RCE Peel

Date of RCE Acknowledgement:
December, 2020

Description of RCE and Geographic Region:
The Regional Municipality of Peel (Region of Peel) is located in the Greater Toronto & Hamilton Area (GTHA), adjacent to Canada’s largest city: Toronto, and is comprised of three local municipalities: City of Brampton, Town of Caledon, and City of Mississauga.
Peel Region’s 1,254 square kilometres lay on the north-western shore of Lake Ontario and in the centre of one of the most industrialised areas in Canada, known as the Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH). Peel Region has a diverse mixture of urban, suburban, rural, agricultural, and protected land and is home to more than 1.4 million residents and approximately 173,000 businesses. Being one of the fastest growing municipalities in Ontario, Peel Region is expected to grow by 500,000 residents and 250,000 employees by 2041, representing an approximate 40% increase from 2016 levels.

Photo Cr: RCE Peel
The Region’s location at the heart of the GTHA and proximity to the United States has allowed Peel to connect the surrounding areas with the rest of the world. The presence of Canada’s largest airport and the largest volume of commercial vehicles in North America has shaped Peel’s community around transportation. As a result, Peel Region faces several unique sustainability challenges, many of which are tied to Peel’s transportation sector. By focusing on transportation, Peel Region’s largest economic sector and one which has a big impact on air quality, RCE Peel will be able to act on many of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a way that will positively impact the Region.
Recently, Peel Region solidified its commitment to research, education, and implementing best practices within goods movement by collaborating with McMaster University, the University of Toronto, and York University to establish the “Smart Freight Centre”. Dedicated to practical solutions and strategies to improve the quality of life and ongoing vibrancy of the GTHA, the Smart Freight Centre uses evidence-based research, decision support systems, advocacy, training, and monitoring to improve goods movement activities.
Peel Region recently declared a climate emergency and recognises an RCE designation as an opportunity to share its experience regarding sustainable transportation and goods movement to help create healthy, safe and connected global communities.

Organisation Hosting RCE Secretariat:
Region of Peel

Goals and Objective:
Vision
RCE Peel is a collaborative entity whose aim is to create a healthy and sustainable community for life.
Mission
RCE Peel is a network where all partners inform and implement strategies, opportunities, programs, and educational endeavours to support the sustainable movement of people and goods in order to increase climate change resiliency and allow for economic prosperity and a high-quality of life.
Goals
To overcome the challenges related to sustainability in the Peel Region and work to create a healthy and sustainable community for life, the Region of Peel and its partners have adopted eight key goals for RCE Peel. These goals were developed considering all 17 of the UNU Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a particular focus on seven of these goals. RCE Peel goals will encourage sustainability through action, by considering the environment, economy, society, and culture to meet current needs without compromising future generations’ ability to meet their needs.
Goal 1: Advocate for productive interactions between industry, government, and communities.
Goal 2: Explore innovative ideas in the goods movement sector that achieve reductions in GHG’s, improve efficiencies, and increase safety through research, testing, and launching pilot programs.
Goal 3: Improve public understanding of sustainable development, risks, and opportunities of climate change.
Goal 4: Ensure quality Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and continuous learning opportunities in formal, non-formal, and informal education for everyone.
Goal 5: Design communities that are diverse, inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
Goal 6: Create resilient infrastructure and sustainable business practices using innovation and new technologies.
Goal 7: Encourage economic growth that is sustainable and inclusive for every employment sector.
Goal 8: Collaborate with individuals and organisations from multi-disciplinary backgrounds for effective, efficient, and educated implementation of sustainable development initiatives.

Key Partners:
Region of Peel
City of Brampton
City of Mississauga
Town of Caledon
Higher Education Institutions
McMaster University
Ryerson University
University of Toronto
York University
Government Agencies
Cr Valley Conservation
Greater Toronto Airports Authority
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
Non-Profit Organisations
Ecosource
Pembina Institute
Retail Council of Canada
Supply Chain Canada, Ontario Institute
The Atmospheric Fund
Private Companies
Loblaw Companies Limited
Musket Transport Ltd.