Themes:
Defending democracy
March 5, 2016
Over the years, I was asked many times: “what does a mayor do?” My most common response was to talk about the activities of a mayor – attending meetings, answering constituent questions and joining the community in celebrating special events. Sometimes though, I would answer with what I came to understand was my first and foremost function as a mayor: to...
A role for an energy efficiency utility
March 3, 2016
I have often pondered the intrinsic conflict of asking an electricity or gas utility to deliver a program that reduces their customers’ consumption of electricity or gas, respectively. It’s like asking a coffee shop to sell less coffee to save on coffee beans. Of course, the regulator allows the utility to recoup their lost revenue through increased rates and presumably...
Samso: more than carbon neutral
February 7, 2016
While making breakfast, my husband likes to listen to the CBC. Today he heard a story about a small island in Denmark. This was the second time in a week that the little island of Samso has come up in conversation. This is perhaps not so surprising when you learn that Samso is the first island in the world to...
This would help local climate change action
February 3, 2016
Communities across Canada have identified an energy and emissions inventory as the most important tool to encourage emission reductions. However, there are few policies that encourage the development and monitoring of inventories in Canada. The development of greenhouse gas inventories is time consuming. Getting access to reliable data often proves challenging for local governments. Small communities often don’t have the resources to...
Barriers to e-vehicle charging stations
February 2, 2016
I often get asked to do interviews on a variety of topics related to cities. The most recent interview was about potential barriers to increasing the number of charging stations for electric vehicles in municipalities. I bet there will be some. With announcement that the Ontario government will provide $20 million in grants this year to help create a network of...
Where's the climate change action?
January 30, 2016
At the current rate, Canada is not going to meet its climate goals – goals that fall far short of what the science says we need to protect us from the devastating impacts of climate change. The National Energy Board projects fossil fuel consumption in Canada will rise by 22 percent over the next 25 years resulting in higher greenhouse...
Boom-bust city building
January 22, 2016
We are an urban nation so city building is a big part of nation building. When the resource economy is in trouble, we become diligent city builders. When the resource economy is thriving, not so much. The Prime Minister has signaled that we can expect an accelerated infrastructure stimulus program. The Bank of Canada has hinted that a bigger-than-expected deficit would be...
Emerging energy professionals
January 4, 2016
I taught my first class today on Community, Energy and Planning. I am feeling lucky to have this opportunity to spend time with emerging energy professionals as they embark on their careers and follow their passion to build a more sustainable future. Graduate students in the Masters of Environmental Studies and Planning programs at York University are enrolled in the class. It is an...
The Paris Agreement: what's next?
January 2, 2016
One hundred and ninety countries have reached consensus on The Paris Agreement. The goal is to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. Canada was proudly among them. So what’s next? Now the reality of living up to our international commitments will test all of us. Time is of the essence. What will you do to take some carbon out of your life? Local organizations like...
Great time to refresh community energy strategy
December 7, 2015
I am in the last stretches of completing a review Guelph community energy strategy and much has changed over its 10 year history. In the beginning, we put our focus on energy to create a big tent to engage as many people as possible. This opened the door to talk with some, although not all, of the doubters. Even doubters are...
Sober thoughts contemplating climate change
December 4, 2015
The opinion columns I have been reading recently about climate change have been sobering but for new reasons. I used to find them sobering because they too often included a nod to the skeptics. They always seemed to be hedging their bets. It felt like they had to wait to see where the winds of public opinion would turn before making a...
Climate talks set expectations high
December 3, 2015
It would be easy to be skeptical of the climate talks underway in Paris given past experience. It might also be too easy as a Canadian to set our expectations too high and think everything will be sorted out for us. I admit this is a nice feeling for a change but sadly not realistic. As Canadians, we use fossil fuels...
Local Government and the Green economy
November 7, 2015
There were many insights shared at the Green Economy: Ontario conference about the opportunities for green innovation in several sectors with energy, water, transportation and big data particularly noted. I was struck by how many themes had some interface with local governments – either directly or indirectly – and I was able to provide some examples of how local governments...
Climate literacy
November 4, 2015
In the last few weeks, I have heard the topic of climate literacy raised several times – the pressing need to persistently connect the dots between our day-to-day experiences and choices – in our homes, workplaces and communities – and global events. Only a few days ago Hurricane Patricia hit the coast of Mexico. It was the most intense tropical cyclone ever recorded...
Green economy
November 4, 2015
I am preparing for a panel at the Green Economy: Ontario conference. My session is on how public policy can drive green economic growth. The good news is there are lots of examples and opportunities. Guelph has a good story to tell in driving water innovation and it begins with two unique conditions. Guelph is one of a few Canadian cities that rely...
Lower the noise on climate change
November 1, 2015
Sometimes simple things can make a difference. There is a strong relationship between where and how we live and our impact on the climate. This brings the focus on our communities – big and small. I have appreciated being engaged recently in discussions considering what policies would best support local action on climate change. One that I like is very simple: include language in the Ontario Municipal Act...
Time to get it on climate change
October 31, 2015
I spent a good part of last week surrounded by Canadian energy leaders from all sectors who get it. Sanity-restored. Minister Glen Murray opened up the QUEST conference with an unequivocal message of urgency – of the consequences for us if we don’t act now and definitively on climate change. Usually such honest messages receive criticism for fear it will make people feel hopeless....
What's the question?
October 19, 2015
So I lied in my last blog post. There is something new that directors of non-profit organizations can do to add value during disruptive times. Directors are concerned with fulfilling their fiduciary and strategic roles. These are still essential to good governance. During times of change, it is also important to help generate new ideas and ways of thinking about a...
Governing during disruptive times
October 17, 2015
I must admit that I am fascinated with our transition from the industrial to digital age so I was both pleased and intrigued to be invited to speak this Wednesday about its implications for governance in the nonprofit sector. The latest technology always tends to steal the show – it was the wonders of the steam engine during the industrial revolution and today...
Closing the gap for climate change
October 5, 2015
At the turn of the last century, people died of cholera in Guelph. The loss of homes to fire was common. To protect public health and fight fires, the politicians of the day got into the water business to the hue and cry of local ratepayers. I have a friend who remembers her father taking their garbage in a wheel...