Phone: 250 679 3238
Phone: 250 679 3238
Climate Action
As the concentration of greenhouse gas emissions grows, communities face hotter, drier summers with a greater risk of large-scale wildfires, flooding, and extreme weather events. Municipalities represent a significant source of Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions and have jurisdiction over many climate-related sectors, including land use, transportation, buildings, and waste management. Recognizing its leadership role in the community, the Village of Chase has taken numerous steps to reduce operational emissions while making it easier for residents and businesses to limit their climate change impacts.
Below is a list of actions that the Village of Chase has taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Community Development & Planning
- Adopted the Active Transportation Plan, which prioritizes walking and cycling options and commits the Village to the improvement of walking and cycling connections.
- Completion of a multi-use pathway along Coburn Street from Shuswap Avenue to Paquette Road to connect with the pathway under the highway to Chase Falls and to the Scatchard Mountain trails
- The Village adopted an updated Official Community Plan in 2021 which sets several long-term goals for reducing per capita greenhouse gas emissions in the Village by 33% below 2007 levels by 2050
- Under the 2021 OCP, the Village developed an anti-idling program in the community by encouraging businesses to post a “Thanks for Not-Idling” sign at their main entrance, and by posting signage at both the Pine Street and Aylmer Road rail crossings to encourage people to shut off their vehicles while waiting for a train to pass
- Pathways, trails and/or sidewalks are to be incorporated within the design of new subdivisions – the Village has completed the connection of Shepherd Road with a sidewalk along the entire length of the roadway – the Village rebuilt First Avenue from Pine to Chase Streets and included a sidewalk between Haldane Street and Pine to connect with the existing sidewalk at Haldane to Chase Street – the Village will be requiring the Whitfield Landing development on Aylmer Road to enhance the existing pathway to legally open it for public use
- Encourages energy efficiency in the community and the review of Village-owned facilities for efficiency options – the Village has applied for significant funding to provide for various upgrades needed at the Art Holding Memorial Arena including if the grant is approved, a new roof and the installation of solar panels to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions
- Commits the Village to making it easier to walk and cycle to, and within the downtown core – the Village is embarking on an accessibility committee project to gain input from those with accessibility challenges, in order to develop an accessibility plan that will provide guidance for the Village to make improvements in accessibility in the downtown core
- Continuing to promote the use of golf carts under the Neighbourhood Golf Cart Bylaw.
Public Works & Infrastructure
- Joined Recycle BC on September 1, 2021 as a registered collection partner:
- Approximately 100,000 kg of recyclable materials projected to be diverted from landfills in 2022.
- Secured long-term, stable market for recyclable materials.
- Replacement of propane Zamboni with electric Zamboni in 2021.
- Upgraded street light bulbs from sodium vapour to LED (longer lasting and uses less power).
- Collaborating with BC Hydro on the installation of an additional electric vehicle charging station near the Visitor Info Centre.
- Have hosted several Public Works awareness events to promote water conservation
- Electric golf cart utilized by Public Works
- Improvement of fuel efficiency in the fleet of Public Works vehicles with the purchase of newer models
- Ensure that all watering in public parks and open spaces is timed to water in the middle of the night when the temperatures are the most cool
- Have been given direction from Council to install water meters in parks where no meters currently exists to manage water usage
- Have given the green light to a Pilot Composting Program in Willson Park at the Food Forest to be managed by the TNRD in collaboration with the CAFS
Parks & Recreation
- Have received several $5000 per year grants from BC Hydro to plant trees in parks and other publicly owned locations
- Installed bike racks at the Village office
- Supported the installation of a Food Forest in Willson Park that provides educational opportunities and pollinator garden in partnership with Chase and Area Family Services Society (CAFS)
- Supported the installation of other smaller pollinator gardens at various locations in the Village’s downtown core to promote pollinator experience and education of their importance in partnership with CAFS
- Supported the installation of a native plant garden at the Curling Rink in partnership with CAFS and Communities in Bloom
- Received funding an installed improved pedestrian walkway along Chase Street between Parkside Community and the health centre and at the intersection of Chase Street and Thompson Avenue
- Installed LED lighting in various portions of the Community Hall
- Collaborate with the Shuswap Trail Alliance to build a trail on lower Scatchard mountain to connect the existing trails to form a loop to promote physical activity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Administration & Finance
- Working towards carbon neutral corporate operations as a signatory to the BC Climate Action Charter
- Created a Climate Action Committee of Council to pursue climate action initiatives such as an Anti-Idling campaign, education about walking and cycling opportunities within and near the Village, and education about solar panels, heat pumps and other actions that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- Install a FireSmart coordinator to educate residents about reducing combustible vegetative materials and to enhance their property’s FireSmart resiliency
- Continue to encourage customers to pay their municipal payments online and to receive invoices by email to reduce paper and vehicle trips to the Village office
- Continue to source grant funding for climate action related projects
- Complete Flood Plain mapping Bylaw
- Prepare for a Climate Action Intern (grant funded) to develop a climate action plan for Chase in 2026
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