FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 26, 2024
Local Advocates Present Alternatives to Costly Climate Program at Kawartha Lakes Budget Committee
Kawartha Lakes, ON – Today, Maggie Braun, a graduate of Fleming College’s Ecosystem Management program, and Angel Godsoe, a local farmer and former Green Party candidate, addressed the Kawartha Lakes Budget Committee to discuss the financial implications of the municipality’s participation in the Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) program. The delegation proposed a practical and cost-effective alternative to the federally promoted net-zero initiatives that could save the municipality millions while prioritizing local needs.
The PCP program, endorsed by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and ICLEI Canada, was adopted by Kawartha Lakes in 2018. However, Braun and Godsoe raised concerns about the program’s financial and legal risks. They highlighted that the PCP framework requires extensive administrative and capital expenditures—ranging from $7 million to $192 million in Canadian municipalities—to meet its five milestones, including emissions data collection, setting reduction targets, and implementing costly action plans.
“While these initiatives align with federal and international goals, they often exceed the scope of local mandates and divert resources from essential services and traditional environmental stewardship,” said Maggie Braun.
Braun also noted that FCM, ICLEI, and the federal government have waived liability for any financial or legal consequences arising from PCP participation, placing the full burden of risks and costs on the municipality.
The delegation criticized the PCP program’s reliance on flawed assumptions, such as overemphasizing man-made CO₂ as the primary driver of climate change, ignoring Canada’s vast uninhabited lands as carbon sinks, and promoting costly new technologies as the sole solution to environmental challenges.
“We Need Practical Solutions”
In her remarks, Angel Godsoe presented an alternative: implementing rotational grazing practices to sequester carbon and improve soil health. Rotational grazing, a regenerative agriculture technique, increases soil carbon levels from 2% to 10%, enhancing food security, supporting local farmers, and benefiting the environment.
“In Kawartha Lakes, it’s estimated that just over 5,000 acres of farmland could offset the municipality’s annual CO₂ emissions,” Godsoe explained. “A pilot project of 500 acres, in partnership with Sir Sandford Fleming College, could be launched for just $200,000—covering farmer incentives, education, training, and monitoring.”
This alternative offers measurable outcomes and positions Kawartha Lakes as a leader in practical environmental stewardship while saving millions compared to the PCP program.
Gene Balfour's Recommendations
Gene Balfour, author of What to Do About Climate Change – A Citizen’s Proposal, has also called on Council to withdraw from the PCP program. Balfour recommends reallocating the capital, financial, and human resources currently tied to global priorities and instead addressing local needs.
Balfour proposed creating a Voluntary Climate Change Group, which would raise its own funds and spend them on local projects to help property and business owners use energy more effectively and efficiently.
“This approach respects every citizen’s freedom of informed choice,” Balfour stated. “Individuals could choose whether or not to donate to this group, rather than being taxed to fund government programs aimed at addressing the Climate Change Crisis Theory (CCCT) through taxation and regulation.”
Call for a Cost-Benefit Analysis
Braun and Godsoe echoed Balfour’s sentiment, urging the Budget Committee to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of the PCP program to evaluate its financial and operational risks.
“If the costs outweigh the benefits, we recommend withdrawing from the PCP program and reinvesting resources into local initiatives like rotational grazing,” Braun concluded. “These solutions deliver tangible results without overburdening taxpayers.”
The presentation has sparked further discussion about balancing environmental action with financial responsibility and the role of municipalities in addressing global goals versus local needs.
Community Engagement
Residents who wish to share their views on this issue are encouraged to visit kiclei.ca, where a community survey and petition are available. These tools allow citizens to voice their concerns about the PCP program and advocate for alternative, locally driven environmental initiatives.
Media Contact:
For more information, please contact:
Maggie Braun
Ecosystem Management Graduate, Fleming College
Email: info@kiclei.ca
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