Christine Sypnowich has published an article in The New Statesman on the importance of local input on siting decisions. Issues at the local level – such as where to locate a wind turbine or solar panels – are often controversial. People who are generally in favour of certain progressive policies may not want them implemented in their own neighbourhood. Such people are pejoratively called “NIMBYs” (taken from “Not In My Backyard”). But, Christine argues, NIMBYism can be a way of raising legitimate concerns for projects.
On a different issue, the CBC reported on transparency in virtual meetings of city councils and committees. The pandemic has moved many meetings online, but this can hide important features of meetings – such as who is attending. The Coalition of Kingston Communities, which Christine chairs, raised the concerns and weighed in for the CBC story.