The LDD moth (also known as Gypsy Moth) outbreak that has impacted most Central Ontario communities has been a significant problem for Richmond Hill as well. Our staff have taken steps to mitigate this impact and Council passed a staff report this month to take further measures. To view the full staff report visit https://pub-richmondhill.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=41977

Some facts about LDD moth

·         LDD moth caterpillars eat the leaves of a variety of tree species such as oak, birch and maple.

·         The caterpillars tend to only feed and damage trees for a short period from June until mid-July.

·         The risk of trees dying is extremely low. Most healthy trees will regrow their leaves as the season progresses.

·         LDD moth outbreaks happen in cycles every 7 to 10 years and each outbreak can last a few years.

·         Spraying pesticide is costly, time sensitive and not feasible for a large spread out area such as a city

·         It is non-selective, which means it will kill all caterpillars, not just LDD moth. This also has negative impacts on birds that feed on caterpillars.

·         Caterpillars still need to ingest the leaves in order for the pesticide to work, so trees will still suffer defoliation and there will still be caterpillars around for some time as it is not 100 % effective.

·         Residents can reduce the impacts of LDD moth caterpillars on their property by applying burlap traps and/or sticky barrier bands to the trunks of infested trees. This gives the caterpillars a place to hide from the midday heat and makes them easier to remove. Once removed from the tree, place the caterpillars into a container of soapy water, let soak for 48 hours before bagging them and throwing them in the garbage.

·         Trees should be watered regularly to promote leaf growth. Extensive watering should occur in the mornings and evenings during the hot summer months when natural precipitation is low.

Council has been working on an Affordable Housing Strategy since May when the Draft Strategy was considered at a Special Council Meeting. It was my hope that this strategy would be endorsed by Council at the July Council meeting so that our Planning Staff would be able to do further refined research into the various tools available to municipalities to help provide more housing that is affordable to more people.

Many municipalities across Canada struggle with the issues of housing affordability and I am quite aware that the solutions to this complex problem are not simple. However I do believe that the draft Affordable Housing Strategy would serve to move us towards solutions.

Unfortunately the staff reccomendation to endorse the draft strategy failed at Council. I was very dissapointed to see this happen but I will continue to work towards urgently finding solutions to this problem. Below is further information about the issue and the proposed strategy.

An affordable Housing Strategy will serve the millennials, the seniors, recent immigrants, and people who work in Richmond Hill. Essentially, the Strategy will help to accommodate a wide range of people and at the same time, support a robust labour force. Ensuring that these households have suitable and affordable accommodation benefits all residents in Richmond Hill. Having access to affordable housing means that people are commuting less and have more income that can be used towards other essential / non-essential local purchases. Providing affordable housing attracts business investment when employers know that their employees can settle locally. Furthermore, these households are more likely to have positive health outcomes, which would reduce their reliance on social services to assist with their daily lives.

People of all age groups and background at some point or another in their lifetime will

likely need affordable housing. The Affordable Housing Strategy Background Study found that millennials aged 25 to 44 years old need more affordable rental or ownership options. This particular age group is delaying household formation by living with their parents, or they are leaving the City to settle elsewhere. The Background Report also found that older adults and seniors need affordable housing to be able to age in place and remain within their neighbourhoods. In addition, new residents to Richmond Hill who are recent immigrants also tend to need affordable housing. From an economic development perspective, the research also found that the majority of individuals employed in industries with moderate incomes commuted from another municipality to work in Richmond Hill. This suggests they are unable to find affordable housing in the City.

To view the Richmond Hill Affordable Housing Strategy Report please click https://pub-richmondhill.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=41394.

To view SRPI.21.052 Request for Endorsement – Affordable Housing Strategy staff report please click here.

June was National Indigenous History Month in Canada. This month marked some very grim discoveries of the remains of children buried in unmarked graves at two residential schools in Canada. This discovery is shocking beyond words and many Canadians have come together to mourn the death of these innocent young lives. Further many people have come to a greater understanding of the reality that the residential school system in Canada represented.

For many years, and especially since the public consultations for the 2015 Truth and Reconcilliation report, it became obvious to more and more Canadians that the residential school system was not intended to educate children. It was designed, in the words of one of its founders Duncan Campbell Scott, “to get rid of the Indian problem”. Many have referred to this residential school system as a tool for what is now widely recognized as a cultural genocide. It has also become obvious to many that this residential school system, along with a number of other systems, including the Indian Act have been responsible for racism and discrimination toward Indigenous people in Canada.

For much of June Richmond Hill flew all of our flags at half mast in solidarity with other municipalities across Canada to honour the lives of the deceased Indigenous children. Council also finally approved a staff report that directs staff to create wording for a Land Acknowledgement that Council can use to begin Council meetings. My hope is this will begin in the fall.

I fully realize that no single act, in and of itself will correct any of the harm that has been inflicted on Indigenous people in Canada, but the Land Acknowledgment is a good first step to honour Indigenous people, create a greater awareness about what really took place in Canada’s past, and the discrimination that is still happening today.

I was happy to move this motion forward. I look forward to staff reporting back on this Land Acknowledgement and also on further actions that we, as individuals, as a municipality, and as a country, can take that are outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation Final Report.

To read the staff report visit https://pub-richmondhill.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=41442 

When complete in 2022, the updated Parks Plan and a new combined Recreation and Culture Plan will outline strategies and actions to support residents’ evolving needs and also help inform the City’s Official Plan Update. This is just one of the ways the City is delivering on Council’s priority to balance growth and green and demonstrating its commitment to being environmentally sustainable, culturally vibrant, economically strong, financially responsible and engaged with the community. Please visit https://www.richmondhill.ca/en/find-or-learn-about/Parks-Plan.aspx for more information.