Our Vars Vision - A Sustainable Community

Presented by Francine Portenier

October 23, 2008

Vars – Envisioned as a Sustainable Community

February 2, 2010 1

Sustainable Communities

A Community of People who• Provide a supportive social structure for all in the

community

• Live a low-environmental impact way of life

• Live work and play in the community

• Preserve the best parts of the community for future generations

February 2, 2010 2© Twin Willows 2007-2008

A Balanced Sustainable Community


Vars Vision

• History and heritage

• Our place in the city

• Safety and Security

• Community Facilities and Services

• Land Use/Green Spaces

• Infrastructure and Buildings

• Energy and Transportation

• Business Prosperity

• Supportive social structure

• Low environmental impact

• Live work and play locally

• Preserve for our children and grandchildren


Why does Vars need to be Sustainable too?

• To adapt to climate change• To avoid the health impacts of pollution• To plan for rising costs of energy – diminishing

availability• To ensure we have clean water and security of

water supply

September 8, 2008 © Twin Willows 2007-2008 5February 2, 2010 5© Twin Willows 2007-2008

Impacts of Climate Change

Economic• Infrastructure Damage

– Sewer Systems– Roadways

• Reduced hydro-electricity output

• Increased power interruptions

Social/Health/Cultural• Heat Stress• Increased respiratory

problems ~ asthma• Increased diseases• Increased extreme

weather events

September 8, 2008 © Twin Willows 2007-2008 6February 2, 2010 6© Twin Willows 2007-2008

Energy – more costly•Oil reached an historic peak of $147.12 per barrel on July 11th

• On October 22nd the price of a barrel of oil hovers at $66.75 US – the lowest price in 16 months.

•the fundamentals that drove oil to $147 - strong demand for crude from Asia, combined with an increasing scarcity of easy-to-develop crude - aren't about to disappear.

•....a [price rise] will come in a matter of months, not years."

•Jeff Rubin, chief economist for CIBC World Markets predicted oil prices will rebound to triple digit levels by next year and could go to even "higher triple digits than we've seen before."February 2, 2010 © Twin Willows 2007-2008 7

How can we move to be Sustainable?

February 2, 2010 © Twin Willows 2007-2008

• Social Structure

• Land Use and Conservation

• Energy and Transportation

• Safety and Resilience

• Community Services

• Business Prosperity

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Social Structure

• Be an inclusive and welcoming community– Youth, Young Families, Seniors, Group Homes

• A senior’s residence established which would offer local employment

• Promote businesses serving seniors – landscaping, snow removal

• Daycare Centre service available for children after school

• Sidewalks and lighting be provided in the village where required to encourage walkability

• Recreation Centre /Arena (games, sports, internet services, learning, library) also for group home residents

• Promote more activities for community and group homes such as dance lessons, music, jujitsu, sports, drama

February 2, 2010 © Twin Willows 2007-2008 9

Land Use and Conservation

• First assess the health of our water soil and air– Energy use surveys/Soil and Water sampling/GHG

measures

• Consistency in designing the new Main Street (Rockdale) with commercial/mixed use businesses, sidewalks, lampposts

• Promote growing local organic foods

• Farmers Market

• Create non-motorized pathways, walk, bike or ride, cross-country skiing with lighting


Safety and Resilience

• Need to encourage trust and need to ensure that there is an ability to bounce back after difficulties


Community Services

• Identify those services that will build the sense of community – that will contribute to self-reliance


Business Prosperity

• Encourage small owner operated businesses in Vars

• Small businesses established i.e. bakery, café

• Encourage and enhance Peladeau grocery store


Energy and Transportation

• Increase Building standards for energy use for any new construction

• Increase public transit options

• Reduce the amount of energy used

• Encourage renewable energy projects


© Twin Willows 2007-2008 15

Vars Sustainability Vision

We see Vars in the future as a rural bilingual and sustainable community– Values its heritage

– Values its strong self-reliant community ties

– Works to reduce the amount of pollution and GHG emissions

– Adapts to the changes in climate

– Prepares for a future of more costly oil


Name our Future Contest

V – Vibrant

A – Active and healthy

R – Rural

S – Sustainable

V - vibrantA - actifR – ruraleS - soutenable


Our Vars Vision - A Sustainable Community

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