Part 2: Climate Lens Progress, Heat Preparedness Planning, and Wetland Policy Direction — 06/02/2026

The topics discussed at the June 2 Environmental Advisory Committee meeting revealed where committee members, staff, and community partners are focusing their attention as the County prepares for future environmental and climate-related decisions.

Several discussions received unanimous support from committee members, but the comments made throughout the meeting provided a clearer picture of the priorities emerging across different areas of County life.

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View the entire PEC Council Meeting; or view our recap.

Climate Impact Lens Moves Forward

The biggest item of the evening was the proposed Climate Impact Lens Template, presented by municipal staff member Albert Jing.

Jing explained that staff are taking a phased approach rather than waiting for the Climate Action Plan to be finalized. He described the lens as a practical tool that would encourage staff to identify whether projects involve climate adaptation, mitigation, greenhouse gas impacts, or no significant climate impact at all.

Councillor John Hirsch asked whether Council approval would be required at different stages of implementation. Jing responded that staff believe they already have direction from a previous Council motion and can begin introducing the framework while refining it over time.

Chair Kate MacNaughton strongly supported the gradual rollout. She noted that major plans often risk becoming "dust collectors" if municipalities do not build implementation into their everyday processes. Her comments focused on ensuring that the future Climate Action Plan becomes something staff actively use rather than simply reference.

Ben Thornton questioned why mitigation and greenhouse gas impacts were being separated into different categories. Jing explained that mitigation often refers to longer-term outcomes while greenhouse gas impacts can include immediate positive or negative effects.

Following discussion, committee members voted in favour of receiving the report and continuing work on the initiative.

Heat Preparedness Sparks Broader Discussion

One of the more practical conversations of the evening focused on how the County should prepare for increasingly hot summers.

Kate MacNaughton raised the issue by discussing cooling requirements in rental housing and the possibility of developing broader heat response policies. She suggested measures such as cooling centre activation plans and public communication triggers during extreme heat events.

Madison Schuler, representing Southeast Public Health, explained that many municipalities are currently studying similar issues. She noted that Toronto recently examined maximum indoor temperature requirements but encountered concerns about the potential cost burden on tenants if landlords passed along installation expenses.

Rather than focusing solely on regulations, committee members explored possible incentives. Councillor Kate MacNaughton suggested investigating financing programs similar to Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs that could help landlords install heat pumps and cooling systems while repaying costs over time through property taxes.

Ben Thornton added that smaller portable air conditioning units could also be considered for vulnerable residents who may not otherwise be able to afford cooling equipment.

The committee ultimately agreed to continue exploring the issue and work with Southeast Public Health on gathering information and possible next steps.

Funding Opportunities for Energy Projects

Discussion also turned toward renewable energy and energy efficiency funding opportunities.

Kate MacNaughton and Jane Lesslie reported back on discussions with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' Green Municipal Fund. They explained that large countywide energy generation concepts may be difficult to fund under current program rules and that smaller projects involving clusters of municipal buildings may be more realistic.

Examples included municipal garages, arenas, and nearby facilities that could potentially share renewable energy infrastructure.

Committee members voted to receive the update and continue exploring potential projects that could qualify for future funding opportunities.

Wetland Protection Remains on the Radar

The final major discussion focused on wetlands and site alteration policies.

Cathie Coultis raised concerns about wetland protection and asked why the County has not yet adopted a site alteration bylaw. She highlighted several local examples and questioned whether existing protections adequately address changes to sensitive landscapes after development approvals are granted.

Jane Lesslie explained that past discussions have often stalled over questions of enforcement and staffing resources. She also noted that wetlands are often regulated primarily as hazards rather than being protected specifically for their environmental value.

Lindsay, from Quinte Conservation, provided context on setback requirements and permitting processes, while Megan from Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte discussed similar challenges faced within her community regarding land-use controls and environmental protection.

Rather than making a recommendation immediately, members agreed the topic should return for further discussion after additional information is gathered from planning staff.

What This Means for Locals

No major policies were approved at this meeting, but several conversations point toward future changes that could eventually affect residents across the County.

The proposed Climate Impact Lens could influence how future municipal projects, infrastructure investments, and planning decisions are evaluated before reaching Council.

The heat preparedness discussion signals growing concern about how vulnerable residents will cope during longer and hotter summers. Future policies could affect cooling centres, emergency response planning, rental housing discussions, and potential incentive programs for energy-efficient cooling systems.

For property owners, farmers, developers, and residents living near environmentally sensitive areas, the wetland protection discussion suggests that questions around site alteration and environmental safeguards are likely to remain active topics in future municipal conversations.

Perhaps most importantly, the committee spent much of the evening discussing implementation rather than simply planning. The recurring message from members was that environmental goals need to be built into everyday municipal decision-making if they are going to have a lasting impact on the County.

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Disclaimer: This article is based on a meeting with an approximate duration of 1:36:17. 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.