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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-20-Minutes_PPG_EMC_2020-06-16GTAA PARTNERS IN PROJECT GREEN A PEARSON ECO-DUSINESS ZONE Board of Directors Meeting #1/20 was held by video conference, on Tuesday June 16, 2020. The Co -Chairs John Coyne and Todd Ernst called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. VOTING MEMBERS John Coyne, Co -Chair Present Todd Ernst, Co -Chair Present Erica Brabon, Member Absent Michelle Brown, Member Present Brad Chittick, Member Absent Tim Faveri, Member Present Chris Fonseca, Member Present Jack Heath, Member Present Jim Karygiannis, Member Present Maxx Kochar, Member Present John MacKenzie, Member Present Scott Pegg, Member Absent Teresa Schoonings, Absent Paul Vicente, Member Present ADVISORY MEMBERS Scott Hendershot, Member Present Learie Miller, Member Present Doug Whillans, Member Absent The Co -Chair Todd Ernst recited the Acknowledgement of Indigenous Territory. RES.#PPG1/20 - MINUTES Moved by: Michelle Brown Seconded by: Paul Vicente THAT the Minutes of Meeting #2/19, held on July 25 2019, be approved. CARRIED RES.#PPG2/20 - MINUTES Moved by: Paul Vicente Seconded by: John Coyne THAT the Minutes of Meeting #3/19, held on November 28 2019, be approved with edits. CARRIED DISCUSSION SUMMARY It was requested that the references to members from the Region of Peel be changed to references to the name of the municipality, respectively. Items for the Action of the Partners in Project Green Executive Management Committee PARTNERS IN PROJECT GREEN 2020 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES Executive Management Committee update on 2020 strategic priorities for Partners in Project Green. Moved by: Chris Fonseca Seconded by: Jack Heath WHEREAS Partners in Project Green was launched in 2008 to advance the adoption of sustainability practices within the Pearson Airport economic zone; AND WHEREAS a Strategic Refresh to the Partners in Project Green program was completed in 2019 that affirmed objectives related to the expansion and advancement of eco -business programming and services to additional economic clusters across TRCA's nine watersheds; THEREFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED THAT the following information report on 2020 priority action areas for Partners in Project Green be received; AND FURTHER THAT staff report back at the September 2020 Partners in Project Green Executive Management Committee meeting on progress related to the 2020 priority action areas as outlined. CARRIED BACKGROUND Partners in Project Green: A Pearson Eco -Business Zone was launched in 2008 by Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA), with support from the Regional Municipalities of Peel and York, the City of Toronto and from the nearby business community to transform the employment lands surrounding Toronto Pearson, and located within TRCA's Etobicoke-Mimico Creeks Watershed into an internationally recognized community of eco -friendly businesses. The creation of Partners in Project Green (PPG) stemmed from an eco -business model recommendation identified in a 2006 joint TRCA and GTAA report that provided restoration strategies for the natural and aquatic systems surrounding Toronto Pearson. At Board of Directors Meeting #4/19, held on April 26, 2019, Resolution #A51/19 was approved as follows: THAT the Partners in Project Green Strategic Refresh 2019-2023 and Executive Management Committee Terms of Reference 2019-2023 ... be approved This strategic refresh was intended to guide the next generation of eco -business activities through PPG focused on increased engagement, improved performance outcomes and enhanced alignment with municipal and business priorities. _17�iC*7J_1X As part of 2020 priority -setting exercise, TRCA staff identified specific areas of activity for 2020 that will increase the reach and potential of PPG while building additional capacity for long-term growth of the program: • Re-energize the PPG network through improved programming, outreach and membership, with a particular emphasis on engagement of Boards of Trade/Chambers of Commerce and municipal economic development offices; • Redevelop the PPG membership structure, including categories, services and financial model; • Development of a screening process for identifying high-priority/high-potential geographically based economic zones for business engagement; • Complete a sector -services based Integrated Service Delivery Model to better integrate specific TRCA programs that provide sector -based programs, including PPG, SNAP (Sustainable Neighbourhood Retrofit Action Program), STEP (Sustainable Technology Evaluation Program), PAIE (Professional Access into Employment) and Community Transformation/Corporate Sustainability. • Develop a Long -Term Financial Plan for sector -based programs and services that leverage both programming and financial opportunities to enhance services and financial models for the delivery of TRCA activities. • Leverage opportunities to provide corporate and employee engagement activities through the Toronto and Region Conservation Foundation's Look After Where You Live program. The above activities are intended to increase the reach and potential of the PPG network while also leveraging other TRCA activities that can support the advancement of objectives of both PPG and TRCA related to sustainability within target economic zones. Relationship to Building the Living City, the TRCA 2013-2022 Strategic Plan This report supports the following strategies set forth in the TRCA 2013-2022 Strategic Plan Strategy 1 — Green the Toronto region's economy Strategy 5 — Foster sustainable citizenship Strategy 7 — Build partnerships and new business models Strategy 8 — Gather and share the best sustainability knowledge DETAILS OF WORK TO BE DONE At upcoming PPG Executive Management Committee meetings, staff will provide detailed reports and updates related to the above priorities, including action tracking related to overall progress of specific goals. Report prepared by: Darryl Gray, (416) 791-0327 Emails: darryl.gray@trca.ca For Information contact: Darryl Gray, (416) 791-0327 Emails: darryl.gray@trca.ca Date: June 3, 2020 DISCUSSION SUMMARY Darryl Gray summarized the report and specific areas of activity for 2020 that will increase the reach and potential of Partners in Project Green (PPG) while building additional capacity for long-term growth of the program. D. Gray mentioned the potential collaboration with TRCA programs to deliver services to the business community. The Co -Chair, John Coyne, discussed the importance of re -energizing the network and the potential for members to connect PPG to local Boards of Trade. Members asked staff to consider the PPG's role in supporting COVID-19 recovery and sustainability improvement in a staff report at the next meeting. Members asked staff to recommend tools to facilitate engagement and introduction of PPG projects and initiatives to Boards of Trade and Chambers of Commerce. PPG EMC asked how programming and funding is being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. John MacKenzie briefly summarized how programming is being affected during the pandemic and provincial emergency order, as well as the potential role of PPG in supporting business recovery and sustainability. Staff will report back in more detail on the impact of provincial and federal funding changes to the TRCA and PPG. Items for the Action of the Partners in Project Green Executive Management Committee RES.#PPG4/20 - PROPOSED 2020 MEETING SCHEDULE Approval of the proposed 2020 meeting schedule for the Partners in Project Green Executive Management Committee (PPG EMC). Moved by: John Coyne Seconded by: John MacKenzie THAT the proposed 2020 meeting schedule be approved. CARRIED BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE Since members of the PPG EMC sit on various boards and committees, staff have proposed the following meeting schedule after consulting committee and council calendars for the TRCA, Region of Peel, City of Mississauga, City of Brampton, City of Toronto, Regional Municipality of York, City of Markham, and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. PROPOSED MEETING SCHEDULE Meeting #1/20: Tuesday, June 16, 2020, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Meeting #2/20: Tuesday, September 22, 2020, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Meeting #3/20: Tuesday, November 17, 2020, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Relationship to Building the Living City, the TRCA 2013-2022 Strategic Plan This report supports the following strategy set forth in the TRCA 2013-2022 Strategic Plan: Strategy 7 — Build partnerships and new business models Report prepared by: Daniel Ruberto, extension 6445 Emails: Daniel.ruberto@trca.ca For Information contact: Alisa Mahrova, extension 5965 Emails: alisa.mahrova@trca.ca Date: June 8, 2020 Items for the Information of the Partners in Project Green Executive Management Committee UPDATE ON PPG PROGRAMMING DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC Overview of updates to programming, delivery formats in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moved by: Jack Heath Seconded by: Jim Karygiannis WHEREAS at Meeting #6/08, the TRCA Board of Directors approved the establishment of the Partners in Project Green Executive Management Committee ("PPG EMC") as a subcommittee of the TRCA Board of Directors; AND WHEREAS the PPG EMC has been convened to assist businesses in the Pearson Eco -Business Zone to improve their environmental performance, retain and attract more environmentally friendly investments, and act as a catalyst for innovation with a focus on reducing environmental impacts; THEREFORE IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT the following information report on the update to Partners in Project Green (PPG) programming during the COVID-19 pandemic be received. CARRIED BACKGROUND Partners in Project Green: A Pearson Eco -Business Zone was launched in 2008 by Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA), with support from the Regional Municipalities of Peel and York, the City of Toronto and from the nearby business community to transform the employment lands surrounding Toronto Pearson, and located within TRCA's Etobicoke-Mimico Creeks Watershed into an internationally recognized community of eco -friendly businesses. The creation of Partners in Project Green (PPG) stemmed from an eco -business model recommendation identified in a 2006 joint TRCA and GTAA report that provided restoration strategies for the natural and aquatic systems surrounding Toronto Pearson. In order to continue to achieve PPG's strategic priorities and deliver its programming in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, PPG programming has shifted in two specific ways: 1) altering programming delivery venues and formats in accordance with Public Health Ontario's requirements and recommendations, and 2) updating programming and content to reflect the changes to the workplace that have already occurred for many PPG members and workers throughout Ontario. RATIONALE To address the needs of PPG's program stakeholders while adhering to Public Health Ontario's directives, TRCA staff identified the following specific actions and programming updates: • Convert PPG programming events (such as webinars, conferences, workshops, and stakeholder meetings) to virtual formats; • Promote TRCA's at-home focused content (such as TRCA's e -Learning program, "At Home With Nature") throughout the PPG network; • Launch a monthly webinar series, allowing PPG members to continue professional development activities in remote work arrangements; • Continue to deliver programming and services which intrinsically allow for appropriate physical distancing, such as PPG's "Material Exchange" program; • Develop specific programming content to address the new realities of work for many PPG stakeholders, and allow participating organizations to foster employee engagement at a time when in-person interaction is discouraged; o Specifically, provide content in the People Power Challenge program focused on implementing sustainability in a work -from -home environment; o Update the People Power Challenge content to reduce administrative requirements, allowing more time for participants to manage workload and family care requirements, and • Continue to monitor Public Health Ontario's directives and adjust programming, content and format as required. The above activities are intended to increase the relevance and reach of PPG's programming, continue to advance sustainability objectives of both members and potential members of the PPG network, while ensuring that both PPG stakeholder and TRCA staff safety is prioritized. Relationship to Building the Living City, the TRCA 2013-2022 Strategic Plan This report supports the following strategies set forth in the TRCA 2013-2022 Strategic Plan: Strategy 1 — Green the Toronto region's economy Strategy 2 — Manage our regional water resources for current and future generations Strategy 8 — Gather and share the best sustainability knowledge Strategy 9 — Measure performance Strategy 10 — Accelerate innovation Strategy 12 — Facilitate a region -wide approach to sustainability DETAILS OF WORK TO BE DONE At upcoming PPG Executive Management Committee meetings, staff will provide detailed reports and updates related to the evolution of PPG's programming and formats, ensuring delivery of program outcomes while acting in accordance with public health directives vis-a-vis pandemic spread. Report prepared by: Jeff Robertson, (416) 894-8454 Emails: jeff.robe rtson@trca.ca For Information contact: Jeff Robertson, (416) 894-8454 Emails: jeff.robe rtson(dtrca.ca Date: June 3, 2020 DISCUSSION SUMMARY Members discussed the possibility of the Shoreline Cleanup during the People Power Challenge occurring, and if the PPG EMC could discuss the plastics pollution agenda. Members also asked if we can extract the weight of plastics we collect. Staff will review the Clean Swell app to see if it can break streams out via weight, especially in regard to plastics. Darryl Gray discussed the opportunity to leverage other TRCA programs, for example, the microplastics session held on TRCA Facebook Live a few weeks ago. Tim Faveri asked if there are plans to host a webinar on helping organizations with employee return to work programs post COVID-19. Companies may want to explore the impacts of COVID-19, such as decreased emissions from less commuting, work -life balance, and support in developing a return to work plan. Staff committed to exploring the possibility of conducting a webinar on returning to work after COVID-19 and will report back. Members also discussed the challenge of handling personal protective equipment waste. Local health authorities say it is to be treated as medical waste, while a PPG article refers to the Ontario Waste Management Association deeming it as regular waste. Business Improvement Associations prefer to handle the waste as medical. Staff will provide further clarity on how the waste is to be dealt with. Update on PPG Programming During COVID-19 Pandemic Executive Management Committee Partners in Project Green 2020 Meeting #1 PPG EMC meeting: June 16, 2020 Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Adapting our programs in response to COVID-19 Overview of Changes to Programming Majority of programs and deliverables continue, on schedule Small number of projects delayed due to re -allocation of stakeholder resources to COVID-19 response (e.g. municipal • employees) Conversion of in-person events, meetings, conferences and roundtables to virtual environments Increased focus on home-based learning and sustainability practices I.I Y Promotion of TRCA's e -Learning program "At Home with Nature" Launch of monthly webinar series Re -vamp of People Power Challenge Toronto and Region Conservation Authority 2 Adapting our programs in response to COVID-19 Consortiums/Groups: Energy Leaders Consortium Bi -Monthly consortium meetings moved online Includes guest speakers and roundtable of members discussing energy management topics, collaborating and sharing resources a Toronto and Region Conservation Authority 3 Adapting our programs in response to COVID-19 Consortiums/Groups: Small -Medium Enterprise Energy Management Consortium Quarterly workshops for SME Consortium members moving online Meeting public workshop deliverables by hosting topics via Green Economy webinar series (see next slide) INLA■ "'V rfuirii '- � Toronto and Region Conservation Authority 4 Adapting our programs in response to COVID-19 Events: PPG Connect (Annual Spring Networking Event) (April 30) 300 registrants, 205 attendees Panelists: John Coyne (Unilever), Chris Hilkene (Pollution Probe), Kyla Greenham (Toronto Zoo) t' -t7 Green Economy Webinar Series -s Monthly series of webinars on a variety of topics featuring speakers from the PPG network of members and partners May 27: Business Case for Natural Infrastructure with TRCA (186 registrants, 113 attendees) June 24: Sustainability Reporting: Escaping Acronyms and Rear - View Mirror Reports with FigBytes Topics and speakers for remainder of 2020 being finalized O PPG Forum (likely November 2020) OIL Investigating options for online/virtual conference Toronto and Region Conservation Authority 5 Adapting our programs in response to COVID-19 Programs: 4 Material Exchange New partnerships forged with local mask sewing groups Facilitated donations of fabric, clothing, and textiles to these community sewing groups APPG Planting Events Sponsored by Toronto Pearson, series of four planting events for PPG members, employees, and two private events for local schools Postponed for the Spring — will revisit possibility for Fall v pleased to put aw anent banners to good use by keeping them out of nd rills and donating them to our frill at V I NOtornnta, to support nealtil Workers at VMCo.Fitumnto, aFlyThl lag 0 TNO•THE NEIGHBOURNOOD ORGANIZATION ®TNoloi_. AprII Our Community Mask Sewing project has been such a success that We are going to keep going. Thanks 06bcanada for danahng over 85 banners to produce additional ri s*s in support of the 6MGHTol 01000MGHmasks chatlenge to kern our community healthy and safC ehappyearthday2tl20 L ► 4 Toronto and Region Conservation Authority 6 Adapting our programs in response to COVID-19 Programs: Recycling Collection Drive Planning to resume in late summer, dependent on pandemic -related limitations GIARFFf CANADA in - Toronto and Region Conservation Authority 7 GIAA 110 PARTNERS IN PROJECT GREEN A PEARSON ECO -BUSINESS ZONE PEOPLE POWER CHALLENGE 2020 Updates Cer is lro People Power Challenge 2020 Updates Improvements to program: Changes made in response to debrief conversations with 2019 participants and pandemic -related considerations Three months (Aug — Oct) instead of four months Integrating UN SDGs, competitors will receive final report indicating actions taken in support of each SDG Bringing more events/content to each participant (one webinar each month) N Y I Toronto and Region Conservation Authority 9 People Power Challenge 2020 Updates COVID-related updates: Training, kick-off events for each participant will be delivered online Originally intended for in-person workshops, workshops will now be done via webinar Recycling Collection Drive during Waste Reduction Week in October will proceed if Diabetes Canada is able to support September Shoreline Clean -Up event to incorporate public health guidelines (e.g. outdoors, physical distancing, masks encouraged) Will review public health guidelines closer to date — if not advisable to proceed, will provide guidance on doing an at-home cleanup and tracking of waste collected ideally using Clean Swell app used in 2019 Toronto and Region Conservation Authority 10 People Power Challenge 2020 Updates Key Dates: Recruitment through June Host training session in mid -late July for `champions' from each participating organization Launch at participating organizations starting Aug. 4 Deliver campaign from Aug. 4 — October 30 Send final reports outlining what activities were accomplished the SDGs they support. Toronto and Region Conservation Authority 11 Toronto and Region Conservation Authority New Business RES.#PPG6/20 — Verbal Update on Impact of COVID-19 on the TRCA Moved by: John MacKenzie Seconded by: Michelle Brown THAT the verbal update from the CEO, John MacKenzie, on the impact of COVID-19 on the TRCA, be received. CARRIED DISCUSSION SUMMARY The CEO of the TRCA and member of the PPG, John MacKenzie, provided a detailed update on the impact on TRCA operations as a result of COVID-19. The CEO discussed the impact on TRCA programs, for example, cancellation of TRIECA and the Maple Syrup Festival. J. MacKenzie also reviewed other aspects of how TRCA operations were affected, such as issuing declared emergency leaves to staff, developing employee redeployment programs, continued erosion and restoration work, reskilling staff, and the impact on parks and conservation areas. The CEO discussed the review of TRCA's policies and procedures in response to COVID-19. PPG members asked if staff could compile lessons learned from all PPG member businesses for the PPG's reference, so that everyone understands all of the lessons that can be learned from the pandemic. Staff committed to bringing a report on lessons learned by the business as a result of COVID-19. ADJOURNMENT ON MOTION by Jim Karygiannis, the meeting ended at 7:31 p.m. on Tuesday June 16, 2020.