This is a top priority. Climate change and emergency response is the lens through which all decisions and considerations have to occur. Climate change affects us every day in Pemberton. In the face of climate change, there are three main responsibilities of local government: 1. To be leaders, by tailoring operations and policies in order to lower local greenhouse gas emissions, 2. To adapt to environmental conditions in order to protect residents, focussing on emergency preparedness, response and recovery, 3. To coordinate with other jurisdictions to plan and prepare.
I am very proud of the completion of the Community Climate Action Plan. This is a comprehensive plan that outlines recommendations that will achieve lower greenhouse gas emissions here in the Valley. These recommendations look at how the carbon footprint in the Village’s own operations are minimized and explore ways to make it easier for community members to reduce their own footprint. To start, The VoP along with other municipalities and the Province declared a climate emergency putting climate change as a priority. This has been followed by bringing more EV chargers to town, improving residents’ ability to recycle and divert garbage from the landfill, building local and regional transit, strengthening building policies, and improving and connecting trails and active transportation. Pemberton is a small town but that doesn’t mean there can’t be an impact in the fight against climate change and although small, we are leaders in that fight. The climate action plan is a great beginning, but just a beginning and we have a responsibility to consider our part in the global fight against climate change in all of the work we do and all of the decisions we make. This lens is present in every consideration and every conversation.
Emergency preparedness, response and recovery. We live in an incredibly dramatic geography and we are seeing the impacts of climate change daily. Natural disasters do not follow boundaries. It is important to work closely with neighbours to prepare, and to protect residents. Anticipating for the safety of vital infrastructure like water and sewer systems, being aware of the vulnerability of the valley and being ready to respond and recover from the unpredictable. Some of those recent activities looked at in preparation:
Implementation of Emergency Alert System — Pemberton Alert
Red Cross Agreement for Emergency Social Services (ESS) and Renewal in 2020
Tabletop Exercise for Preparedness (practice and mock exercises for readiness)
Emergency Operations Centre activations (EOC) and emergency responses (many)
A variety of Fire Smart Initiatives (information and action)
Pemberton Valley Emergency Committee; I am part of a group that includes reps from Líl̓wat, the VoP, SLRD and the dyking district. Collaboration on emergency issues occurs at this table and together we pursue funds needed to build up our flood mitigation infrastructure.
Supporting emergency responders and organizations: The Fire and Rescue department needs support to be able to keep up with increasing demands, this requires funding to both strengthen the department and to purchase up to date equipment. Construction of a new firehall is a priority, as the existing hall has been outgrown. The fire department does a lot more than fighting fires (medical response, community events, Fire Smart to mention a few). I am grateful for the work they do and the commitment they bring to protecting the Pemberton Valley, it is our job to make sure that group has the tools and support they both need and deserve.
Resources are stretched and there are incredible efforts that have also been put forward by ambulance services and paramedics, local RCMP and Pemberton Search and Rescue. We are fortunate to have so many dedicated people willing to put themselves out there as first responders. It is the Village’s responsibility to support, collaborate and advocate for these groups to ensure their safety and ongoing service.
Flood protection: Meagre Mountain dumps tens of thousands of cubic meters of sediment into the river every year. We are surrounded by major waterways in a steep valley also affected by climate change. Flood protection infrastructure needs to be built to meet these challenges and protect people and vital assets. A ton of work is happening on this front but we need financial aid from the Provincial and Federal Governments. I have been making this pitch for years and will continue to fight this fight. As recently as last week I met twice with the Minister of Lands and Forests and staff to make our case and to further lay out our challenges. I was given a commitment that in the upcoming weeks the Province would bring together staff and Ministers from the appropriate Ministries to meet with our local organizations to look at strategies and funding opportunities. I promise that as long as I am involved I will continue to advocate loudly to senior Government to get the support we need to properly protect the Valley and make sure Pemberton is heard!
I will say it again, fighting climate change, emergency response and planning have to be a top priority!
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