Item - 2023.IE5.1

Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:

Option B - Pursuing a ban on two-stroke engine equipment

1. City Council express its support for a ban on the use of two-stroke small engine equipment in Toronto as a precaution against any adverse impacts to human health and climate.

2. City Council direct the Executive Director, Environment and Climate, the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, the Medical Officer of Health, and the City Solicitor, in consultation with Divisions that operate two-stroke engine equipment, to:

a. Identify the resources required to develop and implement a ban on two-stroke equipment, as outlined in Attachment 2 to the report (June 21, 2023) from the Executive Director, Environment and Climate, and any other necessary work that emerges throughout the process; and

b. If adequate resources are funded in the 2024 budget, initiate the work for City Council to enact a bylaw imposing a ban on two-stroke equipment, and report to Infrastructure and Environment Committee in 2024.

3. City Council request the Mayor to include resources to implement Option B in the report (June 21, 2023) from the Executive Director, Environment and Climate, in the 2024 Budget.

4. City Council direct the Executive Director, Environment and Climate and the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, in cooperation with relevant Divisions and Agencies, to report back to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee by December 31, 2023 on:
 

a. Opportunities for clean transition support programs, such as a low-emission equipment lending library; and

b. Opportunities for partnerships that encourage and incent a transition to low-emission equipment, with community organizations, service providers, equipment manufacturers and / or retailers.

5. City Council direct the Executive Director, Environment and Climate and the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards to:

a. Engage residents, businesses and industry stakeholders on implementation of a ban, including provisions to ensure a feasible approach to transitioning towards alternative equipment and practices.

b. Consider the diverse needs and challenges of residents and businesses who use two-stroke engines for their own use, and commercial operators who provide services using two-stroke engine equipment, and a phased approach to the implementation of a ban based on the ability of user groups to comply.

This report responds to a request (2023.IE1.11) to report back with a plan to implement a ban on use of two-stroke engine leaf blowers, lawnmowers and other small engine equipment because of their adverse impact on air quality and human health.

To support consideration by City Council on implementing a potential ban on the use of two-stroke engines, a two-step decision making approach is being taken. This report outlines the first step, which is to seek Council direction on whether Council wishes to pursue a ban on two-stroke engines within Toronto. Subject to City Council direction and resourcing, and following consultation with residents and businesses, a second report would be brought forward to provide a detailed plan to establish, implement, enforce and encourage compliance with a ban, including a proposed bylaw.

Previous reports brought to City Council have described the impact of two-stroke engine leaf blowers on climate, air quality and health, and noise. This report provides a compendium of the City's past decisions and activities on the topic of two-stroke engine equipment.

Separately, staff have determined that each of the three approaches of climate, health and noise have not individually provided a sufficient rationale for action to be taken to ban the use of two-stroke engines. Furthermore, based on the information reviewed to date, staff have not identified a sufficient rationale from whatever combined or cumulative adverse impacts to climate and human health may exist to recommend a ban at this time. However, City Council may decide to take a precautionary approach with respect to these climate, health and noise factors and enact a ban regardless. Generally speaking, City Council has the authority to ban the use of two-stroke engine small equipment depending on the nature, scope, adoption, and implementation of the measure.

A parallel report, on the City of Toronto's corporate transition plan and feasibility assessment of phasing out gas-powered leaf blowers for municipal use, is being led by the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, the General Manager, Transportation Services and the General Manager, Fleet Services and will be brought forward to Infrastructure and Environment Committee in the first quarter 2024.