qathet Regional District (qRD) has received a request for $2,400 to help fund the Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (VICC) climate leadership committee’s region-wide climate action plan.
At the September 8 committee of the whole meeting, directors reviewed a funding request brought forward by City of Powell River director CaroleAnn Leishman to help fund the $156,400 project.
Leishman put forward a motion that the committee recommend the board approve a budget amendment of $2,400 from the local government climate action program for completion of the 2030 VICC climate leadership plan.
She said the climate leadership committee had provided an extensive letter that gives the background of the regional committee she has been working on since being appointed in 2019. Up until now, activities of the committee have not been financially supported by qRD, she added.
“There has been a lot of research done and data collection and we’ve been able to utilize some research students and professionals at the University of Victoria,” said Leishman, who added that other professionals from the Pacific Climate Consortium and National Climate Caucus have also been involved.
“It has been a really amazing process,” said Leishman. “There have been several summits held to gather information from local governments. There have been staff from local governments that have been reached out to for filling out surveys and questions on concerns in our community.”
Leishman said the climate leadership steering committee has engaged an Indigenous-led consultancy firm from Vancouver Island to compile all of the data that has been assembled, as well as engagements from a youth summit, and a summit for local elected officials. She said work is now being done with Indigenous communities to bring forward a comprehensive plan.
Leishman said resources for compilation of data should be shared so a broad regional plan can be developed, and for better preparation in the face of coming changes.
She said the money, being requested of qRD, was not an onerous amount and would go toward funding the final report.
Electoral Area E director Andrew Fall said this is good value for qRD. He said the plan has been in development for several years. He added that the lead-up work has been a huge benefit and hasn’t cost the taxpayer.
“For a cost of $2,400 to get this to the finish line is really good and I support it,” said Fall. “I look forward to seeing the finalized report.”
Electoral Area A director and board chair Patrick Brabazon said he wished that a table in the letter from the climate leadership committee made more sense because the stated population figure for qRD was not accurate.
“The population of qRD isn’t 13,000 people, it’s 20,000 people,” said Brabazon. “How they arrived at the $2,400, I’m not sure.”
Manager of financial services Linda Greenan said the board might want a staff report on funding options, then staff could do more investigation and report further.
Brabazon moved that the matter be referred back to staff for clarification, which the committee supported.
