Climate concerns and the complexities of the modern world made an appearance at Wednesday’s Pelham Town Council meeting, with Ward 1’s Wayne Olson serving a notice of motion to back an Ontario Energy Board (OEB) attempt to end government subsidies for natural gas pipelines.
The OEB’s decision to end the subsidies was promptly overruled by Doug Ford’s provincial government in February, something many Ontario politicians immediately objected to.
Olson agreed with that sentiment, and said that the province needs to remove the subsidies in order to increase competition from cleaner-energy providers.
“This will increase climate damage and energy bills for consumers,” Olson said, echoing a criticism that Enbridge – Ontario’s dominant natural gas provider – lobbied the Ford government to revoke the ruling, and stands to capitalize from the fact that new homebuyers will still be on the hook for new pipeline infrastructure.
“I believe it will eventually lead to higher costs in housing,” Olson said.
However, Ward 3 councillor Bob Hildebrandt – who sits on Pelham’s Utility Sustainability Committee – sounded a familiar alarm that Ontario’s current electrical grid is simply not ready to take on more infrastructure powered by alternatives such as heat pumps.
“The biggest concern I have about this whole issue is the transition period,” Hildebrandt said “The electric vehicle goals that the federal government has are going to put our electric grid in real issues, if it ever is attained.”
Citing “black swan” weather events such as the Christmas 2022 blizzard that knocked out power across south Niagara, he added that “the electrical grid for emergency preparedness at this present time is not adequate.”
Mayor Marvin Junkin, however, said that the goal is not to eliminate natural gas, but to diversify the system.
“All we’re trying to do is level the playing field to give new energy sources to be used without having to go against a subsidized entity in natural gas,” the Mayor said. “I can never see this province or this country eliminating natural gas completely, it’s just to give new energy sources an equal playing field in new builds.”
Deputy Mayor John Wink conceded that the concerns are real on both sides, but that the big part of the problem is mixed messaging from political and professional entities.
“The unfortunate part is the OEB, Ontario Hydro and our government can’t come to an agreement about anything,” Wink said. “At some point in time we’ve got to draw a line in the sand and start reducing the need for fossil fuels. Climate change is real. It’s not something we’re making up. We’re not eliminating natural gas.”
Odds and ends
-Council nominated Hildebrandt to apply to be Pelham’s representative on Association of Municipalities Ontario’s Local Authority Services (LAS), a group which focuses on lowering costs for municipalities though co-operative procurement efforts, among other things.
Hildebrandt said the position would be voluntary and he would not be paid for it.
“Welcome to politics at the municipal level,” Junkin joked.
-Consultant Davey Resource Group said in a report to council that moth populations appear to be below outbreak levels this spring, and that aerial spraying can likely be dropped in favour of more targeted ground-spraying.
-The regular meeting was followed by a lengthy closed session.
Additional council news from the Town:
Communities in Bloom
Council received Report #2024-0069- Communities in Bloom Competition Update, for information. Communities in Bloom is a volunteer and partnership-driven organization that uses a multi-tiered competitive evaluation process to foster community strength, involvement, and continuous improvement. This is accomplished by nurturing environmental sustainability, enhancement of green spaces, and heritage conservation in cultural and natural environments encompassing municipal, residential, commercial, and institutional spaces. The judging process is designed to encourage communities to work together to create beautiful, sustainable, and environmentally responsible spaces to enhance the quality of life of residents. Participating municipalities across Canada are judged by dedicated, specially trained volunteer judges based on six criteria, which include efforts made by residents, municipal bodies and all forms of businesses. Two judges will be visiting and evaluating Pelham from July 11 to July 12, 2024. More information on Communities in Bloom and how residents can get involved can be viewed at www.pelham.ca/inbloom
Hope Lane Lands – future use of Town-owned lands
Council received the Memo 2024-0075 Public Consultation Sessions re: Future of Meridian Community Centre Adjacent Lands, for information. The strategic use of Town-owned lands was an action item identified by council in the 2023-2027 Town Strategic Plan. Council identified the need to determine the best use of Town-owned lands adjacent to the Meridian Community Centre (MCC) at the northwest corner of Rice Road and Summersides Boulevard. Council requested community feedback on three options available. A concept rendering has been developed and will be on display at the Meridian Community Centre which showcases potential options and uses of the Hope Lane Lands. The boards will also have options for residents to complete the online survey and additional hard copies will be available until April 30, 2024. Two open public consultation events are scheduled at the Meridian Community Centre from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Monday, April 15 and Thursday, April 18, 2024. Additional information and the online survey to collect feedback will be available at www.pelham.ca/HopeLaneLandUse
