District council has tabled a motion by Councillor Michelle Martins to form an environmental committee until staff can produce clear terms of reference, and council can debate their merits.
Speaking to her motion, Councillor Martins emphasized the necessity of the committee, comparing it to a similar, though failed, attempt to establish a community resource board in 2004. "I see a need and benefit to have a more formalized setting for discussions with environmental groups—especially because they asked for that," Martins said.
The proposed committee aims to fill a gap in Kitimat's current environmental oversight by addressing broader environmental impacts beyond the specific focuses of existing committees and groups focusing on specific areas such as air quality, waterways, and recycling. In contrast, the new committee would consider the overall impacts of industry and development, eco-tourism, and the natural assets of the district.
Martins acknowledged council's efforts to engage with environmental groups but noted the current format’s lack of productivity compared to existing committees involving staff. “While these groups are having important discussions, they are not raising the same kind of concerns that we are hearing when we meet with the Kitimat Valley Naturalists, the Rod and Gun Club, Douglas Channel Watch, et cetera,” she added.
Last month, Martin’s previous motion to allocate funds from the Ecological Reserve Fund for environmental mapping was also tabled by council, who cited the need for further public consultation. “I believe this committee would speak to that concern,” she said.
Pointing to the Energy Emissions and Solid Waste Advisory Committee (EESWAC), Martins speculated that expanding provincial regulations and ongoing concerns from environmental groups could soon burden that committee further. “I’m not suggesting we incite fear, or act like the sky is falling, but we shouldn’t be acting like it’s business-as-usual when we’re facing extreme, unprecedented weather conditions,” she stated.
Councillor Gerry Leibel praised the new committee for its ability to coordinate input from fragmented groups.
However, the motion went on to face strong opposition from other council members’ belief the district’s current system to field environmental concerns was effective and evolving. “Nothing is perfect,” Mayor Phil Germuth said. “But we are doing a very good job.”
Germuth highlighted the green ambitions of major industry in Kitimat for being among the cleanest in the world, and laid out the municipality's own journey to be more environmentally accountable.
“We are breathing the cleanest air in the history of our community,” he said. Councillors Mario Feldhoff and Graham Pitzel echoed his views.
Councillor Terry Marleau, however, disagreed with this assessment, stating that the environment and climate were the planet's top issues and that none of Kitimat’s numerous committees were designed to specifically gather insights from community groups for a comprehensive and informed environmental perspective. “We have to have our own committee,” Marleau said.
Councillor Edwin Empinado raised concerns about how the committee’s terms of reference would work when multiple groups with different agendas meet to pass recommendations to council. “How would they provide comment? Is it generalized or will it become a fragmented thing?” He suggested that the terms of reference be presented before voting on the motion. Marleau criticized this approach as “putting the cart before the horse.”
Martins’ envisions the committee to serve as a resource for recreational opportunities and provide feedback to the District horticulturist on greenspaces. It would offer feedback to Council on specific applications, such as the recent quarry application, and consider comments from external environmental organizations. Additionally, the committee would provide recommendations on general items of interest to the group and suggest projects suitable for the Ecological Reserve Fund.
Frustrated by what he perceived as a trend against enhancing the district’s environmental initiatives, Councillor Leibel reminded members they had previously opposed motions to appoint a biologist and an environmental consultant. He emphasized the need to start prioritizing the environment, at least as a foundation for future councils. He said there are committees dedicated to the well-being of multiple interest groups and demographics, “but we don’t have a committee to ensure there is a good environment for those groups to live in.”
Councillor Martins reluctantly supported the motion to table, with Mayor Germuth casting the only vote against. She argued it would be hypocritical for council to deny an environmental committee just weeks after tabling her previous motion on the grounds of needing more public consultation. “It makes me question if that concern was actually legitimate, or just a stalling tactic,” she said.
