Environmental Advisory Committee

Mandate

The mandate of the Environmental Advisory Committee is to promote the protection, maintenance and enhancement of all aspects of the environment in the City of Ottawa, to safeguard and improve the quality of life of those who live and work in the City of Ottawa, both now and in the future.

Responsibilities

The Environmental Advisory Committee shall be responsible for:

  • Assisting in the development of policies, programs and by-laws which could have an impact upon any aspect of the environment;
  • Reviewing existing policies, programs, by-laws and development proposals and making recommendations upon the environmental implications of same;
  • Identifying, researching, consulting and bringing forward to Committee and Council local and global issues which may affect the environment;
  • Soliciting and facilitating public input on matters of environmental significance to Council;
  • Consulting with and receiving submissions from local environmental and other groups and reporting with recommendations;
  • Aiding Council by increasing awareness of City of Ottawa Environmental policy, programs and by-laws, and issues which have an environmental impact, by means of education campaigns, public meetings, articles in local newspapers and other appropriate means as determined by the Committee;
  • Advising on the design, maintenance and frequent updating of a City database on the natural, built and socio-economic aspects of the City's environment, and environmental health information and indicators;
  • To examine health issues, guided by the objectives of the Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Act and its definition of "health hazards".

Organization

The Environmental Advisory Committee will have a total of 11-15 citizen members, including:

  • 9-15 residents at large, (all of whom have a demonstrated interest in, and dedication to, all aspects of the environment, health, sustainability, and the community.)

All appointments to the Environmental Advisory Committee shall be approved by both the Environmental Services Committee and Ottawa City Council.

The process for choosing membership for the Environmental Advisory Committee will follow the approved Appointments Policy.

In addition, the Environmental Advisory Committee shall also have in a resource, liaison and/or advisory capacity, the following:

  • 1 Staff representative(s) from the Infrastructure Services and Community Sustainability Department (non-voting)
  • In addition, staff resources from the following departments will be invited to attend Committee meetings

Lead Department/Reporting Relationship

The lead department for the Environmental Advisory Committee shall be the Planning, Transit and Environment Department. The Environmental Advisory Committee shall report through the Planning and Environment Committee to Ottawa City Council, however may report to another Standing Committee where appropriate, depending on the issue.

Resources

The Environmental Advisory Committee must report annually to Council through the Planning and Environment Committee (timing to be determined by the Chair, Advisory Committee Coordinator and City Clerk) on its work plan for the following year, outlining its resource requirements for each portion of the work plan.

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Links

Advisory Committee Meetings, Agendas and Minutes

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