Prince Edward County and PCP: A Case for Cost-Benefit Analysis

Prince Edward County - Update on Deputation to Council (January 28)

On January 28, I and local resident Tanya Logan had the opportunity to present to the Prince Edward County Council regarding the Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) program. The atmosphere during the meeting was reserved, with Mayor Steven Ferguson and council members appearing disengaged from our recommendations for a cost assessment and a localized emissions and sequestration report. My presentation exceeded the allocated time due to the complexity of the subject, but I appreciate the mayor allowing me a few extra minutes to complete my thoughts.

Lack of Council Awareness & Off-Topic Questions

Throughout the discussion, it became evident that many council members were not fully aware of the implications of the program they had committed to. One councilor diverted the discussion by questioning whether I subscribed to a particular alternative news source, rather than addressing the financial and environmental concerns presented. Interestingly, this same councilor had earlier raised a valid question regarding how the county could better retain its youth, a critical issue that is often overlooked within sustainability planning discussions, which divert population growth to urban centers.

The Need for Localized Environmental Stewardship

A significant challenge we face is the failure of many municipal leaders to recognize the negative impact of urban-centric development schemes promoted by UN-affiliated organizations like the FCM and ICLEI. These programs often fail to consider the realities of rural communities and can lead to economic decline, reduced autonomy, and increased administrative burdens. We must educate both council members and residents about the differences between:

1. Locally driven environmental stewardship, which focuses on practical, community-led solutions.

2. Climate action plans under programs like PCP, which rely heavily on data collection, new regulations, and unproven technologies.

Distinguishing Climate Mitigation from Climate Adaptation

There is also a critical need to differentiate between net-zero climate mitigation plans (such as PCP) and climate adaptation strategies. The former focuses on reducing emissions through energy consumption policies and waste reduction mandates, while the latter prioritizes infrastructure preparedness for natural climate variations and extreme weather events, which are historically characteristic of our region.

Questionable Public Support for Climate Plans

During the meeting, Mayor Ferguson referenced strong public support for a climate action plan, possibly citing a survey that reportedly showed 80% of residents were in favor. However, the details of this survey are unclear—its methodology, sample size, and the specific questions asked were not readily available. Without this transparency, it is impossible to determine whether residents truly support the data-driven, bureaucratic PCP approach or simply desire responsible environmental stewardship.

Next Steps: Community Engagement & Follow-Ups

Moving forward, we will send a series of follow-up communications to Prince Edward County Council to clarify our concerns and provide additional resources. It is crucial to assess whether residents of municipalities participating in PCP fully understand the program’s financial and administrative burdens and whether they believe such initiatives should take priority over more immediate local concerns such as infrastructure, housing, and economic development.

We invite all residents of Prince Edward County and beyond to participate in the survey at kiclei.ca/take-action to voice their perspectives. We must determine whether our communities truly support the internationally driven net-zero agenda or prefer practical, homegrown environmental solutions that align with our local needs and core municipal priorities.

The discussion in Prince Edward County is only the beginning. We have much work ahead.

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Follow-Up Letter to Prince Edward County Council

Dear Mayor Ferguson and Members of Prince Edward County Council,

Thank you again for the opportunity to present on January 28, 2025, regarding the FCM-ICLEI Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) Program. I recognize that Council adopted this program in 2021, but policies of this scale should be continuously reviewed to ensure they align with local needs, financial realities, and evolving community concerns.

From our discussion, it is clear that important questions remain unanswered. I urge Council to take the next responsible step:

• Conducting a full cost assessment of the PCP program

• Completing an emissions and sequestration report using existing County GIS data

• Ensuring public support for PCP-driven climate action

These are reasonable, low-cost measures that will provide concrete data to guide decision-making and reassure taxpayers that their dollars are being allocated responsibly.

This is not about debating whether the 0.04% of CO₂ in the Earth’s atmosphere—of which human activity contributes just 4%—is the defining crisis of our time. It is about ensuring fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability before committing taxpayer dollars to a voluntary international climate initiative.

The 25,000 residents of Prince Edward County contribute approximately 0.00005% of global atmospheric CO₂—a fraction so small it is effectively negligible. Before directing resources toward Net Zero policies, the County should first assess whether the local impact justifies the financial and administrative burden on taxpayers and staff, especially when Ontario is already a net carbon sink.

Reasonable Steps for Responsible Governance

Conduct a Full Cost Assessment of the PCP Program

• The PCP program is scaffolded, meaning each milestone will require increased financial commitments.

• Tiny Township is currently conducting a cost assessment for its participation, demonstrating that this is a reasonable approach.

• If PCP is a good investment for the County, why not confirm that with actual cost data?

Motion Needed: That Council direct staff to prepare a full cost assessment of the PCP program, detailing past, current, and projected financial obligations to reach Net Zero by 2050.

Authorize Staff to Share GIS Data for an Emissions & Sequestration Report

• Renfrew County has initiated an emissions and sequestration study to determine its net carbon balance by analyzing emissions by population and sequestration capacity by forests, wetlands, peatlands, agriculture, and other carbon sinks.

• Ontario is already a carbon sink, meaning it absorbs more CO₂ than it emits. Before committing further funds to Net Zero initiatives, it is crucial to understand how Prince Edward County fits into this picture.

• The County’s GIS department already has the necessary data on areas covered by carbon sink ecosystems, such as forests, wetlands, peatlands, riparian zones, agricultural lands, and urban green spaces.

Motion Needed: That Council direct staff with access to GIS data to share the relevant datasets on carbon sinks with Maggie Braun so that a regional emissions and sequestration report can be completed at no cost to the County.

Provide Public Transparency on Community Support

• Mayor Ferguson stated there is public support for climate action, yet no petition, public survey, or community-led initiative was cited and survey data does not appear to be available to the public.

• Transparency is key—residents deserve to see the actual data behind these claims.

Action/Motion Needed: That Council release any surveys or petitions used to justify the County’s climate commitments or initiate a public consultation process to confirm community support.

Final Appeal: Councillors, This is Your Responsibility

I strongly urge the Council of Prince Edward County to take leadership and ensure the following motions are moved, seconded, and considered:

• A full cost assessment of PCP

• Authorization for GIS data to be shared for a no-cost emissions and sequestration report

• Public transparency on climate consultation data

I am happy to provide further information, research support, or assistance as needed. Please feel free to reach out at info@kiclei.ca.

I look forward to your response and appreciate your commitment to good governance and financial accountability.

Sincerely,
Maggie Braun
info@kiclei.ca