Whereas the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has concluded that the warming of our climate is unequivocal and caused by human activities and the impacts of climate change are causing extreme weather events that threaten our well-being; additionally, costs in Canada alone are estimated to be over $5 billion per year by 2020 and up to $43 billion per year by 2050; and
Whereas the 2018 joint audit, conducted by the federal Environment Commissioner with nine provincial auditors general, concluded neither governments in Ottawa nor the provinces have assessed the risks a changing climate poses to Ontario and have no assessment of the potential costs; and
Whereas communities across Ontario struggle with the consequences of climate change with increasing frequency and intensity, and that municipalities are on the front lines of climate change hazards like floods, droughts, landslides, forest fires, heatwaves, water shortages, as well as directly influencing approximately half of Canada’s energy use and emissions;
Therefore be it resolved that the Council of the Township of Georgian Bluffs supports MPP Peter Tabuns’ motion that “a Select Committee on Climate Change should be established immediately to develop comprehensive provincial strategies and an action plan to address climate-change related threats to our society, environment and economy.”; and
That a copy of this resolution be sent to the Premier of Ontario, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Minister of Finance, Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, and Minister of Indigenous Affairs, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Minister of Infrastructure, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks, to local MPP Bill Walker, MP Alex Ruff, to the Association of Municipalities Ontario (AMO), to the Rural Ontario Municipality Association (ROMA), and Grey County municipalities.