The mandate for the Environmental Task Force was transferred to the Sustainability Roundtable and then to the Roundtable on the Environment. The following material is provided for archival purposes.

Minutes:

Councillor Jane Pitfield, Co-Chair, made introductory welcomes to the Working Group and advised that the theme of the meeting was "Moving Goods, Moving Decision Makers".

A "go-around" of brief introductions by those in attendance at the meeting was undertaken. A sign-in sheet was circulated to the group.

A brief presentation was made by Stephanie Tencer, Jed Dadson and Trevor Fleck on "Cashing Out and Other Financial Mechanisms", specifically road pricing and parking policy in the new City of Toronto:

Two Sins of Transportation Policy

1. Sin of Omission - Commuters do not pay to use roads

2. Sin of Commission - Commuters do not pay for parking

Response - Cashing Out

Employees who do not drive receive value of parking subsidy for subsidized parking realized by employees who do drive.

Cautions

• parking requirement by-laws
• tax treatment
• short term increase in auto trips

Evaluation Criteria

• effect on road use
• effect on emissions
• political support or resistance
• costs and revenues
• technical implications

Effect on Modal Split

• carpoolers up by 64%
• transit riders up by 50%
• walkers/cyclists up by 39%

Political Support or Resistance

• gender, ethnic and income equity
• geographic equity

Technical Implementation

• simple
• flexible
• ownership versus lease

It was noted in the presentation that Councillors Jack Layton and Mario Silva support toll-based congestion pricing mechanisms.

The presentation also commented on the following points:

• Problems with toll-based congestion pricing mechanisms
• Potential for stakeholder backlash and provincial intervention
• Conflicting principles of toll-based congestion pricing mechanisms

Conclusion and Future Direction

• Continued feedback on political feasibility of tolling mechanisms
• Continued work on "cashing out".

A presentation was then made by John Hutchison on "Alternative Fuels for Green Fleets":

Greening Mechanisms

• proper sizing of vehicles and engines
• efficient use of vehicles
• driver training
• alternative fuels

It was noted that the use of alternative fuels (natural gas, propane, electricity, hydrogen, ethanol) is restricted because of the commercial availability of these fuels and the availability of vehicles which can use these alternative fuels. The availability of commercially available vehicles using alternative fuels is extremely limited, notwithstanding cost implications. The use of ethanol as an alternative fuel has a good potential, however, it is not readily available and is not cost effective at this time. The use of natural gas vehicles is increasing because of their availability.

At this point in the meeting, Sue Zielinski handed out a paper entitled "Sustainable Distribution : A Strategy" from Britain, and gave a brief overview of various goods movement considerations. The group then broke up into two small groups for a 20-minute discussion. Following discussions, the two groups reported back as follows:

Concerns:

Group 1

• Big Box - Home Depot - travel 2 hours to save $20.00 - Improve logistics, support local businesses

Group 2

• Don't move it if you don't have to
• Maximize efficiencies
• Driving is not a suitable medium for the City
• Fair treatment

Targets:

Group 1

• Convincing businesses that there are other options than using big trucks
• Tax incentives to benefit small businesses and consumers
• Change mentality to encourage moderation

Group 2

• Decrease proportion of goods transported by trucks and increase proportion travelled by rail
• Mixed use development
• Higher CO² targets than Kyoto
• Improve local production

Government & Public Structures:

Group 1

• City to take leadership role
• City planners not to approve "big box" developments
• Requirement for polluting vehicles (e.g. SUV's) to be phased out of existence

Group 2

• Consultation with stakeholders
• Round table consultation of sustainable transportation
• Compulsory emission testing of trucks
• Incorporation of environmental factors into land use planning

Evaluation and Indicators of Success:

Group 1

• Increase in support to community businesses
• Keeping money and goods local

Sue Zielinski then advised that the next meeting's theme would be "Not Moving People and Goods", which is scheduled for Wednesday, March 24 @ 7:00 p.m., Committee Room No. 4, Second Floor, Toronto City Hall.

Debbie Bernardi made a brief mention of the S.T. Directory and requested that the directory forms be returned on or before the next meeting date.

The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.