This project is no longer active. The following information is provided for archival purposes.
This site was last updated February 22, 2010
Public Consultations
Discussions regarding potential measures, including regulatory options, to help reduce the harmful greenhouse gas emissions and smog-causing pollutants caused by older small-engine equipment were held with residents and members of the landscaping community. The City would like to extend a thank you to everyone who attended the discussions and provided their comments.
To date, the following discussions have taken place:
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Discussion with Toronto Residents - February 8, 2010
A discussion with Toronto Residents took place on February 8, 2010 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Etobicoke Civic Centre, Meeting Room 1, 399 The West Mall. View the discussion materials:
Discussion with Toronto Residents - November 23, 2009
Initial discussions with Toronto Residents took place on November 23, 2009 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Leaside Memorial Community Gardens. View the discussion materials:
Discussion with Lawn and Property Maintenance Companies
Initial discussions with Lawn and Property Maintenance Companies took place on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Leaside Memorial Community Gardens. View the discussion materials:
The Project
Older “two-stroke” gas-powered lawn and garden equipment, while powerful, emit a high level of pollutants into the air. The City of Toronto is committed to reducing Toronto’s greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050. In order to reach this goal, and to create a healthy, more vibrant community, residents and members of the landscaping sector are invited to provide feedback on Toronto’s emission reduction strategy, including a potential regulatory framework.
The Background
In 2007, Toronto City Council unanimously adopted the Climate Change, Clean Air and Sustainable Energy Action Plan, an aggressive environmental framework containing more than 100 actions aimed at reducing Toronto’s greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.
One action calls for City staff to investigate a potential ban on the use of lawn and garden equipment powered by two-stroke engines by 2012. Two-stroke engines can be in leaf and snow blowers, chainsaws, lawnmowers, trimmers, concrete saws and similar gas-powered equipment. Though widely used, older models of lawn and garden equipment powered by two-stroke engines are extremely polluting, negatively contributing to public health and the health of our environment.
In May 2009, City Council adopted the “Greening Small Engine Equipment Strategy”. This multi-faceted approach enables the City to accelerate the replacement of its older, inefficient lawn and garden equipment, and to explore alternative landscaping practices. The strategy also led to the creation of “Cut it Out Toronto”, a public education and equipment disposal program for older equipment held at Toronto’s Community Environment Days.
The next step is to explore additional options and measures to advance the phase out of older, inefficient small-engine equipment across Toronto, including potential regulatory options. Residents and members of the landscaping community are invited to share their thoughts on what we can do to build a plan that is fair and equitable to all.
Next Steps
A summary of the input received through the consultation process will be included in the staff report brought to City Council’s Executive Committee on April 19, 2010. The report will be available at toronto.ca/legdocs/2010/agendas/ex.htm.
Contact Us
Toronto Environment Office
Toronto City Hall, 21st fl. E.
100 Queen St. W.
Toronto ON M5H 2N2
email:
teo@toronto.ca
