Incorporation of the Terms of Reference for the

Sub-Committee on Pro-Transit Initiatives into the

Terms of Reference for the Environmental Task Force.

The Urban Environment and Development Committee recommends the adoption of the report (June 10, 1998) from Councillor Joe Pantalone, Chair, Urban Environment and Development Committee.

The Urban Environment and Development Committee reports, for the information of Council, having expressed its appreciation to Councillor Kinahan for volunteering to serve on the previously proposed Sub-Committee on Pro-Transit Initiatives.

The Urban Environment and Development Committee submits the following report (June 10, 1998) from Councillor Joe Pantalone, Chair, Urban Environment and Development Committee:

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)the Terms of Reference for the Sub-Committee on Pro-Transit Initiatives be incorporated into the Terms of Reference for the Environmental Task Force; and

(2)the Environmental Task Force report to Council through the Urban Environment and Development Committee with respect to transit-related issues.

Background:

The Urban Environment and Development Committee (UEDC) on January 12, 1998, established the Sub-Committee on Pro-Transit Initiatives with the following Terms of Reference, and the Chair of UEDC was requested to canvass the Members of the Committee in order to determine their interest in sitting on the Sub-Committee:

"Terms of Reference:

(a)to review initiatives, proposals, and reports related to the support and promotion of public transit and related modes of travel, and to ensure that these are considered in light of Official Plan objectives and policies addressing multi-modal integration and financial and environmental sustainability;

(b)to provide opportunities for input on pro-transit-related topics from other levels of government, agencies, municipalities, business representatives and members of the public; and

(c)to represent City of Toronto interests in the support and promotion of public transit to other levels of government and other municipalities."

Discussion:

Since the Sub-Committee on Pro-Transit Initiatives was established in January 1998, it has never become functional as no appointments were ever made to it.

In addition, City Council on March 4, 5 and 6, 1998, by the adoption of Clause No. 2 of Report No. 2 of The Special Committee to Review the Final Report of the Toronto Transition Team, entitled "Terms of Reference for Special Task Forces", inter alia, adopted the Terms of Reference for the Environmental Task Force. Since the fundamental objective of the Environmental Task Force is to create a comprehensive Environmental Plan for the new City of Toronto, I would recommend that the Terms of Reference for the Sub-Committee on Pro-Transit Initiatives be incorporated into the Terms of Reference for the Environmental Task Force, and that the Task Force report to Council through the Urban Environment and Development Committee with respect to transit-related issues.

I have discussed this matter with Councillor Jack Layton, Chair of the Environmental Task Force, and he is in agreement with the foregoing recommendations.