Qualicum Beach council wants students from Kwalikum Secondary to take part in public discussions on climate change at its committee of the whole meeting.
Lyra Sales, Teegan Walshe and Ayanna Anderson, members of the Fridays for the Future group at the school, made a strong impression when they appeared before council last month to discuss the issue of climate change and the need for all levels of government to take action accordingly.
The students also requested the town to declare a climate emergency, update the Climate Action/Sustainability Plan, and to endorse the fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty.
Coun. Teunis Westbroek made a motion at its regular council meeting on June 8, directing staff to work with the Fridays for the Future group and host a committee of the whole meeting for public discussion on climate change mitigation within the town.
Westbroek indicated that the climate is in crisis although it’s happening gradually. He feels the group of students have made good case and said it’s appropriate to having the students to be part of the discussions before council makes any recommendation to deal with climate change.
Coun. Robert Filmer suggested the discussion should be broader, to include the town’s climate adaptation plan and tree management bylaw.
Town planner Luke Sales advised council not to mix all the issues together, as they are all different.
“The Fridays for the Future group, that’s specific to climate change mitigation which is the prevention of further worsening of the climate change situation. It’s not adaptation,” Sales explained. “So they are two fairly distinct extremes when it comes to climate change response. I wouldn’t necessarily confuse the two issues or combine them in a single council meeting or committee of the whole meeting.”
Filmer understands the issues maybe contrasting but they still fall under the subject of climate change. He wants a broad discussion as he is aware that no actions are taken or adopted during the committee of the whole meeting.
Coun. Scott Harrison wants to make sure that committee of the whole meeting is held on a day and time where the students will be able to be attend.
“Credit to those young people, they’re trying to grab that issue and it would a shame if they’re not able to attend,” said Harrison, who commended the Fridays for the Future group’s presentation to council.
“Their presentation was excellent. It’s one of the best presentations we’ve had in our term. It was very professional and it was very well done.”
Council unanimously supported Westbroek’s motion.