More than 100 business leaders urge Vancouver City Council to uphold climate and health friendly bylaw
Published on November 14, 2024Read the letter and make your voice heard

On November 26th, the Vancouver City Council will be voting on the future of a climate and health friendly building bylaw. If the bylaw is amended or removed not only would Vancouver City Council be reversing critical climate progress, but they’d become the first the first city in Canada to voluntarily re-introduce a known pollutant into people’s homes.
In response, more than 100 business leaders penned a letter urging the Vancouver City Council to reconsider to this harmful proposal. You can read their letter here.
Want to get involved?
If you’re a business owner:
Sign on to the letter and send a message to city council | Call swing votes on the city council
If you’re an individual:
Send a message to city council | Call swing votes on the city council
Hear what business leaders in the community had to say:
Karri Green-Schuermans, Owner, Chamber Restaurant, emphasized the importance of
aligning climate policies with economic opportunity:
“Businesses thrive in cities that prioritize sustainability. Vancouver has long been a beacon for environmental leadership, and rolling back climate policies will not only damage our planet but also our economy.”
Mo Dhaliwal, CEO, Skyrocket Digital, emphasized the importance of aligning climate policies
with economic opportunity:
“The clean energy transition is not just necessary for addressing climate change; it’s also an economic imperative. Green technologies create jobs and attract investment. This rollback sends the wrong message to both investors and residents about Vancouver’s priorities.”
Steve Anderson, CEO of New/Mode, highlighted the negative message this sends to
neighboring communities:
“Twelve communities in the Greater Vancouver area have followed Vancouver’s lead in adopting zero-carbon building policies. If Vancouver retreats from these standards, it risks undermining regional progress toward a sustainable future.”
Additionally:
“There is often an argument that says [the gas rules] are harming the business communities,” Sonia Strobel, co-founder and CEO of Skipper Otto, told The National Observer. “It’s important for us in the business community to stand up and say this isn’t harming us. We have the responsibility, as business owners, to adapt and make changes in the face of the climate crisis.”