Public hearing to discuss city carbon reduction

A public hearing this Monday, essentially forced by new provincial legislation, is providing an opportunity for city staff and council to discuss environmental goals and initiatives with residents.

The hearing, which will be held at the Community Forum at 6:30 p.m., is the result of new legislation passed at the provincial level.

“The province passed Bill 27, which requires municipal governments to include carbon reduction targets in their Official Community Plans (OCP) by May 31,” city manager John Malcolm explained. “And we're required to hold a public hearing any time we ammend the OCP.”

He said the city has already struck a committee of resident volunteers who are mandated to, in concert with city staff, set city goals for things like greenhouse gas emissions.

“Their task will be to bring forth a community-specific carbon-reduction target,” Malcolm said. “However, their work won't be completed until early fall. To remain in compliance with provincial legislation, the city is adopting interim targets (as set by the province).”

The target is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 33 per cent as compared to 2007 levels.

City sustainability facilitator Kristin Aasen said the public hearing will also be an opportunity for the city to clarify some of work is has done, and future goals it has set to reduce its footprint – examples include encouraging more secondary suites and in-fill development, promoting rain barrel use and backyard composting, utilizing geo-thermal heating for the new City Hall, and creating a Pedestrian and Cycling Master Plan.

Aasen also said the city would welcome public input as to city initiatives and plans.

For more information, contact City Hall at 250-365-7227.