Item - 2017.PG18.3

The Planning and Growth Management Committee recommends that:

1. City Council direct that the City's Agencies, Corporations and Divisions apply the Toronto Green Standard Tier 2 Core performance measures to all new buildings and additions greater than 600m2 GFA, where technically practical and financially feasible, commencing in 2018 with the ten year Capital Budget and Plan within all procurement processes.

2. City Council direct the City's Agencies, Corporations and Divisions to engage a third party evaluator registered with the City of Toronto to certify that all new capital facilities have met the Tier 2 Core performance requirements.

This report responds to a request from City Council to undertake a review of the potential application of Tier 2 of the Toronto Green Standard (TGS) to all capital projects undertaken by the City's Agencies, Corporations and Divisions (ACDs). As a result of this review, this report recommends that the City's ACDs be directed to apply the TGS Tier 2 Core performance measures to all new buildings and additions greater than 600 m2 commencing with the 2018 ten-year Capital Budget.

Toronto is a recognized leader in sustainable development. Since 2010 all City ACDs have been required to meet the Tier 1 TGS performance measures for new capital projects plus additional requirements for green roofs, renewable energy and bird friendly. No other municipality in Ontario requires a minimum green standard for all new development or incents private developers who meet a higher level of performance.  Calgary, Vancouver and Montreal all require higher environmental performance standards similar to Tier 2 for buildings they own and operate.

Application of Tier 2 TGS performance measures to the City's own buildings will demonstrate Toronto's commitment to reducing green house gas emissions and continued leadership in green building and sustainable development. Application of Tier 2 will also reduce future operating costs with anticipated payback of 4 to 10 years.