2021.MM36.31

Background

Toronto is known around the world for its abundance of parks, expansive greenspaces, and sprawling ravine network. With an estimated 11.5 million trees, Toronto's canopy coverage is an impressive 28-31 percent and provides annual benefits worth over $55 million, including carbon sequestration, pollution removal, energy savings, and runoff reductions. When healthy, mature trees are removed, it takes decades or even centuries for saplings to restore their benefits.

The City has invested significant resources in protecting and enhancing Toronto's tree canopy. In 2017, City Council adopted the Toronto Ravine Strategy, providing an interdivisional framework for the management of our precious ravine system. City Council has also taken numerous steps to emphasize the importance of trees in the development review process, including introducing annual training for Committee of Adjustment members on Tree By-law related considerations in development applications.

Source: City of Toronto

Item Description

City Council on October 1 and 4, 2021, adopted the following:

1.  City Council request the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, in consultation with the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to provide additional annual training to Committee of Adjustment and Toronto Local Appeal Body members on the valuation of trees and ecosystem services.
 
2.  City Council request the General Manager, Parks Forestry and Recreation, in consultation with the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building and the City Solicitor, to refine the Tree Declaration Form as part of the Building Permit application process to further clarify Tree By-law requirements.

 
3.  City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, to include in the upcoming report to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee, consideration of developing updated educational materials on Toronto's Tree By-laws and Tree Protection Zones, including information on the consequences of By-law violations and how residents can report contraventions, to be posted on the City of Toronto's website and included in future materials.

Source: City of Toronto

Proposed by

Councillor Jaye Robinson, seconded by Councillor Mike Colle