Overview
The Town of Wasaga Beach takes climate change seriously.
In May 2021, council passed a resolution declaring a climate crisis in the community.
Through the resolution, council directed staff to share information about what the town is doing to mitigate the negative effects of climate change.
This webpage provides details about the steps the town has taken to date. It will also contain information about future initiatives.
Please visit the page periodically, as we will add new information as warranted.
Departmental efforts
Click on the drop-down tabs below to learn about initiatives taken by specific departments within the Town of Wasaga Beach.
| Treasury Department |
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Energy Consultant In December 2021, council approved a request to hire an energy consultant. The consultant will perform an energy audit of municipal facilities to provide an inventory of current greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption along with the creation of an energy action plan to detail a list of initiatives to reduce town energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Work on the exercise will start in the first quarter of 2022. E-billing The department, on an ongoing basis, promotes a paperless option for tax and utility bills. For each property owner that signs up for this option, paper is reduced by at least 22 sheets and eight envelopes each year. Currently, just over 2,000 properties receive e-bills, reducing paper usage by more than 48,000 sheets and 16,000 envelopes per year. Learn more about payment options. Electronic Fund Transfers By the end of 2022, the town will pay all vendors through electronic fund transfers, eliminating the use of paper cheques and envelopes. Online payments There is ongoing work to improve and expand online payment options available on our website, reducing the need for people to travel to our facilities and reducing the need for paper related to transactions. |
| Information Technology Management Services Department |
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Paperless workflow The Information and Technology Management Services Department (ITMS) have initiated a paperless work environment for their department. ITMS only creates and accepts materials that are digital. Materials requiring a signature must utilize an e-signature or a stylus on a tablet. |
| Public Works Department |
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Planning and Design From a planning perspective, emphasis and stronger consideration is placed on multi-faceted solutions for transportation projects and not simply vehicular/traffic-based solutions. All transportation planning processes for several years have prioritized lower emission transportation choices, including improved transit amenities, bike lanes, sidewalks, etc. Rainfall/Precipitation In recent years, it is evident we are experiencing warmer temperatures, shifting rain and snowfall patterns, and increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. In 2021, the town updated its Stormwater Management and Sewer Design Standards in a best effort to predict future trends and incorporate climate change impacts. In addition, the town has conducted a number of projects and/or studies over the years to address localized flooding:
Drainage continues to be a focus for the town and the initiation of the town-wide Master Drainage Study, slated for completion in the fall of 2022, will help establish localized drainage catchment areas, model and analyze the sensitivity of flood prone areas under various rainfall events, and prioritize drainage improvements across the municipality. Vehicles and Fleet The town has applied for various electric vehicle (EV) charging station grants over the last few years without success. But staff continue to research options and future opportunities are anticipated. The town continues to explore electric transit options, but the costs are not yet viable. In 2022, the town is purchasing an electric ice resurfacer, which will replace a propane unit. Water and Wastewater Facilities The town’s water and wastewater facilities are the highest energy consumers of all the town’s assets. In 2020, the hydro costs associated with water and wastewater-related facilities was approximately $190,000 and $650,000 respectively. In 2014, the Ontario Clean Water Agency, the town, and Ontario Power Authority completed an energy audit. The audit noted a series of recommendations and most of these were implemented. Streetlights The town conducted an audit in 2015 and then retrofitted all existing streetlights (3,000) with new energy efficient LED fixtures. The retrofit project cost approximately $2.5-million and reduced the annual electricity consumption by roughly 60 percent. Bayshore Broadcasting news story about project Public Works Office and Building Upgrades We retrofitted offices and the garage with LED light fixtures. We installed low-flush toilets and an energy efficient HVAC unit. |
| Planning and Economic Initiatives Department |
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Planning and policies Through the administration of the Provincial Policy Statement, the Growth Plan, and the Planning Act, the department is responsible for ensuring the town follows a broad range of policies aimed at climate change mitigation and adaptation. The Provincial Policy Statement requires that the planning authority consider climate change, air quality, energy supply, energy efficiency and conservation, and the minimization of greenhouse gas emissions through the approval of efficient land use. The Growth Plan requires the town to mitigate climate change when accommodating new development. The Planning Act is the central piece of legislation guiding land use in Ontario. The act identifies climate change policies for the town’s Official Plan. To this end, the town has historically prioritized things such as the following:
The town is updating its Official Plan and this includes public consultation. |
| Building and Development Services Department |
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Ontario Building Code Oversees the Ontario Building Code (OBC), ensuring the meeting of design guidelines, which facilitate sustainable growth. The province amends the OBC regularly and large sections are devoted to energy efficient design. Digital The department continues its march towards a digital platform to serve the pubic. A move to a near paperless process is on the horizon and day-to-day operations are constantly altered to reduce vehicle travel by staff and the public. Research to move the department to an electric fleet of vehicles is ongoing. Facilities The town conducts energy conservation projects involving its facilities and this work has taken place on an ongoing basis. Lighting upgrades to high efficiency and longer lasting uses are the most notable project. Work has taken place at the RecPlex, town hall, arena, library, and youth centre, plus numerous other locations. Photocell and motion detecting switches are now at all facilities for outdoor lights. On-demand hot water heaters are installed where possible when replacement units are warranted. The town is placing new insulation in older sections of the RecPlex. Several features are being incorporate into the new twin-pad arena and library on River Road West. As well, the facility has been designed to accommodate 12 electric vehicle charging stations. |
| Legislative Services/Clerk's Department |
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Agenda Management Software Agenda management software launched at the beginning of 2019. This generated a number of significant improvements, including providing paperless copies of agendas to council, allowing the public to access reports and documents and decisions through a meeting portal, and providing for efficient electronic administration in compiling agendas and minute taking. Further improvements included a video module to livestream and record meetings, indexed to agenda items, allowing individuals to watch any points of interest to them with ease and from any location. Virtual Meetings The ability to pivot quickly in response to changing legislation allowed the department to implement electronic meeting procedures, including virtual meetings and public participation. Subsequent decisions included that Members of Council and the public will continue to have the option to attend meetings virtually, reducing travel to and from town hall. Records Management Several initiatives within the departmental plan will lead the town towards a complete electronic records management system (EDRMS). Efficiencies such as barcoding inventory through records management software and the encouragement of filing electronically has significantly reduced the creation and storage of paper records. A full EDRMS will further reduce paper processing and duplication. Cemetery Operations The department takes pride in the maintenance of the grounds at the town’s cemetery. The 2022 capital budget includes $4,000 to plant approximately 20 trees alongside the newly expanded road adding shade for visitors, to continue to beautify the grounds, and to contribute to increasing the tree canopy. Elections For several cycles, electronic options to vote in municipal elections have been a priority. The 2022 election will also allow eligible electors to cast their ballots through internet voting, from anywhere in the world. For a significant period during the election year, voters are able to check their information and register electronically through voterlookup.ca. |
| Municipal Law Enforcement and Licencing |
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Parking Enforcement Currently, the Municipal Law Enforcement and Licensing Department has various environmental initiatives that have been implemented over the last few years. Beginning with parking enforcement, in 2019 the department researched and purchased an E-Bike for parking enforcement, the town’s first electric vehicle, as an initiative to reduce vehicle exhaust emissions, particularly at the beachfront. In addition, staff who are scheduled for parking shifts are often instructed to walk down to the beachfront area to complete parking enforcement. Furthermore, both parking ticket paper and pay receipt paper are printed on recycled paper. This initiative was newly integrated in 2021, which the department was very excited to execute. Lastly, in 2022 the department will be implementing an on-street parking project which includes payment through HONK Mobile, a service that uses a phone app to provide customers with a contactless payment option rather than printing a paper receipt. Beachfront Enforcement In 2021, the department purchased a side-by-side (ATV). Not only has this been a great addition to assist with our regular beachfront enforcement, but it’s another way the department is reducing vehicle exhaust emissions. Similar to parking shifts, those scheduled for beachfront shifts are often instructed to walk down to the beachfront area to complete beachfront enforcement. General Enforcement Part of regular enforcement duties also include patrolling by designated zones. This ensures officers are patrolling for occurrences within a specific area so they are not consistently going from one end of town to another. Supervisors ensure that staff are taking vehicles together whenever possible to save on vehicle exhaust emissions while also ensuring staff do not excessively idle vehicles at any point. CityView Staff have recently implemented a new software system called CityView that will greatly reduce the use of paper. It will be easier for costumers to file complaints, apply for business licenses and obtain various sign or yard sale permits, all without the use of paper. |
Motions
| Council approved motions |
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Staff Reports
| Energy Consumption and Green House Gas Emissions reports |
| Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan |
Resources
See the information below to learn more about climate change.
| Videos |
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What is Climate Change?
Watch more videos from Environment and Climate Change Canada |
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Grants and Rebates |
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The Canada Greener Homes Grant
Town of Wasaga Beach Water Conservation Rebate Guidelines.
Canada Greener Homes Loan |
Contact Information
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