Critics say city coming up short on environmental goals
Councillors and delegates alike were disappointed with a city report on a plan to make Regina a more environmentally conscious city.
Coun. Bob Hawkins (Ward 2) said the report gave “50-per-cent” effort on the plan to make the city 100-per-cent renewable by 2050.
Emily Eaton, one of several delegations speaking before the priorities and planning committee this week, started listing her credentials but added that she was also a mother to a three-year-old, which is why she wants the city to take climate change seriously.
Eaton, an associate professor in the University of Regina’s department of geography and environmental studies, said she was concerned by the discrepancy between the report and the initial motion.
“The original motion seemed very clear to us,” said Eaton. “That the 2050 target was community-wide and was 100-per-cent renewable.”
But instead of being community-wide, the report focused on the City of Regina’s operations.
Yvette Crane, of the Regina Blue Dot Movement, said when the motion first came before council, she was encouraged that in a world of ever worsening news about climate change her city was taking steps to fight the good fight.
But that was in 2018 and now, 20 months later, that enthusiasm has dissipated.
“Bit disappointing, I have to say,” said Crane. “The goal, which is 100-per-cent renewable by 2050, I don’t see that road map clearly laid out in this document.”
Crane reminded the committee that that motion, when it was first introduced in October 2018, was not titled as it is now.
“The motion was not the energy and sustainability motion; it was the 100-per-cent renewable by 2050 motion,” said Crane.
She asked the committee to go back to the original thrust and intent of the motion instead of accepting the report with its shifted goalposts.
“You all understood what it was that night,” said Crane.
Coun. Jason Mancinelli (Ward 9) asked whether now is the time for this project considering the flux the world has been thrown into with COVID -19.
Crane was unequivocal in her opinion that the city should go “full steam ahead” towards the 100-per-cent renewable goal.
Coun. Andrew Stevens ( Ward 3) said the report “does nothing to achieve those targets.” He asked why administration decided to “deviate so far from the initial motion,” first voted on in 2018.
“This isn’t a framework,” said Chris Holden, city manager, adding that he understands if people are disappointed. “This is a phased approach.”
Holden also said once the sustainability conference was cancelled due to the pandemic, the administration did not have enough input to put together a full framework.
“A framework will come later,” said Holden. “It’s a pandemic that’s put us in a bit of a delayed position today.”
About 23 per cent of Saskpower’s energy comes from renewable sources and by extension so does the city’s.
Brett Dolter, assistant professor in economics at the University of Regina, said the city could create policy to encourage Regina residents and businesses to buy solar panels or other renewable sources of energy to help increase the city’s contribution of renewable power. Specifically, a Property Accessed Clean Energy program.
“This program would allow households or businesses to access a loan attached to their property and repaid through the property tax system,” said Dolter.
“We are going to need something that is going to collectively move this forward,” said Coun. Lori Bresciani (Ward 4), suggesting the city create an advisory committee on renewables.
A referral motion from Hawkins with additions put forward by Mancinelli and Bresciani sought to lay out definitive timelines to reach 100-per-cent sustainability. The referral was approved 9-2. Mayor Michael Fougere voted against the motion saying, “we’re getting lobbying groups that are lobbying us, not the general public.”
He added that the task before administration is “monumental.”
The motion will be back before the priorities and planning committee on Sept. 23.