Council Votes against Reintroducing Methane Gas into New Buildings for Heating – 

Vancouver, BC (Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Territories) – Mayor Sim and the ABC majority suffered the biggest defeat in their two years of governing as their climate change denial was confronted by a significant outpouring of public opposition – including from many members of the development community – and their own staff refutation of the main claims that Sim, Councillor Brian Montague and others made as they voted in July to repeal climate action.

The decision for Vancouver to stay the course on action to address climate change comes despite, not because of, Mayor Sim and his ABC majority. Ken Sim and his team brought the City perilously close to abandoning one of the pillars of Vancouver’s climate plan. In the final vote on Recommendation B, which would have reintroduced gas, Vancouver Greens Councillors Pete Fry and Adriane Carr were joined by ABC Councillors Lisa Dominato, Peter Meiszner, and Rebecca Bligh, who broke ranks with their party.   

“We’re in the throes of a climate emergency – dealing with extreme heat, wildfire smoke, flooding and storm surges,” said Councillor Pete Fry of the Vancouver Greens. “This is not the time for the climate denial we see from Ken Sim. That is not leadership.”

In their Wednesday evening decision, Vancouver City Council also voted to bring small residential buildings to the highest level of BC’s Zero Carbon Step Code, while stopping short of that commitment for larger buildings.

“Vancouver City Council’s adoption of the province’s Zero Carbon Step Code is an important move toward maintaining Vancouver’s leadership in requiring clean and safe energy in our homes and buildings,” said OneCity Vancouver Board Member Aman Singh.

Yet, numerous other BC municipalities like Burnaby and Victoria have already begun the transition to zero-emissions technology for large buildings. OneCity and the Vancouver Greens are committed to getting Vancouver there too.

The Vancouver Greens and OneCity remain steadfast in our support for serious climate action. ABC’s reckless and dangerous flirtation with allowing methane gas back into new buildings reflects their broader mismanagement of the City. More than ever, it is clear that Mayor Sim and the ABC majority need to be voted out of City Hall when their current term expires. Our parties are committed to working together to make that happen.

Available for comment
Councillor Pete Fry, Vancouver Greens: [email protected]
Jason Tockman, OneCity Executive: 604-727-9081, [email protected]