The Collingwood Climate Action Team is asking for $32,000 from the town to support their efforts to reduce the carbon footprint.
Representative Catherine Daw came before councillors at their Oct. 3 regular meeting to put forward a case for the town to allot $32,000 to the non-profit through the 2024 budget. The team is expecting to spend $100,000 overall in 2024, has $25,000 already committed toward that goal through fundraising and has grant applications and further fundraising plans to fill out the rest.
“Collingwood is not an island, and the need for regional and provincial efforts in our local work is critically important,” Daw told councillors.
The Collingwood Climate Action Team (CCAT) was established in 2019 and is a local charitable organization with the mission of working with the local community to reduce the carbon footprint. The team has a seven-member board and consists of working groups focused on food and agriculture, energy, transportation, consumption and waste, community engagement and carbon conversations.
The group obtained charitable status in 2021.
The team is currently working on building a strategic plan with a three to five-year horizon, with a focus on advocacy, working on a carbon footprint project, running workshops and other learning opportunities and building a Greening Homes program. The group hired a part-time communications and events co-ordinator in 2023.
“In 2019, we had about $2,000 in the bank and were asking people to put $5 in a bucket,” said Daw. “We’re now entering our fifth year... we’re making positive impacts partnering and supporting the town, building and mobilizing supporters, which is at the heart of the work.”
Mayor Yvonne Hamlin put forward a notice of motion asking for the request to be referred to 2024 budget deliberations, which will be considered at the next council meeting on Oct. 16.
“(Your team) is tireless and professional. You have been the perfect partner,” said Hamlin following the presentation.
