Item - 2013.PE23.1
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on November 13, 2013 with amendments.
- This item was considered by Parks and Environment Committee on October 23, 2013 and was adopted with amendments. It will be considered by City Council on November 13, 2013.
PE23.1 - Toronto Agricultural Program
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on November 13, 14, 15 and 18, 2013, adopted the following:
1. City Council direct the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A to establish a joint City-Sector Steering Committee on Urban Agriculture using the Terms of Reference provided in Appendix 1 to the report (September 30, 2013) from the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A.
2. City Council adopt the proposed Toronto Agricultural Program consisting of the City-Sector Steering Committee, Working Group and 2013-2014 Workplan provided in Appendix 2 to the report (September 30, 2013) from the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A.
3. City Council direct the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A to explore funding opportunities to support the City's Urban Agriculture Program, including the Province of Ontario's Local Food Fund.
4. City Council direct the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A to request the Provincial government to expand the parameters of its Ontario Local Food Fund to financially assist full-line grocery developers to locate in underserved neighbourhoods by offering pre-development grants and loans to locate in these communities.
5. City Council direct the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A, in consultation with the City-Sector Steering Committee on Urban Agriculture, to explore insurance options for non-profit organizations organizing farmers' markets, and to report back to the Parks and Environment Committee in the first quarter of 2014.
6. City Council direct the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A to report back in the next term of Council on the progress made in addressing planning and policy barriers to linking farmers to land and in implementing the Toronto Agricultural Program and Workplan including longer term activities under development as outlined in Appendix 3 to the report (September 30, 2013) from the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A and associated costs.
7. City Council request the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration, the Chief Corporate Officer, and the Medical Officer of Health to work with Food Share and other appropriate partners through the City-Sector Steering Committee on Urban Agriculture to define the role of urban agricultural centres and identify potential sites, and to report to City Council through the Parks and Environment Committee in early 2014 on the option to establish one or more urban agricultural centres.
8. City Council direct that a copy of this Item be forwarded to the Board of Health for information.
Background Information (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/pe/bgrd/backgroundfile-62375.pdf
Communications (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/pe/comm/communicationfile-40532.pdf
(October 17, 2013) Letter from Steven Peck, Founder and President, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (PE.New.PE23.1.2)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/pe/comm/communicationfile-40555.pdf
(October 18, 2013) E-mail from Rachel Roth, Executive Director, Greenest City (PE.New.PE23.1.3)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/pe/comm/communicationfile-40556.pdf
(October 21, 2013) Letter from Helen St. Jacques, Community Co-Chair, Toronto Food Policy Council (PE.New.PE23.1.4)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/pe/comm/communicationfile-40627.pdf
(October 23, 2013) E-mail from Jacob Kearey-Moreland, Cultivator, Toronto Seed Library (PE.New.PE23.1.5)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/pe/comm/communicationfile-40641.pdf
(October 23, 2013) Letter from Joe Lobko, Partner, DTAH (PE.New.PE23.1.6)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/pe/comm/communicationfile-40648.pdf
Communications (City Council)
Motions (City Council)
That:
1. City Council direct the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A, in consultation with the City-Sector Steering Committee on Urban Agriculture, to explore insurance options for non-profit organizations organizing farmers' markets, and to report back to the Parks and Environment Committee in the first quarter of 2014.
Vote (Amend Item (Additional)) Nov-14-2013 7:00 PM
| Result: Carried | Majority Required - PE23.1 - Ainslie - motion 1a |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 37 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Maria Augimeri, Michelle Berardinetti, Shelley Carroll, Raymond Cho, Josh Colle, Gary Crawford, Vincent Crisanti, Janet Davis, Mike Del Grande, Frank Di Giorgio, Sarah Doucette, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Rob Ford, Mary Fragedakis, Mark Grimes, Norman Kelly, Mike Layton, Chin Lee, Peter Leon, Josh Matlow, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Peter Milczyn, Ron Moeser, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Cesar Palacio, John Parker, James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, Karen Stintz, Adam Vaughan, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
| Total members that voted No: 0 | Members that voted No are |
| Total members that were Absent: 8 | Members that were absent are Ana Bailão, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Doug Ford, Gloria Lindsay Luby, Giorgio Mammoliti, Denzil Minnan-Wong, David Shiner, Michael Thompson |
That City Council direct the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A to request the Provincial government to expand the parameters of its Ontario Local Food Fund to financially assist full-line grocery developers to locate in underserved neighbourhoods by offering pre-development grants and loans to locate in these communities.
Vote (Amend Item (Additional)) Nov-14-2013 7:00 PM
| Result: Carried | Majority Required - PE23.1 - Ainslie - motion 1b |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 36 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Maria Augimeri, Michelle Berardinetti, Shelley Carroll, Raymond Cho, Josh Colle, Gary Crawford, Vincent Crisanti, Janet Davis, Mike Del Grande, Frank Di Giorgio, Sarah Doucette, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Mary Fragedakis, Mark Grimes, Norman Kelly, Mike Layton, Chin Lee, Peter Leon, Josh Matlow, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Peter Milczyn, Ron Moeser, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Cesar Palacio, John Parker, James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, Karen Stintz, Adam Vaughan, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
| Total members that voted No: 1 | Members that voted No are Rob Ford |
| Total members that were Absent: 8 | Members that were absent are Ana Bailão, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Doug Ford, Gloria Lindsay Luby, Giorgio Mammoliti, Denzil Minnan-Wong, David Shiner, Michael Thompson |
That City Council request the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration, the Chief Corporate Officer, and the Medical Officer of Health to work with Food Share and other appropriate partners through the City-Sector Steering Committee on Urban Agriculture to define the role of urban agricultural centres and identify potential sites, and to report to City Council through the Parks and Environment Committee in early 2014 on the option to establish one or more urban agricultural centres.
Vote (Amend Item (Additional)) Nov-14-2013 7:01 PM
| Result: Carried | Majority Required - PE23.1 - Mihevc - motion 2 |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 37 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Maria Augimeri, Michelle Berardinetti, Shelley Carroll, Raymond Cho, Josh Colle, Gary Crawford, Vincent Crisanti, Janet Davis, Mike Del Grande, Frank Di Giorgio, Sarah Doucette, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Rob Ford, Mary Fragedakis, Mark Grimes, Norman Kelly, Mike Layton, Chin Lee, Peter Leon, Josh Matlow, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Peter Milczyn, Ron Moeser, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Cesar Palacio, John Parker, James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, Karen Stintz, Adam Vaughan, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
| Total members that voted No: 0 | Members that voted No are |
| Total members that were Absent: 8 | Members that were absent are Ana Bailão, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Doug Ford, Gloria Lindsay Luby, Giorgio Mammoliti, Denzil Minnan-Wong, David Shiner, Michael Thompson |
Vote (Adopt Item as Amended) Nov-14-2013 7:02 PM
| Result: Carried | Majority Required - PE23.1 - Adopt the item as amended |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 37 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Maria Augimeri, Michelle Berardinetti, Shelley Carroll, Raymond Cho, Josh Colle, Gary Crawford, Vincent Crisanti, Janet Davis, Mike Del Grande, Frank Di Giorgio, Sarah Doucette, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Rob Ford, Mary Fragedakis, Mark Grimes, Norman Kelly, Mike Layton, Chin Lee, Peter Leon, Josh Matlow, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Peter Milczyn, Ron Moeser, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Cesar Palacio, John Parker, James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, Karen Stintz, Adam Vaughan, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
| Total members that voted No: 0 | Members that voted No are |
| Total members that were Absent: 8 | Members that were absent are Ana Bailão, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Doug Ford, Gloria Lindsay Luby, Giorgio Mammoliti, Denzil Minnan-Wong, David Shiner, Michael Thompson |
PE23.1 - Toronto Agricultural Program
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
Committee Recommendations
The Parks and Environment Committee recommends that:
1. City Council direct the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A to establish a joint City-Sector Steering Committee on Urban Agriculture using the Terms of Reference provided in Appendix 1 to the report (September 30, 2013) from the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A.
2. City Council adopt the proposed Toronto Agricultural Program consisting of the City-Sector Steering Committee, Working Group and 2013-2014 Workplan provided in Appendix 2 to this report.
3. City Council direct the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A to explore funding opportunities to support the City's Urban Agriculture Program, including the Province of Ontario's Local Food Fund.
4. City Council direct the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A to report back in the next term of Council on the progress made in addressing planning and policy barriers to linking farmers to land and in implementing the Toronto Agricultural Program and Workplan including longer term activities under development as outlined in Appendix 3 to this report and associated costs.
5. City Council direct that a copy of this report be forwarded to the Board of Health for information.
Decision Advice and Other Information
The Parks and Environment Committee:
A. Requested Deputy City Manager, Cluster A to:
i. explore the creation of an "Appellation of Origin" or "Protected Geographical Indication" designations for produce that is grown in the City of Toronto to promote and recognize locally farmed food.
ii. report to the Parks and Environment Committee in 2014 with a best estimate of the amount of locally grown food produced in Toronto with recommendations for increasing that amount.
iii. identify and define communities described in the Toronto Agricultural Program, by local City wards, and that future policies will identify such communities by City wards.
iv. include a provision or mechanism in this policy so that communities, in consultation with their ward councillor, will be included in any consultation and site selection for participation in the Toronto Agricultural Program and that local community groups be given first priority.
B. Requested that a copy of the report (September 30, 2013) from Deputy City Manager, Cluster A be forwarded to the City of Toronto - Toronto School Boards Task Force in order to expand experiential opportunities in the GrowTO: An Urban Agriculture Action Plan.
Origin
Summary
GrowTO: An Urban Agriculture Action Plan for Toronto was adopted by City Council on November 27, 2012 and is the result of over three years of collaborative work by community and institutional stakeholders with participation from various City Divisions and Agencies. The GrowTO Action Plan establishes a framework to help the City of Toronto realize the full potential of urban agriculture.
This report updates the current scope of urban agricultural activities undertaken by City Divisions and Agencies and identifies short and long term strategies that would advance urban agriculture in Toronto.
To advance urban agriculture in Toronto, it is recommended that the City adopt the Toronto Agricultural Program and Workplan to be led by the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A, and supported by a joint City-Sector Steering Committee that includes representatives from City Divisions, Agencies and the urban agricultural community.
The report also summarizes how the Parks Plan 2013-2017 responds to the GrowTO recommendations and how City Planning will continue to work with the City-Sector Steering Committee on Urban Agriculture to explore planning issues, barriers and opportunities associated with urban agriculture.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/pe/bgrd/backgroundfile-62375.pdf
Communications
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/pe/comm/communicationfile-40532.pdf
(October 17, 2013) Letter from Steven Peck, Founder and President, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (PE.New.PE23.1.2)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/pe/comm/communicationfile-40555.pdf
(October 18, 2013) E-mail from Rachel Roth, Executive Director, Greenest City (PE.New.PE23.1.3)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/pe/comm/communicationfile-40556.pdf
(October 21, 2013) Letter from Helen St. Jacques, Community Co-Chair, Toronto Food Policy Council (PE.New.PE23.1.4)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/pe/comm/communicationfile-40627.pdf
(October 23, 2013) E-mail from Jacob Kearey-Moreland, Cultivator, Toronto Seed Library (PE.New.PE23.1.5)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/pe/comm/communicationfile-40641.pdf
(October 23, 2013) Letter from Joe Lobko, Partner, DTAH (PE.New.PE23.1.6)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/pe/comm/communicationfile-40648.pdf
Speakers
Joe Nasr, The Chang School, Ryerson University
Ran Goel, Founder, Fresh City Farms
Remo Agostino, Vice-President of Development, The Daniels Corporation
Joe Lobko, Partner, DTAH Architects (Submission Filed)
Michelle German-MacIntosh, Toronto Youth Food Policy Council
Debbie Nolan, Backyard Grower
Rhonda Teitel-Payne, Community Development Consultant
Jacob Kearney-Moreland, Toronto Seed Library (Submission Filed)
Wally Seccombe, Chairperson, Everdale Organic Farm and Environmental Learning Centre
Councillor Mary Fragedakis
Councillor Paula Fletcher
Motions
That Deputy City Manager, Cluster A, be requested to explore the creation of an 'Appellation of Origin' or "Protected Geographical Indication" designations for produce that is grown in the City of Toronto to promote, and recognize locally farmed food.
That Deputy City Manager, Cluster A, be requested to report to Parks and Environment Committee in 2014 with a best estimate of the amount of locally grown food produced in Toronto with recommendations for increasing that amount.
That the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A, request the City-sector Steering Committee on Urban Agriculture explore issues related to residential set-backs when assessing site selection for urban agriculture activities.
That a copy of the report (September 30, 2013) from Deputy City Manager, Cluster A, be sent to the City of Toronto - Toronto School Boards Task Force in order to expand experiential opportunities in the GrowTO: An Urban Agriculture Action Plan.
That Deputy City Manager, Cluster A, be requested to report directly to City Council on November 13, 2013 on the division and budget line by line costs associated with the Toronto Agricultural Program.
That Deputy City Manager, Cluster A be requested to identify and define communities described in the Toronto Agricultural Program by local City wards and that future policies will identify such communities by City wards.
That Deputy City Manager, Cluster A be requested to include a provision or mechanism in this policy so that communities, in consultation with their ward councillor, be included in any consultation and site selection for participation in the Toronto Agricultural Program and that local community groups be given first priority.