The Town of Qualicum Beach has committed to work with other municipal governments in the province to bring a class action lawsuit against selected global fossil fuel companies and recover the costs related to climate change.
The decision was reached by council at its regular meeting on Feb. 7 but it was not unanimous as Coun. Scott Harrison voted in opposition.
The town91裸聊视频檚 commitment involves residents contributing $1 towards the lawsuit. However, it is contingent on council obtaining a copy of a legal opinion to determine there is a solid legal basis for the claim and that other BC municipalities will also join and pledge a combined minimum of $500,000.
91裸聊视频淭his is really about investing a dollar now as protection against costs that the town will incur 91裸聊视频�. we91裸聊视频檙e expected to incur because of climate change and we already are incurring some costs because of that,91裸聊视频� said Coun. Anne Skipsey. 91裸聊视频淎t this point, it is a commitment and to review the legal opinion as to why this class action lawsuit is doable and recommended. And also we have to wait until there91裸聊视频檚 about $500,000 committed from other municipalities. So, it would be approval now but the action probably won91裸聊视频檛 happen for some time.91裸聊视频�
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The town was asked to be involved in the 91裸聊视频楽ue Big Oil91裸聊视频� led by the West Coast Environmental Law following the delegation of Qualicum Beach resident Roy Colliver, who heads the local chapter of Sue Big Oil, and Andrew Gage, staff lawyer with West Coast Environmental Law at council91裸聊视频檚 regular meeting on Nov. 8, 2023.
Both Colliver and Gage welcomed the town91裸聊视频檚 commitment.
91裸聊视频淲e are facing a massive bill for the measures needed to keep us safe from climate disasters, and it91裸聊视频檚 only going up,91裸聊视频� Collver stated in a news release.
Qualicum Beach91裸聊视频檚 Climate Change Adaptation Plan identifies 31 actions that the town needs to be achieve to keep residents safe from the impacts of climate change. It is expected to cost between $1.2 million and $13.9 million. In addition, the town has already experienced flooding, damage to its waterfront and spent resources reducing wildfire risk.
