16 Oct 2023 Council meeting Environment

Building Bylaw Amendment Bylaw 2023 No. 7224.05

Motion
That “Building Bylaw Amendment Bylaw 2023 No. 7224.05” (to introduce Zero Carbon Step Code and revise BC Energy Step Code regulations) be adopted.
Minutes, page 11
Sources
Agenda itemCity agenda
Staff reportPage 1
Purpose, from an earlier report
To introduce amendments to “Building Bylaw 2016 No. 7224: for Council’s consideration to update BC Energy Step Code requirements and implement the BC Zero Carbon Step Code.
Staff report, page 1
DocumentsStaff report about Environment & Natural Resources

Leonard Krog No

I won't be supporting this. A couple of basic reasons. I think it's appropriate that the province set the mandate in terms of the timing of this. I don't think. It is appropriate for this community to try and get ahead of where the province has set the time limit if you will. And I do want to note something. Sanit Municipality, which in fact has supported something similar. Has as I understand it's 16,848 residential gas connections and 961 commercial connections. Sanich has approximately, I believe it's 25 or 30% more population than the city of nanaimo. The city of nanaimo has 19,272 residential connections and 1717 commercial connections. Which tells me quite simply that this community. Supports the use of natural gas and I think there are times. When you support what your community has demonstrated are their views on this subject. So on that basis and without belaboring this. I appreciate. The passion. That this issue has brought to the community. But I'm also satisfied that in the great scheme of things, what we do here one way or the other without the province moving lock step is not going to make much difference. Other than. Exacerbate the debate which exists within this community.

Ben Geselbracht Yes

Thanks, your worship. I'm 100% confident in moving ahead with this bylaw and the timeline proposed. We set emission targets in 2010 and. We have actually increased our emissions since that and the reasoning. It's actually even increased quicker than population growth than it is. From an increasing move to a switch to natural gas. And I think that if we are going to. Take our fair share of responsibility on reducing our emissions. That we have to implement something like this, at the very least, to stop adding new emissions to meet the targets. So I think. That this is a small step that we're taking, but I think that it is quite symbolic.