Coalition of independent business leaders calls on Mayor Ken Sim and ABC Councillors to reverse a recent bylaw change that permits polluting heating sources in new buildings, warning it threatens Vancouver’s climate goals and jobs

READ AND ADD YOUR NAME TO THE BUSINESSES' LETTER
ADD YOUR NAME TO THE STAND.EARTH GRASSROOTS PETITION

Please Note: The following news release reflects the views of business leaders and was independently authored and released by them.

Vancouver, BC – October 15, 2024:  Today business leaders delivered a letter to the Vancouver City Council and Mayor Ken Sim, urging them to reverse a recent decision to amend the city’s building bylaws which create an increased reliance on polluting heating sources in new buildings.

The decision, made on July 23, has raised alarm among local businesses that have established themselves in part because of Vancouver’s longstanding commitment to sustainability, stability and climate leadership.

The letter was signed by a diverse group of over 120 business leaders in Technology, Hospitality, Venture Capital, Architecture and Design, Engineering, Construction, Clean Tech, Digital Marketing, Film and Media, Tourism, Retail, and Health and Wellness. (See a list notable signatories at the bottom of this release)

The letter addresses the Council’s sudden move to gut regulations on heating sources; a reversal that threatens to derail decades of climate progress while B.C. is embattled by unnatural disasters caused by climate change. “The sudden reversal of Vancouver’s climate bylaw creates confusion and uncertainty, not only for businesses but also for the residents who trust that their city government is working in their best interests,” the letter states.

"This decision contradicts the values and scientific principles Vancouver has long championed," the letter adds, noting that Vancouver’s reputation as a global leader in sustainability has inspired municipalities across the region to follow suit. The group emphasizes that maintaining clear and consistent policies is crucial for fostering economic stability, innovation, and drawing in new businesses.

Business Leaders Speak Out

Mo Dhaliwal, CEO, Skyrocket Digital, emphasized the importance of aligning climate policies with economic opportunity:
"The clean energy transition is not just necessary for addressing climate change; it’s also an economic imperative. Green technologies create jobs and attract investment. This rollback sends the wrong message to both investors and residents about Vancouver’s priorities"

Karri Green-Schuermans, Owner, Chambar Restaurant, emphasized the importance of aligning climate policies with economic opportunity:
"Businesses thrive in cities that prioritize sustainability. Vancouver has long been a beacon for environmental leadership, and rolling back climate policies will not only damage our planet but also our economy."

Steve Anderson, CEO of New/Mode, highlighted the negative message this sends to neighboring communities:
"Twelve communities in the Greater Vancouver area have followed Vancouver’s lead in adopting zero-carbon building policies. If Vancouver retreats from these standards, it risks undermining regional progress toward a sustainable future."

The letter underlines maintaining the original building bylaws, stating that nearly 60% of Vancouver’s climate pollution comes from burning gas in buildings. By reversing the decision, the City would miss an opportunity to significantly reduce emissions through proven heating and cooling technologies, such as electric heat pumps, which can reduce pollution by up to 16 times. "This is one of the most straightforward and cost-effective actions we can take to protect our community from the dangers of climate change," the letter urges.

The business leaders also criticized FortisBC’s arguments supporting renewable natural gas (RNG) and hydrogen as misleading, pointing out that these fuels are limited in supply and expensive, making them impractical as large-scale solutions.

The group of business leaders is joining Vancouver residents and climate experts in calling on the Vancouver City Council to restore the building bylaw to its original form, which requires new buildings to be heated by fossil-fuel-free sources. "We urge Vancouver City Council to reconsider this decision and uphold the bylaw that has helped make our city a climate leader. The future of Vancouver’s economy, reputation, and climate resilience depend on it," the letter concludes.

The business are encouraging other business people to sign onto the letter at: https://win.newmode.net/stopgasexpansion

Other residents are encouraged to join the grassroots campaign from Stand.Earth at: https://act.stand.earth/page/71658/data/1

Contact:

Mo Dhaliwal,
CEO
Skyrocket Digital
[email protected]
604 825 1379

Steve Anderson
Co-founder and CEO
New/Mode
[email protected]
604 837 5730

*Some notable signatories to the letter include:

Meeru Dhalwala, Co-founder, Vij's Restaurant
Vij’s is one of Vancouver’s most iconic restaurants, renowned for its innovative Indian cuisine. Founded by celebrity chef Vikram Vij, it’s a hallmark of the local dining scene.

Benjamin Ernst, Co-founder Earnest Ice Cream
This beloved local brand is synonymous with Vancouver’s craft ice cream scene

Terry Bergen, RJC Engineers
RJC Engineers is a prominent engineering consulting firm with deep roots in Vancouver’s construction and development industry, with Terry Bergen serving as Managing Principal.

Shafin Diamond Tejani, Victory Square Labs
CEO of Victory Square Labs, a leading venture builder that supports and invests in innovative tech startups globally, with a focus on emerging industries like blockchain and virtual reality.

Leonard Schein, President, Festival Cinemas
Founder of Festival Cinemas, a key player in Vancouver’s film industry, and a driving force behind the Vancouver International Film Festival.

Gregor Robertson, Global Ambassador, Mayors4Climate
Former Mayor of Vancouver, currently serving as a Global Ambassador for climate initiatives, advocating for city-level leadership in combatting climate change.

Kolin Lymworth, Owner, Banyen Books
Owner of Banyen Books, one of Vancouver’s longest-standing independent bookstores, focusing on spirituality, wellness, and sustainable living.

Tim Bray:
Bray co-founded OpenText, one of the largest software companies in Canada. His work there laid the groundwork for technologies dealing with digital information and content management. He played a significant role in the development of XML (Extensible Markup Language), which is widely used for structuring, storing, and transporting data across different systems on the internet. XML remains foundational in web technologies.
More recently Bray held the role of Vice President and Distinguished Engineer at Amazon Web Services (AWS), where he focused on technologies like cloud computing and scaling distributed systems. His work had a large impact on the development of AWS, one of the most important cloud platforms.

Joel Solomon, Partner, Renewal Funds
A prominent figure in impact investing, Joel Solomon co-founded Renewal Funds, Canada’s largest mission venture capital firm, focusing on social and environmental change.

Danny Robinson – Founder/CEO, Sol40 Energy Inc.
Founder of Sol40 Energy, focused on renewable energy projects, particularly solar technology, contributing to the clean energy movement. Robinson is also recognized in Vancouver’s business community for his previous ventures such as co-founding the online contest platform, Strutta.

Mike Winterfield, Managing Partner, Active Impact Investments
Leads Active Impact Investments, a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage companies tackling climate change through technological solutions. Active Impact is Canada’s largest seed-stage cleantech venture capital firm.

Kathy Wardle, Principal, Perkins & Will
A leader in sustainable architecture at Perkins & Will, known for integrating environmental performance with innovative design in major construction projects.

Michael Tippett – Founder, Aideo
Founder of Aideo, a company using AI technology to create next-generation digital products and tools for creative industries. Before Aideo, he co-founded NowPublic, a groundbreaking citizen journalism platform that Time Magazine named one of the Top 50 Websites of 2007. This platform was sold to the Anschutz Corporation, making it a notable exit in Vancouver's tech scene. Tippett has held senior roles in several of Vancouver’s most high profile tech companies including Hootsuite, and Later.com

Karri Green-Schuermans, Owner, Chamber Restaurant
Owner of one of Vancouver’s celebrated dining spots, Chamber Restaurant, known for its modern approach to European cuisine and commitment to sustainability in the hospitality sector.

Keith Ippel, Co-CEO, Spring
Co-CEO of Spring Activator, which helps entrepreneurs and startups build socially impactful companies through incubation and funding programs.

Dax da Silva, Founder and CEO, LightSpeed Commerce, Founder, Age Of Union
Founder of Lightspeed, a major player in cloud-based commerce platforms for retailers and restaurants, and Age of Union, a non-profit focusing on environmental sustainability.

Mo Dhaliwal, CEO, Skyrocket Digital
Founder of Skyrocket Digital, a creative agency focused on branding and digital advocacy, and an influential figure in cultural and social movements.

Tanya Bennett, Business Owner, Vancouver Mysteries Inc
Owner of Vancouver Mysteries, an innovative local business offering interactive mystery games in urban environments.

Tasha Nathanson, Founder/CEO, 7 Leagues Leather
Founder of 7 Leagues Leather, a company dedicated to sustainable and ethically produced leather goods.

Andrew Mellenger, President, Mellenger Interactive
President of Mellenger Interactive, a company focused on the development of interactive digital media and video games.

Martin Nielsen, Partner, DIALOG Design
A key leader at DIALOG Design, a firm known for its collaborative approach to architecture and its focus on creating community-centered, sustainable projects.

Mark Achbar, President, Invisible Hand Productions Inc
A renowned award winning documentary filmmaker and producer, best known for co-directing "The Corporation."

Jane Cox, Owner, Cause+Affect
Founder of Cause+Affect, a strategic branding agency that works with clients to create cultural change through impactful storytelling.

Robert Barrs, Principal, Modus Planning Design and Engagement Inc.
Leads Modus, a planning and design firm known for its expertise in urban development and community engagement projects that prioritize sustainability.

Mary Cleaver, Founding Partner, Realtor, The Mary Cleaver Group
A prominent realtor in Vancouver, recognized for her leadership in sustainable real estate practices and community-focused housing solutions.

Ronda Murdock, Pacific Rainforest Adventure Tours
Owner of an eco-tourism company specializing in guided tours through the Pacific Northwest’s unique ecosystems, promoting environmental education and conservation.

Steve Anderson, CEO of New/Mode
Vancouver-based New/Mode is Canada’s best known civic tech company. Their civic engagement platform has facilitated over 100 million messages to government decision makers spanning 5 continents.

Sonia Strobel, CEO, Skipper Otto
CEO of Skipper Otto, a community-supported fishery connecting consumers directly with sustainable seafood from local fishermen.

Kate Busby, Partner, FaulknerBrowns Architects
A key partner at FaulknerBrowns, an architecture firm recognized for its innovative design of sustainable and community-focused spaces.