Minutes (Appointed) - Environmental Advisory Committee - 20250616
Town of Aurora
Environmental Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Monday, June 16, 2025
7 p.m.
Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall
Committee Members: Councillor Ron Weese (Chair)
Victor Carvalho*
Jason Cheng
Angela Daust
Leta Dayfoot
Denis Heng
Ken Turriff (Vice Chair)
Members Absent: Shun Chen
Alain Godin
Other Attendees: Will Stover, Analyst, Energy and Climate Change
Ishita Soneji, Deputy Town Clerk
*Attended electronically
____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
2. Land Acknowledgement
The Committee acknowledged that the meeting took place on Anishinaabe lands,
the traditional and treaty territory of the Chippewas of Georgina Island,
recognizing the many other Nations whose presence here continues to this day,
the special relationship the Chippewas have with the lands and waters of this
territory, and that Aurora has shared responsibility for the stewardship of these
lands and waters. It was noted that Aurora is part of the treaty lands of the
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June 16, 2025 2
Mississaugas and Chippewas, recognized through Treaty #13 and the Williams
Treaties of 1923.
3. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Leta Dayfoot
Seconded by Jason Cheng
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Carried
4. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.50.
5. Receipt of the Minutes
5.1 Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of May 12, 2025
Moved by Ken Turriff
Seconded by Leta Dayfoot
1. That the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting minutes of May
12, 2025, be received for information.
Carried
6. Delegations
None.
7. Matters for Consideration
7.1 Memorandum from Analyst, Energy and Climate Change; Re: Overview of
The Town’s Corporate Energy Management System
Will Stover, Analyst, Energy and Climate Change presented an overview of
the energy conservation and demand management plan highlighting the
background, objectives, the milestones in creation of this plan, and details
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June 16, 2025 3
of the RET Screen software to gather, monitor and track data on corporate
energy use for individual assets such as facilities including future
expansion on the utilization of this tool to other corporate emission
sources.
The Committee and staff discussed about various aspects about the plan
including the availability of the carbon emissions inventory online, details
of the current corporate results and the current status based on 2050
targets. There was further discussion on means to represent the data in a
simplified manner such that it is informative, shows comparisons and
progress by asset type, and the future of the RET Screen portfolios and the
application of the data. The Committee suggested that based on the RET
Screen data, departments could collaborate to determine improvements
to reduce GHG emissions.
The Committee and staff further discussed about the means to improve
outreach for Electronic Vehicle (EV) adoption through more awareness on
the value of EVs, availability of EV chargers, and advocating for provincial
and federal incentives.
Moved by Jason Cheng
Seconded by Leta Dayfoot
1. That the memorandum regarding Overview of The Town’s Corporate
Energy Management System be received; and
2. That the Environmental Advisory Committee comments regarding
Overview of The Town’s Corporate Energy Management System be
received and referred to staff for consideration and further action as
appropriate.
Carried
8. Informational Items
None.
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June 16, 2025 4
9. New Business
The Committee noted about the availability of carbon emissions inventory in the
GTHA and staff advised that this information is currently available with The
Toronto Atmospheric Fund through taf.ca.
The Committee referred to the changes coming to the blue box collection in
2026, in line with the new provincial regulations, and requested that more
information be provided at the next meeting regarding the impacts.
The Committee expressed grave concerns regarding Bills 5 and 17, noting the
impact the bills would have on the Town's current resiliency plans and planning
policies, Oak Ridges Moraine, heritage properties, endangered species,
stormwater, water and wastewater capacities, and mature canopies.
The Committee requested that more information regarding the following topics
be brought forward to future meetings: impact of carbon emissions on mature
tree canopies due to recent developments, climate change impacts on existing
infrastructure in Aurora, and current state of invasive species including
phragmites.
10. Adjournment
Moved by Ken Turriff
Seconded by Victor Carvalho
That the meeting be adjourned at 8:34 p.m.
Carried