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 The
environment has become of paramount concern to most municipalities and
cities given the scientific evidence of dramatic climate changes taking
place and the affect on the environment.
In Ontario, 36 communities, including Walkerton, have each established
an Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) that reports to Council.
Councillor Victoria Serda of Saugeen Shores, presented a motion at
Council's Monday night (August 11th) meeting to strike an Environmental
Advisory Committee. The Committee, as proposed, would "... provide
advice to Council regarding the protection, maintenance and enhancement
of the environment and to lessen the ecological footprint of the Town
and citizens, both now and in the future."
Serda proposed that the EAC might consist of 10 members - six adults
from the community, two youth and two members of Council. It was
proposed that, "... citizen members be selected at the same time as
other committees of Council when advertised in the Fall. Among the
criteria for members to be taken into consideration would be academic
qualifications, availability, work experience, community involvement,
knowledge and professional expertise."
Despite the overall global, national and provincial concern regarding
the environment, Serda's motion was not accepted by many Councillors.
Councillor Diane Huber, representing Southampton, raised several issues,
"While I agree with the concept, I am concerned that that there would be
an overlap with other groups such as the Parks and Trails organization
... the Mayor of Halton Hills struck a Task Force related to the
environment ... there is some merit to the concept but I don't know if
we need another Committee."
Councillor Serda explained that, "In Halton Hills, there is in fact an
Environmental Advisory Committee and the Task Force is an addition to
that Committee." (next column)
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(continued)
Councillor Jane Barber, who was recently appointed to the Community
Improvement Committee for the Port Elgin downtown core, raised the
question that, "Members of Council who sit on a committee may get
attached to that committee and its views ... I would rather see fewer
committees and more issues brought to Town Council Committee of the
Whole."
Councillor Serda answered Barber's concerns saying that she differed
with them. "When we have committees, it allows input and opinions from
the public. It also allows people the opportunity to participate on what
is happening with differing points of view. One of the benefits of
having an Environmental Committee is that communities can get together
to discuss and learn from each other's experiences and cross-reference
information that can affect each municipality."
While Serda raised many issues, she also expressed that, "Perhaps we
should also include the First Nation people on this committee."
Vice Deputy Mayor, Doug Gowanlock, explained that he had looked at other
communities across the Province regarding issues of recycling, landfills
and traffic control and feels that Saugeen Shores is proactive when it
comes these issues and others.
Councillor Luke Charbonneau, although saying he was supportive of the
idea, felt it would be more appropriate to defer the decision to the
Striking Committee which meets in the fall to review all committees.
At the end of the discussion, the motion was deferred to the Striking
Committee thereby, once again, putting the matter of the environment on
the 'back burner'.
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