May 26, 2025
Toronto City Council votes against two-stroke engine ban
On May 21, 22 and 23, 2025, Toronto City Council voted to not implement a ban on two-stroke engines, but adopted a motion proposed by its Infrastructure and Environment Committee to work toward the transition to zero-emission power equipment.
Landscape Ontario (LO) has played an active role in informing the Infrastructure and Environment Committee’s position and motion, representing and advocating for the interests of professionals in the province's landscape and horticulture industry.
LO is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with City of Toronto staff, Council and Mayor Chow for the excellent partnership between industry and municipal government.
Completed in April 2025, the report details the landscape industry’s perspectives on a potential ban, including the overall cost, availability, power output, battery life and recycling options, charging infrastructure requirements, client requests and more.
Over 325 landscape professionals provided feedback — with 71 per cent representing companies with one to 20 employees, and 18 per cent with 21-50 employees. Respondents cited various rates and experiences with transitioning their technology — 56 per cent said they have converted about a quarter of their equipment, while about seven per cent said they have fully transitioned.
The report also includes 15 case studies that highlight companies that have transitioned to battery-powered equipment to better understand the successes and challenges they experienced.
While LO and its member companies strongly support working toward a zero-emissions future, the study determined that the industry does not support an immediate or expeditious ban on two-stroke equipment.
The full report will be made available in the coming weeks. For further details about the report and a summary of the report findings, click here.
REPORT FINDINGS
Landscape Ontario (LO) has played an active role in informing the Infrastructure and Environment Committee’s position and motion, representing and advocating for the interests of professionals in the province's landscape and horticulture industry.
LO is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with City of Toronto staff, Council and Mayor Chow for the excellent partnership between industry and municipal government.
Landscape Ontario report — Beyond Gas-Powered Equipment: Exploring a Zero-Emissions Future in Landscape Horticulture
In 2024, the City of Toronto engaged LO to research and produce a report on the feasibility of industry adoption of battery-powered equipment.Completed in April 2025, the report details the landscape industry’s perspectives on a potential ban, including the overall cost, availability, power output, battery life and recycling options, charging infrastructure requirements, client requests and more.
Over 325 landscape professionals provided feedback — with 71 per cent representing companies with one to 20 employees, and 18 per cent with 21-50 employees. Respondents cited various rates and experiences with transitioning their technology — 56 per cent said they have converted about a quarter of their equipment, while about seven per cent said they have fully transitioned.
The report also includes 15 case studies that highlight companies that have transitioned to battery-powered equipment to better understand the successes and challenges they experienced.
While LO and its member companies strongly support working toward a zero-emissions future, the study determined that the industry does not support an immediate or expeditious ban on two-stroke equipment.
The full report will be made available in the coming weeks. For further details about the report and a summary of the report findings, click here.
Toronto City Council decision
City Council on May 21, 22 and 23, 2025, adopted the following:- City Council express its continued support for the transition of City of Toronto-owned gas-powered small engine equipment to zero-emission outdoor power equipment.
- City Council express its continued support for the public promotion of the appropriate use of small engine equipment and sustainable yard care practices to encourage the transition to zero-emission outdoor power equipment by residents and businesses.
- City Council request the Mayor to include the necessary funding for Parts 1 and 2 above, through future budget allocations as described in the Financial Impact Section of the report (April 23, 2025) from the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry.
- City Council direct the City Manager to ensure that any of the new contracts for landscaping services on City-owned property specify that two-stroke gas-powered engines may not be used if zero-emission equipment is available.
- City Council direct the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry to report back in 2027 on progress to transition City-owned equipment from two-stroke engine to electric, as well as an update on the communication campaign to encourage Toronto businesses and residents to choose quieter, zero-emission equipment, with such report to include updated jurisdictional scan of other North American jurisdictions that are transitioning their internal operations to zero-emission outdoor power equipment or have enacted community restrictions or bans.
Looking forward
LO is committed to fostering a greener future, including an eventual transition to a zero-emissions environment. As such, we hope to continue working collaboratively with municipal partners to develop a path forward. By working together, we can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and make meaningful progress toward sustainability.REPORT FINDINGS