| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 67.36 |
| Liaison | Allison Maxted |
| Submission Date | Feb. 17, 2022 |
Mohawk College
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Nicolai
Strabac Sustainable Programs and Services Coordinator Sustainability Office/Facilities Services |
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the municipal/local level?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the municipal/local level:
Mayor’s Taskforce on Economic Recovery
In the summer of 2020, the City of Hamilton established the Mayor’s Taskforce on Economic Recovery to provide multi-sectoral leadership and direction to guide Hamilton’s long-term, sustainable and equitable recovery economic recovery in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mohawk College’s president Ron McKerlie chaired the economic recovery taskforce. In August of 2020, Mohawk College’s Centre for Climate Change Management, in partnership with the Bay Area Climate Change Office, prepared a detailed submission to the task force that made a number of policy recommendations on topics related to climate action.
The following policy recommendations were adopted by the taskforce and incorporated into the economic recovery action plan:
1. Immediately establish a municipal home energy retrofit (HERO) program for homeowners, with a plan to extend retrofit support to commercial and multi-residential buildings in the future.
2. Continue to advocate for the LRT and invest in the electrification and expansion of transit.
3. Help local manufacturers transition to a carbon-free future through advancing waste heat recovery, and other energy efficiency practices, and a shift to alternative fuel sources such as hydrogen.
4. Champion street closures & placemaking projects through all seasons to help revitalize main streets and support local businesses through the winter months.
5. Support investments in broadband internet services to support working and learning from home beyond the crisis; this is especially important in underserviced and rural communities.
6. Develop “shovel ready” zero carbon affordable housing projects. Support the “Hamilton is Home” proposal to provide 3,000 affordable housing units in three years.
Learn more here: https://investinhamilton.ca/economic-recovery-task-force/#climatechange
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level:
Clean Air Hamilton Provincial Policy Advocacy
1. In April of 2019, Mohawk College was a signatory on Clean Air Hamilton’s letter of recommendation to the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks:
Clean Air Hamilton drafted a letter to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks offering feedback on the proposed changes to the to the Environmental Protection Act under the amendment for new regulations for vehicle emissions ERO - 019-0419.
2. In Fall of 2019, Mohawk College was a signatory on Clean Air Hamilton’s letter of recommendation to the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario:
Clean Air Hamilton drafted a letter to the Ministry of Transportation Ontario commenting on proposed changes to the Environmental Guide for Assessing and Mitigating the Air Quality Impacts and Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Provincial Transportation Projects (ERO POSTING 019-0131). Comments included recommending more up-to-date software be used, as well as the inclusion of Benzo(a)pyrene as an air toxin.
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the national level?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the national level:
Canada’s 2030 Emissions Plan: Retrofit Acceleration Fund Advocacy
In January 2022, Mohawk College was a signatory on a letter to the Prime Minister asking that a retrofit acceleration fund be a key initiative of Canada’s 2030 Emissions Plan. The letter was organized by The Atmospheric Fund, Pembina Institute, and ReCover and called on the federal government to set up a new annual retrofit acceleration fund to increase the pace and scale of decarbonizing homes and buildings.
Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery (C2R2)
Through C2R2, Mohawk College has advocated for the generation of upskilling opportunities to support a resilient, green economy. C2R2 advocates at a federal level for a pan-Canadian framework to develop sustainable curriculum, education & training, and applied research opportunities. C2R2 has a marked commitment to advocate for the development of opportunities which support Indigenous reconciliation as well as equity, diversity and inclusion.
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the international level?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the international level:
A brief description of other political positions the institution has taken during the previous three years (if applicable):
A brief description of political donations the institution made during the previous three years (if applicable):
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability advocacy efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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