Policy Proposal Notice:

The Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) is seeking feedback on a draft Guideline which will support implementation of policies in the Growth Plan, 2017 and actions under Ontario’s Five-Year Climate Change Action Plan, 2016-2020.

Once finalized, the Guideline will serve as a resource tool for municipalities in completing greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories and developing community emissions reduction plans.

The draft Guideline builds on existing programs and protocols and information received from municipalities and other practitioners in order to be consistent with current practices in community emissions reduction planning.

The recommended approaches outlined in the draft Guideline can be tailored for a range of planning contexts (i.e. basic, intermediate, advanced) and focus on those sources of GHG emissions that are outlined in the Growth Plan, 2017 (i.e. at a minimum: transportation, buildings, waste management and municipal/ corporate emissions).

The draft Guideline contains the following information which can be used to achieve measurable GHG reductions:

• Rationale and contextual information on the relationship between low carbon communities and land use planning, as well as information on municipal decision making and the role of municipalities in climate action planning;
• A step-by-step process methodology, along with relevant information and resources, for completing greenhouse gas inventories, setting targets (which are recommended to align with provincial targets), modelling and scenario development, and developing community emissions reduction plans, including engagement;
• An overview of land use and infrastructure planning and decision making tools which would ensure effective implementation of community emissions reductions plans (i.e. municipal official plans, zoning by-laws, corporate strategic plans, municipal asset management plans);
• Performance measures which will provide an indication of whether the municipality has met the goals and objectives intent of provincial land use policies and CCAP actions related to climate change; and,
• An overview of best practices, case studies, tools and resources, including funding programs, which municipalities and practitioners could explore to achieve the intended outcomes of the community emissions planning process.

Feedback from early engagement with municipalities and other practitioners involved in community emissions reduction planning has been reflected in the draft Guideline.

The purpose of the Guideline is two-fold:

1. Provide implementation support to Growth Plan, 2017, policy 4.2.10 which requires municipalities in the Greater Golden Horseshoe to incorporate climate change policies in their municipal official plans and encourages them to complete greenhouse inventories, set targets, and develop emission reduction strategies; and,
2. Support municipalities in conducting community energy and emissions planning under the Municipal Action Plan Program (name and program details still being developed) under the Five-Year Climate Change Action Plan.

This proposal was posted for a 60 day public review and comment period starting January 03, 2018. Comments were to be received by March 04, 2018.

All comments received during the comment period are being considered as part of the decision-making process by the Ministry.

Please Note: All comments and submissions received have become part of the public record.

Heather Watt
Senior Policy Analyst
Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change
Policy and Program Division
Environmental Policy Branch
40 St Clair Avenue West
Floor 10
Toronto ON
M4V 1M2
Phone: (416) 212-1984

Environmental Policy Branch
40 St Clair Avenue West
Floor 10
Toronto ON
M4V 1M2
Phone: (416) 314-6383

Climate Change Directorate
77 Wellesley Street West
Floor 10
Ferguson Block
Toronto ON
M7A 2T5
Phone: (416) 326-8093