The Union of British Columbia Municipalities endorsed resolution B135, a motion put forward by the city of Fort St. John, calling for municipalities to work collaboratively with industry to address the challenges posed by climate change and recognizing the importance of the resource industries working in the Canadian western province.
Back in February, Fort Saint John City Council passed its resolution for consideration at municipal associations in response to a growing number of municipalities across British Columbia sending letters to energy companies demanding they help pay for the costs of climate change.
A growing number of municipalities across British Columbia were sending letters to energy companies demanding they help pay for the costs of climate change
Among those municipalities was Port Moody whose Council was calling on the province to pass legislation holding energy companies financially liable for costs related to climate change. Similarly, Victoria City Council was calling for a class-action lawsuit.
The former proposal was recently dismissed by UBCM delegates, while the latter was withdrawn by Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps back in April.
“These are historic votes of confidence in the ability of British Columbians to work together to resolve the challenges presented by climate change, and a rejection of divisive legal action,” said in a media statement Stewart Muir, executive director of Resource Works, a non-profit organization researching and promoting natural resources in B.C.
According to Muir, the vote promotes more positive interactions between authorities and resource companies. “[It sends] a strong message that B.C.’s mayors and councillors get that launching legal action against energy companies is not just ineffective grand-standing, but can prove costly and acrimonious. Instead, B.C.’s municipalities are ready to sit at the table with all stakeholders, including oil and gas companies, to move together towards a low-carbon future.”