April 22, 2010
ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES IN SEA TO SKY CORRIDOR

VICTORIA – In recognition of Earth Day, West Vancouver – Sea to Sky MLA Joan McIntyre rose in the legislature today to highlight the numerous environmental initiatives throughout the Sea to Sky corridor.

“As noted, today indeed is Earth Day, and in over 170 countries, people will be taking part in events and projects to recognize sustainability and to encourage greener living.

“I'm fortunate to represent one of the greenest ridings in the province. From West Vancouver to north of Pemberton and Mount Currie, the residents of West Vancouver–Sea to Sky have proven by their actions that they take seriously the challenge to change their actions to help mitigate the effects of climate change. We just hosted what is being termed "the greenest games ever."

“Recently VANOC's John Furlong recognized Jim Godfrey, who was Whistler's former administrator and executive director of its 2010 games office, for his work in ensuring that sustainability was in the forefront of the games' values. This commitment resulted in a number of innovative programs, crowning us as the greenest games ever. Now that legacy and challenge has been passed on to other Olympic venues.

“During Earth Hour on March 27 three communities in my riding — Bowen Island, Pemberton and Whistler — were in the top five in British Columbia, where residents showed their support for the fight against climate change by not using electricity for one hour. Earth Hour is an annual global event hosted by the World Wildlife Fund and sponsored provincially by B.C. Hydro to create awareness of energy conservation.

“A number of local councils in the riding have adopted leading-edge environmental strategies.

“For example, the resort municipality of Whistler has been making great strides with their Whistler 2020 initiative which focuses on a long-term, comprehensive, community-developed action plan. Whistler was also winner of one of our government's seven inaugural Green City Awards at the UBCM conference in 2007.

“It's not just the residents helping to make a change. My riding has a disproportionate share of green power projects up and running, just approved in B.C. Hydro's recent clean call, that deliver clean electricity to power our province.

“To my constituents, elected officials and numerous organizations, congratulations on a concerted effort to work together to halt the effects of climate change.”

For other statements made by Joan please visit her website.

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