On Wednesday, February 9th, the Town of Innisfil joined forward-looking municipalities across Canada in declaring a climate emergency to recognize our emerging climate crisis and to deepen our commitment to protecting our economy, community and ecosystems.
The motion was made by Councillor Alex Waters and carried unanimously.
A report by Town staff recommended that Innisfil develop an integrated sustainability master plan and participate in the Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) program developed by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and Local Governments for Sustainability, aspiring to mitigate the effects of climate change.
The report highlighted climate projections for Innisfil by 2050 including heat wave days up by 500%, warmer winters up by 5%, winter precipitation up 10%, higher winter and early spring melts, greater summer droughts and more frequent and intense storms. This will result in damage to Innisfil’s built infrastructure and natural heritage, higher health risks to the community, higher economic costs, lower agricultural and industrial productivity, Lake Simcoe Watershed ecosystem impairment/loss, reduced access and mobility and an overall reduced sense of social integrity.
In order to prepare for and mitigate these changes, and to achieve the “Sustainable Innisfil” vision the Town will work toward the goals of reduction in emissions and energy use, adapting to the impacts of climate change, reductions in waste, minimizing resource use in municipal operations such as fuel and salt use, supporting and enhancing placemaking to promote community health and overall wellbeing, managing growth sustainably and supporting sustainable economic prosperity.
A letter from Claire Malcolmson, executive director of Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition and Deborah McGrath, president of Innisfil District Association strongly supported this declaration.
“Words are not enough to save Lake Simcoe and protect our delicate climate,” they said. “By joining other Ontario municipalities in passing climate emergency declarations, you are acknowledging both the emergency and the need to do things differently.
“At Lake Simcoe that means standing up for future generations, not kicking the can down the road, and rather, making decisions today that better protect the planet tomorrow. It means protecting forests and wetlands, period. It means continuing to address stormwater runoff, salt and agricultural pollution. And it means executing on a plan to make it feasible for a growing number of residents to get around without a car. Finally, it means not taking shortcuts or lobbying for shortcuts in order to expedite planning decisions.
“Innisfil is a beautiful plan and Lake Simcoe is a jewel.
Our children deserve the chance to make the same observations.”