That the MVRD Board receives the March 22, 2019 report entitled “Development and Engagement Process for the Metro Vancouver Clean Air Plan” for information purposes. To provide information on the proposed development and engagement process for the Metro Vancouver Clean Air Plan. Development and Engagement Process for the Metro Vancouver Clean Air Plan Climate Action Committee Regular Meeting Date: April 12, 2019 Page 2 of 4.
Development and Engagement Process for the Climate Action Committee for the Metro Vancouver Clean Air Plan Regular Meeting Date: April 12, 2019 Page 3 of 4 Development and Engagement Process for the Metro Vancouver Clean Air Plan Date of Climate Action Committee Regular Meeting: April 12, Page 20 4 of 4.
Clean Air Plan Discussion Paper
ATTACHMENT
Draft Clean Air Plan
That the MVRD Board receive for information the report dated March 22, 2019, entitled "Fire Smoke Preparedness and Air Quality Advisory Planning for 2019". To provide information regarding Metro Vancouver's wildfire smoke preparation and air quality advisory planning for the summer season of 2019. This report provides an overview of Metro Vancouver's air quality advisory program, a discussion of air quality impacts of air smoke related to wildfires observed in recent years and details of preparations for the 2019 summer advisory season.
Wildfire Smoke Preparedness and Air Quality Advisory Planning for 2019 Climate Action Committee Regular Meeting Date: April 12, 2019 Page 2 of 4. Wildfire Smoke Preparedness and Air Quality Advisory Planning for 2019 Climate Action Committee Regular Meeting Date: April 12, 20, April 12 Page 3 of April 19 4. Public awareness of air quality and health has also grown with the recent impact of the summer wildfire smoke.
Wildfire Smoke Preparedness and Air Quality Advisory Planning for 2019 Climate Action Committee Regular Meeting Date: April 12, 2019 Page 4 of 4 Metro Vancouver's updated Air Quality Management Plan will explicitly consider the increasing impacts of wildfire activity when evaluating future management strategies and actions. In parallel, Metro Vancouver's Climate 2050 Roadmaps will identify actions that will help the region adapt to climate-related impacts on regional air quality.
In addition to air quality and climate change functions, Metro Vancouver's water services and parks functions actively work to prevent wildfires in our region, reducing the potential for local impacts from wildfire smoke. Metro Vancouver is now issuing an air quality alert for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley due to high concentrations of fine particulate matter due to wildfire smoke from wildfires burning throughout the Pacific Northwest. Reducing sources of fine particles in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley will have a beneficial effect on air quality.
IMPROVE STAKEHOLDER AWARENESS ABOUT HOW METRO VANCOUVER MANAGES ODOUR
That the MVRD Board endorses the communications and engagement strategy outlined in the March 22, 2019 report entitled “Metro Vancouver Odor Management Communication and Engagement Strategy.” Obtaining Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD) board approval of the communications and engagement strategy to raise awareness of Metro Vancouver's enhanced framework for controlling odorous air pollutant emissions. Metro Vancouver Odor Management Communications and Engagement Strategy Regular Climate Action Committee Meeting Date: April 12, 2019 Page 2 of 4.
Metro Vancouver will also provide opportunities to join the Metro Vancouver Odor Management mailing list. Metro Vancouver will produce comprehensive and digestible printed materials on odor monitoring and measurement and Metro Vancouver's authority to manage odorous air pollutant emissions. The printed materials will include instructions for filing an odor complaint online or by phone as currently described on the Metro Vancouver website.
Metro Vancouver staff will offer the printed materials at meetings and information sessions, including community-driven public events, along with information about other initiatives related to air quality and climate change, such as the Emotive electric vehicle campaign and the stove exchange program, and during consultation and engagement. events related to air quality management in the region. Metro Vancouver staff will approach municipal staff to present the enhanced Odor Management Framework to interested councils and municipal liaison groups. Through the Metro Vancouver air emissions permitting process, facilities will continue to be required to notify the public of permit applications and changes under the BC Public Notification Regulation.
Metro Vancouver will propose that facilities that emit odorous air pollutants develop a public information website describing their odor management practices.
DEVELOP MECHANISMS FOR ONGOING COLLABORATION WITH MUNICIPAL STAFF
As the Metro Vancouver website remains an important point of contact with the public, Metro Vancouver staff will use digital outreach to provide timely and relevant information, and may add new web pages with information about specific facilities related to frequent odor complaints. The focus will be on presenting information, such as cumulative complaint data and summaries of compliance and enforcement actions, in accessible formats. For example, it is helpful to Metro Vancouver enforcement officers if a person files a complaint as soon as possible after the odor is detected and includes detailed information such as weather conditions and how the emissions affect the person or their business.
Communications from facilities that generate windy air pollutants are also an important component of field activities. Climate Action Committee Regular Meeting Date for Metro Vancouver Odor Management Engagement and Communication Strategy: April 12, 2019 Page 3 of 4. Metro Vancouver will work with municipal staff to develop mechanisms for engaging businesses in early discussions about managing potential air emissions.
Municipal staff responsible for business licenses, permits, planning or any work related to emissions of odorous air pollutants. Metro Vancouver will arrange meetings and information sessions with municipal staff to better understand the business licensing process. Metro Vancouver will also participate in municipal staff meetings, such as the Environmental Managers meetings and Regional Permitting and Licensing Committee meetings, to discuss mechanisms to improve information sharing with the ultimate goal of early intervention in the business development process to reduce the compliance burden on licensed businesses.
Metro Vancouver will work with municipal staff to develop ways to notify business license applicants of their obligation to apply for an emissions permit from Metro Vancouver if their business is likely to release odorous air pollutants.
INCREASE THE TECHNICAL CAPACITY FOR ODOUR MEASUREMENT AND MONITORING IN THE REGION
Metro Vancouver Odor Management Communication and Engagement Strategy Climate Action Committee Regular Meeting Date: April 12, 2019 Page 4 of 4. That the MVRD Board endorse the communication and engagement strategy attached to the report dated March 22, 2019, entitled “Metro Vancouver Odor Management Communication- and engagement strategy”. That the MVRD Board receive the report dated March 22, 2019, entitled "Metro Vancouver Odor Management Communication and Engagement Strategy", for information and provide alternative direction to staff.
In July 2018, the MVRD Board approved an Odor Management Policy Development Plan to improve the management of odorous air pollutant emissions in the Metro Vancouver region, which included initiatives related to increased communication and collaboration based on feedback received during the consultation. Preliminary List of Targeted Stakeholders and Engagement Activities for the Metro Vancouver Odor Management Communication and Engagement Strategy (Doc #29248361). Preliminary list of target stakeholders and engagement activities for the Metro Vancouver Odor Management Communication and Engagement Strategy.
Below is the preliminary engagement plan for Metro Vancouver's Odor Management Communication and Engagement Strategy. Maintain Metro Vancouver websites to provide up-to-date information on Metro Vancouver's odor management program. The current regulation includes a January 31, 2020 registration deadline for Tier 1 engines that will prevent previously unregistered engines from operating in the Metro Vancouver region after that date.
The Metro Vancouver Diesel Emissions Reduction Program, approved by the MVRD Board in 2009, addresses all sources of diesel particulate matter. Metro Vancouver is working with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority to explore opportunities for aligning any future proposals related to each organization's non-road diesel engine emissions reduction program. The regulation includes provisions that have consistently prevented previously unregistered Tier 0 and then Tier 1 non-road diesel engines from operating in Metro Vancouver after the specified dates.
MAR 072019
While there is a high level of compliance in the licensed industry, there are enforcement actions that Health Canada can take when non-compliance issues are identified, including educating the licensee about any non-compliance issues, issuing warning letters or product recalls, adding conditions and license conditions and license suspension or revocation, if warranted. The department takes seriously any problem or complaint regarding licensee activities and ensures that appropriate action is taken to remedy any non-compliance. Health Canada has made it easier for individuals to report cannabis complaints, including odor complaints.
More information on Health Canada's Compliance and Enforcement Policy under the Cannabis Act can be found here: https://www.canada.ca/en/health. The Cannabis Council of Canada has been monitoring the progress of the proposed consultation on cannabis cultivation in Metro Vancouver with great interest as we believe many of the proposed policies could have significant unintended and negative impacts on our members' operations in the region. Instead, a much stronger and broader consultation takes place; with staff mandated to work with industry to fully understand and report on the local economic impacts of implementing recommended policies.
Referral back to committee is our ideal course of action as we believe it would better allow directly affected stakeholders to engage with staff to collaboratively explore additional or alternative policy recommendations that would preserve jobs in community while also allowing our growing sector to be a positive neighbor in the municipalities where we operate. Such collaboration can then lead to further consultation with an eye towards mutually beneficial solutions to issues identified by staff. The Cannabis Council of Canada is the national organization of licensed Canadian cannabis growers under Canada's Federal Health Cannabis Act.
The Council's mission is to act as the national voice for our members in advancing industry standards; support the development, growth and integrity of the regulated cannabis industry; and serve as an important resource on issues related to the safe and responsible use of cannabis for medical and non-medical purposes.