News

“Green” Legislation supports local governments

NEWS RELEASE
April 15, 2008
Ministry of Community Services

VICTORIA – The Province has introduced Bill 27, legislation to help municipalities and regional districts create more compact, sustainable and greener communities, announced Community Services Minister Ida Chong today.

“The Province of British Columbia is committed to working with local governments to find solutions to climate change and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Chong. “Local governments already have access to a variety of options that can make their communities more environmentally sustainable, and today’s legislation supports this further by ensuring local governments have the tools and guidelines necessary to create more compact neighbourhoods, with a stronger focus on energy conservation, greenhouse gas reduction, and affordability.”

The 2007 and 2008 speeches from the throne and Premier Gordon Campbell’s address at the UBCM 2007 Annual Convention proposed a wide range of initiatives related to climate change, resource conservation and air quality improvements.

“We are following up on these commitments to provide local governments with the flexibility to implement environmentally sustainable plans and developments,” said Chong. “This legislation will help local governments contribute to the provincial goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 33 per cent below current levels by 2020.”

Once the legislation comes into force, local governments will be required to include greenhouse gas emission targets, policies and actions in their Official Community Plans and Regional Growth Strategies. They will also be able to use development permits to promote energy and water conservation and the reduction of greenhouse gases, and encourage alternative transportation options for off-street parking. Developers who are building small housing units (29 square metres or less) will be exempt from paying Development Cost Charges. Local governments will have the ability to waive or reduce these charges for green development including small lot subdivisions and affordable rental housing.

One of the ways this is happening is through the Climate Action Charter. The Charter commits interested local governments, the Province and UBCM to work together to find ways to tackle the challenges posed by climate change, pledging to significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2012.  To date, 115 local governments have signed the Charter. For more information, please visit: www.cserv.gov.bc.ca/ministry/whatsnew/climate_action_charter.htm

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Media contact:
Marc Black
Ministry of Community Services
250 387-4089

For more information visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca