Whereas municipalities and regional districts are the governments nearest to people and the natural environment, and therefore share a deep concern for the welfare of the natural environment and understand that a healthy environment is inextricably linked to the health of individuals, families, future generations and communities; And whereas fostering the environmental well being of the community is a municipal purpose under section 7d of the Community Charter and a regional district purpose under section 2d of the Local Government Act: Therefore be it resolved that: 1. Every resident has the right to live in a healthy environment, including the right to: a. breathe clean air, b. drink clean water, c. consume safe food, d. access nature, e. know about pollutants and contaminants released into the local environment, and f. participate in decision making that will affect the environment; 2. Local governments have the authority, within its jurisdiction, to respect, protect, fulfill and promote these rights; 3. Local governments will consider the precautionary principle when making decisions: where threats of serious or irreversible damage to human health or the environment exist, the City of Port Moody will consider cost effective measures to prevent the degradation of the environment and protect the health of its citizens, and the absence of full scientific certainty will not be viewed as sufficient reason for the City of Port Moody to postpone such measures; 4. Local governments will apply full cost accounting when evaluating reasonably foreseeable costs of proposed actions and alternatives, the City of Port Moody will consider costs to human health and the environment; 5. By 2016, local governments will specify objectives, targets, timelines and actions, within their jurisdiction, to address the residents right to a healthy environment under section 1, including priority actions to: a. ensure infrastructure and development projects of local government and the private sector respect the objective of protecting the environment, including air quality; b. address climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and implementing adaptation measures; c. prioritize walking, cycling and public transit as preferred modes of transportation; d. prioritize infrastructure and protected water sources for the provision of safe and accessible drinking water; e. reduce solid waste and promote recycling, re-use and composting; f. establish and maintain accessible green spaces in all residential neighbourhoods, and protect and conserve nature in public open spaces; 6. Local governments will review the objectives, targets, timelines and actions of their healthy environment policy every five 5 years, and measure progress toward fulfilling this Declaration; and 7. Local governments will consult with residents as part of this process.
