Council receives Community Energy Strategy Update

Council received an update on the Community Energy Strategy at this week’s Council meeting, outlining some of the key energy projects being completed in response to the climate emergency declared by the town in June 2019.

In February 2020, Council unanimously endorsed Oakville’s Community Energy Strategy presented by the Oakville Energy Task Force, which sets community goals for improving energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and enhancing the local economy. The Strategy establishes a collective pathway for mitigating the impacts of climate change and directly supports the climate emergency declaration.

Along with the Strategy’s endorsement, Council committed to providing financial and in-kind support for the Oakville Energy Task Force to develop a non-profit called Future Energy Oakville Centre (FEO). FEO’s mandate is to champion community-driven energy solutions through the implementation of the Community Energy Strategy.  

“The town and the Task Force have made significant progress in the first year of implementing the Community Energy Strategy, carrying forward the community-driven spirit in which the Strategy was developed. The town, along with cross-sector stakeholders and residents, collaborated over 2020 and I believe that community engagement and that community buy-in is essential. This effort is gaining attention globally as an innovative and a best practice approach to community energy implementation,” said Mayor Burton.

The town continues to play a role as a key stakeholder in implementing the Strategy, along with members of the Task Force, and multiple town departments are leading initiatives that directly support the Strategy’s 2020 – 2025 priority projects. The following highlights just some of the town-led initiatives that have been completed or are underway:

These initiatives highlight the significant progress made to implement the Community Energy Strategy, even with the COVID-19 pandemic requiring adjustments to the timelines and approaches.

In light of that, the town and community continues to play an important role in reducing our impact on climate change, to advance Council’s vision for Oakville: to be the most livable town in Canada.

Review the staff report, item 9.3 on the April 26 Council Agenda Addendum. For more information visit our Community Energy Plan page.