1. We have seen multiple waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, different variants, and various phases of lockdowns. How has your township and community coped during these times?
The Township of Bonnechere Valley and the community has coped quite well during the lockdowns. The municipal office issued press releases and did information videos entitled “Ask Mayor Murphy” to help the community understand how the municipality was handling matters and continuing to provide services during the lockdowns.
Volunteers in the community established a website www.bvcovid19.ca and a Facebook page “It Takes A Village” as means to circulate useful resources and information to assist our community through the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Eganville and Bonnechere Valley are known for their caves and access to these natural geologic features. What else should readers know about your community and the people that work and live there?
The Township of Bonnechere Valley boasts a high quality of life and is rich in natural and tourism assets. This part of the Ottawa Valley benefits from immediate access to several freshwater lakes, rivers and caves; as well as having a large supply of forests and farmland, making it an ideal location for many types of businesses.
Eganville is known as the Ordovician Capital of Canada. Forget the dinosaurs of the Jurassic period, we go way, way back, all the way to the Ordovician! Ancient sea creatures are fossilized in the limestone that once was the mud at the bottom of oceans covering this land. Fossils are plentiful and easy to find. Learn from the large collection at the Bonnechere Museum, head out on an organized Fossil Hunt with Caveman Chris, or walk the John Egan Geo Trail to find your own specimens.
Our community is filled with an abundance of local talent from artists to artisans, to musicians, sport athletes (i.e.: Melissa Bishop, Women’s 400m — 3rd time Olympian) and authors. Our community over its existence has suffered great loss, as in the great fire of July 9, 1911 where the downtown core of Eganville was almost entirely was destroyed. Bonnechere Valley is resilient and is built on exceptional volunteerism and community engagement. The people in our community are known for their generosity and talent. Through volunteers we have been able to create some great assets in our community (ie: McRae Park, Eganville Splash Pad, Centennial Park and Fairfields).
3. Bonnechere Valley and Eganville are part of Phase 2 of the ON Natural Gas Expansion Program. Can you tell us a bit more about the communities’ energy mix up until now and how being connected to the natural gas system will change this?
The community has an energy mix of hydro, oil and propane currently. The expansion of natural gas will help cut energy costs and attract investment by keeping our local businesses competitive and by supplying cost effective energy options to households. We thank the province and Enbridge for bringing more energy choices to our community. We know strategic infrastructure investment pays dividends, supporting our businesses and families now and guiding our growth into the future.
“The expansion of natural gas will help cut energy costs and attract investment by keeping our local businesses competitive and by supplying cost effective energy options to households.”
4. How do you think having natural gas will support households, businesses and the agriculture sector in your communities? Do you think this expansion will help the town attract more business and investment?
The expansion will help the town attract more business and investment as it will reduce energy spending for households, businesses and farmers. It will recirculate energy spending within the local economy. It will create high-quality, local jobs and will attract and retain businesses. There is also the potential for increased retail sales and increased property values. The average household could save between $250 to $1,500 per year in energy costs by switching to natural gas from costlier fuel sources. Businesses are expected to save up to 30 per cent per year on energy costs.
“The expansion will help the town attract more business and investment as it will reduce energy spending for households, businesses and farmers.”
5. Many municipalities across the country are committed to sustainability and a clean energy future, but some are looking at transitioning to electricity as the single energy pathway (as opposed to multiple pathways using gaseous fuel delivery, liquid fuel delivery, solid fuel delivery, and electricity) to meet their energy needs. What do you say to these fellow municipal leaders?
Canada is blessed with a range of energy resources. All levels of government and our Indigenous communities need to work together to develop policies that will enable every part of our economy, including our energy and resource sectors, to thrive.
6. What are your municipality’s energy and environmental goals for the short and long term and how can the energy industry, and governments engage with communities to support these goals?
Our goal is to work together for a coordinated approach across governments and jurisdictions to get the right balance to ensure we continue to reduce carbon pollution, while stimulating innovation and productivity to provide a foundation for our future.