A group of local citizens wants to make climate change an issue in the upcoming municipal election.
Palmerston resident David Burns, a spokesman for the Wellington Climate Change Committee (WCCC), which includes supporters from across the county, says municipal government definitely has a role to play in dealing with climate issues.
“In fact there are places like the City of Toronto, Durham Region, Hamilton, all of whom have elaborate adaptive plans for climate change and are proceeding with them with some vigor actually,” said Burns.
“And the insurance companies are also involved, which adds a level of credibility to the notion that we should be doing something because they don’t like losing money.”
Burns, who was mayor of the Town of Minto and a Wellington County councillor from 2003 to 2006, has recently put the topic on the county council agenda.
Last spring, Burns contacted county staff and made some inquiries about what action the county is taking in regard to climate change. Advised the county has no official position on climate change, “nor any individual or committee with a mandate even to discuss the issue,” he was directed to the planning committee, where he made a pitch for the county to take some action.
Burns said the planning committee was generally supportive, and member Bruce Whale, mayor of Mapleton Township, put a motion before the June 25 county council meeting directing staff “to oversee the establishment of a broad-based committee to identify probable impacts of climate change and to propose a course of adaption and remediation for Wellington County.”
The motion was deferred to the Sept. 26 meeting pending a staff report.
Burns is concerned deferring the motion to late September means it won’t become part of the discussion locally during the municipal election campaign.
Candidates are required to file nomination papers by Sept. 12 for the Oct. 27 election.
In an effort to keep the issue part of the election dialogue, Burns and other supporters formed the WCCC.
The group placed an advertisement in the Wellington Advertiser calling on candidates to answer two questions. Basically, the group is asking candidates if they believe the earth’s climate is changing due to human activity, primarily the burning of fossil fuels, and if they believe local politicians should support Whale’s motion.
While the message is aimed specifically at politicians, Burns said the group is also hoping to generate interest and discussion among the electorate.
“One of the targets are the politicians who in general seem very reluctant to talk about climate change, particularly since 2008 when Stéphane Dion got abused by our current prime minister on the issue,” said Burns.
“But even beyond that, I think I’d like to see a dialogue on the street about it and I hope that will be the result.”
Anyone seeking information on the WCCC initiative should email wellingtonclimatechange@gmail.com.
