Bracebridge General Committee was advised that costs can run up to $42 million for GHG mitigation, in the December 3, 2024, meeting.

A recent study by Tatham Engineering was conducted to review the Regional Corporate Climate Change and Mitigation Plan informed Committee that they must assess and adjust the efficiency of their buildings and facilities, such as Fire Station 1, which is reported to be the Town’s biggest contributor to GHG intensity.

The Town will have to do a thorough analysis of their buildings and fleet through site visits to narrow down the specific causes and factors contributing to the high emissions.

Mayor, Rick Maloney, expressed concern about 61% of GHG coming from buildings. He said, “We’ll have to recalibrate or review that with adjustment numbers and efficiencies.”

Tatham representative, Elham Gorouhi, advised Committee to consider areas such as operations, equipment end of life, more advanced technology for replacements and new purchases in general, and behavioral patterns contributing to the problem. She said operations and behaviors are two major areas that can impact GHG reductions.

Councillor, Debbie Vernon, said, “We’re starting to take a more serious look at what we need to do.”

She also inquired about whether electric vehicles (EVs) are an effective option.

Gorouhi advised that EVs “have the highest potential for GHG reductions.”

Councillor, Don Smith, suggested, “We have more work to do to assess.” He added, “We have a base point, but we don’t know how we got there and how to get out of that position.” 

Vernon suggested including the Carnagie building in climate mitigation action plans, such as using heat pumps, rather than gas appliances, and energy efficient windows, and “to help residents understand the conversion techniques.”

CAO, Stephen Rettie, indicated their Community Emissions Reduction Plan has recommendations for the community for reducing emissions, and the Town can also participate in the District of Muskoka’s initiatives for community engagement.

Smith agreed that the community side is “a bigger challenge,” and inquired about how they will measure and follow up with the targets and goals moving forward.

Rettie advised that staff could make recommendations based on findings and integrate them into planning and operations as funding and resources allow.

He emphasized that community engagement be handled at the District level because it’s a “global problem and will get us the best bang for our buck.” Otherwise, they can consider it locally as funding allows.

He compared it to like eating an elephant, “you gotta take one bit at a time.”

He also suggested they partner with other municipalities like Muskoka Lakes and Gravenhurst, in addition to using what resources they have “to stay on top of progress, technology, and funding, to ensure we’re advancing through the plan.”

According to the staff report, the climate mitigation process will have an impact to future budgets. It indicates, “Although the Plan initially estimates these costs to approach $43 million by 2042, there are many variables, including feasibility, scope change, technology advancement, funding opportunities, etc. that will be considered before these costs form part of future Municipal Budgets and Business Plans.”