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Regional Councillor Report
Submitted by:
Colleen Jordan, Regional Councillor Wards 3 & 4
Date:
June 12, 2006
Health & Social Services - June 8, 2006
Asthma In the Schools Project - Sarah
Sharrard Public Health Nurse
A presentation regarding the Asthma In The
Schools Project was received by the Health Committee. Close to 9% of
children now suffer from asthma which is the most prevalent chronic
disease from which children suffer and also the leading cause of
hospitalization of children. One
of the recommendations from the
inquest into the death of Joshua Flewelling who was an 18 year
old who died from an asthma attack was to create more supportive
school environments for children suffering from asthma.
This project
provides support to asthmatic children as well as a resource kit for
educators and other stakeholders to provide a supportive school
atmosphere for children suffering from asthma.
More information may be found at www.asthmainschools.com
Smog Summit - June 7, 2006
The Smog Summit organized by the Clean Air
Partnership brought municipal leaders togther to talk about issues
regarding clean air and the initiatives being implemented in
municipalities in the GTA to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse
gases.
Laurel Broten, Minister of the Environment spoke
of the 17000 hospitalizations, 5800 deaths and 60,000 emergency room
visits, annually caused
by polluted air. Ms.
Broten highlighted the Ont. government’s
initiatives such as tax breaks for purchasers of hybrid
vehicles, the 1300 mgws of power to be generated by wind power, ½
billion dollars to assist ethanol industries and the curtailing of
urban sprawl by enactment of the Greenbelt Plan legislation.
She also advised that the
Ontario government has joined the legal action to force U.S. coal
fired plants to install new technology which can reduce emissions by
up to 70%. Fifty percent
of Ontario’s pollution originates in the United States.
The summit presenters
provided other alarming statistics as evidence of climate change.
In 2005 there were 37 days which were over 30 degrees C.
In comparison the
average previously was 13 days over 30 degrees. There were over 48 smog
alerts and 26 heat alerts in 2005.
Our smog alerts started earlier in the calendar year in 2006 and
the summer of 2006 is predicted to be long and hot. Climate change also
leads to more severe weather patterns.
Municipalities reported on their initiatives of
reducing GHGs by implementing anti
idling policies and bylaws , reduction of pesticide use , purchase of
hybrid vehicles and through new construction or retrofits that provide
energy efficient facilities.
Oshawa, Markham,
Vaughan and Newmarket joined the ranks of municipalities who have
implemented anti idling bylaws in their communities.
Caledon has worked with their schools to develop idle free zone
signs to be posted at each school site.
The City of Toronto has initiated solar pilot
projects to heat two pools and
for solar to provide hot water at two fire halls. City of Toronto, York,
Vaughan and Newmarket are ensuring that municipal buildings meet Leeds
certification for energy efficiency.
Ajax’s purchase of hybrid vehicles, anti idling
policies for town fleets, commitment to a firm urban boundary,
naturalization projects and the design of the new fire hall to meet Leed
certification standards attest to our municipality’s commitment to the
reduction of greenhouse gases.
Further information can be found at www.cleanairpartnership.org
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