The April 7 New Westminster city council meeting, held at the Queensborough Community Center, echoed with passionate voices calling for climate action during Earth Month. Delegates from across the city highlighted the urgency of environmental awareness, community engagement, and long-term planning.

Deni Loubert – Local Journalism Initiative

Earth Day, first celebrated in 1970, was born from growing public concern about pollution and environmental degradation. What began as a grassroots movement in the U.S. has since grown into a global call for environmental protection and sustainability. For New Westminster, Earth Month is a time to reflect and act—with local events lined up to inspire and educate.

Upcoming highlights include a creative celebration at the Art and Technology Lab at the Anvil Center and an insightful talk at the New Westminster Public Library titled Transforming Climate Emotions into Climate Action, aimed at addressing the psychological toll of climate anxiety and how to channel it into meaningful change.

The national conversation turned local with recent news of the Canadian government's controversial rollback of the carbon tax, prompting concerns about national climate leadership. This development framed the remarks of delegate Jay Joseph, who raised questions about the city’s 3.5% climate change levy added to local electrical bills. His concerns sparked a thoughtful exchange among city councillors about the purpose and impact of local climate funding, distinguishing between federally driven carbon pricing and locally implemented climate levies.

Cheryl Lewis of the New West Climate Action Hub also spoke, promoting the upcoming Sustainable Home Info Sessions on April 26, which aim to help residents make eco-conscious upgrades to their homes.

Councillor Nadine Nakagawa emphasized, “We can’t afford to be passive. Local leadership matters more than ever.” Mayor Patrick Johnstone added, “Having a plan means we’re not just reacting to climate change—we’re preparing for it.”