Council gave the green light Tuesday for Bradford to grow its efforts to go green, and in the process, potentially protect itself from the impact of climate change.
Based on a report from CAO Geoff McKnight and a presentation from consultant Jade Schofield of Climate Compass Advisors, council adopted the BWG Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Strategy, and directed staff to implement it into town policies and program.
“It’s about protecting nature, saving local taxpayers’ money and supporting local businesses,” said Ward 2 Coun. Jonathan Scott who serves as chair of the green initiatives advisory committee.
Developed by Climate Compass Advisors (previously Delphi Consulting) throughout 2024, the strategy is intended to guide the town as it manages its programs, services and infrastructure by explaining the impacts of climate change on the community and developing ways to mitigate and adapt to those impacts, including a prioritized list of 108 action items.
The very first recommendation is for the town to ensure all municipal planning and development take climate into consideration, but other examples include upgrading municipal buildings for energy efficiency, promoting sustainable developments, ensuring access to green space and tree canopies, as well as a target to reach net zero carbon emissions in town by 2050.
While fulfilling all the actions “may seem daunting,” McKnight noted in his report that “a good number of them are already incorporated into existing town practices.”
Mayor James Leduc said he was “quite thrilled” to see “we’re already going down this path,” and noted efforts to use hybrid fleet vehicles, add energy efficient options to buildings, and increase green space in town.
“I like the strategy,” he said. “I’m certainly going to endorse this.”
Several councillors expressed concerns over potential costs and noted the plan didn’t included any specific estimates. However, McKnight reiterated from his report that any time actions come with a cost, staff will present an analysis to council, who are then expected to decide whether or not to spend those funds during the annual budget deliberations.
That came as a relief to Ward 5 Coun. Peter Ferragine, who had previously worried about the “strong wording” in the strategy, but was glad to know it wasn’t “concrete” and spending will be at council’s discretion.
“I’ll be on every item that comes up to make sure that it’s actually viable for our community,” he said.
Confidence in council’s oversight was echoed by Ward 3 Coun. Ben Verkaik, who also sits on the green initiatives committee and said he agreed with about 90 per cent of the strategy, but reminded his colleagues “this is just a guideline.”
Adopting the plan may help the town qualify for various grants or other funding from governments and organizations, and Schofield explained the strategy also includes ways to track and quantify savings from climate action, which can then be reinvested into future initiatives.
“We looked closely at economic co-benefits, for example finding ways to reduce costs, increase efficiency, find ways to encourage job creation as well as beautify the town, and increase property value growth,” she said.
Scott suggested that adding green criteria to the town’s procurement process could support local business and jobs while helping protect the town from the impacts of the tariffs currently being proposed against Canada by the U.S. government.
Not everyone was convinced though. Ward 6 Coun. Nickolas Harper said he was frustrated at the idea of creating more “red tape.”
“This strategy is quite aggressive,” he said. “I’m not going to support this.”
While he was pleased to see the strategy didn’t take an “alarmist attitude” and wasn’t trying to “force” green ideology or “vanity” projects onto the town, Ward 4 Coun. Joseph Giordano said he was frustrated with the public consultation process for dismissing or avoiding criticisms, and said he wants more information from both sides about climate change.
Earlier in the meeting during open forum, resident Paul Heck raised concerns about the strategy’s claim that climate change is “driven by human activities that release greenhouse gases,” questioned the extent to which the strategy was “science-based,” and called global efforts to combat climate change “boondoggles.”
Still, Heck said he fully respects council's good-faith desire to plan and adapt.
“Weather happens — we get it. We’re not here to deny that,” he said.
Those concerns were echoed by resident Diana Cassa, who felt climate action was beyond the purview of town government.
“It’s laughable to think any action we take municipally would have an impact globally,” she said.
While the impact of Bradford’s action might not be felt around the world, resident and green initiatives committee member, Elizabeth Simpson Hillis, felt local grassroots efforts could make a difference for the town.
“I am passionate that no matter someone’s personal beliefs on climate change, this plan is a way for the community to come together and protect Bradford’s future,” she said.
The strategy projects multiple impacts from climate change on the town in the coming years, including: average annual temperatures rising to 13 C from 9 C, the number of days each year warmer than 35 C increasing to 56 from 11, the number of days colder than 0 C decreasing to 73 from 132, a 9.7-per-cent increase in precipitation with more “extreme” single-day rainfalls accompanied by a 31-per-cent increase in the number of consecutive dry days.
Some potentially positive impacts could see the growing season extended to about 123 days from just 83 each year, and about 20 fewer days each year of ice and snow as the average last frost date is expected to move up to April 4 from April 29.
The long list of recommendations in the strategy are broken into four main categories — strong governance; resilient, low-carbon infrastructure; thriving natural environment; and healthy and prosperous community.
Those were based on a policy review, climate vulnerability assessment, greenhouse gas inventory, and consultation with the public and various organizations including: the County of Simcoe, Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, utility companies, conservation authorities, school boards, and others.
Included in the strategy are “fair and transparent” tracking and monitoring efforts, including annual reporting, a five-year review and a 10-year update, according to Schofield, who noted that while a top-down approach is required “everyone has a role to play,” including residents.
The consultant worked with a team of town staff and with help from the green initiatives committee, who endorsed the current strategy at their Jan. 22 meeting.