Part 2: Climate Action Push, Planning Oversight, and Committee Decisions - 06/05/2023
- PECConnect
- Jun 4, 2023
- 4 min read
The meeting was chaired by Councillor Kate MacNaughton. Attendance and meeting structure were confirmed through the minutes, with councillors and public representatives present as listed by the Clerk.
The agenda was formally confirmed after a motion moved by Angus Ross and seconded by Councillor John Hirsch. The vote carried with no opposition. There were no declarations of pecuniary interest.
View the entire PEC Council Meeting; or view our recap.
Planning Update and Committee Response
The main presentation came from Michael Michaud, Manager of Planning, who delivered a detailed overview of planning tools, zoning, environmental studies, and policy reviews underway.
During discussion, Councillor Kate MacNaughton raised repeated questions about Environmental Impact Studies, focusing on enforcement, follow up, and whether staff have the resources to ensure conditions are actually met. Michaud responded by explaining how EIS conditions are embedded into legal agreements and backed by financial securities.
Albert Paschkowiak, Environmental Services and Sustainability Supervisor, supported stronger enforcement and prevention, noting that some environmental damage cannot be undone once it happens.
Committee members broadly accepted Michaud’s explanations and direction. A motion to receive the planning presentation was moved by Councillor John Hirsch and seconded by Cathie Coultis, and it carried unanimously.
Climate Change Deputation and Committee Direction
The deputation from Don Wilford on climate change planning triggered the longest and most engaged discussion of the meeting. Wilford called for a structured climate plan, public consultation, and learning from peer municipalities.
In response, Albert Paschkowiak acknowledged that the County does not yet have a formal climate action plan, despite having declared a climate emergency. He emphasized that having a plan is critical to accessing federal funding.
Councillor MacNaughton questioned the level of commitment at Council and stressed that public support will be essential to push action forward. Angus Ross and other committee members echoed the need to clearly show the financial cost of inaction alongside available funding. A motion to receive the deputation was moved by Jane Lesslie and seconded by Rachel Kuzmich, and it carried.
Strategic Workplan and Climate Action Planning
When the committee moved into strategic workplan review, there was broad agreement that climate planning needed to be elevated. Councillor John Hirsch moved the motion to receive the workplan discussion and to direct the committee to work with the Clerk’s Office to develop Terms of Reference for a Climate Action Plan Working Group. The motion was seconded by Cathie Coultis and carried.
Committee members agreed to set a target of February 2024 for a draft climate action plan, aligning with funding timelines and staff capacity.
Working Groups and Appointments
The Planning Working Group was formally re established. A motion to approve the group and appoint Angus Ross and Councillor John Hirsch was moved by Jane Lesslie and seconded by Councillor John Hirsch, and carried.
For the Communications Working Group, amendments were made to reduce rigid reporting language and allow for regular updates instead. These amendments were moved by Angus Ross and seconded by Jane Lesslie, and both carried. The committee then approved appointments of Councillor Kate MacNaughton, Jane Lesslie, Cathie Coultis, and Rachel Kuzmich, with direction for the Clerk to issue a public call for additional members.
Planning Comments and Closed Session
The committee formally received planning comments related to the Pre Consultation and Complete Application By Law and Official Plan Amendment through a motion moved by Angus Ross and seconded by Jane Lesslie.
The meeting then moved into closed session to discuss a Natural Cover Working Group appointment. Following closed session, the committee recommended that Ben O’Brien be appointed to the Natural Cover Working Group. The recommendation carried after a motion by Jane Lesslie and seconded by Cathie Coultis.
What This Means for the Residents
This meeting signals several things that will affect daily life across the County. Planning rules and zoning updates will influence where and how development happens in settlement areas, rural lands, and along shorelines. Stronger attention to Environmental Impact Studies and enforcement may shape future developments near sensitive natural areas.
Most notably, the push to create a climate action plan could affect infrastructure spending, road repairs, flooding response, and access to federal funding, especially for communities already dealing with erosion, storm damage, and climate related risks.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a meeting with an approximate duration of 2:08:03. Due to the length of the meeting, our team was not able to independently review the full recording in its entirety. As a result, we relied on software-generated transcription, automated summarization, and automated recognition of speakers and participants, which may not be entirely accurate. All transcriptions, summaries, and related content are prepared by our team in good faith and on a reasonable best-efforts basis. The content is provided for general informational purposes only and is intended to support public understanding of the topics discussed. While reasonable efforts have been made to present the information accurately, automated processes may result in errors, omissions, or unintended misinterpretations. This article does not constitute an official, certified, or verbatim record of the meeting, and it should not be relied upon as such. Readers are encouraged to consult original source materials, official minutes, or recordings where available for confirmation or clarification. Questions, requests for clarification, or suggested corrections may be submitted to hello@pecconnect.ca for review and consideration.
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