Item - 2024.IE18.6

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommend that:

1. City Council amend Municipal Code Chapters 813, 658, 608, 632, 743, 918 and 441 as described in Attachment 1 to the report (November 13, 2024) from the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and the Executive Director, Environment and Climate, to grant the Executive Director, Environment and Climate equal authority as the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation which would allow either Division head to implement and enforce the relevant provisions.

The City of Toronto's Environment and Climate Division leads, coordinates and is accountable for the City’s environment and energy sustainability outcomes. With the goal of making Toronto one of the most sustainable cities in the world, the division facilitates the development and implementation of strategic community and corporate-wide environment and energy policies and programs. The City of Toronto's Urban Forestry branch of the Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division is responsible for the health, maintenance, protection and expansion of Toronto’s tree canopy and natural areas and ravine lands in the city. The branch also leads the City’s implementation of various nature-based solutions and natural infrastructure projects, which are a critical component of Toronto’s climate resilience. 

Effective January 1, 2025, the Urban Forestry branch will be moving from the Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division in Community and Social Services and joining the Environment and Climate Division in Corporate Services. The transition of Urban Forestry to the Environment and Climate Division strongly aligns with the division’s City-wide mandate and goals for environmental protection and climate action, most notably TransformTO - the City’s Net Zero Strategy, and the City’s renewed approach to climate resilience. Strategically realigning this portfolio will ensure the City of Toronto remains a municipal powerhouse in climate resilience excellence.

During the transition period, senior leadership from both divisions require full authority to implement and enforce various City by-laws, where purview over trees exist. The purpose of this report is to seek City Council approval to make technical amendments to various by-laws, granting shared authorities to the Executive Director, Environment and Climate Division concurrent with the existing power and duties of the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation.