Moved: Councilor Kroon Seconded: Councilor Smith
WHEREAS Whitchurch-Stouffville is home to many other features including Kettle Lakes, rivers, creeks, wetland and bogs that are also impacted by rising levels of salinity; and
WHEREAS the Ontario and Canadian governments have taken many actions over the past 25 years including setting water quality guidelines, developing voluntary codes of practice, signing the Canada-Ontario Great Lakes Agreement, and holding workshops, yet still the salt problem continues to grow; and
WHEREAS numerous situation analyses have recommended salt solutions involving liability protection, contractor certification, government-approved Best Management Practices (BMPs) and salt management plans; and
WHEREAS increased numbers of slip and fall claims, and other injury/collision claims related to snow and ice, are resulting in salt applicators overusing salt beyond levels considered best practices; and
WHEREAS unlimited contractor liability is making it difficult or expensive for snow and ice management contractors to obtain insurance coverage, resulting in contractors leaving the business, thereby making it difficult for municipalities and private owners to find contractors; and
WHEREAS the Snow and Ice Management Sector (SMS) of Landscape Ontario is working with the Ontario government to institute a limited liability regime for snow and ice management, including enforceable contractor training/certification and government-approved BMPs for salt application; and
WHEREAS many Ontario municipalities have Salt Management Plans, but these often require updating in light of improved science and better salt management practices now available; and
WHEREAS road authorities that use salt, such as the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville, must abide by, and benefit from, established provincial regulations around snow clearing and maintenance, whereas private contractors only have voluntary programs for salt use for private and commercial property management; and
WHEREAS the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville has demonstrated great initiative in salt mitigation efforts including committing to the use of rock salt alternatives, installation of electronic spreader controllers on all material spreading units, reduced application rates when appropriate, use of pre-wet and brine when appropriate, and an updated salt management plan that outlines salt best management practices specific to the Corporation of the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville winter,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville urges the province of Ontario to work urgently with key stakeholders to develop limited liability legislation, including enforceable contractor training and a single set of provincially endorsed standard BMPs for snow and ice management; and
THAT the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville urges the province of Ontario to create and fund an expert stakeholder advisory committee to advise the province and municipalities on the best courses of action to protect freshwater ecosystems and drinking water from the impacts of salt pollution; and
THAT the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville continues to commit to the reduction of the use of road salt as much as possible while meeting local service levels and maintaining safety on roads and sidewalks; and
THAT a copy of this resolution be sent to all municipalities in York Region, all Lake Simcoe watershed municipalities; The Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation, The Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, requesting their endorsement; The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO); all Lake Simcoe and Lake Ontario watershed MPPs; Conservation Ontario; Snow and Ice Management Sector (SMS) of Landscape Ontario, The Ontario Salt Pollution Coalition; The Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition; Minister Todd McCarthy (MECP); Attorney General Doug Downey, and Premier Doug Ford.