CRD staff now explaining why VKT and GHG pollution in region going up, up, up. Livestream: https://www.crd.bc.ca/about/board-committees/meeting-schedule/event/2020/12/09/ilegislate/3143committee-of-the-whole #yyj #yyjpoli #ClimateEmergency @CouncllrNTaylor @JeremyLoveday @TransitYYJ

Staff now says CRD has done nothing yet to set regional transportation priorities. Premier @jjhorgan blocking governance change. Bunch of BS about @crd_bc not having any influence. Horse cookies! #yyjpoli

Yes! Staff confirm "The CRD can undertake this work under the existing service authority". There is a path forward for #climateaction in #yyj transportation. #yyjpoli

An obvious step forward is to put climate and transportation in the same @crd_bc committee, with key directors like #Saanich and #VictoriaBC mayors on. I'm sure this will be one of the proposals on the table today. #yyjpoli

Director Ben Isitt says the #climateemergency and health considerations must be on the top of CRD agenda. Notes that health pros consider transit to be active transportation w health benefits. @isitt_

This is what is being discussed at CRD now. ICYMI. (Ben Isitt was saying Climate Emergency needs to be at the top of the list.)

"We declared a #ClimateEmergency . . . one of the reasons we need mode shift is climate action" @JeremyLoveday #yyjpoli #yyj

Geoff Young is making a crucial important point "we are never going to have unanimity" on transportation priorities. No government can function if unanimity is required. Anything based on 'consensus' is doomed.

It is so disturbing that multiple @crd_bc directors have "no problem" with a problem statement that does not even mention climate, never mind the CRD unanimous #ClimateEmergency declaration. #yyjpoli #yyj

. @CouncllrNTaylor Notes it is almost 2yrs since CRD declared #ClimateEmergency and did a great job speaking to the need to prioritize transit, walking and cycling over highway expansion. Needs to be explicit in problem statement.

Mayor Helps notes that congestion is mainly an economic and quality of life problem. Mode shift is where the climate action is.

And we are adjourned. To be continued this afternoon at board meeting. Meeting starts at 1:10, but not sure when this item will be discussed. https://www.crd.bc.ca/docs/default-source/crd-document-library/committeedocuments/capitalregionaldistrictboard/20201209/2020-12-09agendapkgrb.pdf?sfvrsn=a5b9adcc_4

Looks like CRD Board is about to get back to their response to the South Island Transportation Strategy. 8.2 on agenda https://www.crd.bc.ca/about/board-committees/meeting-schedule/event/2020/12/09/ilegislate/3121capital-regional-district-board #yyj #yyjpoli

CRD staff talking about a 'climate lens' - but climate not mentioned in the motion directors being asked to approve.

CRD Director @JeremyLoveday has moved an amendment to add reference the CRD #ClimateEmergency declaration to staff recommendation. Seconded by Mayor Helps. (Wording not visible in @crd_bc livestream). #yyjpoli

This is the motion with @JeremyLoveday & Helps' amendment. Nice!

The #ClimateEmergency resolution passed unanimously!

Now a motion to express support for @UBCM resolution from @CouncllrNTaylor is on table. Similar wording to this from @ActingGreater letter.

The motion re the UBCM resolution has been postponed until the next CRD Board meeting.

. @CouncllrNTaylor has just moved a motion for the Board to write the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and Minister @BowinnMa. Will be dealt with as a notice of motion later in meeting.

. @RJMersereau is now making a motion about transportation governance.

Lots of public pressure will be needed before the next CRD Board to get @CouncllrNTaylor's important motions passed. I'm less motivated around the governance task force to identify options, but it sounds useful.

IMO - The @crd_bc can do so much more by just moving transportation and climate into the same committee, and using the existing tools they have that are now gathering rust. Governance change is important, but should not be an excuse to delay #climateaction . #yyjpoli

. @RJMersereau now making an interesting motion. Establish a CRD transportation task force to work on priorities first and then governance. Seems useful!

. @RJMersereau saying the CRD has approved a lot of work on transportation today, and this committee needed to get it done.

All in all, a really good set of outcomes from today's @crd_bc meeting(s). Words #ClimateEmergency are in the directions to staff regarding setting transportation infrastructure priorities! Other crucial issues coming to Jan 13 board mtg. #yyjpoli