Sustaining our future

This is an idea which began with discussions Council held about six months ago about our responsibility to make long-term sustainable development a priority for our City and to engage our residents in this endeavour during our four-year mandate. In that half-year period since we first held these discussions, this notion has moved to the front burner for cities and countries world wide. The development of such a plan is an undertaking which will involve all sectors of our community in order to reflect the needs, desires, abilities and means of Westmount to do its part in addressing overuse of resources and overproduction of pollutants. This will go a long way in assuring a vibrant and healthy city for future generations.

During the next two days, with the help of a resource person from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, we will learn about what others have done across the country and will begin to define and dream of the elements which we can bring to you for input, discussion debate and ultimately to form a long-term collective vision.

This is a very exciting prospect. As a parent, and recent grandparent, understanding our responsibility in this regard has come a whole lot closer to home. Never before have garbage treatment, water management, resource allocation, and vehicular emissions been topics which excited me. Oh, I know there are many who were far ahead of me and have been focused on these things for years. Our own Healthy Cities Committee and citizens like Don Wedge and Esther Goldenberg and some of our own councillors have been the impetus for Westmount being in the forefront of anti-pesticide legislation, anti-idling bylaws, our tremendous participation in household recycling and our recent electronic waste depot at the corporation yards.

But the time is right to look a lot farther ahead and be a lot bolder in what we undertake without adding to the financial burdens of our city. Within this vision we will want to determine what allows us to be sustainable. Is it only environmental concerns or must we also look at the demographics of Westmount and its long term viability; the availability of facilities for its population; its educational opportunities etc; the cost of living here.

Sustainable must also be 'affordable'. We must assure that we balance the values and long-term needs of 'the Westmount' which boasts a longstanding heritage preoccupation with 'the Westmount' which is for many a modern and vibrant place to raise a family.

Part of sustainable will also be finding ways to facilitate individual change for those who live and work here and encouraging all to find their way to participate and take responsibility wherever possible.

As many of you may have read, some months ago I gave up my car and joined Communauto, a car sharing program, as a commitment to this process and as a gesture which might stimulate others to think of possibly doing the same. Since then, some 20 residents have also joined Communauto in Westmount using the cars available at Victoria Hall and the Westmount Train Station. This reinforces the notion that such gestures have a ripple effect and are more than just symbolic.

As an optimist who believes in the ability of people to rise to world-wide challenges and to be creative and responsive, I refuse to be defeated by the dire, although realistic predictions, of the severe environmental consequences of inaction. Our City Council recognizes that we cannot impact worldwide climate change but we do believe that local initiatives based on solid science, will spread ideas, effects and benefits. I believe that the Westmount City Council is starting on an important, relevant and exciting journey with our community. Although we know clearly in which direction we are heading, not knowing yet exactly where it will take us along the way just adds to the excitement of the undertaking.

You will hear a lot more about this in the months to come and will have opportunities to get involved and see just how much we can do together and how Westmount can once again be in the forefront of responsible change.