Environmental Action Committee

That the deputation and associated presentation by Alex Xia, Secondary School Student regarding Marker Recycling be received. Received 5.2 Phasing-Out Ontario’s Gas-Fired Power Plants (Related to Item 8.1) Jack Gibbons, Chair, Ontario Clean Air Alliance Mr. Gibbons presented an overview on Ontario's growing climate crisis pertaining to Gas Plant pollution. He spoke to the process on how to phase out Ontario's gas plants by implementing and utilizing wind and solar energy, Quebec's water power and using energy efficiencies as alternative options. He noted the associated high costs of nuclear power in comparison to renewable energy. Mr. Gibbons noted organizations and municipalities that support the initiative to phase out gas-fired power plants in Ontario. Clean Air Alliance requested that the Environmental Action Committee support this initiative and recommend endorsement from City Council. Brad Butt, Community Representative (non-voting) inquired if an economic impact study had been conducted. Mr. Gibbons responded by noting that the economic benefits associated with phasing out gas plants and how to achieve this initiative by 2023 are outlined in the Clean Air Alliance’s Phasing-Out Ontario’s Gas-Fired Power Plants: A Road Map report. Members of the Committee spoke to the matter and requested that further information regarding the initiative be provided, to benchmark with other municipalities and to report back to the Committee in a timely manner. RECOMMENDATION EAC-0032-20

1. That the deputation and associated presentation by Jack Gibbons, Chair, Ontario Clean Air Alliance regarding Phasing-Out Ontario's Gas-Fired Power Plants be received. 2. That staff further investigate Clean Air Alliance's request to phase-out all gas-fired electricity generation and to benchmark with other municipalities on endorsement and to report back to the Environmental Action Committee prior to General Committee.

1. That the deputation and associated presentation by Alice Casselman, Environmental Action Committee Member and Founding President of Association for Canadian Educational Resources and Catherine Soplet, Founder, Building Up Our Neighbourhoods to provide an Update on Project Crossroads be received. 2. That the Environmental Action Committee are in support in principal of Association for Canadian Educational Resources Project Crossroads Initiative.