Statement From Mayor Helps on the Federal Government’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan

March 29, 2022

City of Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps has released the following statement in response to today’s release of the Federal Government’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan.

“The Emissions Reduction Plan is a positive step forward on an urgent path to meet Canada’s climate change commitments under the Paris Agreement. It provides meaningful opportunities to invest in protecting the planet while building strong, resilient economies. 

“The Federal plan aligns well with the City of Victoria’s Climate Leadership Plan City of Victoria Climate Action Plan adopted in 2018, and highlights the integral role that cities play in creating a cleaner future and healthy economy for the next generations.

“The City of Victoria applauds the Federal Government’s recognition of the influential role that local governments have in controlling or influencing emissions reductions. Cities are on the frontline of the climate crisis. In order to meet the federal government’s ambitious targets, significant Federal-Municipal collaboration and Federal resources for municipalities are needed. The new funding programs announced in this plan will create meaningful partnerships, build awareness and shift behaviours in our communities.

“To optimize investment results, we would like to see more of theLow Carbon Economy Fund earmarked for a specific municipal allocation that would allow local decarbonization projects to move forward more quickly.

“For example, the City of Victoria has long been a champion and early adopter of climate action initiatives that prioritize emissions reductions in transportation. Victoria has a comprehensive EV and E-Mobility Strategy that aims to install 100 charging stations in 2022 and has set a target for approximately 650 charging stations by 2027.

“The Capital Region has one of the highest percentage of EV sales in Canada. Access to these new Federal funds now will feed the momentum we are experiencing and move us forward more quickly in our collective efforts to meet Canada’s climate goals. Key for local governments to meet our climate ambitions is multi-year funding. This allows planning certainty so we don’t have to roll the dice every year with funding asks. 

“The Capital Region has one of the highest percentage of EV sales in Canada. Access to these new Federal funds now will feed the momentum we are experiencing and move us forward more quickly in our collective efforts to meet Canada’s climate goals. Key for local governments to meet our climate ambitions is multi-year funding. This allows planning certainty so we don’t have to roll the dice every year with funding asks. 

“The City of Victoria looks forward to continuing to work with the Federal government as well as other local governments across the country to scale up the climate solutions that already exist in cities. We will continue as partners to deliver Canada’s ambitious climate goals for the good of our communities, our economies and our collective future.”