In opposition of climate change activism, MD of Bonnyville Coun. Josh Crick brought his notice of motion to the Oct. 22 council meeting to discuss proclaiming the first week of November as Climate Stability Awareness Week in the municipality. After a heated discussion among council, the motion was defeated 6-1, with only Crick voting in favour.
When asked who came up with the idea, Crick explained that it was his own decision to proclaim Nov. 2 to Nov. 8 Climate Stability Awareness week, after hearing that the British Columbia Library association (BCLA) promotes that same week as Climate Action Week.
Crick spoke out against the BCLA’s climate change advocacy and calls to action, which includes embedding climate justice into library policies and plans - and phasing out the fossil fuel industry.
“They said it’s a fossil fuel crisis. It’s an attack on our industry,” said Crick.
Crick denied that climate change was a threat and stated that “our ever-growing national budget deficit is the main issue over climate change,” and that “We have a crime crisis not a climate crisis.”
The councillor aimed to ease climate anxiety with his proclamation, stating that “people can be at peace knowing there is nothing to worry about.”
Crick stated that a vote for his motion was a vote for affordability, common sense, and the people and jobs of Bonnyville. He also stated that a vote against the proclamation was a vote for carbon taxation, climate action, and shutting down industries.
“That’s a very unfair thing to say to council,” said Reeve Barry Kalinski. “I think it’s unacceptable . . . Everything we do in this world, there's a little bit of climate change. I don’t think it’s affecting the whole world as much as they say it is, but that’s not for me decide.”
Deputy Reeve Darcy Skarsen commented on how unfair it was to attach the idea of common sense to a motion, as voting against would then imply a lack of common sense.
Crick apologized to the council for the wording of his motion. Council ultimately defeated the motion to proclaim Nov. 2 to 8 as Climate Stability Awareness Week.
Much of the technological equipment that normally allows for recording the MD of Bonnyville meeting was not working properly on Tuesday therefore, there will be no posted recording of this portion of the meeting on the MD of Bonnyville YouTube channel.
