Public engagement about Âé¶čAVâs climate resilient strategy has drawn some pointed questions from Coun. Ron Cannan.
Council heard an update on the strategy at its Jan. 22 regular meeting.
Cannan was concerned about the number of residents who took part in a city survey.
âOur present population is about 157,000 and we had 248 people complete the survey.â
He pointed out that is a 0.0016 response percentage.
âAre you comfortable with 248 respondents,â he asked staff.
Council heard that staff used several different methods to engage with the public and is open to other suggestions as the process moves forward.
Public engagement revealed that the top climate concerns are wildfires, extreme heat, and water security and that 11 per cent of residents want more information on Âé¶čAVâs GHG emissions targets.
Coun. Gord Lovegrove noted that staff included in its report that there is a lot of distrust on the climate change issue.
âYou point out that municipal governments have influence, if not responsibility, directly for over 50 per cent of emissions. I think thatâs where we need to go and I guess we need to rely on science more than ever to bring folks around and it will take time.â
Most of council had praise for the draft report which identified several key drivers and areas having the biggest impact where the city can help the community transition to low carbon.
They include reduced reliance on vehicles and a transition to efficient, low-carbon vehicles, increased energy resilience and renewable energy supply, and improved climate emergency preparedness.
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