The Calgary Climate Hub said people have to sound worried about climate change when they appear before city council for its budget consultations. .“It’s so important that you’re here, that we’re all engaged, and that we’re all working towards a better Calgary,” said Calgary Club Hub Director Angela McIntyre at a Wednesday training session. .“It’s so inspiring, and it brings hope.” .Calgary Climate Hub Co-Chair Robert Tremblay said it looks at climate action through mitigation, adaptation, and justice. There are five demands it aims to have people speak about at the consultations. .Tremblay said the group’s first budget demand is funding climate-dedicated advocacy resources and requesting the Alberta and Canadian governments follow through with money and policies. He said the group is asking for a total of 100 km to be built for the Always Available for All Ages and Abilities Network, which he is disappointed is not included in the budget right now. .The one demand found in the budget at the moment is funding for the electrification of Calgary’s bus fleet. The group’s fourth request is scaling up the Clean Energy Improvement Program to 5,000 retrofits per year, with affordable housing being targeted. .Tremblay said the city should accelerate funding for expanding the tree canopy from 8% to 16%. He said attendees should focus on these five requests. .“We do want to be speaking with as cohesive a voice as possible,” he said. .“We really ask for you to come back to one of these asks and say that you really want to see it in the budget.” .Tremblay went on to say he wants public transit to become more attractive for people. He said having lower fares is a concept the Calgary Climate Hub supports, and they are looking for electrification and service increases. .Calgary Climate Hub volunteer Deborah Wong said attendees should tell their stories when presenting at the budget hearings. Wong said these consultations are important because they will determine city planning for four years. .“We’re here as citizens to tell them these priorities, like how it impacts me,” said Wong. .Wong said stories should start off with people saying who they are. She added people have many identities, and it's compelling when city council sees climate as a concern across all wards. .The most important part of attendees telling their stories is why they support climate action, where people speak from personal experiences. She said personal stories protect attendees, as “no one can question your lived experience.” .People should conclude their stories by saying what they want council to do. They should reference back to the Calgary Climate Hub. .The session concluded with people filling out the forms for budget hearings on Tuesday. People were directed to make a request to speak. .They were asked to click neither when speaking about if they supported the budget. That is because there are items the group supports and opposes in it. .Calgary city council approved an expensive climate strategy in July, which was aimed at having the city reach net zero by 2050. .READ MORE: Calgary city council gives green light to $87 billion climate plan.The proposal was debated for three hours and ended in a 9-6 vote in favour of the $87 billion plan. ."We've decided tonight that we've made a commitment to taking action on climate change," said Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek.
