2/9/2011 9:43:44 PM

February 9, 2011

Toronto named Canada's most sustainable large city
for a second year in a row

The City of Toronto is the most sustainable large
city in Canada, according to Corporate Knights
Magazine, which released its 2011 Most Sustainable
Cities Ranking today at the FCM Sustainable Cities
Conference in Victoria, B.C. This is the second
year that Toronto has received this honour.

To create the ranking, Corporate Knights assessed
cities using 28 indicators in five categories:
Ecological Integrity, Economic Security,
Governance and Empowerment, Infrastructure and
Built Environment, and Social Well-Being.

Toronto received top marks in governance and
empowerment with its record turnout during the
2010 election. Toronto also scored high for its
aggressive Climate Change Action Plan, which aims
to reduce Toronto's greenhouse gas emissions to 80
per cent below 1990 levels by 2050.

"This ranking demonstrates our commitment to
building a cleaner, healthier Toronto, both for
today and for years to come," says Councillor Norm
Kelly (Ward 40 Scarborough Agincourt), Chair of
the Parks and Environment Committee. "In order to
become truly sustainable, we need to continue
examining all facets of our city - from our built
environment to our energy, food and water use. Our
task right now is to also ensure that our city is
not only environmentally sustainable but
economically sustainable."

Toronto was recognized for its leading Green Roof
Bylaw, the first in North America to require and
govern the construction of green roofs on all new
development. Other programs of note include the
City's strict household garbage limits and its
commitment to recycling and composting.

"We were extremely impressed with the City's
consistency across all categories,” says Erin
Marchington, Researcher, Corporate Knights
Magazine. "By using a multi-tiered approach
promoting sustainable living at work, home and in
the community, Toronto sets a high bar for other
big Canadian cities to meet."

Live Green Toronto was another key factor in
Toronto's big city win. The outreach program
involves a team of experts who work with residents
to advance green initiatives at the neighbourhood
level; an expansive website - livegreentoronto.ca
- that offers environmentally-friendly tips, tools
and resources; a network of 1,200 volunteers who
commit over 5,500 hours to green projects and
events; and several grant programs to inspire
community action, create green jobs and help
residents become more energy efficient.

The full results of the ranking can be found
online at http://www.corporatenights.ca/cities and
in the winter issue of Corporate Knights magazine
that will be available in the February 10 issue of
the Globe and Mail.

Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest
government, and home to a diverse population of
about 2.6 million people. Toronto's government is
dedicated to delivering customer service
excellence, creating a transparent and accountable
government, reducing the size and cost of
government and building a transportation city. For
information on non-emergency City services and
programs, Toronto residents, businesses and
visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week.