Correspondence - District of Oak Bay regarding LGCAP Funding

Re: Local Government Climate Action Program (LGCAP) Funding

At the Oak Bay Council Meeting held June 8, 2026, Council resolved:

That Council direct the Mayor to send a letter to the Province and local MLAs outlining the need for continued Local Government Climate Action Program funding and share this letter with the Capital Regional District Board of Directors and other BC municipal elected officials.

For more than a decade, the Province has supported local climate initiatives through grant funding to communities across British Columbia. The Local Government Climate Action Program (LGCAP), the current form of this support, provides local governments and Modern Treaty Nations with funding, guidance, and direct support to implement effective climate actions across B.C.

This funding supports timely local climate action that reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, prepares communities for the impacts of a changing climate and creates new opportunities for people in the clean economy.

Eligible expenditures can include, but are not limited to:

• Investments to improve energy efficiency and investing in climate infrastructure
• Matching funds to leverage funding from the federal government or other parties
• Staffing and contracts
• Risk assessments, communications and engagement

These funds have been a critical and reliable funding source of support that the District and most other local governments have relied on to implement climate solutions, support staff expertise, deliver programs, and leverage additional grant funding from other organizations.

In February 2026, the Provincial Government released the 2026/27–2028/29 Service Plan for the Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions. The plan does not include funding for the continuation of the Local Government Climate Action Program (LGCAP); however, to date, no final decision or direction has been communicated publicly by the Province.

Oak Bay Council would like to advocate for the continued funding of LGCAP and its inclusion in the 2026/27- 2028/29 Service Plan as the loss of Provincial LGCAP funding would be detrimental to the District’s ability (and the ability of all local governments) to continue developing and implementing our climate action program.

Thank you for your time and consideration and we look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Kevin Murdoch, Mayor District of Oak Bay

c. Hon. Diana Gibson, MLA Oak Bay-Gordon Head Hon. Grace Lore, MLA Victoria-Beacon Hill Hon. Lana Popham, MLA Saanich South Hon. Nina Krieger, MLA Victoria-Swan Lake Hon. Ravi Parmar, MLA Langford-Highlands Darlene Rotchford, MLA Esquimalt-Colwood Rob Botterell, MLA Saanich North and the Islands Capital Regional Board of Directors BC Municipalities – Elected Officials