VANCOUVER – The BC Mayors Climate Leadership Council (BCMCLC) is calling for BC-based Federal Parliamentary Candidates to outline how they and their parties will respond to the challenge of climate change and the need for energy conservation and greenhouse gas reduction.
Communities across BC are experiencing climate change impacts such as pine beetle, forest fires, and increased severity of storms. Over 100 local governments across BC representing over 75% of BC’s population are demonstrating leadership by implementing Community-wide Energy Plans that reduce greenhouse gases, conserve energy, and build the local economy.
“Over 10,000 actions have been taken by BC municipalities over the past four years based on the Climate Action Charter partnership with the Province,” says BCMCLC Chair Richard Walton, Mayor of the District of North Vancouver.
Luke Strimbold, Mayor of Burns Lake added, “Municipal and individual efforts need the support and leadership of the federal government and BCMCLC looks forward to working with any federal government that approaches the problems of energy conservation, climate change and adaptation with the comprehensive and serious approach that these challenges warrant.”
The BCMCLC collaboration of mayors from across BC with all three of BC’s main political parties is a living example of climate action moving beyond partisan politics.
BACKGROUND
The BC Mayors Climate Leadership Council was formed six years ago to recognize and support local government leaders who are taking action to address climate change in their communities. The elected representatives must have made a commitment to climate action while the communities they represent must have a proven track record of action to reduce greenhouse gas emission while focusing on creating more sustainable communities.
The current members of the BCMCLC include:
- Mayor Richard Walton (Chair), District of North Vancouver
- Deputy Mayor Andrea Reimer, City of Vancouver
- Mayor Darrell Mussatto, City of North Vancouver
- Mayor Lawrence Chernoff, City of Castlegar
- Mayor Luke Strimbold, Village of Burns Lake
- Cheryl Shuman, Councillor, City of Dawson Creek
- Mayor Josie Osborne , Tofino
- Mayor Taylor Bachrach, Smithers
- Mayor Kathy Moore, Rossland
- Mayor Jon Lefebure, Municipality of of North Cowichan
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Mayor Richard Walton
District of North Vancouver
BCMCLC, Chair
Email: waltonr@dnv.org
C: 604-240-7721
