Nanaimo City Council advances climate-friendly new construction rules, despite high-pressure opposition from FortisBC

Unceded Snuneymuxw territories (Nanaimo, B.C.) — At a highly anticipated meeting earlier this week, Nanaimo City Council voted to join a growing number of communities across the province voting for a climate-safe future by requiring zero carbon new construction.

Despite persistent strong-arm tactics by gas utility FortisBC to suppress the adoption of clean-energy policies across the province, Nanaimo councillors voted 5 to 4 on Monday in favour of the policy that will require new buildings to meet a performance standard outlined in the Zero Carbon Step Code as of July 1, 2024. The BC Zero Carbon Step Code, which came into effect in May 2023, gives municipalities the power to regulate the greenhouse gas emissions from new construction.

“We have a real opportunity here to tangibly demonstrate our commitment to our own climate-action targets and the health and future viability of our home,” said Nanaimo Councillor Hilary Eastmure, who voted in favour of the new policy. “We’ve heard from residents, business owners, developers, builders, and energy providers who are saying yes, this is doable and desirable, and there’s no time like the present. Literally, there’s no time for us to delay on this — we’re in a climate crisis and we need to make policy decisions accordingly. … It’s about leadership, doing our part, and doing what’s best for future generations.”

At the meeting, which ran long into the night, many members of the public spoke passionately about the need to tackle the significant greenhouse gas emissions that result from burning gas in buildings. One presenter even read a letter of support from the famed environmentalist Jane Goodall.

​​By passing this policy, Nanaimo joins a growing wave of local governments taking action for climate-friendly buildings. As a campaign of B.C.-based international nonprofit environmental organization Stand.earth, the SAFE (Stand Against Fossil Fuel Expansion) Cities initiative is working with neighbours, local groups, and elected officials across the province and throughout North America to advance similar policies that phase out fossil fuels and scale up clean energy.

“On Monday, Nanaimo City Council joined Victoria, Saanich, and more than a dozen other communities across B.C. in voting for a climate-safe future,” Stand.earth Senior Campaigns Director Liz McDowell said. “By passing the Zero Carbon Step Code, Nanaimo is doing its part to meaningfully reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create healthy and resilient homes – all in the face of relentless pressure from the fossil fuel industry. Tackling climate change requires a collective effort, in which every level of government is doing everything in their power to transition off fossil fuels.”

This result comes in spite of Fortis’ concerted efforts to derail the policy. A Glacier Media exposé recently revealed that Fortis staff doctored a report by removing conclusions that contradicted their claims that renewable gas is a leading tactic for decarbonizing buildings. According to Glacier Media, Fortis staff edited the report to strike references to statements that heat pumps are, in fact, far more effective than renewable gas for reducing building emissions.

Fortis representatives then used this report to lobby governments across the province, including in Nanaimo, to reject the Zero Carbon Step Code.

“Despite the pressure and lobbying from natural gas providers, I’m proud that our community is taking the necessary steps to address the climate emergency and reduce emissions in line with our climate goals,” said Nanaimo Councillor Tyler Brown, who advocated for the motion. “Updating our building bylaws to require zero carbon new construction is an easy decision If we’re serious about climate action.”

Fortis staff spoke again at Monday evening’s Council meeting, reiterating false and misleading claims about electrical grid capacity and the cost of building homes without gas. However, Fortis’ presence was outweighed by community members that showed up in support.

“Adopting the zero carbon performance level shows Nanaimo’s commitment to environmental leadership, economic prosperity, and the well-being of our residents,” said Nanaimo Climate Action Hub member Larry Whaley. “It confirms our standing as a forward-thinking city that takes concrete steps to address climate change and build a sustainable future while providing us with the opportunity to meet our city’s goals. As a longtime Nanaimo resident, I’m happy that Monday’s decision will give us the chance to meet our climate targets.” 

Municipalities that have passed the Zero Carbon Step Code since it came into effect on May 1, 2023 include Victoria, Saanich, Central Saanich, Whistler, Nelson, West Vancouver, the District of North Vancouver and City of North Vancouver.

“In the middle of a wildfire season as record breaking and devastating as this one has been, I don’t need to tell anyone here that we need to be doing everything in our power to address one of the biggest causes of climate change: burning fossil fuels,” McDowell said, while addressing councillors at Monday’s meeting. “In B.C., gas used in buildings currently accounts for 12% of all greenhouse gas emissions and, in cities, that number soars to 40%. The best way to address these emissions? Stop burning gas in buildings. In fact, numerous studies have found that installing highly efficient heat pumps and electric boilers are one of the most effective climate actions local governments can take.”

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Media contacts: 

Cari Barcas, Communications Director, cari.barcas@stand.earth, +1 312 720 7940 (Eastern Time)