Georgian Bay – Ward 3 – Councillor
1. What actions have you personally taken to support a greener, more sustainable climate?
1) Actions I have and continue to take for environment and climate action:
a) Annually we have a family event to plant at least 30 trees on our Georgian Bay property south of Port Severn.
b) I continue the work of 4 generations to preserve the natural woodlands and waterfront of our Georgian Bay property that is located in the Port Severn wetlands-Potato Island Biosphere protection area, This unique property supports over 200 species of birds, endangered turtles and snakes , plus a complete ecosystem up to black bear and deer,
c) Over the past 5 years I have reduced my annual KM driven by 85%. My next vehicle will be electric.
d) We renewed our lakehouse in 2012 utilizing foam envelope insulation well above code and a high efficiency heating system (Best available technology at the time) to minimize winter energy use.
e) We use no outdoor lighting unless people are arriving or leaving after dark all year round..
f) Active forest management efforts to reduce damage to century old trees from invasive Spongy (Gypsy) moth using sticky tape not sprays. Also planting diversified trees to forestall the effects of ash boring insects.
g) We drink our well water
h) We have extensive butterfly gardens and extensive natural vegetation. Our milkweed gardens for Monarch Butterflies have been very successful.
i) Our winter unassumed road is maintained by us for 1.5 km using zero salt or melting products.
j) We have a summer vegetable garden and buy locally produced food products.
2. What opportunities for climate leadership at the municipal level (e.g. greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs)) would you champion in one or more of these areas: Buildings | Housing | Land use (sprawl) | Transportation | Other
2) Plans if elected
a) Champion and obtain funding to construct a proper Honey Harbor to Port Severn mixed use Bike and walking path. Current situation is extremely dangerous and does not promote anything other than vehicles.
b) Improve building code bylaw to improve energy efficient insulation envelopes.
c) Support a more robust scrutiny and enforcement of our EP standards and bylaws.
d) Support adherence to Township of Georgian Bay plan for land use. Review with council opportunities to improve.
3. A long-term problem requires a long-term solution. What is your 100-year plan? If elected, what would be your first action?
3) Long term planning assumes new innovation and technologies evolve through demand.
a) To conserve energy and gain commitment from users we need high efficiency cost effective winter heating systems. This starts with extraordinary insulation for homes and public buildings both new builds and retro-fits. Couple this with scalable cost effective solar systems and geothermal solutions.
b) Reforestation is critical. It takes 100 years to grow a mature forest giant. They must be adopted, respected and cared for by our residents. Our property has several hundred of these trees.
c) The demand for localized cost effective electrical power will grow. Being local will improve transmission loss and efficiency. The areas surrounding the Trent system waterway have a unique opportunity. The existing dam infrastructures can be modified to include scaled efficient Hydro electric generating at every existing change in elevation. This is essentially an opportunity waiting. Local charging stations and power to the grid can be achieved.
An additional issue that does not fit naturally in question format is water quality. Many ward 3 residents in the Township of Georgian Bay rely on lake and river water as the primary source for their households, Locally improved bylaws , technology and awareness can greatly impact our treatment of liquid waste. As Georgian Bay Township abuts several other townships-districts and we are downstream of many others, a more comprehensive solution to run off, agricultural impact, water treatment and water stewardship is required.. This is critical for the hundred year umbrella if we expect to safely dip our drinking cup in local lakes and rivers.