N.C. Step Code Acceleration Bylaw Challenged! June 4th!

Cllr. Findlay brings forward a motion to repeal the bylaw put in place in 2023

[This Substack covers one of two new motions to reverse bylaws being brought forth June 4th - separate Substack to follow for second motion]

To attend the meeting in person and speak, sign in by no later than 4:45 for the 5pm meeting. To attend virtually follow the steps found HERE

Cllr Findlay “THAT Council amends Building Bylaw No. 3172 . “ to set back our local building code to EL1 from the accelerated EL4

Read more here: NATURAL GAS - LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND ENERGY CHOICES

One of the largest attendances we have seen at local council was regarding the very controversial Bylaw to accelerate North Cowichan’s Building Code 5-6 years ahead of the Province, eliminating, in essence, all natural gas hook ups for new builds.

The room was packed during both debates, with speakers from both sides weighing in. The pro ‘ban gas’ folks used a study, funded by a Chinese group, that had no placebo trials, to attempt to show natural gas in homes, especially stoves, caused asthma in children. This ‘study’ was debunked, yet still comes up as a talking point - even last week by a local activist speaking to the motion presented. ( video below or read about the shady study HERE). Ask yourself, in whose best interest would it be to present alternative energy sources as ‘bad’ and have citizens reliant on ONE energy source, highly susceptible to cyber attacks, grid saturation, and blackouts? The ‘study’ funding makes more sense now…….

Joseph breaks down the “study” here:

During the debates, the Mayor heard from MANY concerned citizens around the ban, and the removal of choice for tax payers when it came to energy. Fortis also sent a letter showing they were pushing for all RNG (Renewable natural gas) in new builds - made from municipal waste. In fact, Fortis has been trying to help get multiple regional districts to go in together on one processing plant to change our waste into RNG for years - an alternative to us shipping our waste to Washington - almost like a true ‘Circular Economy’ (the U.N. affiliated program council proposes to follow.)

Adrienne Speaks on that point here:

To see the rest of the speakers who came forth in September of 2023 to oppose the ‘ban’ go to:

https://coap.ca/ scroll down to videos and press ‘forward’ to page 5 of videos.

On June 4th Cllr. Findlay will put forward his motion for debate.

There were many emotions around this time relating to North Cowichan’s absolute narrow focus on their climate agenda which is the reason for the gas ban, they seem to want to get Brownie Points for reaching their ‘Net Zero’ goals first. They actually calculated what they thought this ban would reduce emission-wise! The ‘math’ has more holes in it that Swiss Cheese. If we ban natural gas, but accelerate our population from 3k more by 2050 to 10k (proposed in the Transportation Plan), including all the infrastructure needed, add a few more Popeyes and Tims, it is inevitable we are still in the hole for our ‘carbon credits’, ooh but maybe our new little municipal electric fleet vehicles will help our ‘score’? Not a chance.

More people, more infrastructure = more emissions = higher loftier emission targets to reach = more restrictions on YOU

After the room was packed for multiple meetings, the Mayor stated, in so many words, that everyone coming to challenge the Climate Policies really need not! He stated that the majority of council (4-3) believed in the Climate Action and Energy Plan, and asked for councillors to not question the ‘science’ or the climate ‘specialist’. He also stated if we didn’t like it “try to vote in a different council next time” - it seems that has come to fruition! So now that common sense, along with focusing on LOCAL issues seems to have taken the majority on council, will you come out and support these motions being presented? It takes more than a vote! It takes participation and support for councillors you feel are making a difference.

Here is the final previous debate seeing the acceleration bylaw voted in 4-3 Great points by Cllr. Findlay at the beginning of the debate - min 5:44 the final vote:

And here is the Mayor’s speech to the packed room - straying from his usual ‘Mayors Report’.

Sincerely, Team COAP