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For The Record

BILL 27 HELPS ENSURE 2020 GHG REDUCTIONS ARE MET

June 5, 2008
Ministry of Community Development
 

Some people say the Province is placing responsibility and costs on local governments to encourage dense and environmentally-friendly communities, as well as making it more difficult for them to create bylaws to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) under the Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA). 

Here are the facts:

  • The provincial government has committed to reducing GHGs in B.C. 33 per cent below current levels by 2020.
  • B.C. communities have told us they want to reduce GHGs. To date more than 120 have signed onto the BC Climate Action Charter, committing to significantly reducing GHGs by 2012.
  • Bill 27 gives communities new tools to put in place local strategies that can reduce GHGs at the local level.
  • The legislation does not force communities to waive development cost charges. Instead, it gives communities the option of waiving these charges to encourage the building of denser, more sustainable and affordable developments.  This is something communities previously didn't have the ability to do.
  • As well, the exemption for development cost charges on units smaller than 29 square metres is expected to encourage more developers to build this affordable form of housing. Currently, there are very few units of this size being built and there's no incentive for builders to do so.
  • The legislation also allows communities to use money received for off-street parking to fund greener, cleaner forms of transportation. For example, local governments can build bike paths or invest the money in public transportation, something previous legislation restricted.
  • The Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM), the Urban Development Institute, the City of Vancouver and Greater Regional Vancouver District were consulted on Bill 27 prior to its introduction.
  • UBCM has also been at the negotiating table for TILMA to ensure the agreement respects their concerns.
  • TILMA does not provide developers with leverage to arbitrate against bylaws established to reduce greenhouse gases. Under the agreement, these measures are seen as legitimate objectives. 
  • As the parties to TILMA, B.C. and Alberta are responsible for defending measures under the agreement.