Environment and Climate Change Committee

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Environment and Climate Change Committee approve that the Rules of Procedure be waived subject to Subsection 83(4)(a) of the Procedure By-Law (being By-Law NO 2022-410) to receive a staff presentation on the Green Fleet Strategy.

WHEREAS road salt is widely used on roads, sidewalks, and multi-use paths in Ottawa to improve winter safety; WHEREAS excessive road salt use has been linked to environmental damage, including contamination of local waterways, groundwater, and soil, as well as negative impacts on infrastructure and ecosystems; WHEREAS organizations such as the Ottawa Riverkeeper and Ecology Ottawa have raised concerns regarding high chloride levels in Ottawa’s water systems and the long-term environmental consequences of road salt runoff; WHEREAS the City of Ottawa is committed to environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and the protection of local ecosystems; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT City staff be directed to conduct a focused review of Ottawa’s road salt use, with a specific emphasis on its environmental impact, particularly its effects on local waterways; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT staff report back on the following: The measures taken by the City’s Public Works department to ensure salt application aligns with environmental and climate change considerations while maintaining public safety; Any assessments conducted on the environmental impact of current salt use levels and the mitigation strategies in place; The methods used to monitor the impact of road salt on Ottawa’s waterways, including rivers, lakes, and groundwater; The steps taken to mitigate salt runoff into waterways and whether the City filters salt-infused snow at municipal snow dumps to minimize environment

Motion to allow the committee to receive the presentation, as noted below. The Motion was