Responses from Candidates in Algonquin Highlands
Question #1
What actions have you personally taken to live a more sustainable lifestyle and lower your greenhouse gas emissions?
Mayor
Liz Danielsen -- NO RESPONSE
Mike Lang -- NO RESPONSE
Ward 1
Julia Shortreed -- NO RESPONSE
Ward 2
Lisa Barry
"I personally have invested in learning how to grow, collect seeds and preserve food. I am educated and conscious in recycling aand composting initiaves. I am committed to energy conversation and our house was built with passive solar design.
i support second hand goods, learning new skills and raising children to respect the environment for future generations."
Amber Meirik-- NO RESPONSE
Sabrina Richards:
"As the owner of the marina I have taken steps here to improve our policies/procedures by becoming a member of Boating Ontario's Clean Marine program which voluntarily acts to guide us in making sounder environmental decisions as a marina and to encourage our customers to do the same. This process took us almost 2 years of discussions with Boating Ontario and an audit performed by them with recommendations for further future changes that we plan to undertake in the future. I've taken the offer of the HHLPOA to educate me on native plants that we can add/plant at the marina to create a butterfly/pollinator garden out front and maintain a natural shoreline to encourage native pollinators and species. We have financially invested in several other areas of concern here that I won't completely list but all underlying improvements that illustrate that the environment is one of our top priorities and of course, we have many further projects planned for the future. We see the marina as having the ability to demonstrate and lead "green" waterfront living initiatives."
Napier Simpson:
"We live on a farm. We've replaced a 3/4 pickup with a smaller one that gets 30+ MPG. We have virtually eliminated all pesticides and herbicides. We've upgraded insulation, switched heating off oil to propane. We operate a managed forest which gradually improves forest health and carbon capture."
Ward 3
Jennifer Dailloux:
"In the past three years my family and I have undertaken extensive renovations to our home to make it as close to Net Zero as is possible to achieve in a 100+ year old log cabin. Insulation has been doubled and windows have been upgraded. We had a custom HVAC system designed in which the latent heat from our moderately-sized living room wood stove (which normally would get trapped in our high gabled ceiling) now gets drawn back down to the basement, filtered, and re-circulated throughout the house. The result is that one wood stove can now provide adequate, consistent heat to our whole home, because that heat is much more effectively used and cannot escape our thermal envelope. Our back-up HVAC system is a split air, meaning that we've all but gone off fossil fuel for home energy consumption. Were these changes expensive? Yes they were. But our winter energy bill is now pennies on the dollar, so over time we will see an important return on investment.
Our family also owns and operates the Wolf Den Hostel and Nature Retreat by the west gate of Algonquin Park. There, we model sustainable tourism practices ranging from the sources of our building materials and designs, to our commitment to up-cycling furniture and equipment rather than buying new, to the code of conduct we expect our guests to agree to when it comes to single use plastics, waste management, and on-site composting. For these efforts our business was granted the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust Enviro-Hero award in 2016. As a family, we are extremely proud of our dedication to our natural environment and our commitment to climate action."
What actions have you personally taken to live a more sustainable lifestyle and lower your greenhouse gas emissions?
Mayor
Liz Danielsen -- NO RESPONSE
Mike Lang -- NO RESPONSE
Ward 1
Julia Shortreed -- NO RESPONSE
Ward 2
Lisa Barry
"I personally have invested in learning how to grow, collect seeds and preserve food. I am educated and conscious in recycling aand composting initiaves. I am committed to energy conversation and our house was built with passive solar design.
i support second hand goods, learning new skills and raising children to respect the environment for future generations."
Amber Meirik-- NO RESPONSE
Sabrina Richards:
"As the owner of the marina I have taken steps here to improve our policies/procedures by becoming a member of Boating Ontario's Clean Marine program which voluntarily acts to guide us in making sounder environmental decisions as a marina and to encourage our customers to do the same. This process took us almost 2 years of discussions with Boating Ontario and an audit performed by them with recommendations for further future changes that we plan to undertake in the future. I've taken the offer of the HHLPOA to educate me on native plants that we can add/plant at the marina to create a butterfly/pollinator garden out front and maintain a natural shoreline to encourage native pollinators and species. We have financially invested in several other areas of concern here that I won't completely list but all underlying improvements that illustrate that the environment is one of our top priorities and of course, we have many further projects planned for the future. We see the marina as having the ability to demonstrate and lead "green" waterfront living initiatives."
Napier Simpson:
"We live on a farm. We've replaced a 3/4 pickup with a smaller one that gets 30+ MPG. We have virtually eliminated all pesticides and herbicides. We've upgraded insulation, switched heating off oil to propane. We operate a managed forest which gradually improves forest health and carbon capture."
Ward 3
Jennifer Dailloux:
"In the past three years my family and I have undertaken extensive renovations to our home to make it as close to Net Zero as is possible to achieve in a 100+ year old log cabin. Insulation has been doubled and windows have been upgraded. We had a custom HVAC system designed in which the latent heat from our moderately-sized living room wood stove (which normally would get trapped in our high gabled ceiling) now gets drawn back down to the basement, filtered, and re-circulated throughout the house. The result is that one wood stove can now provide adequate, consistent heat to our whole home, because that heat is much more effectively used and cannot escape our thermal envelope. Our back-up HVAC system is a split air, meaning that we've all but gone off fossil fuel for home energy consumption. Were these changes expensive? Yes they were. But our winter energy bill is now pennies on the dollar, so over time we will see an important return on investment.
Our family also owns and operates the Wolf Den Hostel and Nature Retreat by the west gate of Algonquin Park. There, we model sustainable tourism practices ranging from the sources of our building materials and designs, to our commitment to up-cycling furniture and equipment rather than buying new, to the code of conduct we expect our guests to agree to when it comes to single use plastics, waste management, and on-site composting. For these efforts our business was granted the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust Enviro-Hero award in 2016. As a family, we are extremely proud of our dedication to our natural environment and our commitment to climate action."
Question #2
What opportunities for climate leadership and/or environmental protection do you see at the municipal level, eg. lowering greenhouse gas emissions in the building sector, land use planning, transportation or other?
Mayor
Liz Danielsen -- NO RESPONSE
Mike Lang -- NO RESPONSE
Ward 1
Julia Shortreed -- NO RESPONSE
Ward 2
Lisa Barry
"I believe in continued support for protecting shorelines, environmetally protected areas and developing a greater understanding of unrecognized wetlands. I believe collaboratively, with the other municipalities more can be done with our landfills and public education on waste diverson. Lowering dwelling footprints or considerations towards communal living alternatives is something I would like to champion. Continued support for the countys climate mitigation strategies is important. Currently much work is being done looking at current levels and developing reduction strategies within different departments. While on council I was the chair of the Environent and Stewardship committe which embarked on a plastic reduction straegy as well as a home compost initiative. I beleive many innovative solutions are happening across the world and being open to these opportunities is the best approach forward."
Amber Meirik -- NO RESPONSE
Sabrina Richards:
"We all know that we are in housing crisis not only in our township but our country. In looking at affordable housing I'd like to see emphasis made on cleaner technologies such as heat pumps and solar panels. I'd like to update our by-laws to allow for other technologies that are greener than traditional building materials. My past career has taken me to many factories throughout the world where I have seen varying topographies and green initiatives lead to wonderful solutions that are not recognized well in Canada yet. In Italy I visited a factory that was completely self sufficient where all wastewater (black or grey) from the factory was incinerated and the heat from the incinerator powered and heated the entire factory with a near zero carbon footprint as the incinerator was powered from a wind turbine. This factory was far outside the metro area and completely off grid - an incredible experience in learning environmental possibilities.
We can lead cottage country in green initiatives by advocating these types of technologies and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. "
Napier Simpson:
"1. Review of larger pick ups
2. permitting more micro or low footprint housing in rural areas
3. looking for efficiencies like reopening the Hall/Hawk transfer station rather than 70 vehicles driving every day to Maple Lake"
Ward 3
Jennifer Dailloux:
"Our county-wide corporate and community climate action plans focus on a number of these topics and are excellent starts; I fully support those, and have been involved in their development.
But as a councillor I have also made it my personal goal to look at all the smaller decisions that hit the Council table through the lens of environmental protection and climate action. In addition to big projects and long-term thinking, change has to come iteratively, in small packages, until making environmentally sound decisions becomes normal behaviour and part of municipal culture. Big commitments include making our municipal fleet of vehicles hybrid or all-electric, and that will take years. Small commitments include ensuring our recreation centres have reusable plates, cups and cutlery, and a policy prohibiting single-use items from being used in those spaces during municipal events and public rentals. A big commitment is taking another stab at a public transportation plan for the county; a small commitment is packing our municipal website with practical information and links on how households can reduce emissions in Cottage Country, and establishing more of a municipal 'identity' around those priorities.
In the upcoming term there are a few additional areas I'd like to focus on, including possible site alteration bylaw changes to minimize wetland destruction; continued strengthening of our land use planning instruments such as our Operational Plan, which is due for review in a couple of years; and taking a closer look at how our municipality protects and preserves its own shorelines."
What opportunities for climate leadership and/or environmental protection do you see at the municipal level, eg. lowering greenhouse gas emissions in the building sector, land use planning, transportation or other?
Mayor
Liz Danielsen -- NO RESPONSE
Mike Lang -- NO RESPONSE
Ward 1
Julia Shortreed -- NO RESPONSE
Ward 2
Lisa Barry
"I believe in continued support for protecting shorelines, environmetally protected areas and developing a greater understanding of unrecognized wetlands. I believe collaboratively, with the other municipalities more can be done with our landfills and public education on waste diverson. Lowering dwelling footprints or considerations towards communal living alternatives is something I would like to champion. Continued support for the countys climate mitigation strategies is important. Currently much work is being done looking at current levels and developing reduction strategies within different departments. While on council I was the chair of the Environent and Stewardship committe which embarked on a plastic reduction straegy as well as a home compost initiative. I beleive many innovative solutions are happening across the world and being open to these opportunities is the best approach forward."
Amber Meirik -- NO RESPONSE
Sabrina Richards:
"We all know that we are in housing crisis not only in our township but our country. In looking at affordable housing I'd like to see emphasis made on cleaner technologies such as heat pumps and solar panels. I'd like to update our by-laws to allow for other technologies that are greener than traditional building materials. My past career has taken me to many factories throughout the world where I have seen varying topographies and green initiatives lead to wonderful solutions that are not recognized well in Canada yet. In Italy I visited a factory that was completely self sufficient where all wastewater (black or grey) from the factory was incinerated and the heat from the incinerator powered and heated the entire factory with a near zero carbon footprint as the incinerator was powered from a wind turbine. This factory was far outside the metro area and completely off grid - an incredible experience in learning environmental possibilities.
We can lead cottage country in green initiatives by advocating these types of technologies and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. "
Napier Simpson:
"1. Review of larger pick ups
2. permitting more micro or low footprint housing in rural areas
3. looking for efficiencies like reopening the Hall/Hawk transfer station rather than 70 vehicles driving every day to Maple Lake"
Ward 3
Jennifer Dailloux:
"Our county-wide corporate and community climate action plans focus on a number of these topics and are excellent starts; I fully support those, and have been involved in their development.
But as a councillor I have also made it my personal goal to look at all the smaller decisions that hit the Council table through the lens of environmental protection and climate action. In addition to big projects and long-term thinking, change has to come iteratively, in small packages, until making environmentally sound decisions becomes normal behaviour and part of municipal culture. Big commitments include making our municipal fleet of vehicles hybrid or all-electric, and that will take years. Small commitments include ensuring our recreation centres have reusable plates, cups and cutlery, and a policy prohibiting single-use items from being used in those spaces during municipal events and public rentals. A big commitment is taking another stab at a public transportation plan for the county; a small commitment is packing our municipal website with practical information and links on how households can reduce emissions in Cottage Country, and establishing more of a municipal 'identity' around those priorities.
In the upcoming term there are a few additional areas I'd like to focus on, including possible site alteration bylaw changes to minimize wetland destruction; continued strengthening of our land use planning instruments such as our Operational Plan, which is due for review in a couple of years; and taking a closer look at how our municipality protects and preserves its own shorelines."
Question #3
What long term solutions do you envision for the protection of wetlands and water quality in Haliburton County?
Mayor
Liz Danielsen -- NO RESPONSE
Mike Lang -- NO RESPONSE
Ward 1
Julia Shortreed -- NO RESPONSE
Ward 2
Lisa Barry
"I believe there are opportunites to research unrecognized wetlands possibly through Ulinks or similar granting agencies. Having a broader living document would help to further protect the environment specifically at an expanded scope. Recognizing lakes at capacity and lake monitoring signals could be expnaded and develpoed into further protection opportunitiein regards to algae and nitrogen levels."
Amber Meirik -- NO RESPONSE
Sabrina Richards:
"We need to move to the next steps in the septic re-inspection program, ban fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and other phosphorous contaminants near our waterways. We need to consider the environmental impacts of changes to topography or infilling whether done by private individuals or government. We need ongoing waterway monitoring more extensively than the volunteer efforts of our lake associations so that we can move resources where needed before we have problems. We need to streamline and continue education to not only current property owners but the new ones coming in who are not used to the sensitive environment needs that we have versus city living."
Napier Simpson:
"The shoreline bylaw was a good start. Strengthening it so that it is effective at reducing pollution and preserving animal/reptile cooridors is important. Ensuring homes around waterfronts have properly working septic systems is important. Stopping the draining wetlands in other parts of the Province is far more urgent."
Ward 3
Jennifer Dailloux:
"Just a few years ago there was a phenomenal pilot project studying the accuracy of the wetland maps that our upper and lower tier planners rely on when processing requests related to our zoning bylaws. The project demonstrated that a lot of wetland detail is not captured in those maps. I was struck hard by the incongruence, and the protection capability that is lost just by virtue of not having adequate information! So finding a solution to the mapping question is a big issue that I would like to look at, in addition to reviewing site-alteration bylaws to assess their strengths and possible gaps.
In terms of water quality, the septic re-inspection programs have been successful in establishing a baseline of information on how septics are impacting our watersheds; now that the big initial effort is complete, this work can be transitioned into a more regularized monitoring project.
Then, of course, there is the shoreline protection bylaw, which I refer to below..."
What long term solutions do you envision for the protection of wetlands and water quality in Haliburton County?
Mayor
Liz Danielsen -- NO RESPONSE
Mike Lang -- NO RESPONSE
Ward 1
Julia Shortreed -- NO RESPONSE
Ward 2
Lisa Barry
"I believe there are opportunites to research unrecognized wetlands possibly through Ulinks or similar granting agencies. Having a broader living document would help to further protect the environment specifically at an expanded scope. Recognizing lakes at capacity and lake monitoring signals could be expnaded and develpoed into further protection opportunitiein regards to algae and nitrogen levels."
Amber Meirik -- NO RESPONSE
Sabrina Richards:
"We need to move to the next steps in the septic re-inspection program, ban fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and other phosphorous contaminants near our waterways. We need to consider the environmental impacts of changes to topography or infilling whether done by private individuals or government. We need ongoing waterway monitoring more extensively than the volunteer efforts of our lake associations so that we can move resources where needed before we have problems. We need to streamline and continue education to not only current property owners but the new ones coming in who are not used to the sensitive environment needs that we have versus city living."
Napier Simpson:
"The shoreline bylaw was a good start. Strengthening it so that it is effective at reducing pollution and preserving animal/reptile cooridors is important. Ensuring homes around waterfronts have properly working septic systems is important. Stopping the draining wetlands in other parts of the Province is far more urgent."
Ward 3
Jennifer Dailloux:
"Just a few years ago there was a phenomenal pilot project studying the accuracy of the wetland maps that our upper and lower tier planners rely on when processing requests related to our zoning bylaws. The project demonstrated that a lot of wetland detail is not captured in those maps. I was struck hard by the incongruence, and the protection capability that is lost just by virtue of not having adequate information! So finding a solution to the mapping question is a big issue that I would like to look at, in addition to reviewing site-alteration bylaws to assess their strengths and possible gaps.
In terms of water quality, the septic re-inspection programs have been successful in establishing a baseline of information on how septics are impacting our watersheds; now that the big initial effort is complete, this work can be transitioned into a more regularized monitoring project.
Then, of course, there is the shoreline protection bylaw, which I refer to below..."
Question #4
Do you support the implementation of the shoreline preservation by-law in its current form with authority for its implementation given to the County?
Mayor
Liz Danielsen -- NO RESPONSE
Mike Lang -- NO RESPONSE
Ward 1
Julia Shortreed -- NO RESPONSE
Ward 2
Lisa Barry
"Yes i support the shoreline preservation by-law. As by-laws eb and flow it is important that the initial process is streamlined to one teir. Eventually each municipality could be part of the authority after the process is in place and consistant across the entire county. I beleive there is much work to be done in regards to public education and developing shared stewardhip goals."
Amber Meirik -- NO RESPONSE
Sabrina Richards:
"No. I am disappointed in where this by-law has gone. After having spent so much time and money on it - I feel we could and should have done better. The "flexibility" wording within is troublesome for property owners and I do not feel that we are gaining enough protection from it. It's a very small gain for the amount of administration it will be to the county. Hopefully we can continue to work on what we actually need to protect the health of not only our lakes but all of our wetlands and forests. Our lakes and it's inhabitants deserve better."
Napier Simpson:
"yes, with improvements to follow"
Ward 3
Jennifer Dailloux:
"Yes, I support the bylaw. Is it perfect? No, but it's a start. It can be improved over time provided those changes are evidence-based, which includes committing to learning about the real-life experiences of property owners, planners, builders, and other groups who are directly affected by the legislation, in addition to the strengths and weaknesses it demonstrates in achieving what it sets out to do.
Here's my honest take on it. Our natural environment is the gold bullion of our community. It is the root of our love of this space, of our economy, of our property values. All growth, all enjoyment, in fact everything that happens here, directly or indirectly relies on a healthy, intact ecosystem. While I have not met anyone who disagrees with that, my view diverges from those who believe that protection and preservation of this core asset is possible with all carrots and no sticks, through public education and incentives, but no rules.
While I absolutely, 100% believe we need to do much, much more in the area of public education, I don't for a moment agree that it's enough. Look at every other sector of society for examples. We are all taught that crime is wrong, but we still need rules and consequences to fall back on when those few among us disregard that social contract. We hope our neighbours won't have loud music parties every night, but when they do, we want the bylaw officer to swoop in and remind them that we have rules against that, too. As a society, we depend on structure AND good will."
Do you support the implementation of the shoreline preservation by-law in its current form with authority for its implementation given to the County?
Mayor
Liz Danielsen -- NO RESPONSE
Mike Lang -- NO RESPONSE
Ward 1
Julia Shortreed -- NO RESPONSE
Ward 2
Lisa Barry
"Yes i support the shoreline preservation by-law. As by-laws eb and flow it is important that the initial process is streamlined to one teir. Eventually each municipality could be part of the authority after the process is in place and consistant across the entire county. I beleive there is much work to be done in regards to public education and developing shared stewardhip goals."
Amber Meirik -- NO RESPONSE
Sabrina Richards:
"No. I am disappointed in where this by-law has gone. After having spent so much time and money on it - I feel we could and should have done better. The "flexibility" wording within is troublesome for property owners and I do not feel that we are gaining enough protection from it. It's a very small gain for the amount of administration it will be to the county. Hopefully we can continue to work on what we actually need to protect the health of not only our lakes but all of our wetlands and forests. Our lakes and it's inhabitants deserve better."
Napier Simpson:
"yes, with improvements to follow"
Ward 3
Jennifer Dailloux:
"Yes, I support the bylaw. Is it perfect? No, but it's a start. It can be improved over time provided those changes are evidence-based, which includes committing to learning about the real-life experiences of property owners, planners, builders, and other groups who are directly affected by the legislation, in addition to the strengths and weaknesses it demonstrates in achieving what it sets out to do.
Here's my honest take on it. Our natural environment is the gold bullion of our community. It is the root of our love of this space, of our economy, of our property values. All growth, all enjoyment, in fact everything that happens here, directly or indirectly relies on a healthy, intact ecosystem. While I have not met anyone who disagrees with that, my view diverges from those who believe that protection and preservation of this core asset is possible with all carrots and no sticks, through public education and incentives, but no rules.
While I absolutely, 100% believe we need to do much, much more in the area of public education, I don't for a moment agree that it's enough. Look at every other sector of society for examples. We are all taught that crime is wrong, but we still need rules and consequences to fall back on when those few among us disregard that social contract. We hope our neighbours won't have loud music parties every night, but when they do, we want the bylaw officer to swoop in and remind them that we have rules against that, too. As a society, we depend on structure AND good will."
Question #5
Would you support County Climate Plan greenhouse emission targets that are based on a fair share of the cuts required to keep global warming at or below 1.5 °C?
Mayor
Liz Danielsen -- NO RESPONSE
Mike Lang -- NO RESPONSE
Ward 1
Julia Shortreed -- NO RESPONSE
Ward 2
Lisa Barry
"i beleive there are initaitives that the community needs to take on all levels. I think that work is being done and strategies are being developed with many facets and considerations. I support the plan to date and while it is important to be aware of reccomended warming levels, currently our county is facing many difficult challenges. Affordable and lack of Housing, poverty, and labour shortages all need to be considered and not compounded. I feel that advocating for lower emission targets at higher levels of govenrment and with larger industries is possibly an opportunity not fully explored."
Amber Meirik-- NO RESPONSE
Sabrina Richards:
"Yes"
Napier Simpson:
"In theory yes. There are many things that can and should be done to slow and ideally reverse climate change. Individual accountably must be added."
Ward 3
Jennifer Dailloux:
"I support cutting our emissions in every sector that we can but, as always, the devil is in the detail. According to the county's Green House Gas Inventory finalized in 2021, 66.7% of our emissions come from on-road transportation. That's a huge percentage of our emissions coming from a sector that municipal government has no power to regulate! So our options include encouraging electric and hybrid vehicle use and continuing to install charging stations at key locations, as well as taking another valiant stab at public transportation (which has proven to be a very hard nut to crack - especially for Algonquin Highlands). The irony remains that what we love most about our township -- our great expanses of forest, large and twisting lakes, and ability to find incredible privacy and peace and quiet out in the middle of 'nowhere' -- are the very features that make this source of emissions exceptionally hard to tackle.
So, while the emission count is lower (24.1%) I think the most tangible impact we can make as a municipal government is by concentrating on the county's housing stock. We have some incredible experts in sustainable housing and HVAC solutions in our county and in Lake of Bays who know exactly what it takes to upgrade, or build from scratch, our homes and cottages so that cleaner energy types can be put to use much more effectively. And by 'effectively', I'm talking about a DRAMATIC decrease of household emissions. If you take a look at building permit application stats since COVID began you'll see that they've exploded. Now's the time that people are making changes, so there's not a minute to lose in getting that information out there. The question is, how can the county link the knowledge with the need? And, crucially, what options are there to make the process more affordable? Those questions are exactly what our Community Climate Action Plan is working hard to answer."
Would you support County Climate Plan greenhouse emission targets that are based on a fair share of the cuts required to keep global warming at or below 1.5 °C?
Mayor
Liz Danielsen -- NO RESPONSE
Mike Lang -- NO RESPONSE
Ward 1
Julia Shortreed -- NO RESPONSE
Ward 2
Lisa Barry
"i beleive there are initaitives that the community needs to take on all levels. I think that work is being done and strategies are being developed with many facets and considerations. I support the plan to date and while it is important to be aware of reccomended warming levels, currently our county is facing many difficult challenges. Affordable and lack of Housing, poverty, and labour shortages all need to be considered and not compounded. I feel that advocating for lower emission targets at higher levels of govenrment and with larger industries is possibly an opportunity not fully explored."
Amber Meirik-- NO RESPONSE
Sabrina Richards:
"Yes"
Napier Simpson:
"In theory yes. There are many things that can and should be done to slow and ideally reverse climate change. Individual accountably must be added."
Ward 3
Jennifer Dailloux:
"I support cutting our emissions in every sector that we can but, as always, the devil is in the detail. According to the county's Green House Gas Inventory finalized in 2021, 66.7% of our emissions come from on-road transportation. That's a huge percentage of our emissions coming from a sector that municipal government has no power to regulate! So our options include encouraging electric and hybrid vehicle use and continuing to install charging stations at key locations, as well as taking another valiant stab at public transportation (which has proven to be a very hard nut to crack - especially for Algonquin Highlands). The irony remains that what we love most about our township -- our great expanses of forest, large and twisting lakes, and ability to find incredible privacy and peace and quiet out in the middle of 'nowhere' -- are the very features that make this source of emissions exceptionally hard to tackle.
So, while the emission count is lower (24.1%) I think the most tangible impact we can make as a municipal government is by concentrating on the county's housing stock. We have some incredible experts in sustainable housing and HVAC solutions in our county and in Lake of Bays who know exactly what it takes to upgrade, or build from scratch, our homes and cottages so that cleaner energy types can be put to use much more effectively. And by 'effectively', I'm talking about a DRAMATIC decrease of household emissions. If you take a look at building permit application stats since COVID began you'll see that they've exploded. Now's the time that people are making changes, so there's not a minute to lose in getting that information out there. The question is, how can the county link the knowledge with the need? And, crucially, what options are there to make the process more affordable? Those questions are exactly what our Community Climate Action Plan is working hard to answer."