Tell us about your Green Plan.
The Green Plan determined certain key sectors for the town’s sustainable development that will help protect and improve its infrastructure. The town established objectives for each of these sectors to protect and improve infrastructure. These sectors are:
- City development and green infrastructure: adopt an environmental approach for urban planning and the construction of roads, buildings and residential areas, keeping in mind maintenance of public spaces.
- Internal municipal management: improve operations and management methods within the town.
- Promotion of sustainable development initiatives: ensure effective communications between the town and its residents.
- Residents’ involvement: get residents to commit to participating in the Green Plan.
Why did the Town of Bouctouche decide to undertake a sustainable development strategy?
During the 1990s, the town launched a process to become a centre for ecotourism. The process was very successful and Bouctouche’s ecotourism gave the town a unique cachet. With time, Bouctouche’s ecotourism became the town’s economic engine. The town was also nominated for two prestigious international awards for its efforts. The town’s “green” approach was a natural step for council. It was clear that we had to go beyond ecotourism to really achieve sustainable development. So, we decided to draw up a plan.
What steps did you take to draw up this plan?
First of all, the town decided to release funds to hire an environmental coordinator. Then, we established an interdisciplinary committee involving stakeholders from various sectors, including youth, business, municipal departments and others. The committee was mandated to analyze what other Canadian municipalities had done.
Once we had set up our framework, we held public meetings to keep residents fully informed but mainly to get their opinion. Residents were always informed as we undertook a new stage in the process.
Finally, council approved the plan in June 2006 and Bouctouche became the first municipality in New Brunswick to have a green plan.
We are now at the implementation stage. Several initiatives have been put in place for residents and for the town’s management. For example, we have joined the Partners for Climate Protection network.
How did you foster awareness for your Green Plan within the community?
Throughout the process, we informed residents through public meetings. We also held public events to mobilize residents. For example, we created the Ecofestival, an event where people can learn more about ecology, culture and sustainable development.
We also had a comprehensive door-to-door campaign where students distributed “green kits” to all households. The “Bouctouche Thinking Green” kit explained the initiatives undertaken by the town and encourages residents to do their part. The kits included two reusable bags, one compact fluorescent light bulb and documentation on energy efficiency, composting, sorting waste and other topics.
We also launched a new website: the Green Toolbox. This site makes excellent suggestions on reducing the impact on the environment, one resident at a time.
What barriers did the project face and how did you address them?
The concept of sustainable development involves a new way of seeing and doing things. We must change our “bad habits” to put sustainable development principles into practice.
So, we set up a continuing education program for residents, municipal employees and council. We then held major events to engage the public and to increase the sense of belonging within the town while making the residents aware of this approach.
How did you obtain council's support?
Fortunately, council was open to this idea and had great confidence in the committee created by the town. Moreover, once the committee had demonstrated the economic, sociological and environmental benefits of this plan, council saw it could just not pass up such an opportunity.
What lessons did you learn in implementing such a plan? How did these lessons influence other activities offered within your community?
One of the first lessons we learned was that the preparation and implementation of a green plan is a long-term process that requires us to find a balance between our objectives and the time and resources necessary to meet them. I also think it’s important to see the big picture and be innovative, while still accounting for any constraints you may have.
Our Green Plan is part of every activity we propose, from our Ecofestival to our winter carnival. We have also integrated the concept internally with concrete ways of reducing energy consumption and waste, for example.
What were the costs associated with your Green Plan?
You have to look at the costs as an investment rather than an expense. You have to be innovative to reduce environmental impacts. There are certainly costs associated with this approach — for labour, implementation of the plan, studies and research, and so on. But I believe that at the end of the day, the town wins. It saves on energy costs, it is more attractive and it stands out from other towns (by winning international awards, for example). And finally, we can’t forget that town residents also win. They are proud to live in a green community and are much more aware of the impact they have on the environment.
What suggestions would you make for other municipalities interested in undertaking a similar project?
Don’t be afraid of new concepts. If you have to convince council of the financial case for implementing such a project, concentrate on aspects such as reduced energy costs. It is also important that you have the support of the community and that you don’t leave them out of the process. Any municipality can have a green plan. I would even say that smaller communities have an edge, since they have fewer obstacles stopping them from going ahead.
How is your project unique in New Brunswick and Canada?
We are a small coastal community and the reality we face is very different from most Canadian municipalities. We have limited resources, and thanks to the ecotourism in our area, among other things, we have succeeded in making our municipality more sustainable and in promoting the town’s economic, social and environmental development. Ours was the first municipality in New Brunswick to implement such a plan, and we in Bouctouche are proud that this example is such a great success.
FCM’s Green Municipal Fund provides grants of up to $350,000 to produce sustainable community plans like the one in Bouctouche.
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