West Coast Environmental Law staff Lawyer Andrew Gage called on Central Saanich District council to send a climate accountability letter to 20 of the world’s largest fossil fuel companies.
In a presentation on May 15, Gage stated the letter is asking the companies take responsibility for their contribution to local climate impacts. Gage said he is also reaching out to 190 municipalities and regional districts across the province to support the communique.
Councillor Zeb King made a motion to get this on the table for discussion. His motion was met in opposition by four other councillors.
In a last ditch effort of sorts, King said he wanted to hear from the other councillors on how they felt on the issue. He said he was unclear if the verdict of council was they preferred to do nothing on the issue or if they had no interest in the item.
If a councillor expressed interest in taking action on the issue, King said he would bring forward a notice of motion or something of the like.
The idea of a notice of motion was shot down by Mayor Ryan Windsor, citing parliamentary process. This prompted Coun. Alicia Holman to question why Windsor was not letting King ask his fellow councillors how they felt on an issue.
After a bit more heated back and forth discussion among the councillors, Windsor stepped in and asked council members, namely Coun. Carl Jensen, to refrain from attacking each other so they could move on, ending the debate.