Sechelt Mayor John Henderson is joining another council — for the Green Municipal Fund (GMF).
The national organization is a $1.65 billion federal endowment that provides funding and training to Canadian municipalities’ sustainability initiatives. It is delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. It helps local governments “build resiliency in energy, transportation, water, waste and land use projects,” a May 2 press release from the District of Sechelt said.
Over the past decade, the district has received at least $8.6 million from the GMF in grants and loans for projects including the Sechelt Sustainable Community Action Plan and the design and construction of the water resource centre.
In the press release, Henderson said he was honoured by the nomination. “For a smaller west coast community to be recognized on a federal scale speaks volumes. Sechelt has always been a leader in green initiatives, devising creative solutions to environmental issues and protecting the resources we have,” he said.
Henderson's appointment won't affect Sechelt's chances at receiving grants and loans from the GMF, district communications manager, Lindsay Vickers, told Coast Reporter in an email. "That was the Mayor’s first question! He would just excuse himself from the discussions that he may be in conflict of interest."
Asked why Henderson was selected for the role, Vickers said, "While he wasn’t given the answer, Mayor Henderson was chosen likely based on not only his time in government and building the Sechelt Water Resource Centre, but for his professional expertise in accounting and his history of personal experience with green initiatives and technology. (One of the first Tesla owners.)"
The council is made up of representatives from the Government of Canada, elected municipal officials and members of the public, private, academic and environmental sectors, said Vickers.
