Thursday, October 10, 2024
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How to submit comments on Toronto’s September 21 VFH Electric Vehicles item at Economic Development Committee

On Thursday, September 21, the Economic and Community Development Committee at City Council will hear comments on a staff report recommending “Transitioning the Vehicle-for-Hire Industry to Net Zero Emissions by 2030.” The item is #6 on the agenda. You can see the proposal here:

Members of the public can send comments and sign up to speak on the proposal. If you sign up to speak, you can choose to dial in by phone or computer, or attend in person at City Hall.

The Committee may recommend some changes to staff’s proposal on the same day, and other changes can be made when City Council hears the item for a second time on October 11-13.

If you wish to comment, sign up here

Go to this link: https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.EC6.6

Near the top of the page, you’ll see four dark blue buttons.  One will say “submit comments,” and one will say “request to speak.”  Click the button you want, and it will create an email.  Fill out your name and address in the email text.  If you are submitting comments, add your comments to the email too.  Press send, and you will get a confirmation email.

Some key recommendations of the staff report include requiring all VFH to be Electric Vehicles by 2030; permitting plug-in hybrids to remain on the road until 2032; providing Taxi owners with a “grant” against their their licensing fees, while paying Private Transportation Company (PTC) drivers with funds through their PTC; developing the electric grid where these fleets would re-charge; and providing an education program on Electric Vehicles. Staff propose providing a temporary age extension to Stretch Limousines and Accessible Taxis while they study options further.

One of the “most pressing changes” facing the City of Toronto is climate change, according to this educational video.