Canadian Sustainability Disclosure Standards aim to set a new benchmark for Canadian businesses, requiring them to disclose their exposure to climate-related risks and their carbon footprint in financial statements. The County of Newell argues that the rush to implement these standards could lead to impractical challenges, particularly for smaller entities.

Key Concerns:

• Overstated Urgency

• Unnecessary Regulatory Burden

• Potential Competitive Disadvantages

• Administrative and Financial Strain

The County encourages other organizations, businesses, and stakeholders to review the proposed Canadian Sustainability Disclosure Standards and submit their responses to the CSSB. Public feedback is crucial in ensuring that the standards reflect practical realities and do not impose disproportionate burdens on smaller entities.

Further resources to aid in understanding the issues can be found at Advocacy - Newell County, AB (countyofnewell.ab.ca). Including a draft template letter.

Recreation Rates and Fees: City of Brooks Recreation Department surveyed rates and fees of several similar sized community recreation centers that have comparable services and amenities. Rates and Fees will be approved for two years allowing user groups to plan for increases, and create efficiency. The proposed overall average increase is 5% in 2024 and 3.5% in 2025.

Temporary dog park closing - In 2017, the stormwater pond on Young Road was opened to the public for a dog park until a permanent park was built. There has been costly damage due to vehicles driving on the trail that parallels the storm pond. The temporary dog park will be closed now with the completion of the new dog park located north of Harwood Ford.

Residential land use review has been initiated. Initial requests by developers focused on allowing secondary suites in semi-detached housing and townhouses to address housing needs but these changes could not be taken in isolation. The Land Use Bylaw needs to be constantly reviewed as the community grows. Proposed revisions need to be understood in the broader context of the Municipal Development Plan, Area Structure Plans, and Alberta Safety Code.

Testing in Lake Stafford in 2022 and 2023 revealed high levels of E. coli and coliforms, raising significant water quality concerns. MPE Engineering who was hired to do the testing recommended, a water quality monitoring program. Although there are no standards for raw irrigation water, there are standards for recreational water. Lake Stafford is considered a storm retention pond, serving multiple purposes including irrigation and recreation. A professional assessment is required before further action is taken.

Possible changes to the Animal Control Bylaw. City Administration reviewed the City of Calgary's Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw, specifically the Nuisance Animals section. City Council will use the information to consider changes to the Animal Control Bylaw.

A Nuisance Animal is defined as an animal that:

• has engaged in repeated threatening or aggressive behaviour

• has been found running at large more than once

• is a dog that repeatedly barks, or howls

• the Owner has demonstrated an inability to control in an Off-Leash Area or any other public area on more than one occasion.

The following conditions could be required:

• the Owner to retain the services of a Certified Professional Dog Trainer to provide the Owner with a specific type of education and training, for a specified number of hours, and require that the Owner provide proof of completion of such education and training hours

• prohibit the Nuisance Animal from entering or remaining in an Off Leash Area

Thank you for sharing LarkSPUR NEWS and spurring others on!
😁👍