Q7: The Town of Caledon has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions       from their operations and to helping members of community do the same. What is your vision for a community energy plan?

Regional Council Candidates:

Richard Paterak

"I think much more can be done to encourage conservation of energy by all businesses and residents in Caledon.  We are supposed to be the Greenest Town in Ontario.  We need to market that more directly tour own residents and encourage our wealthier residents to embrace green solutions for the larger homes, as well as advertising more modest opportunities to more middle class residents.  I am aware of one family who  installed ground source heating and air conditioning about 7 years ago.  The family is now in the position where the investment has been paid by the savings and they will be benefiting from a direct pay back in the coming years."

"My first priority is conservation, once that ethic is established other initiatives by residents will seem quite logical and attractive."

Jim Pattison

No reply.

Area Council Candidates:

Doug Beffort

"There are two ways that municipalities may get involved in sustainable energy planning. The first is to plan for and provide energy services directly. The other requires that energy policy promote responses to important, non-energy municipal issues that also happen to promote energy sustainability. These issues include affordable housing, taxation, traffic congestion and air quality. These are all energy issues because different ways of resolving them result in very different levels of energy consumption and types of energy supply."

"I think we look at the policies that affect energy consumption and use. We model good energy management. We switch to different fuels for our vehicles. We build any new municipal structures with energy planning in mind. We develop an education program that shares what we can all do. We push developers to build with a view to better energy management and make them incorporate some new ideas into our municipality. We monitor air quality, publish results and show how we are making some headway. If we are not, we determine why not and move in that direction. We partner with organizations that are experts in this field. One that comes to mind is Earth Rangers. We develop a program where we start at the youngsters in our community, engage them in the activities of such an organization through the town, and promote good corporate citizens. Just as with the pesticide situation, the young people of today are ready willing and able to assist with an energy plan for the better."

Tim Forester

"The Town’s action to move to Bullfrog Power demonstrates leadership in recognizing greenhouse gas emissions. Getting the intersection at Hwy 10 and Charleston Sideroad widened to increase traffic flow through the Village would reduce tons of emissions. Looking at commercial development in Caledon to reduce commute times would also be helpful. Ultimately, I believe that individuals in our community with a higher sensitivity to the environment and awareness of technological advances will lead by example and show us the way to further reduce Greenhouse gases."

John Martin

"Reducing greenhouse gas emissions mean educating the citizens, recycling more, reducing commutes, carbon fixing, green fuels, and home insulation projects. Just being aware of the issues will start the ball rolling."