June 23 marks the 4th anniversary of the 2021 Heat Dome, an occurrence that most of us remember vividly. What we may not be aware of is that the Chief Coroner of BC investigated the reasons for the 619 resultant, publishing a major Report. One of its key recommendations is to increase urban tree canopy, a major heat-protector. Some quotes:
- “A number of deaths occurred in neighbourhoods with large roads, large buildings, high density, and low greenness.”
- “Declining tree canopy and permeable surfaces in urban areas will increase vulnerability to extreme heat.”
- “Increasing green space and shading, especially in neighbourhoods high on the material deprivation index, would provide naturally cooler areas where people can find respite from extreme heat events.”
How has the provincial government reacted to these findings? Bills 44 and 47 (Build, Build, Build!) not only lack any incentives or provisions for tree protection, but actually preventing municipalities from enforcing their tree-protection bylaws. A 2024 email from Katherine Brandt, Senior Planning Analyst with the Ministry of Housing, confirms this: “A tree bylaw cannot prevent a landowner from using their land per the permitted use and density in the zoning bylaw… The only way for a municipality to impose greater restrictions is if it provides compensation to the landowner.”
Sierra Club of BC and CAPE (Canadian Physicians for the Environment) have crafted a letter (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IfZxp2J5i8r8ouGoG43SKjFKRIEqOKnX/view ) on this issue which they plan to submit to David Eby’s office on the morning of June 24. To sign on: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc1niPBS4yoGMH0QxZr_dwKe2pk_gIOsFRf3cViT_ao15NXdg/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=106694840780937602743
Note: If you’ve missed the deadline to sign on this letter, why not craft your own? Send it on to these BC government members:
- David Eby, Premier of British Columbia – premier@gov.bc.ca
- Kelly Greene, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness – EMCR.Minister@gov.bc.ca
- Brittny Anderson, Minister of State for Local Government & Rural Communities – Brittny.Anderson.MLA@leg.bc.ca
- Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs – HMA.Minister@gov.bc.ca
- Josie Osborne, Minister of Health – HLTH.Minister@gov.bc.ca
- Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions – ECS.Minister@gov.bc.ca
- Tamara Davidson, Minister of Environment and Parks – ENV.Minister@gov.bc.ca