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Nov 8

Tell Council: Keep Methane Out of Homes

Watch Council Alert: Gas Bylaw Edition



Last summer, Mayor Ken Sim and ABC councillors moved to gut one of Vancouver's flagship climate policies: the ban on "natural gas" (better known as methane) in new buildings.


In a surprise amendment, they asked staff to prepare policies to allow methane back in buildings, which accounts for almost 60% of our carbon emissions. The amendment appeared to be heavily influenced by fossil fuel lobbyists. This flies in the face of the climate emergency commitment that all sitting councillors and the mayor made through WTC's Hot Pink Paper Campaign.


But it's not a done deal yet. On November 26th, council will vote on whether to follow through with this ill-advised decision. 


 

What's On At Council


The Upshot: This report is a step backward for climate action. We're calling on council to reject the report, specifically Recommendation B, which would reintroduce harmful pollutants into homes. Council must vote no on B to stay on track with climate action and equity commitments.


Important Dates: 

  • The deadline for speaker registration is November 25th at 5:00 pm.

  • The Council will hear speakers and vote on November 26th, but this could spill over into November 27th, depending on the volume of speakers.


Good to Know: ABC's decision to reverse the gas ban wasn't unanimous. Councillors Lisa Dominato and Peter Meizner voted against it, breaking from party ranks. We applaud them for putting climate action above partisanship. The split decision shows just how far this move strays from Vancouver's tradition of climate leadership — and that there's hope to convince other party members to do the right thing.


How To Take Action

Join a WTC Virtual Drop-In Session. 

Our November 12th Drop-in Session will focus on how buildings contribute to climate change, why this matters, and what we can do about it. To help unpack this, we'll hear from:

  • Emily Peterson, Environmental Health Scientist at Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), will share her knowledge of the health impacts of climate change.

  • Brittany Hopkins, WTC member and volunteer with For Our Kids, will speak about actions you can take on Vancouver's upcoming decision.



Our November 25th Drop-in Session, the day before the council meeting, will provide an opportunity for folks who want to write or speak to council to brainstorm ideas, receive support from the WTC team, and practice their speech.


Join our Field Trip to City Hall & Rally with For Our Kids. 

WTC Field Trips are quarterly events that foster community and strengthen civic participation skills. In our last field trip of 2024, we'll head to Vancouver City Hall on November 26th to:

  • Join in on a family-friendly rally hosted by For Our Kids & Dogwood BC and show council we're paying attention.

  • Observe the council meeting to learn more about how decisions are made – and whether our elected leaders are representing our needs

  • Support community members speaking to council and be in solidarity with others fighting for climate justice



Write to City Council. 


Send written comments asking council to keep the gas ban and vote "no" on Recommendation B. You can submit comments here. Select 'Feedback on an upcoming agenda item,' 'oppose,' and enter details on why you oppose Recommendation B in particular. You can also email council directly at:



Speak to City Council.


Your voice can make a big impact – and WTC is here to provide support if this feels new or daunting. Sign up to speak before Monday, November 25th at 5pm. Join our drop-in session or check out our resource on speaking to city council for some helpful tips!

 

If you'd like to get more involved, join Watch Council to understand, track, and influence local governments' decisions with us.

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