Editor's note: This is a submitted press release from Achieving for Delta
Mayor George Harvie’s Achieving for Delta team is committed to taking real action on climate change and protecting farmland in Delta.
“Up to half of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions are under the direct control or influence of municipal governments,” said Harvie. “It is not enough to simply declare a state of emergency when it comes to climate change. It’s about taking measurable steps to reduce emissions, enhance biodiversity and build resiliency. That’s why we’re moving forward aggressively with my Mayor’s Motion on Climate Action to get our city to net zero emissions by 2050.”
Delta has a long history of environmental protection and decisive climate action.
Under Harvie’s leadership as CAO and now mayor, Delta has achieved carbon neutrality for eight consecutive years, received record investments in new electric vehicle charging stations, and implemented flood management and birds and biodiversity strategies. In addition to taking real action on climate change, the Achieving for Delta team is committed to protecting farmland in Delta.
“As a fifth-generation farmer, I know the importance of preserving and enhancing our agricultural land and strengthening farming for future generations in Delta,” said incumbent council candidate Alicia Guichon. “We will continue to listen to the needs of farmers and help to promote local commodities and farmland initiatives. Our food security depends on this important work.”
The Achieving for Delta team is committed to:
• Protecting our local farmland. We are committed to preserving and enhancing our agricultural land in Delta and strengthening farming for future generations. We will continue to engage with the Delta Farmers’ Institute, listen to the needs of farmers, advocate for infrastructure and rural road improvements, and help to promote local commodities and farmland initiatives.
• Working together for a more resilient Delta. We will leverage partnerships with experts, industry and all levels of government to deliver climate action funding, initiatives and programs and protect our farmland. As part of this work, we will consult with the community and engage with the stewards of Delta’s future: our youth.
• Enabling greener transportation. We will continue to make high-value investments to enable greener transportation, including sidewalks, bike lanes and electric vehicle infrastructure. We will push for Delta’s municipal service fleet to go electric and ensure a continuation of work with the province and TransLink on developing a green rapid transit corridor along Highway 99.
• Enhancing Delta’s biodiversity. We will continue to enhance Delta’s biodiversity by conserving and restoring ecosystems, including the restoration of Burns Bog and the planting of over 1,000 trees a year across Delta.
Over the last five weeks, the Achieving for Delta team released their Parks Capital Plan, Public Safety Plan Fiscal Plan, Livability Plan and commitments on building a fair and inclusive community.
