Office Of Sustainability

Building on the momentum created by the Mayor's Green Plan Task Force and the subsequent development of the Town's first Green Plan, on June 10, 2008, with the approval of the recommendations of Report PD-2008-0019 (dated May 14, 2008), Town of Halton Hills Council once again demonstrated its commitment to environmental health and sustainability.

Among other things, the recommendations of this report resulted in the renaming of the 'Planning and Development Department' to the 'Planning, Development and Sustainability Department' thereby reaffirming and entrenching Council's commitment to sustainability, as well as to providing a high profile for this department's important new sustainability function.

Report PD-2008-0019 also entailed the creation of an 'Office of Sustainability'. The Office of Sustainability's key priority will be the development, promotion, coordination and administration of a broad range of municipal and community sustainability initiatives. The overarching objective of the Office of Sustainability will be to ensure the seamless integration of sustainability planning principles into the Town's everyday decision-making processes.

The Town also plans to establish a 'Sustainability Advisory Committee' in the future. The purpose of this committee, which would include community, political and Town staff representation, would be to provide Council with community feedback on matters relating to sustainability and to guide the Town's emerging sustainability strategy, programs and actions.

Speaking about the new Office of Sustainability, Mayor Bonnette noted that: "By integrating an Office of Sustainability into the Planning, Development and Sustainability Department, the Town has taken an important step on its journey towards sustainability. This step recognizes the fact that the effective implementation of the Green Plan and subsequent sustainability initiatives will require dedicated resources.

In addition, the work of the Office of Sustainability will better position the Town to confirm strategies, programs and actions, and to make decisions that take into account not only the environment but also the economic, social and cultural fabric of the community."