For a Greener TMR

When Philippe Roy was named the president of the Town’s environmental committee last year, the first-time councillor was quite happy.

“I’m really concerned about climate change and environmental issues,” said Roy. “I wish to do something on that issue that will improve the quality of life here.”

In a little over a year, 38-year-old Roy has been a busy bee. His first step was more symbolic than substantive, but it clearly showed the direction that he wants to take. He changed the advisory committee’s name from “green spaces” to “sustainable development” to indicate that it will be working on more important issues than just “choosing the colour of flowers in the parks.”

The first major project was to develop a sustainable-development policy for TMR, including a tree-protection policy. Originally, Roy thought that it would take about two years to put together, but it will soon be made public at the end of May. That was largely due to the hard work of civil servants and the citizen-members on the committee, he added.

The new policy will include measures to recycle more and for Town buildings and vehicles to consume less energy, much like other cities and large companies are already undertaking. The goal is to reduce the amount of energy used each year and to help change people’s attitudes in that area, he explained.

TMR already recycles about 40 per cent of its waste, but it must reach the 60-per cent target diversion rate from landfills as stated in Quebec’s solid-waste management plan. To do that, Roy wants to introduce a “green collection” by the summer of 2008 where residents can put their food and yard waste in a container to be picked up.

Taking place in other Quebec cities, it will not only reduce the amount of garbage thrown away, it may even break even or save money by selling the compost to farmers and other interested buyers, Philippe Roy noted.

At the April Council meeting, Roy will also announce an annual contest for the most beautiful tree in TMR (among the estimated 8,000 on private properties). “It’s a way to create more awareness and more pride about our trees.”

Just like TMR was described as the “Model City” when it was founded almost 100 years ago, The councillor Philippe Roy would like it to become an “environmental” model city within several years. So far, his fellow councillors and Mayor Vera Danyluk are really supportive of his efforts and civil servants are also “happy” to help him in that regard.

While federal and provincial governments must contribute their share towards undertaking a green “revolution,” the real battle is on the municipal level, he said. “We want to show that the Town will do its part and hope that citizens will follow and do their own share.”