Markham participates in Toronto Smog Summit
The Toronto Smog Summit is an annual gathering of industry, community, and all three levels of government. The Smog Summit explores the connection between climate change, smog and human health, and highlights sustainable solutions to transportation and energy use in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

The first Smog Summit in 2000 resulted in a clean air declaration being signed by Toronto, and the Provincial and Federal Governments with actions to improve air quality. The declaration called for an Intergovernmental Working Group (now called the Greater Toronto Area Clean Air Council) to include representatives from all orders of government within the GTA to follow-up on identified issues and to establish on-going Summits.

Greater Toronto Area Clean Air Council
Markham is a member of the Greater Toronto Area Clean Air Council (GTA CAC), an intergovernmental working group dedicated to exploring joint clean air initiatives in the GTA and to liaising with municipalities across Canada to discover best practices for reducing smog. The GTA CAC meets monthly. Town of Markham Community Forum.

Council approves Clean Air Working Group 
As a result of the Town of Markham's participation in Smog Summit II in 2001, Council approved the formation of a Clean Air Working Group comprised of members of Council and staff. The Clean Air Working Group has a mandate to formulate policy, identify short and long term objectives, and promote Markham's successes in improving air quality.

In 2001, Council made the following commitments at the Smog Summit:

• Creation of the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund
• Creation of a pesticide free zone ~ Pesticide-Free Parks Pilot
• Continue to apply the principles of New Urbanism to planning for new growth and development in Markham
• Complete a strategic transit implementation plan for Markham Centre development by Fall 2001
• Ongoing municipal actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
  Biodiesel Pilot Project ( 9k/1p) - Markham implemented a Biodiesel pilot project in some of its parks operations, including some mowers and tractors, in 2003.
• Developing and implementing a Smog Alert Response Plan
• Implementing a Green Fleet/Hybrid Pilot Project
• Initiating Rouge Park Official Plan Process
• Completing a Green Roof Demonstration Project
• Initiating a Clean Air Public Awareness and Communications Campaign
• Developing and Implement a Green Procurement Policy
• Initiating an Employee Trip Reduction Program
• Developing Tree Planting Incentives for Businesses and Residents

The Town of Markham's commitment to improve air quality in the GTA included the following 2003-2004 initiatives, as recommended by the Clean Air Working Group:

• Establish an Anti-idling by-law
• Review status of bicycle master plan and develop a bicycle implementation strategy
• Perform Emissions Audits at all Town of Markham buildings, starting with the Civic Centre
• Develop a Monitoring program for restoration projects in Town of Markham
• Review Naturalization practices in natural areas (Phase I), identify opportunities for naturalization in natural areas, including ravines and valley lands (Phase II)

By signing the Inter-governmental Declaration each year at the Smog Summit, Markham commits to working with other participating levels of government, non-government organizations, and members of the general public to enhance and develop initiatives related to clean air.