Vancouver City Councillors stand up to gas industry disinformation: no gas in new builds


Unceded Coast Salish Territories (VANCOUVER, BC) — Late last night Vancouver City Councillors voted to require electric heating and hot water in the construction of new detached homes. The vote followed an unprecedented turnout of Vancouver residents to City Hall including 141 speakers addressing the Council over the last two days.

Since this summer’s last-minute decision to backtrack on climate pollution rules for new builds, a broad-based and dogged campaign has been underway to restore Vancouver’s credibility as a climate leader. This included open letters from 40 builders and over 200 other business leaders, thousands of emails and hundreds of calls to councillors by Vancouver residents, a letter from over 150 health care workers,, and even drawings by children.

Liz McDowell, Senior Campaigns Director with Stand.earth, who addressed Councillors, said:

“People power just defeated the fossil fuel lobby’s best effort to roll back Vancouver’s gas-free buildings policy. Despite a conservative super-majority on council and relentless lobbying by fossil fuel spin organizations like BC CADE, Vancouver has emerged from this fight with a stronger buildings policy than it had going in. This is about local people speaking truth to local power and making positive change. A huge shout out to everyone who organized so hard against the proposed rollback, and appreciation to the Councillors who voted to maintain Vancouver’s climate leadership.”

A staff report submitted yesterday showed that building new homes with electric heating doesn’t slow down building times or permitting, doesn’t cost anything more for developers, and does have a hugely positive impact on reducing our climate pollution. The reports also indicated that gas cooking is allowed in all cases, and restaurants in particular are exempt from these regulations. And finally, that B.C. Hydro has more than enough electricity now and its overwhelmingly successful call for power will help it plan into the future.

Sunil Singal, SAFE cities campaigner with Stand.earth, said:

“Common sense and people using their voices just won a sustainable and economically-sound future for Vancouver. Common sense, because the staff report clearly found that building with all-electric heating doesn’t cost more or slow down construction time, but it does have huge climate benefits. This is not just a victory for the climate but a victory for anyone across Canada currently standing up to the fossil fuel industry to keep gas out of their homes and their futures. Together, we can all commend the people who drowned out the disinformation of the fossil fuel industry with their voices at City Hall, and the thousands more who made themselves heard to City Councillors leading up to the decision.”

Roberto Pecora, Director of the Building Decarbonization Alliance at ZEIC, said:

“This Vancouver City Council decision was instrumental in enabling the local building industry to continue on its path to build better buildings. Now that the City has reaffirmed its commitment to almost eliminate carbon pollution from new buildings, we expect to see even more progress and innovation in the building industry as they rise to achieve the City’s energy and emissions requirements.”

Dr. Melissa Lem, President of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE), said:

“This decision is about so much more than protecting the health of Vancouverites; it is about respecting the significant body of science, health and sustainability studies demonstrating that continuing to tie in new buildings to gas is a dangerous path.We know that fossil fuels – such as so-called natural gas – are the major driver of climate impacts, like wildfires, heat domes and atmospheric floods – which carry significant human health implications.

“With this decision, Vancouver has demonstrated that it cares about its residents’ health, and that mitigating carbon and air pollution takes priority over the short-term interests of a sunsetting industry.”

Molly Henderson, Communications & Campaigns Coordinator with Dogwood, said:

“The capacity to rethink a policy proposal your constituents overwhelmingly reject is a key indicator of good leadership. I’m glad that councillor Rebecca Bligh took seriously the concerns of almost one hundred people who spoke in favour of keeping gas out of new Vancouver buildings — this outcome is an important reminder that principled citizens standing in their power can touch the hearts and minds of political leaders.”

Tarlan Razzaghi, Parent with For Our Kids Vancouver

“We are so grateful to Councillors Dominato, Bligh, Meiszner, Carr and Fry for putting our kids first in yesterday’s motion. These Councillors are our climate heros for not being intimidated in protecting our kids’ health and safety from methane gas appliances and global warming. Parents can breathe a sigh of relief today knowing that more choices for healthy, electric homes are now secured in our greenest city by last night’s vote.”

Cameron Esler, David Suzuki Foundation Community Organizer.

“Whether it is LNG developments  or municipal bylaws that impact fossil fuel use in homes — governments need to stop prioritizing the interests of big oil and gas companies over everyday people.  Electrification is the path forward to an affordable, prosperous and sustainable future. The David Suzuki Foundation commends Vancouver City Council for listening to residents and keeping its ban on fossil fuel heating in new homes.”

Clara Prager, civic engagement manager, Women Transforming Cities

“Yesterday, we observed five city councillors make a principled, evidence-based decision to stay the course with one of Vancouver’s flagship climate policies, and five councillors succumb to pressure from lobbyists and industry groups. We applaud the councillors who listened to the scientific and economic consensus on climate change and electrification and the voices of people who don’t have access to the backrooms of city hall.”

Steve Anderson, Co-Founder and CEO of New/Mode

“I’m thrilled the city will uphold its common-sense rules to prevent outdated gas technology from being installed in new buildings. This decision reinforces confidence among local businesses in Vancouver’s enduring commitment to sustainability, climate leadership, stability, and good governance. Gas industry lobbyists should never be allowed to initiate or unduly shape government policy and I’m hopeful that we will not see that again. “

Meeru Dhalwala, restaurateur, chef, public speaker, and cookbook author, said:

“Vancouver has long been a climate leader, and I’m glad to see our leadership continue with yesterday’s vote on buildings. Requiring efficient and affordable electric heating just makes sense, including for the restaurant industry. Contrary to what you may have heard or seen reported, Council’s decision doesn’t limit gas stoves, so there’s nothing to prohibit restaurants from using gas for cooking if they need to. I love my electric induction stoves but right now I need my gas deep fryer for samosas and pakoras at my restaurant! This decision makes it possible for us to run our Vancouver restaurants, while making huge gains to tackle the biggest source of climate pollution in the city.”

More about SAFE Cities:

SAFE Cities is a growing movement of neighbors, local groups, and elected officials phasing out fossil fuels and fast-tracking clean energy solutions to ensure a just transition. Already dozens of communities in Canada, in the U.S. – and several more around the globe – have passed concrete policies to keep their communities SAFE from fossil fuels, build renewable energy infrastructure, and create good, long-term jobs.

###

Media contacts:

Liz McDowell, Senior Campaigns Director — Stand.earth, 604 219 6337, liz@stand.earth

Sunil Singal, SAFE cities campaigner — Stand.earth, 604 368 3536, sunil.singal@stand.earth

Arin de Hoog, Canada communications coordinator  — Stand.earth, 613 978 7329, arin.dehoog@stand.earth