 50
Syrian refugees toured the Village through the Institute for
Canadian Citizenship. The program introduces refugees to
some of Canada's cultural facilities.
• In 2016, Parks and Culture developed a master site plan for
Albion Hills Conservation.TRCA welcomed feedback from
local councilors, Authority members and residents. Parks and
Culture then focused on Lakeview restoration. Once
completed, the natural form and function of the Centreville
Creek channel will be reestablished, fish barriers mitigated,
aquatic, riparian and floodplain habitat improved and more
education and outreach opportunities created.
• Giving nature a helping hand is part of resiliency. That's why
The Living City Foundation organized a Bring Back the Bees
event, creating a wildflower garden at Black Creek Pioneer
Village. As well, more than 80 community members from the
Jane -Finch neighborhood assisted in building a rain garden
with native plants. At Bathurst Glen Golf Course, six bat boxes
and more than 4,047 sq. m butterfly meadow were established.
950,000
people visited Parks and Culture facilities to
spend quality time in nature, participate in
health -promoting activities, and enjoy brand
new recreational offerings.
people ditched the car and chose to walk,
jog, run, cycle, skateboard, rollerblade,
or use a personal mobility device to enter
a TRCA Park — which always means free
admission as part of TRCA's commitment to
encouraging green modes of transportation.
27
commercial film shoots hosted at
Conservation Parks in 2016 as TRCA
continues to build rapport and partnerships
with local film production companies, all
while maintaining environmental integrity.
10,142
visitors, including 1,000+ new Canadians,
enjoyed free admission to Black Creek Pioneer
Village thanks to the facility's growing roster of
community outreach programs and continued
commitment to providing culturally rich heritage
experiences that are accessible to all.
4,047 m
of butterfly meadow created at Bathurst Glen
Golf Course as part of the facility's ongoing
commitment to meeting and surpassing
Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary standards
and demonstrating best practices in integrated
pest management.
Social media
activities and followers for TRCA Parks
growing at rapid speed; 4,788,500 total reach
on Facebook and over 3,000 Twitter followers
stay connected with all things outdoors.
550
native wildflowers and shrubs were planted
in Black Creek Pioneer Village's brand new
rain gardenan environmentally significant
community -building project that was funded
by the Great Lakes Community Fund and which
engaged over 80 members of the Jane -Finch
neighborhood to participate.
MWE
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Syrian refugees experienced Black Creek
Pioneer Village through Ahlan Canada—an
exciting program developed by the Institute
of Canadian Citizenship to welcome Syrian
refugees and provide them with family -friendly
tours of Canada's cultural attractions.
2016 ANNUAL REPORT
Resiliency Highlights:
• When it comes to resiliency planning, we "adapt and mitigate",
managing our resources for future severe climate changes.
We do this through policy, technical innovation and development
and infrastructure implementation. We aim to protect the
woodlands, the wetlands and valley corridors, remediate flood
vulnerable areas, integrate hazard management and safety into
development processes, assess regional impacts and manage
the natural and man-made systems for functional integrity.
• TRCA was actively engaged with the Province and the Crombie
Panel to promote policy changes to achieve resilient
communities. The subsequent draft amendments to the
Greenbelt and Growth Plans are aimed to strengthen
requirements for watershed planning, promote green
infrastructure and provide direction to plan for climate change
mitigation and adaptation.
• The City of Toronto and TRCA have been working together
with a wide range of stakeholders since 2015 to develop
a Toronto Ravine Strategy. This framework will guide policy,
investment and stewardship related to the ravines, particularly
as intensification and issues of ravine use and climate change
put pressures on the integrity of these beloved city greenspaces.
• The importance of biodiversity, resilience and risk reduction
is incorporated in subdivisions and site plans, road networks
and supporting infrastructure. In Mayfield West (Phase 2)
in Caledon, the Secondary Plan represents resilience with
its enhancement of several linkages between natural features
for a more robust natural heritage system in Caledon's new
growth community.
• TRCA and the City of Vaughan are finalizing an extensive
OMB process that works with landowners to remove flood
hazards on their properties. An exciting river renewal for
Black Creek provides a restructured natural corridor that flows
through Vaughan's new downtown and assists landowners to
realize their development potential within a flood -safe urban hub.
In 2016 125 EAs 23
approval received for TRCA and Richmond
Hill to conduct an environmental assessment
for Flood Plain Remediation in the Yonge-
Elgin Mills corridor. This study is an
excellent model of creative flood remediation
for an existing flood vulnerable commercial/
industrial area requiring urban revitalization.
1,200
new and current planning applications
processed though the Planning and
Development team.
1,301
new permit applications issued compared
to 1.194 in 2015.
reviewed by EA planning team assessing
impacts on our natural systems, an increase
of 40% from 2015. Many of the EAs were
for municipal rapid transit systems aiming
to mitigate the impacts to climate change
by providing faster and more reliable
service, reducing dependency on the use
of cars, while examining ways to be climate
resilient through innovative design of the
system and infrastructure.
1,180
permits issued within the TRCA jurisdiction.
municipalities collaborated during a workshop
hosted in partnership with with Metrolinx on the
development of the Metrolinx compensation
protocol, striving to compensate for the loss of
ecosystem services.
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active OMB Hearings in 2016. This number
has stayed steady over the last three years,
reflecting the importance of the work our staff
take on when dealing with contentious issues
and complex negotiations.
Resiliency Highlights:
• In 2016, the Claremont Field Centre began its transition into a
Community Engagement Centre. This new, revitalized space
will serve as a hub to bring people together to share experiences.
With continued population growth in Durham Region, there is a
growing need for a community space that supports healthy,
active living and provides inclusive programming for all visitors.
• Monarchs for Mental Health is a project developed by the
Monarch Teacher Network of Canada and run by TRCA. Funded
by the Ontario Seniors' Secretariat, the project seeks to improve
physical and mental health for seniors through hands-on
activities. TRCA staff delivered three workshops on Monarch
butterflies and habitat creation.
2
• Inspiring resiliency for the future is the focus of the
Environmental Leaders of Tomorrow initiative. This innovative
program combines in -school classroom environmental learning
with an overnight trip to one of Ontario's leading outdoor
education centres. This gives students a chance to connect
with nature and develop ecological literacy and leadership skills.
• Building employment resiliency is what the longstanding
partnership with TRCA's PAIE program and Toronto
Employment Services, (TESS), is all about. By granting
access to employment supports, TESS delivers workshops
to participants and access to their database for job posts,
internships and facilitates the pre- arranged hire of participants
through TRCA host employers.
24,981
individuals participated in TRCA's outreach
education programs including the Watershed
on Wheels Program, Aquatic Plants Program
and Yellow Fish Road Program.
students and teachers from eight GTA
school boards visited TRCA Field Centres;
Claremont, Lake St.George and Albion Hills
to connect with the local environment and
practice sustainable living.
2,704
enthusiastic students living in some of the
Province's most disadvantaged communities
participated in TRCA's Integrated Learning
Programs, where in -school classroom learning
is combined with an overnight trip to one of
Ontario's leading outdoor education centres.
30 m
boardwalk built, one km of trail restored and
two cabins refurbished in the Summer of
2016 for Bolton Camp redevelopment project.
21
Rouge Days events held over five days in
June celebrated our connection with the
Rouge River watershed.
In 2016
The Living City Campus has become an
official Test City Site for the Vaughan
International Commercialization Centre.
80010
of participants were successful in accessing
employment opportunities in their field
through the PAIE program.
2,034
school and public program participants took
part in Tommy Thompson Park Education led
initiatives, which included messaging about
positive human impact on biodiversity.
2nd
Annual My Great Lakes, My Future Student
Conference included 200 secondary SHSM
students and guests from four GTA school
boards at Tommy Thompson Park and
Harbourfront Centre which was supported by
three provincial ministries and many partners.
youth and 12 partners engaged for Bolton
Camp redevelopment, a multi-year
redevelopment project that includes the
retrofit and renewal of 102.79 ha of public
greenspace and over 50 historic buildings.
7,498
people engaged in 266 English as a
Second Language Instruction for
Newcomer (LINC) presentations through
TRCA's multicultural program.
226 hrs
of training delivered by PAIE staff to the
program participants to get them ready for
employment in Canada.
Natural Minds
Lasting Connections program was piloted,
engaging Torontonians living with mental illness
to spend time in the City's natural spaces.
ANNUAL REPORT
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Resiliency Highlights:
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• TRCA's Partners in Project Green works in collaboration with
organizations to realize bottom line results in the areas of
Energy Performance, Waste Management, Water Stewardship
and Engagement. This innovative initiative is a model of
business and environmental resiliency, connecting 105
members currently in our region.
• Climate mitigation and adaptation actions help increase
community resilience. That's what the Sustainable Action
Retrofit Plan program aims to do. The Black Creek SNAP,
for example, is engaging homeowners to conserve energy,
reduce basement flood risk and plant trees. More than 88%
have adopted one retrofit action already.
• Feeding our communities now and into the future is the focus • TRCA's Rural Clean Water Program (RCWP) continues to
of the TRCA Urban Agriculture program. In 2016, much was
put best management practices in place for water quality
done to promote local food production awareness. The
improvements, environmental enhancement and sustainability
#IEatLocal Twitter party connected local food producers,
and climate change mitigation and adaptation for rural
community organizations and residents in a vibrant discussion.
landowners to benefit from.
4,570 tonnes
in eCO2 emission and 132 million litres
of water reduced by Partners in Project
Green Energy Leaders with 107 projects
implemented. That equals to $4.16 million
annual savings.
1,700 tonnes
of GHG emission reductions, 41,000 GJ of
energy savings, 8,000 m3 of water savings
and $700,000 in cost savings realized for
10 municipalities across the GTA, through
Mayors' Megawatt Challenge.
Phase 2
Memorandum of Understanding signed by
Region of Peel, Credit Valley Conservation
and TRCA to proceed with construction of
Lakeview Waterfront Connection Project.
In addition Fisheries and Oceans Canada
and Navigation Protection Act approvals
were received to proceed with the Lakeview
Waterfront Connection Project.
88
electric vehicle stations installed through
Partners in Project Green and municipal and
private partners.
71
school boards in Ontario are now part of The
Sustainable Schools program to benchmark
energy performance across the region.
6,130
native trees and shrubs planted, 1406
metres of fencing installed, and 15.6 ha of
habitat created and/or preserved through
Rural Clean Water Program.
Black Creek
SNAP
one of four finalists for a C40 Cities
Award under the Sustainable Communities
category, an award to recognize leading
projects for climate action.
In 2016
Partners in Project Green diverted 5,173
tonnes of waste, reduced 5,718 tonnes of
eCO2 and offset 229.9 million litres of water.
10,000 tonnes
of GHG emission reductions, 94,000 m3 of
water savings, 181,000 GJ energy savings
and $4,000,000 in cost savings for The
Greening Health Care program participants;
42 member hospitals within Ontario and an
additional 13 hospitals from Alberta.
Cities100
included The Black Creek SNAP as one of
100 leading city climate change solutions
from around the world that also provide social
co -benefits and community development.
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attendees at the annual Black Creek Community
Farm Festival toured the farm, ate locally
sourced food and participated in activities
promoting healthy and local food production.
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2016 ANNUAL REPORT TORONTO AND REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY
2,698
Geomatics requests processed by the GIS
team, up from 1,941 in 2015.
In 2016
TRCA Head Office achieved a diversion
rate of 84%; meaning that of all the waste
generated in the office only 16% weight
went to garbage, the rest was recycled,
reused, or composted.
173
new PCs and Laptops purchased
and deployed.
I
unique and interactive Augmented Reality
Sandbox built that allows users to create
topography models by shaping real sand.
It is now permanently located at Albion Hills
Field Centre.
lw
diversion achieved collectively by the
Construction Waste Diversion Pilot Project
at TRCA. By diverting construction waste
material we can support local green jobs
within the circular economy, save landfill
space and conserve natural resources.
28169312921177
of UDAR data points acquired in jurisdiction
wide data delivery to help guide programs and
projects for TRCA.
2,165
IT request tickets submitted and completed
in 2016 for TRCA staff.
15
physical servers and 35 virtual servers
managed by IT staff for TRCA internal
networks.
While this Annual Report charts the progress made
through our efforts in 2016, resiliency is something
that is forever stitched into the fabric of our programs
and services. Here, we highlight initiatives that are
ongoing and will bring us ever closer to a sustainable
region where we work, live and play in resilient ways.
These are just some of the programs aimed at helping
us achieve that goal.
Rouge National Urban Park
Rouge National Urban Park is a nationally protected area in an
urban setting. A rich assembly of natural, cultural and agricultural
landscape, it's home to amazing biodiversity and some of the last
working farms in the GTA. Parks Canada and TRCA have identified
restoration projects designed to improve connectivity, natural cover,
biodiversity, hydrology and agricultural lands. A healthy watershed is
more resilient in the face of climate change, storm events and urban
development. Installing monitoring stations in key locations, allows
the measurement of ecological gains, agricultural functionality and
changes in watershed health.
Next Generation of Watershed Plans
Resiliency has been built into the development of TRCA watershed
plans since the 1980s. Periodically they've been updated to reflect
and adapt to changes in watershed conditions, key drivers and
policy. Now, with more pressures coming to bear in our region,
TRCA has developed a new watershed planning program to align with
Conservation Ontario's Integrated Watershed Management framework.
The planning process aims to: develop a shared vision for a future
watershed state with partners and stakeholders; understand watershed
natural systems, processes, functions and thresholds; analyse the
effects of land use and climate change on watershed health; guide
integrated policies to achieve desired watershed goals and; mobilize
on -the -ground implementation of watershed plan priority actions.
2016 ANNUAL REPORT 0 TORONTO AND REGION
Toronto and Region Remedial
Action Plan (RAP)
In 2016 the Toronto and Region Remedial Action Plan released
Within Reach: 2015 Toronto and Region Remedial Action Plan
Progress Report which documents the progress made toward
restoring Toronto's waters, fish, wildlife and habitats. Implementation
of remedial and restoration actions over the past 30 years have made
the waters of Lake Ontario on the shores of Toronto becoming more
swimmable, drinkable and fishable.
But reaching the goal of delisting doesn't mean our work ends.
Urban growth, pollutants and climate change will create even greater
challenges for our waters. That's why our efforts will continue through
partnerships, policies and legislation to maintain a sustainable
ecosystem in the Toronto Region.
Ontario Climate Consortium (OCC)
The potential impacts of climate change are the sale focus of the OCC.
It continues to help build resiliency at the municipal level as it did
in 2016, conducting climate change assessments for both the City
of Mississauga and the City of Vaughan. The work explored the risks
cities might face in a changing climate and the vulnerabilities that may
exist in stormwater infrastructure.
TRCA's OCC hosted the Community Energy Knowledge Action
Partnership (CEKAP). Funded through the Social Sciences and
Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), OCC leads the initiative,
bringing together researchers, policy practitioners and experts to
explore building low carbon and climate resilient energy systems
in communities.
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Participating Municipalities and Members 2016
TOWN OF MONO & TOWNSHIP OF
ADJALA-TOSORONTIO
G. Mason
THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF YORK
D. Barrow *
M. Di Biase (vice Chair)
J. Heath
L. Pabst
G. Rosati
*Executive Committee Members
DIRECTOR, WATERSHED
STRATEGIES
C. Sharma
THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF DURHAM
K.Ashe
J. Ballinger*
C. Jordan *
THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF PEEL
C. Fonseca
J. Innis *
M. Mahoney
J. Sprovieri
J. Tovey *
SENIOR DIRECTOR,
PLANNING, GREENSPACE
AND COMMUNICATIONS
C. Woodland
EXECUTIVE COMMITTE
CEO/SECRETARY TREASURER„
B. Denney
SENIOR DIRECTOR,
RESTORATION AND
INFRASTRUCTURE
N.Saccone
CITY OF TORONTO
P. Ainslie
M. Augimeri (chair)*
R. Chopowick (May -Dec.)
V Crisanti *
G. De Baeremaeker
J. Di Ciano
J. Drake
R. Ford (Jan. - Mar.)
DIRECTOR, PARKS
AND CULTURE
D. Edwards
CHIEF
FINANCIAL OFFICER
R. Sgambelluri
R. Hoinkes (Jan. -May)
M. Kelleher
M. Khan (Jan. -Jul)
G. Mammoliti
M. Mattos *
J. McKelvie
R. MOeser *
F Nunziata (May - Dec)
A. Perruzza
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority - Statement of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2016
REVENUE (in thousands of dollars)
Authority Genera
& Other Revenue
$32,264
TOTAL = $102,389
EXPENDITURES (in thousands of dollars)
Watershed Studies
and Strategies
$3,439
Corporate
$9,701
Communities
$7,701
Education and—
Outreach
$9,118
Planning and
Government Funding Development Review—
$70,125 $8,109
Tourism and Recreation
$21,528
TOTAL = $94,456
DIRECTOR, EDUCATION,
TRAINING AND
OUTREACH
D. Gray
— Water Risk
Management
$16,841
Biodiversity
Greenspace Securement
and Management
$5,625
TRCA's amortization of tangible capital assets, which amounted to $7,374 in
2016, is reflected above. But, not reflected above are TRCA's acquisitions and
contributions of tangible capital assets, which amounted to $73,878 in 2016.
Please refer to TRCA's audited financial statements which are available online.
TORONTO AND REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY 0 2016 ANNUAL REPORT
www.trca.ca