General Government Committee

That the Delegation of Neil Pasher and Lorraine Sunstrum-Mann, Sloane's House, regarding Sloane's House Hospice, Palliaitive Care and Respite Centre, be received with thanks.

That the Delegation of Mitch Conan, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, regarding an Update on the Port Hope Area Initiative - Port Granby Project, be received with thanks.

That the Delegation of Sher Leetooze, regarding a request to erect a Cornish Cross in Rotary Park, be received with thanks.

That the Agenda be altered to consider Item 8.1, Report CSD-003-23 – Rodenticide Use in Municipal Facilities, at this time.

That the Committee recess for 10 minutes.

Whereas, Council acknowledges that rodenticide products are unreasonably dangerous, inhumane, and ineffective; And Whereas, rodenticides are highly toxic, persistent and compounds of bioaccumulation used to eliminate rodent populations by causing death by preventing normal blood clotting, causing internal hemorrhaging, or disturbing nervous system functions; And Whereas, rodenticides pose serious threats to Ontario’s wildlife (including raptors, songbirds, coyotes, snakes, and raccoons) and the environment (including aquatic ecosystems) through primary and secondary poisoning of non-target species, and further threaten children and pets; And Whereas, predators and scavengers are at a particularly high risk of secondary poisoning because of their dependence on rodents as a food source, with countless cases of poisoning across Ontario in the past decade; And Whereas, rodenticides are an ineffective and counterproductive means of controlling long-term rodent populations because they fail to address the root of infestation problems (i.e., access to food, shelter and other attractants), and kill predators that serve as natural and chemical-free methods of pest control (i.e., a single owl eats around 1,000 rats per year); And Whereas, the existing risk mitigation measures implemented by the federal and provincial government are incapable of adequately addressing the threats that rodenticides pose to the environment, wildlife, and human health; And Whereas, preventative measures are

That Report CSD-003-23, and any related delegations or communication items, be received. That Council authorize staff to initiate a trial at Courtice Community Complex, replacing rodenticides (interior and exterior) with rodent traps, catch tin traps, and snap exterior traps; That staff continue to investigate the feasibility of a future ban of rodenticides for all municipal buildings; That staff report back prior to 2024 summer recess with the results of the trial program and to make further recommendations on the longer-term use of rodenticides in municipal buildings; and That all interested parties listed in Report CSD-003-23, and any delegations be advised of Council’s decision. Amendment: Resolution # GG-196-23 Moved by Councillor Elhajjeh Seconded by Councillor Zwart That the forgoing resolution #GG-195-23 be amended by adding the following: That Staff create a communications strategy for educating residents and business on the harmful impacts of rodenticides and the availability of humane, ecologically sustainable alternatives; That Council engage the Agricultural Advisory Committee, Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority, Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority, requesting comment on a Province wide ban on the use of rodenticides, to increase protection for wildlife species. Yes (6) Mayor Foster, Councillor Anderson, Councillor Zwart, Councillor Rang, Councillor Elhajjeh, and Councillor Woo No (1) Councillor Traill

That Report CSD-003-23, and any related delegations or communication items, be received. That Council authorize staff to initiate a trial at Courtice Community Complex, replacing rodenticides (interior and exterior) with rodent traps, catch tin traps, and snap exterior traps; That staff continue to investigate the feasibility of a future ban of rodenticides for all municipal buildings; That staff report back prior to 2024 summer recess with the results of the trial program and to make further recommendations on the longer-term use of rodenticides in municipal buildings; That Staff create a communications strategy for educating residents and business on the harmful impacts of rodenticides and the availability of humane, ecologically sustainable alternatives; That Council engage the Agricultural Advisory Committee, Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority, Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority, requesting comment on a Province wide ban on the use of rodenticides, to increase protection for wildlife species; and That all interested parties listed in Report CSD-003-23, and any delegations be advised of Council’s decision. Yes (6) Mayor Foster, Councillor Anderson, Councillor Zwart, Councillor Rang, Councillor Elhajjeh, and Councillor Woo No (1) Councillor Traill

That all items listed in Section 6, with the exception of item 6.2.11, be approved on consent in accordance with the Agenda.

That Report CSD-004-23, and any related delegations or communication items, be received; That Council authorize staff to commence with the demolition of the two recently vacated cottages (#16 and #32 West Beach Road, Bowmanville); That, prior to demolition, Staff make a digital photographic record of the existing cottages, to be kept for reference, so that the historical legacy of West Beach is not

That the Rules of Procedure be suspended to add a Planning and Infrastructure Report to the General Government Committee agenda.

That Report PDS-068-23, and any related delegations or communication items, be received; That the By-law attached to Report PDS-068-23, as Attachment 1, to delegate the authority to grant consents to the Committee of Adjustment and to revise the Committee of Adjustment establishing By-law 2021-009 effective January 1 st , 2024, be approved; That the By-law attached to Report PDS-068-23, as Attachment 2, to amend Schedule ‘E’ of the Fee By-law 2023-044 to introduce applicable consent applications fees effective January 1 st , 2024, be approved; That Brad Whittle be appointed to the Committee of Adjustment effective January 1 st , 2024, for a term ending December 31 st , 2026 or until a successor is appointed; That the Committee of Adjustment compensation be increased from $53.66 to $100.00 per hearing, effective January 1 st , 2024; and, That all interested parties listed in Report PDS-068-23, and any delegations be advised of Council’s decision.

That the request to extend a Noise By-law Exemption, from Ben McWade, P. Eng, Acting Manager, Construction Management Services, Region of Durham, to March 17, 2024, be approved.

Whereas the Exotic Pet By-law 2012-045 does not allow for raising chickens on non-agriculturally zoned lands; And whereas Committee deems it advisable to consider allowing Clarington residents in rural hamlets, rural clusters, and the Village of Orono, to keep backyard chickens, for the purpose of egg laying, on non-agriculturally zoned lands; Now therefore be it resolved that Staff in the Legislative Services Department be directed to prepare a report regarding the keeping of backyard chickens for the purpose of egg laying which would include: a review of past reports and memos, delegations, stakeholder consultations, and other municipalities regarding the keeping of backyard chickens; input from the Agricultural Advisory Committee, Climate Change Response Coordinator, and Planning & Infrastructure Services Department; and options for general frameworks/approaches to allow for the keeping of backyard chickens for the purpose of egg laying. Amendment: Resolution # GG-214-23 Moved by Councillor Elhajjeh Seconded by Councillor Rang That the forgoing resolution #GG-213-23 be amended to add the following; That the review include larger lots in the urban areas. Yes (4) Mayor Foster, Councillor Traill, Councillor Rang, and Councillor Elhajjeh No (3) Councillor Anderson, Councillor Zwart, and Councillor Woo

That the question now be put.

Whereas Clarington, like many towns and municipalities throughout Ontario and Canada is experiencing challenges in attracting and retaining volunteer firefighters; And whereas Clarington depends upon volunteer firefighters to respond to remote, rural areas of the municipality; And whereas the Income Tax Act currently allows volunteer firefighters to claim a $3,000 tax credit if 200 hours of volunteer services were completed in a calendar year; And whereas increasing this tax credit may attract and retain more volunteer firefighters in Clarington, Now therefore be it resolved that the Council of the Municipality of Clarington calls upon the Government of Canada to support Bill C-310 and enact amendments to subsections 118.06(2) and 118.07(2) of the Income Tax Act in order to increase the amount of the tax credits for volunteer firefighting from $3,000 to $10,000; and That this resolution be forwarded to the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada; Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, the Minister of National Revenue; the private member who introduced Bill C-310, Gord Johns, MP; local MPs: Honourable Philip Lawrence, P.C., M.P., Northumberland—Peterborough South and the constituency office for the Durham riding; and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). Yes (7) Mayor Foster, Councillor Anderson, Councillor Traill, Councillor Zwart, Councillor Rang, Councillor Elhajjeh, and Councillor Woo

Whereas over 22% of Canadians have a disability and this number is expected to grow as the population ages; And whereas the National Building Code does not mandate that housing be accessible; And whereas Canadians are unable to age in place due to inaccessible housing; And whereas Canadians should have access to housing that allows people to live independently with dignity and respect; Now therefore be it resolved that the Council of the Municipality of Clarington calls upon the Government of Canada to amend the National Building code (NBC) to make Universal Design mandatory in all new multi-unit housing developments under the jurisdiction of the Government of Canada, consistent with current legislation and conventions; and That the Canadian Table for Harmonized Construction Codes Policy, Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Code and the CMHC collaborate on defining and illustrating in the NBC what is visitable, adaptable, accessible, barrier-free, and universal design, and That this resolution be forwarded to the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada; Honourable Sean Fraser, the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities; Honourable Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities; the private member who supports the accessible housing petition (e-4543) Mike Morris, MP; Local MPs: Honourable Philip Lawrence, P.C., M.P., Northumberland—Peterborough South and the constituency office for the Durham riding; and the As

That the meeting adjourn at 11:49 a.m. Yes (7) Mayor Foster, Councillor Anderson, Councillor Traill, Councillor Zwart, Councillor Rang, Councillor Elhajjeh, and Councillor Woo

That the forgoing resolution #GG-195-23 be amended by adding the following: That Staff create a communications strategy for educating residents and business on the harmful impacts of rodenticides and the availability of humane, ecologically sustainable alternatives; That Council engage the Agricultural Advisory Committee, Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority, Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority, requesting comment on a Province wide ban on the use of rodenticides, to increase protection for wildlife species. Yes (6): Mayor Foster, Councillor Anderson, Councillor Elhajjeh, Councillor Rang, Councillor Woo, and Councillor Zwart No (1): Councillor Traill

That Report CSD-003-23, and any related delegations or communication items, be received. General Government Committee Minutes December 4, 2023 That Council authorize staff to initiate a trial at Courtice Community Complex, replacing rodenticides (interior and exterior) with rodent traps, catch tin traps, and snap exterior traps; That staff continue to investigate the feasibility of a future ban of rodenticides for all municipal buildings; That staff report back prior to 2024 summer recess with the results of the trial program and to make further recommendations on the longer-term use of rodenticides in municipal buildings; That Staff create a communications strategy for educating residents and business on the harmful impacts of rodenticides and the availability of humane, ecologically sustainable alternatives; That Council engage the Agricultural Advisory Committee, Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority, Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority, requesting comment on a Province wide ban on the use of rodenticides, to increase protection for wildlife species; and That all interested parties listed in Report CSD-003-23, and any delegations be advised of Council’s decision. Yes (6): Mayor Foster, Councillor Anderson, Councillor Elhajjeh, Councillor Rang, Councillor Woo, and Councillor Zwart No (1): Councillor Traill

General Government Committee Minutes December 4, 2023 That the forgoing resolution #GG-213-23 be amended to add the following; That the review include larger lots in the urban areas. Yes (4): Mayor Foster, Councillor Elhajjeh, Councillor Rang, and Councillor Traill No (3): Councillor Anderson, Councillor Woo, and Councillor Zwart

That the meeting adjourn at 11:49 a.m. Yes (7): Mayor Foster, Councillor Anderson, Councillor Elhajjeh, Councillor Rang, Councillor Traill, Councillor Woo, and Councillor Zwart