Climate Action

RDCK POSTPONES CLIMATE ACTION OPEN HOUSES

The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) regrets to announce the postponement of the RDCK Climate Action Open Houses, which were scheduled to take place from May 23 to July 5, 2023. This decision has been made in response to recent safety concerns and is driven by the RDCK`s commitment to ensuring the well-being and safety of all attendees.

“We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but at this time postponing the open houses is the responsible course of action,” said Stuart Horn, RDCK Chief Administrative Officer. “Our primary objective is to create a safe and respectful environment for all participants to share constructive feedback. We value the input from the public and want to ensure all members of the community have a chance to participate without the fear of intimidation. We understand the disappointment this announcement may cause, however, we firmly believe prioritizing the safety of our staff, attendees, and the community as a whole is paramount. The RDCK’s intention is to have a fulsome consultation process and the open houses will be rescheduled as soon as possible.”

The Board has committed to work with residents, emphasizing the need for the RDCK to prepare a more comprehensive approach in coordinating consultations within communities. The Board will not be adopting the RDCK Climate Action plan in August 2023. This decision aims to provide staff members with additional time to present recommendations for a revised timeline for public consultation.

“While it is a difficult decision to postpone the meetings planned, the Board welcomes these measures, which prioritize safety, foster effective public engagement, and demonstrate a commitment to a thorough and inclusive decision-making processes, ” said Aimee Watson, RDCK Board Chair. 

With the feedback received to date the RDCK wanted to pause the process and plan an appropriate engagement and consultation timeline in order to meet the needs of our residents.  We encourage residents to continue to provide feedback and questions as we prepare for the open houses throughout the RDCK. 

This is an opportunity to correct some of the misinformation that has been circulating in the public and on social media. It has come to the attention of the RDCK that inaccurate information has been shared, causing confusion and misunderstanding among the public. To clarify:

1. This is a guidance plan not a regulatory plan. What does that mean? This means that adoption of this plan will provide staff Board direction to explore opportunities through projects and programs that could support greater resilience in your community and are aligned with community needs We want to work with you to understand what makes sense in your neighborhood.
2. The concept of 15-minute cities is not included in this plan. The RDCK is not planning for 15-minute cities. 

RDCK Climate Actions is a proposed four-year guidance plan, focused on identifying supports that reflect the diverse needs of RDCK residents. Staff are continuing the process of public consultations in communities throughout the RDCK to engage residents on the Climate Actions plan and respond to all questions from residents.

How can I be involved?

Continue to check this webpage for the latest updates. Information on how to get involved will posted here and will also be added to the RDCK Events Calendar or contact climateaction@rdck.bc.ca.

For more information on the plan, including frequently asked questions, go to www.rdck.ca/climateaction

If you have any feedback on the RDCK Climate Actions, please click here to submit your response or email ClimateAction@rdck.bc.ca.

REVIEW the two documents –

Draft RDCK Climate Actions

Accompanying draft Climate Action Workbook

If you would like a printed copy sent to you, we will mail you a copy - email ClimateAction@rdck.bc.ca with your address and the number of copies requested.