Council Highlights from the April 4, 2022 Meeting

Breathing air into Clarington: Municipality partners with LEAF on a backyard tree planting program

Clarington is partnering with Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests (LEAF) and the Region of Durham on a one-year backyard tree planting pilot project to assist residents in planting more trees and shrubs on their properties. Both Clarington and the Region of Durham will provide $15,000 each for this pilot project. Residents living in urban and suburban areas will be able to apply to participate in the program and access a 30-minute site consultation with a LEAF arborist who will provide them with advice on what to plant, where to plant it and how to care for it. The overall cost to the resident will be between $100 and $170. The LEAF Backyard Tree Planting Program essentially subsidizes the cost of accessing experts that provide a full-service tree-planting service for residents and includes access to shrubs, native plant kits and several educational opportunities. LEAF is a non-profit organization “that teaches people about trees and gets them excited about the urban forest,” as outlined on its website. More information about this pilot program and how to apply will be available in the coming weeks. Stay tuned! This program will help increase the tree canopy and is another tool to help as we manage climate change.

Read report PWD-007-22 for more information.

Truck traffic permanently banned in Solina

Following community concerns, Clarington Council has voted to permanently ban heavy truck traffic along Concession Roads 6 and 7 between Townline Road and Bowmanville Avenue. Council heard from many residents voicing safety concerns over the number of heavy trucks hauling dirt and debris from construction sites in Oshawa to a dumping site in Kawartha Lakes. As a result, the Public Works Department will be working with the community to implement some traffic management measures, including the installation of rubber speed cushions on Concession Road 6 later this spring and a speed study. Red flashing beacons will also be installed at the all-way stop intersection on Concession Road 6 and Solina Road. Public Works staff will also form a working group with members of the community to develop a permanent traffic calming plan for the area that may be implemented in 2023. In addition, pedestrians will see a paved shoulder added to Solina Road on the east side, just south of Concession Road 6 and along the north side of Concession Road 6 east of Solina Road. The pedestrian walking areas will be added to the 2023 capital budget.

Read report PWD-008-22 for more information.

A community for all: Clarington cements its commitment to combat racism and discrimination

Council has endorsed an Inclusive Spaces Policy and granted approval for Clarington to start the process to join the Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities, cementing its commitment to combat racism and discrimination.

Clarington developed the Inclusive Spaces Policy in partnership with its Diversity Advisory Committee to create an open environment where everyone is welcome to freely enjoy our facilities and spaces without fear of harassment, racism, and discrimination. The Policy sets out clear expectations for patrons visiting Clarington buildings and facilities. It lays out a zero-tolerance approach for any form of discrimination or racism displayed against staff or any members of the public. To support the Policy, the Municipality is developing a Standard Operating Procedure, which will outline clear steps for staff to follow for those in violation of the Policy, following a zero-tolerance approach and corresponding consequences.

Clarington will also request to join the Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities, a network of 96 member municipalities in Canada. The network is coordinated by the Canadian Commission for UNESCO. It brings together like-minded governments that “want to improve their policies against racism, discrimination, exclusion and intolerance,” as stated on the website. To join the network and benefit from the shared experiences of others, Clarington will apply and include Council’s resolution supporting the Coalition’s 10 Common Commitments, which address areas that the Municipality can impact, such as service delivery, employment, and culture. Clarington’s commitment to combat discrimination has also extended to the workplace as the Municipality continues to strengthen its existing harassment policies, including specific language around racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination.

Read report CSD-006-22 for more information.

Clarington to hold 2022 Municipal elections online and by phone

Clarington Council received a comprehensive report from the Clerk with an update on the upcoming Municipal Election. This election, Clarington voters will be able to vote using an easy, convenient and secure online and telephone system. That means you can vote anywhere and anytime at your convenience by logging in online or calling a secure phone line. This year, the voting period will start at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, October 18 and end at 8 p.m. on Voting Day, which is October 24. If voters need help with the process, they can access an Election Assistance Centre or email and phone our elections hotline. These Centres will be established at municipal and community facilities, with more details coming in the next few months.

All information about the upcoming Municipal election can be found on our website, www.clarington.net/votes.

Read report LGS-005-22 for more information.

Inclusive government: Clarington to lift fee for change of name forms

To promote inclusion and diversity, Clarington is permanently removing the Commissioner of Oaths fee charged for change of name forms. The $25 fee will no longer apply beginning June 1, 2022. The Municipality recognizes the added burden this fee placed on the 2SLGBTQI and transgender communities as well as our Indigenous communities when people wanted to change their name for a variety of reasons. It also signifies Clarington’s commitment to reconciliation by supporting Action Item #17 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action:

“We call upon all levels of government to enable residential school Survivors and their families to reclaim names changed by the residential school system by waiving administrative costs for a period of five years for the name-change process and the revision of official identity documents, such as birth certificates, passports, driver’s licenses, health cards, status cards, and social insurance numbers.”

This fee charge removal applies to all residents and reinforces Clarington’s commitment to adapt and evolve our operations with a focus on equity, diversity and inclusion.

Read report LGS-009-22 for more information.

The next Council Meeting is on Monday, May 2, 2022.