BC Climate Action Team tables recommendations with the provincial government
The Climate Action Team has been mandated with setting interim targets for 2012 and 2016 and with providing recommendations on what measures can be undertaken to make up the 27% of additional GHG reductions that are still required to meet the provincial target of a 33% overall reduction by 2020.
The report contains 31 recommendations focused on 12 areas; pricing emissions, public engagement and outreach, transportations, buildings, energy, industry, communities, agriculture, waste, forest sector, carbon-neutral government and interim targets.
The report is open for public comment until Monday October 6, 2008. The Chamber is preparing to provide comments on the report once we have reviewed the material in detail.
A summary of the report can be viewed at;
http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2005-2009/2008OTP0202-001215-Attachment1.htm
A full copy of the plan can be viewed at;
http://www.livesmartbc.ca/attachments/climateaction_plan_web.pdf
Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement to cover Local Government
While TILMA came into force on April 1, 2007 it did not take full force as it did not apply to local government. The province undertook a consultation process with local government that resulted in a number of amendments to TILMA to address local government concerns, key amongst these were:
- Land-use measures (e.g. zoning decisions) are excluded from the TILMA, provided they treat residents from British Columbia and Alberta the same.
- Procurement threshold levels for municipalities under the TILMA will be $75,000 for goods and services and $200,000 for construction (takes effect April 1, 2009). These levels also apply to academic institutions, school boards, and health and social service providers.
- Under the TILMA, the reconciliation of local government business licensing processes between B.C. and Alberta municipalities will be voluntary.
- A Consultation Agreement on Dispute Resolution will be drafted. It will require the Province to consult with any B.C. local government and the UBCM if a local government measure is ever the subject of a dispute resolution challenge under TILMA.
The province has signed a joint letter of agreement with UBCM that will mean that TILMA will apply to local government effective April 1, 2009.
For further details on TILMA visit www.tilma.ca or www.gov.bc.ca/ecdev
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Active Government Consultations
Extension of Landfill Gas Regulation Intentions Paper for Consultation
The Ministry of Environment is extending the consultation period for review of the Landfill Gas Regulation Intentions Paper for Consultation from September 15, 2008 to September 30, 2008. The Ministry of Environment (MOE) is in the process of developing the Landfill Gas Regulation under the Environmental Management Act (EMA). This initiative forms part of the work undertaken by MOE in support of the provincial government’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gases by at least 33% below current levels by 2020.
The intentions paper is available for review at the following link: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epdiv/ema_codes_of_practice/index.html.
This intentions paper will provide a framework for legal drafting and possible further consultation. A response form to seek responses and comments from stakeholders and the public is also available on the website indicated above. Comments should be submitted by September 30, 2008.
Additional information and links to related legislation will be posted on the ministry’s website and can be accessed by clicking on the address below, or from the MOE homepage, by following the Environmental Protection Division and Environmental Management Branch links.
See: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epdiv/env_mgt_act/index.html.
Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Vehicle Emissions Standards) Act – Intentions Paper for Consultation
The Ministry of Environment is in the process of developing a regulation for vehicle emissions standards under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Vehicle Emissions Standards) Act. Enacted in May 2008, the Act enables implementation of a government commitment made in the 2008 Throne Speech to set vehicle greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards for new light duty vehicles being sold in British Columbia equivalent to those laid out in California’s 2004 regulation. The Act also enables regulatory requirements for zero emission vehicle fleets; however, this portion of the Act is not being developed at this time. The Act will be brought into force by regulation – enacted when (and not before) the equivalent California regulation and standards are implemented. The Act and regulation are part of the Ministry of Environment’s work to support provincial government commitments to reduce greenhouse gases by at least 33% below current levels by 2020.
The ministry’s intentions for the regulation are outlined in a policy intentions paper for consultation (intentions paper). This intentions paper will provide a framework for legal drafting and consultation. A response form to seek responses and comments from stakeholders and the public has also been prepared. The intentions paper and response form (in a variety of formats) are available for downloading or review at the following link: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/codes/vehicle_emissions/index.htm.
Additional information on climate change and related ministry intentions can be accessed by clicking on the address below, or from the Ministry of Environment homepage, by following the Climate Change and Environmental Protection Division links.
See: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/air/climate/index-home.html.
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Welcoming and Inclusive Communities and Workplaces Program ~ Community Partnership Development Funding Opportunity
The Welcoming and Inclusive Communities and Workplaces Program (WICWP) is a three-year pilot initiative which supports WelcomeBC by fostering inclusive, welcoming and vibrant communities in British Columbia where immigrants can realize their full potential, racism is eliminated, and cultural diversity is valued and celebrated.
Currently, a funding opportunity is available underCommunity Partnership Development. The Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development is seeking projects that are developmental and collaborative in nature, and will serve as an initial starting point for community capacity building.
Information on the Community Partnership Development application process is located at: http://www.welcomebc.ca/en/service_providers/wicwp.html
Deadlines for organizations to submit applications are:
- August 25, 2008
- October 20, 2008
Please see the above link for eligibility criteria and application deadline details.
Reversing the Tide: Strategies for Successful Rural Revitalization
conference in Prince George, October 2008
This conference, to be held in Prince George October 6-8, 2008, will convene organizations from BC, Canada, and abroad to share their tested strategies for successful rural revitalization. Join delegates from all levels of government, First Nations, economic development and community economic development practitioners, interior BC business & finance organizations, academics, and non-profit organizations to learn about practical case studies that can be taken back to interior BC communities. Delegates will learn about economic, environmental, and social well-being issues that contribute to vibrant rural communities via plenary sessions and small workshops. Topics will include, but not be limited to, current thinking on future economic and social trends relevant to interior BC communities, effective regional rural investment, affordable housing to support in-migration, and effective partnerships between Aboriginals/non-Aboriginals.
For more information and to register for the conference please visit, www.civicinfo.bc.ca/Conference/ruralrevitalization.asp. Early registration is recommended since space is limited.
Transformational Leadership for the Age of Innovation
leadership forum in Vancouver, September 2008
Ralph Kerle, CEO of the Creative Leadership Forum, Asia Pacific, and Linda Naiman, Founder of Creativity at Work, will host a three-day Leadership Forum in Vancouver, September 16 to 19, 2008.
The Transformational Leadership Forum provides C-level executives and senior managers with immersion in ideas, thinking processes and strategies used by leading innovators in business, art and science.
Linda Naiman, founder of Creativity at Work, is recognized internationally as a pioneer in arts-based learning as a catalyst for developing creativity, innovation, and collaborative leadership. She helps organizations such as American Express, the U.S. Army and Placer Dome generate breakthroughs in business performance, through coaching, training and consulting.
Ralph Kerle is CEO of the Creative Leadership Forum and Founder of the Creative Skills Training Council, Asia Pacific. He is a Council Member of the Creativity Association of Asia, a Chinese Government initiative; a member of the Advisory Board of Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management and Technology, Utter Pradesh, India; a former Board Member and a member of the International Committee of the US Creative Education Foundation; a Leader in the US Creative Problem Solving Institute and a Fellow of the U.S.-based think tank, the Center for Cultural Studies & Analysis.
More information on the Leadership Forum is available at www.creativityatwork.com/forum.htm
Download a copy of the event brochure here: http://www.creativityatwork.com/CWServices/LeadershipForumVanc-VAug6.pdf
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